The reference town for the Alta Val Camonica is Edolo. Crossed by the River Oglio and characterised by charming stone alleys, the ancient village stands at the point where the valley has its main bifurcation: in a north-east direction it climbs to the Tonale Pass and the Gavia Pass, while toward west, through what is known as the Corteno Valley, it reaches the Aprica Pass.

The urban fabric is the result of the merger of Edolo and the locality of Mù, where the 17th-century parish church of Santa Maria Nascente stands with its imposing bell tower, the highest in the valley at 68 metres. Right next to the monument stands a beautiful horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum).

The tree is particularly tall (about 30 metres), but the proximity to the majestic bell tower perhaps does not allow one to fully appreciate this peculiarity. Much more appreciable, however, is the mighty shaft, which, between the cemetery entrance and the stone architectural elements, appears with a circumference of more than 4.5 metres (diameter 150 cm). From the church area, one can enjoy the panorama of Edolo and the mountains that guard it. The extensive municipal territory also includes important peaks such as the Adamello (3554 m a.s.l.) and Corno Baitone (3331 m a.s.l.), as well as various hydroelectric reservoirs that convey water to the underground Edolo power station. It is one of the most important installations in Italy and, with its jump of more than 1,200 metres, it can boast a power output close to one gigawatt.

A green monument that is accessible to the public.
 

(Luca Pernechele)