• Active & Green
    • Parks

Secret nature in Bergamo and Brescia

from IN-LOMBARDIA.IT
  1. Experiences in Lombardy
  2. Active & Green
  3. Secret nature in Bergamo and Brescia

In Bergamo and Brescia, rediscover authentic green havens in the heart of the city. Hidden cloisters, terraced gardens, historical vegetable gardens and silent parks, narrating the deep link shared by nature, architecture and memory.

 

These venues - often outside the most popular tourist trails - preserve ancient stories and charming atmospheres, and open up beautiful and calm havens within the urban fabric. 

From palaces to monasteries and mysterious sanctuaries nestled between the mountains, each of these 6 destinations is an invitation to explore an old yet alive cultural heritage, where art’s historical legacy meets a wealth of floral and botanical species and unexpected panoramas. Here, time seems to slow down, and the urban landscape is transformed into a new discovery.
 

Astino Monastery (BG)
Approximately 10 minutes from the city centre, and reachable also by foot, a monastery with thousands years of history is nestled among the green Parco dei Colli Bergamaschi. We are talking about the Astino Monastery, a gem that is finally shining again, after being left in ruins for more than a century. This perfect out-of-town destination will take you back in time. Built around the 12th century, it was managed for a very long time by the Comunità dei Monaci Vallombrosani, highly regarded by the locals.


Read more
Sanctuary of San Patrizio (Colzate, BG)
This mysterious place of workshop, named after the Saint patron of Ireland, looks like a fortress, perched on a scenic spur overlooking the Seriana Valley. Solitary, remote and surrounded by the woods and meadows of Mount Cavlera, the Sanctuary of San Patrizio is an artistic and spiritual complex with very mysterious beginnings. Why the homage to Saint Patrick, so unusual in Italy? .


Read more
Convent of San Francesco (Bergamo Alta)
In the heart of the Upper Town, cross Piazza Mercato del Fieno to find a marvellous example of Medieval conventual architecture, filled with hidden treasures: the arch cloister, the well cloister and the capitol room will unveil, with their cycle of wall paintings completed between the 14th and the 17th century, the long history of this amazing building.Located in the heart of Bergamo Alta, the Convent of San Francesco is one of the best examples of medieval architecture in the city, built around its cloisters. The building features amazing views and charming atmospheres, from the Well Cloister’s panoramic view, to the unmissable landscape of the Bergamo valleys .


Read more
Palazzo Moroni (Bergamo Alta)
We are in the heart of Bergamo Upper City, in a 17th building preserving all its splendour, and an Italian-style garden that became a charming park: this is Palazzo Moroni. The Moroni family owns and lives in this building, which still retains the original structure. Inside it, you can observe the family’s great passion for art, with frescoes halls and 17th-19th century furniture, still preserving the Moroni Collection - a wide selection of paintings by Albino Giovanni Battista Moroni and by other important artists. .


Read more
Domus dell’Ortaglia (BS)
In the heart of Brescia, hidden between the walls of the Monastery of Santa Giulia, the Domus dell’Ortaglia unfolds. In this secret garden, time stands still, and ancient art is still visible between its mosaics and frescoes. These ancient Roman houses, emerged from the monastery vegetable gardens (hence the name ‘Ortaglia’) are one of the best-preserved residential complexed in Northern Italy. .


Read more
Gardens of the Quistini Castle (Rovato, BS)
The enchanting Gardens of Quistini Castello - a 16th century building among the Franciacorta hills - bloom in spring, offering a unique occasion for artistic and cultural exploration.During the month of May and June, the Quistini Castle opens the doors of its elegant gardens, and offers visitors a unique experience of nature, history and well-being. This engaging trail includes the rose labyrinth, which has three concentric circles housing over 1,500 varieties of ancient, modern and English roses, and culminates in a central pergola adorned with climbing Banksiae Alba and Banksiae Alba Plena roses. .


Read more

On the same topic

Show all

Ten Snowshoeing Treks in Lombardy

Choose a route through the woods or try out a panoramic trail on your snowshoeing trek!
  • Active & Green
Ten Snowshoeing Treks in Lombardy

Castles and Rice Paddies

A tour of Castles and Rice Paddies in search of a land of exquisite beauty
  • Active & Green
Castles and Rice Paddies

Markets in bloom, in May in Lombardy

A guide to the most beautiful and interesting events with flowers and plants in Lombardy, including markets, exhibitions, workshops, courses and competitions.
  • Active & Green
Mercati in fiore, a maggio in Lombardia - franciacortainfiore.it

Gardens in Lombardy

The botanical gardens of Lombardy are real jewels to visit, so come on, what are you waiting for?
  • Active & Green
Gardens in Lombardy, discover what to see

Nature in Lombardy: five landscapes to die for

  • Active & Green
Bellagio (CO) - Villa Melzi d’Eril

Aereoclub in Sondrio

Hover in the sky like butterflies, letting yourself be carried away by the high currents like seagulls in search of freedom
  • Active & Green
Aereoclub in Sondrio

The Rusca trail

Sondrio, Ponchiera, Arquino, Valdone, Il Prato, Tornadù, Torre Santa Maria, S.Anna, Basci, Vassalini a Chiesa Valmalenco - ritorno a Sondrio
  • Active & Green
The Rusca trail

Bergamo Valle Imagna, a jewel just waiting to be discovered

A tiny natural jewel that still today preserves all the spirit of life in the mountains and the good flavours of food
  • Active & Green
Bergamo Valle Imagna, un tesoro tutto da scoprire

Sesto Calende

Sesto Calende: between history and nature.
  • Active & Green
Sesto Calende: gateway at Lake Maggiore, along Ticino river

Gardens Pavia

Not just the city: a walk through botanic gardens and oasis for a green break
  • Active & Green
Gardens Pavia, discovering Lombardy

25th April Weekend in Lombardy

Why not get out and explore? You can organise some unforgettable days out with a wide range of interesting activities.
  • Active & Green
25th April Weekend in Lombardy

Where to keep cool in Lombardy

If you are looking to cool down a little in the summer heat, here are a few suggestions.
  • Active & Green
Where to keep cool in Lombardy

The joy of running

Enjoy your training in Cremona
  • Active & Green
The joy of running

Family walks to put a spring in your step

The transition from summer to autumn provides the ideal conditions for regenerating family moments along the scenic trails of Lombardy.
  • Active & Green
passeggiate_in_ Lombardia

Valchiavenna and Valle Spluga

High mountain pastures, lakes, rivers and a varied network of hiking trails through nature and mountain villages where time seems to have stood still
  • Active & Green
La Valchiavenna e la Valle Spluga

Parks and gardens to explore online

Green virtual tours in Lombardy
  • Active & Green
Parchi e giardini da scoprire online

Journey inside the Bagnada Mine

Municipality of Lanzada (SO)
  • Active & Green
Journey inside the Bagnada Mine

Fontanili park

Parco dei Fontanili: the ideal place to live in the green and spend your free time.
  • Active & Green
Fontanili Park

The High Route of Valmalenco – 4th stage

Chiareggio (1612 m) - Rif. Longoni (2450 m) - A. Sasso nero (2304 m) - Rif. Lago Palù (1947 m)
  • Active & Green
Vista sul Lago Palù

A green week in Valtellina

Escape to the mountains just a two-hour drive from Milan for a rural retreat with trekking, typical pizzoccheri pasta and towns that are absolute hidden gems
  • Active & Green
A green week in Valtellina