Holiday apartment in Alzano Lombardo: culture, parks and trails

Alzano Lombardo combines sacred art, industrial history, public parks and paths along the Serio to create a varied destination. Particularly interesting is the combination of the districts of Alzano Centro and Alzano Sopra, the paths along the river and the historic buildings in Alzano, Olera, Nese and Brumano.

Holiday apartment in Alzano Lombardo between church art and history

The construction project for the Basilica di San Martino was entrusted to the architect Gerolamo Quadrio. Work began in 1659 and continued throughout the following century. The interior is divided into three naves. The central vault features stucco work by the Sala workshop, while paintings by Pier Paolo Raggi in the central bays depict miracles of Saint Martin. Twelve frescoes by Giuseppe Pozzi depict scenes of martyrdom.

The Museo d’Arte Sacra San Martino is housed in the former Palazzo Pelliccioli, an elegant 17th-century building. The Museo d’Arte Sacra San Martino 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. 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. Olera is also home to a study centre dedicated to Blessed Fra Tommaso da Olera, which houses paintings and sculptures about the friar.

Santa Maria della Pace dates back to 1520 and bears witness to the presence of the Franciscans in the Bergamo area. The Chiesa di San Bernardo has a single-nave interior with three wooden altars and works of art dating from 1600 onwards. In Nese, the Chiesa della Santissima Trinità dates back to the 14th century. Its apse preserves 18th-century paintings depicting the Holy Trinity, Saint Gratus and the death of Saint Joseph. A medieval farmhouse adjoins the church; it originally served as accommodation for travellers.

Cycling and walks along the Serio

For active days, the Ciclovia delle Rogge runs through Alzano Centro and Alzano Sopra along the Roggia Seriola. Flowers, historical photographs, art installations and murals add interest along the route. 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 Trail, you can reach Bergamo and the municipalities along the route; a branch leads to Gorle and Seriate. In the opposite direction, the Serio Trail extends to Clusone and upper Val Seriana.

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

Hiking trails with varying levels of difficulty

Route 540A reaches a maximum altitude of approximately 900 metres and has an elevation gain of approximately 375 metres. On this route, you cross path 533; those who continue to the left can reach Canto Alto via path 507. Il percorso del Lupo is approximately 9.8 kilometres long, takes around 3 hours and 40 minutes according to CAI signs, and has an elevation gain of approximately 640 metres. The different elevation gains of the two routes can provide initial guidance when planning hiking days.

The Chiesa della Trasfigurazione in Brumano is a stage of the Cammino delle Sorelle, which connects Bergamo with Brescia. The hillside settlement can only be reached on foot; there is a road that may be used exclusively by authorised vehicles, as well as a mule track and hiking trails. In the Chiesa della Trasfigurazione, Brumano preserves an old Serassi organ and its original sandstone portal.

Day trips combining local culture, the Serio Trail and Brumano

The Basilica di San Martino, the Museo d’Arte Sacra San Martino, Olera and Nese represent art- and history-focused discoveries. Parco Montecchio, the Ciclovia delle Rogge and the Serio Trail complement this selection with park, walking and cycling experiences. For more demanding hiking days, Route 540A and Il percorso del Lupo provide specific elevation and distance information. Brumano requires different planning from destinations along the Serio because it can only be reached on foot.

More destinations for your selection

Other destinations for your own travel planning include Canonica D'adda, Aviatico, Chiuduno, Bossico, Seriate, Capriate San Gervasio, Fiumenero and Fonteno.

To the overarching travel overview: Bergamo.