Priula Street
The Via Priula is a path of high historical value, retracing the route of the ancient trade road built in 1593. It was started by the Venetian podestà of Bergamo Alvise Priuli to connect the Po Valley with the Valtellina, Valchiavenna and the transalpine, without passing through the Duchy of Milan, then under Spanish rule with its attendant impositions of transit duties. The road was traveled by intense traffic, especially after Venice had entered into a treaty of alliance with the Three Leagues in September 1603. On the basis of this treaty, the Serenissima granted, in fact, exemption from duties both to goods produced in Italy and exported through the San Marco Pass, and to those from Valtellina and Graubünden exported to Venice. This path was therefore traveled by merchants, couriers, mercenary soldiers and cargoes of goods: wools, irons, salt, grapes, cheese and the saltpeter. The rather wide road was passable along some sections by two-wheeled wagons and in the section of the San Marco Pass allowed passage with fully loaded pack animals. Today, from the upper Brembana Valley in the Orobic Alps one reaches Chiavenna through the Bitto Valley of Albaredo, lower Valtellina, and the Chiavenna Plain. From Chiavenna the path connects to the great transalpine trails of the Via Septimer and Via Spluga. One approaches an area rich in monuments, cultures, gastronomic specialties, inns and hotels. The route, especially in the mountainous part, runs along the ancient mule track. In the valley bottoms, country roads, bicycle and pedestrian paths and other trails were favored. It covers about 80 km in 4 days of travel, touching, at the San Marco Pass, the maximum altitude of 1982 meters. - Ph Ig: @vale2389
