Contrada di Arnosto

A Fuipiano Valle Imagna, in the province of Bergamo, the district of Arnosto is one of the places that best reflects the rural, mountain identity of Valle Imagna. It sits at an altitude of 1033 metres, along a plateau just upstream of the village of Fuipiano, on the route of an ancient road.

The village is formed by a characteristic group of rural homes: terraced stone houses, overlooking the mule trail and set out in three groups. The compact structure of the village still has the appearance of an old mountain settlement, where every element seems to fit seamlessly with the natural setting and with the farming activities of the valley.
Arnosto is considered one of the most significant, best preserved examples of rural architecture in Valle Imagna. The buildings and the natural scenery fit effortlessly together: walls, courtyards, roofs, and alleys show a way of life made of stone, hard work and adapting to the mountains.
Arnosto is above all recognisable by its stone architecture. Exposed brickwork, arched doorways, outdoor seating and lime slabs create a sober and consistent overall effect. The slate roofs, made using thick slabs of local limestone, are one of the most characteristic features of the village and of the building heritage in Valle Imagna.
Walking among the houses, it is possible to note some of the symbolic locations of community life: the Customs House, the small church dedicated to San Filippo Neri and Francesco da Paola, and the ethnographic museum, which contains work tools and relics from farming life, herding and crafts of the past. 
A visit to Arnosto will take you into a small village that has managed to preserve a concrete and charming image of pre-alpine life from years gone by. Here the stones have a story to tell and every detail reflects the deep bonds between architecture, history and the local area.