Discover Malonno – Frescoes, Mines and MTB Trails

Malonno combines sacred art and mining history with MTB trails. Piz Tri is also associated with ski touring. In Malonno, there are frescoes in churches, underground mine workings, a historical and cultural route, and local festive traditions.

Sacred Art and Local History in Malonno

The Chiesa di Santa Maria a Lava contains two dated fresco ensembles. At the high altar is a fresco of the Madonna and Child enthroned, created in 1407. The presbytery contains a Marian cycle of 12 fresco panels from the 16th century.

On a rocky spur near the settlement of Malonno, in the direction of Contrada Odecla, stands the Parrocchiale dei Santi Faustino e Giovita. The original church or chapel was built no later than the 11th or 12th century by the Benedictine monks of the Monastero di S. Faustino di Brescia.

A historical and cultural route leads through Malonno to the town’s most important historical and cultural attractions; along the route is also the Forno Fusorio, a smelting furnace dating approximately from the 16th century, so the route includes not only churches but also evidence of metalworking.

Mines, Tunnels and Underground Spaces in Malonno

The visitor route through the mines of Malonno extends for more than 1,000 metres through underground galleries, tunnels and mine workings. When planning the day, the more-than-1,000-metre visitor route through several underground areas forms a separate time block.

Ferromin Alta (Livello Radello) includes the underground chamber „Salone 18“, located 520 metres from the entrance. One of the two exploration tunnels reaches a depth of 860 metres. The Ferromin Bassa section (Livello Roma) includes a descending tunnel section that has been made accessible through walkways and structural modifications.

MTB Trails with Historical and Technical Features

The Piz Tri MTB route runs mostly along roads and mule tracks from the First World War and also passes recently adapted defensive positions. When planning this route, the historical course of the trail is therefore a specific consideration in addition to cycling.

The Varagnola MTB trail begins in the centre of Malonno and leads to Località Varagnola. From there, it offers a view over the Forno Allione valley as far as Rino di Sonico.

The Vent MTB trail also leads from the centre of Malonno to Vent at 1,750 metres above sea level. It runs along mule tracks and singletrack trails that require good technical skills. For planning a day on this route, the altitude and the technical requirements are therefore two separate planning factors. Varagnola and Vent both start in the centre of Malonno, but each leads to a different destination: Località Varagnola and Vent at 1,750 metres above sea level, respectively.

Le Migole and Local Festive Traditions in Malonno

Local events and sagre in Malonno keep the tradition of Le Migole as a special festive dish alive.

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For the higher-level travel overview: Brescia.