• Villages
    • Art & Culture
    • Navigli

Seven hamlets to discover in Lombardy

Beyond the magnificent cities of art, Lombardy's smaller market towns are far from being minor attractions. Visit the seven we have chosen for you to enjoy astronomical clocks, unsung frescos and gastronomic delicacies. All are surrounded by unique landscapes. Ideal destinations for a weekend away with friends or family.

 
1. Clusone (34,4 km from Bergamo)
Back in 1884, a railway just over 34 km long toiled up Val Seriana carrying zinc, lead and galena as well as passengers heading for Clusone, gateway to the Presolana mountains. The track was converted to a cycle route when the train line closed down. You can easily cycle to the town, which looks out over a vast plateau. The facade of the Oratorio dei Disciplini bears a magnificent Danza Macabra, part of a fresco cycle dating from 1485. From here, it’s a short hop via alleys and stairways to Clusone’s other great attraction: the Fanzago planetary clock in Piazza dell’Orologio. The sun and moon movements are still working.

 

2. Castellaro Lagusello (31,6 km from Mantua)
A castelliere (encircling wall) looking out over a lagusello or small lake. The name of Castellaro Lagusello, a tiny hamlet in the municipality of Monzambano, province of Mantua says it all. Its structure, dating back to the 11th century, remains nearly intact: a mediaeval courtyard with crenelated walls that once contained the houses and gardens of the peasants, with a noble residence rather than a military garrison and flagstoned floors. The village is surrounded by hills formed by glaciers, ploughed fields and a reed-ringed, heart-shaped lake.

 

3. Fortunago (42,2 km from Pavia)
This tiny village of Celtic origins clinging to a hilltop takes you back to the Middle Ages. Complete with cobblestones and stone houses, it nestles amidst oak and chestnut woods and wheat fields. All that survives of the ancient stronghold is a tower and a section of wall. A trip to the annual festival celebrating the best Varzi salami producers from the mountain areas south of the river Po (Oltrepò) offers a great excuse for admiring the way the village has been restored with porphyry, subtle lighting, wooden benches and facades with exposed stone.

 

4. Gradella (58,8 km from Cremona)
This town was first mentioned in the history books when Federico Barbarossa granted it to Milan together with other possessions. The year was 1186. Gradella, in the province of Cremona, is now a lyrical outpost of the Po Valley: with its yellow plastered houses edged with brick, connecting courtyards, porticoed facades and timberwork.

 

5. Monte Isola – Lake Iseo
A hillock in the middle of Lake Iseo, covered with ash trees, hornbeam and oak, olive and chestnut trees. An island with small clusters of houses for fishermen and traditional net-makers built around a villa rising from the ruins of the Oldofredi Castle, which hosted Catherine, Queen of Cyprus in 1497. Leave your car behind and arrive by boat: stroll around the island or walk the section from Peschiera Maraglio to Sensole, padding noiselessly along the lakeside among the olive groves.

 

6. Cassinetta di Lugagnano (37,7 km from Milan)
This zero-growth town is the outcome of a local planning order approved in 2005 that allowed an area of the Ticino Park to be reforested in exchange for the right to build new homes. Cassinetta di Lugagnano can be found on the Naviglio Grande in a protected part of the Ticino Park. Long ago, this area was a favourite with the Milanese bourgeoisie seeking luxury, delights and cool breezes along the canal linking Lake Maggiore to the Darsena. The twin town centres on opposite banks of the Naviglio Canal are connected by a paved humpback bridge rebuilt in 1862. Nowadays it offers a good lookout point.

 

7. Salò – Lago di Garda
Salò is the first (in a southerly direction) of the atmospheric towns on Lake Garda. It stands on a horseshoe-shaped gulf with pastel-coloured houses clustered around the two harbours and along the lakefront. You can easily walk along its promenade, complete with bridges, benches and stone walls. This leads to Piazza della Vittoria in the old town centre between the Clock Tower and Porta del Carmine. The 15th century Contrada del Dosso, outside the walls, is said to have housed a renowned linen market at one time. Nowadays it leads to the MuSa, Salò's Museum housed inside the church of Santa Giustina where you can see an interesting design collection.

-

PHOTO | ADOBE STOCK

On the same topic

Boroughs Pavia

Art, food & wine, relax. Boroughs surrounding Pavia are a fantastic destination for the weekend
  • Villages
Boroughs Pavia, ideas for visiting

Boroughs Sondrio

Food and handicrafts, festivals and fairs, art and traditions in the villages of Valtellina
  • Villages
Boroughs Sondrio

Boroughs Varese

Take time for a slow visit among the historic villages of Varese through alleys, painted facades, festivals: it will not be wasted!
  • Villages
Boroughs Varese, hints for visiting

An out-of-town excursion: the painted villages of Lombardy between Lecce and Como

An out-of-town excursion to Lombardy to discover the surprising open-air works of art scattered throughout the jewel-like villages of the Lecco and Como areas. Find out more.
  • Villages
An out-of-town excursion: the painted villages of Lombardy between Lecce and Como

Astronomy Evening

  • Villages
Astronomy Evening

Medieval Villages of Varese

Discover the most beautiful corners of the province
  • Villages
View of the brick bell tower of the Castiglione Olona church with the clock, surrounded by ancient houses and green trees under a clear sky.

Boroughs Bergamo

Breathtaking views and picturesque streets: the boroughs of Bergamo where time seems to have stopped
  • Villages
Boroughs Bergamo, discovering Lombardy

5 Thing-to-do in North Lake Como

The Northern area of Lake Como will amaze you!
  • Villages
cosa fare alto lago como

Boroughs Brescia

Set in harmonious natural frames there are medieval or Renaissance villages to visit
  • Villages
Boroughs Brescia

The painted villages of the province of Varese

Small villages and hamlets, nestled in the valleys of the province, offer visitors an extraordinary blend of natural beauty and mural art.
  • Villages
A panoramic image of a small painted village nestled in nature, surrounded by lush vegetation. The buildings have red-tiled roofs and are compactly arranged along gentle slopes, creating a picturesque and peaceful atmosphere.

Christmas village seen from the lake

  • Villages
Christmas village seen from the lake

Cremona: walled cities

On a visit among castles and fortified citadels in the province of Cremona. Artistic beauties and historical curiosities
  • Villages
Cremona: walled cities

History of Lodi

  • Villages
History of Lodi

Towns and Villages near Lake Iseo

The villages and towns on Lake Iseo are jewels of narrow streets and shops, between history and naturalism.
  • Villages
Towns and Villages near Lake Iseo

Italy's Most Beautiful Towns in Oltrepò

  • Villages
Italy's Most Beautiful Towns in Oltrepò

The charm of the "Borgo d'Oro"

Borgo Santa Caterina is among the most beautiful boroughs in Italy.
  • Villages
The charm of the

Six fortified villages in Lombardy

Explore six stunning fortified towns in Lombardy. Perfect destinations for a spring day out
  • Villages
Six fortified villages in Lombardy

Boroughs Lecco

Lecco is a territory that offers places rich in history, art and culture. Lecco is the lake with many boroughs
  • Villages
Boroughs Lecco, tips for visiting

Boroughs Cremona

Far from the chaotic city and traffic we immerse ourselves in the relaxed atmosphere of the Cremonese Boroughs
  • Villages
Boroughs Cremona

The most beautiful villages around Cremona

Cultural riches and ancient traditions: if you slow down and listen, the medieval villages of the Cremona area have plenty of stories to tell
  • Villages
The most beautiful villages around Cremona