Monasterolo del Castello - Monasterolo del Castello

Monasterolo del Castello is a center of the Lombardy.

To know

Geographical notes

In the area of Prealps and great Lombard lakes, in Cavallina Valley, the town rises on the banks of the Endine lake, about 30 km from Bergamo.

When to go

Monasterolo, due to the proximity of the lake and the wood that create a microclimate, is a very humid and rainy area in autumn, cold and humid in winter; in summer it is cool, rainy and breezy in the evening.

Background

The etymology of Monasterolo del Castello is clear: it derives from a monastery destroyed at the end of the eighth century during the war between the Franks and the Lombards. The confirmation comes from a series of excavations that took place in the 90s of the twentieth century which also brought to light foundations of colossal size, and a tuff arch supported by two large stones as if they were pillars with an elephant foot base, characteristic of Benedictine art.

How to orient yourself

Neighborhoods

Its municipal territory also includes the villages of Brione, Castello, Legner and Moj.

How to get

How to get around

What see

• 45.7632349.9305071 Parish Church of San Salvatore. Originally from the 13th century, it was rebuilt in the 18th century.

The churchyard is accessed from the village through an arch and exits from another that leads to the small cemetery located on the banks of the Endine lake, a path marked by the 14 stations of the Via Crucis.

Each arch houses two scenes from the life of Jesus above the vault.

All works are made in mosaic in the 70s of the twentieth century by the Peresson firm of Milan on cartoons by the painter Trento Longaretti.

The church houses valuable paintings from the 18th century, including the Transfiguration, oil on canvas by Domenico Carpinoni and a valuable inlaid black marble altar by skilled local craftsmen from the second half of the 17th century.  

• 45.7577789.9186112 Castle, Piazzetta Contessa V. Terni de Gregori, 1, ☎ 39 338 802 6655. The origins of the castle are still controversial; in fact it seems that the current structure was built in place of a previous building dating back to the early Middle Ages used as a Benedictine monastery and demolished at the end of the eighth century by the army of the Franks (although other hypotheses would indicate Federico Barbarossa). This theory is supported by the discovery of the foundations of this construction, typical of Benedictine architecture. The new structure, on the other hand, is difficult to date, as there are no documents proving its existence.

The first document that can be attributed with certainty dates back to 1130, a time when it is thought that the manor was used for both defensive and residential purposes. The first owners were the members of the Mozzo family, which was then replaced by the Suardi family, who played a predominant role over the entire valley, hence the Terzi.

No significant episode occurred until the arrival of the Republic of Venice (first half of the fifteenth century) which, in order to put an end to the struggles between Guelphs and Ghibellines, ordered the destruction of all the fortifications. To avoid the demolition of the castle, the Suardi family decided to make it a stately home in all respects.

The following centuries saw a progressive but inexorable abandonment of the structure, to the point of making it dilapidated and at risk of collapsing. In the thirties it was sold by the Terzi family to the British countess Winifred Terni De Gregory and only in 1937 the restoration works began which, which lasted until 1945, saw the recovery of both the interiors and the gardens.

The building, which is located on a small hill of morainic origin located between the southern end of the Endine lake and the left bank of the river Cherio, is surrounded on three of the four sides by a wall, while to the north it is bordered by the lake and, in past centuries, by marshes. The masonry is made up of coarse ashlars and lightly worked stones, with different dimensions depending on the height at which they are placed.

The entrance is located on the south side, and consists of a Gothic-style portal with an ogival shape: from this one leads to the so-called Low court, consisting of a square courtyard surrounded by walls with a walkway and battlements: the latter are nothing more than an ornamental motif, added later than the rest of the structure. To the left of the entrance there is also a small one Oratory, dedicated to Sant'Anna, dating back to the 17th century.

The structure then continues with the High court, trapezoidal shape: consisting of an "L" -shaped body on two floors which has a portico with arches and columns as well as numerous rooms, it is completed by another small irregularly shaped courtyard.  

• 45.778619.939443 Endine lake. The place of greatest attraction is undoubtedly Lake Endine: a tourist destination, it can offer the visitor the practice of sporting activities such as fishing, boat excursions, windsurfing and trekking, but also simple walks. There are numerous leisure opportunities, including beaches and renowned restaurants scattered along the lake shore.  

Events and parties

What to do

Shopping

How to have fun

Where to eat

Where stay

Safety

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Around

• Lake Iseo — Iseo, Pisogne, Lovere, Sarnico is Monte Isola are the cities of this lake formed by the Oglio which with its waters has filled the glacial valley carved by the glacier of Valcamonica. It is the fourth by extension among the great Lombard lakes, and like the others it enjoys a good tourist activity.
• Clusone - Main center of the Val Seriana, it boasts important architectural testimonies both religious and civil. It is a tourist center of good standing.
• Trescore Balneario - Main center of the Cavallina Valley, it is a little bit the capital. Its thermal baths are a highlight
• Bergamo - Its historic center stands on a relief surrounded by the fortifications erected by Venice, which held the city for centuries. The Duomo and the Colleoni Chapel are the best known monuments of the ancient city, or Bergamo Alta.

Other projects

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