Alzano Lombardo: Churches, Art and Trails

Alzano Lombardo can be explored through its churches, art venues and trails. The Basilica di San Martino, the churches in Olera, Nese and Brumano, as well as the trails along the Serio and the Roggia Seriola, offer different points of interest. This gives you a clear basis for choosing your accommodation according to whether you are interested in culture, cycling or hiking.

Basilica di San Martino: The construction project was entrusted to Gerolamo Quadrio. Work began in 1659 and continued throughout the following century. Inside, the basilica is divided into three naves; the central vault is decorated with stuccoes by the Sala workshop. The central bays contain paintings by Pier Paolo Raggi depicting miracles of Saint Martin. There are also twelve frescoes by Giuseppe Pozzi depicting martyrdom scenes.

Olera: The parish church of San Bartolomeo preserves a 15th-century polyptych by Cima da Conegliano. Olera has three churches. The oldest is dedicated to the SS. Trinità e tutti i Santi and is also known as the Chiesa dei morti. There is also a study centre dedicated to Fra Tommaso da Olera, which collects paintings and sculptures about the friar.

Art and collection: The Museo d’Arte Sacra San Martino is housed in the former Palazzo Pelliccioli, an elegant 17th-century building. The museum and the Basilica di San Martino, with its three sacristies, house works by, among others, Tintoretto, Palma il Vecchio, Palma il Giovane, Piazzetta, Cignaroli, Fantoni and Caniana.

Industrial history: The former Cementificio Italcementi is a rare, almost intact example of a workshop for the production of natural cement. The complex was built and modified by the Pesenti brothers between 1833 and 1966; the kilns were decommissioned in 1966. The former cement works can only be seen from the outside or on specific occasions. Visits are possible by prior reservation through Gruppo Tironi.

Cycle paths: The Ciclovia delle Rogge runs through Alzano Centro and Alzano Sopra along the Roggia Seriola. Flowers, historic photographs, art installations and murals shape its appearance. The pedestrian and cycle path along the Serio River runs below the built-up area of Alzano and along the border with the municipality of Villa di Serio. Following the Serio path, you can reach Bergamo and the municipalities along the route; a branch leads to Gorle and Seriate. In the opposite direction, the path extends to Clusone and the upper Val Seriana.

Hiking routes: Route 540A reaches a maximum elevation of around 900 metres and has an elevation gain of approximately 375 metres. Along it, you cross route 533; if you continue to the left, you can reach Canto Alto via route 507. Il percorso del Lupo is approximately 9.8 kilometres long and has an elevation gain of around 640 metres. The CAI signs indicate approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes for this route. The different figures help you distinguish shorter outings from longer ones.

Brumano: The hilltop settlement of Brumano can only be reached on foot: via a road open exclusively to authorised vehicles, via a mule track or via hiking trails. The Chiesa della Trasfigurazione preserves an old Serassi organ and its original sandstone portal. It is also a stage of the Cammino delle Sorelle, which connects Bergamo with Brescia.

Park and public places: Parco Montecchio is the main public park in the municipality of Alzano. It contains more than 40 tree species, with almost 400 specimens in total. The park includes tennis courts, a bocce court, the headquarters of the Alzano CAI subsection, the municipal library and a municipal auditorium.

Other cultural sites

Nese also contributes to the historic character of the area. The Chiesa della Santissima Trinità, dating from the 14th century, adjoins a medieval farmhouse that originally served as a hostel for travellers. In its apse, the church preserves 18th-century paintings depicting the Holy Trinity, Saint Gratus and the death of Saint Joseph. The Santa Maria della Pace complex dates from 1520 and bears witness to the presence of the Franciscans in the Bergamo area.

For your stay, you can therefore combine different interests: churches and works of art lead to specific historical themes, while the Ciclovia delle Rogge, the Serio path and the routes described here offer distinct options for cycling and hiking days. Accommodation in Alzano Lombardo can thus be selected according to your preferred daily programme, without treating the different trails, sites and access conditions as equivalent.

Other destinations for planning your trip include Aviatico, Lovere, Cene, Selvino, Zogno, Costa Volpino, Carona and Branzi.

For the main travel overview: Bergamo.