The hills between Grosio and Grosotto are home to the most important evidence of the passage of ancient peoples in the Valtellina territory: the Parco delle Incisioni Rupestri (Petroglyphs Park), with over 5,000 figures engraved on its rock walls (some of which date back as far as the end of the Neolithic period). If you look carefully, you will find the Park's symbol par excellence: a man with a round shield and a sword-stick!

The attraction that lends its name to this archaeological site is the Rupe Magna. Discovered in 1966, with its 5,000 anthropomorphic, animal and geometric representations, it is one of the largest engraved rock walls in the Italian Alps. In the Park, on the southern summit of the hill, stand two other buildings renowned in the area for their great historical interest: the Castle of San Faustino (also known as Castello Vecchio), dating back to the 10th-11th centuries, and the Visconti Castle (also known as Castello Nuovo), a fortified structure built between 1350 and 1375 for strategic and defence purposes.

In addition to the considerable cultural importance of the archaeological excavations and the two fortresses, the Park is set in a landscape of great beauty and natural interest and, thanks to its conformation, it is a great location to visit for both open-air mountain lovers and lovers of history and ancient art. Indeed, the slopes of Dosso dei Castelli provide a close-up view over one of Valtellina's most renowned agricultural traditions: terracing with dry-stone walls for vine cultivation.

Before leaving, take a minute to admire the splendid views from Rupe Magna, with a panorama dominated by chestnut trees, typical of the Valtellina mountain landscape.

The Park under the stars

The Park becomes even more fascinating in summer evenings, with guided night tours to discover its treasures. The illuminated paths wind through the vineyards of Dosso dei Castelli, the centuries-old chestnut trees of the Park, the Castello Vecchio of San Faustino and the Castello Visconteo, culminating under the Rupe Magna. Here, the rock engravings emerge in all their grandeur, telling the story of Valtellina's oldest traditions  
During the evening, stop and admire the vault of heaven with the naked eye: the Park offers a unique spectacle, where constellations, planets and light trails seem to dance above the ancient ruins. A moment of contemplation and wonder, in which history, nature and suggestion are woven into a single story.