SONDRIO

The city looking out into the mountains has an ancient heart, where old bottegas face the streets that lead to Piazza Garibaldi, surrounded by 19th century buildings. In Via Scarpatetti, signs of an old rural village have been maintained, between rustic courtyards, vineyards peeking over the walls, and stone houses with wood walkways. Concealed within the various estates like Palazzo Pretorio, are the ancient pine wood stüe at the heart of the alpine homes. The stuccoes and trompe-l’oeil remain hidden as well in the spectacular Ballroom of Palazzo Sertoli.

Meanwhile, Castel Masegra sits atop the rocks, in perfect harmony with the harsh surrounding land. The relatively simple exteriors here house incredibly vibrant frescoes and allegorical paintings of the Camera Picta or the Torre Colombaia, where Christian heroes are depicted from the 16th century poem of Ariosto. In the company of Orlando, we find Angelica, Astolfo, and Bradamante.