The area of Bratto-Dorga has been a tourist destination since the beginning of the last century, as demonstrated by the presence of numerous Art Nouveau villas.
It is situated at the base of Mount Presolana (2,521 m), which is also known as the “Queen of the Orobie” for its spectacular limestone faces, which are the same as the Dolomites.
WHAT TO SEE
The village of Rusio, a small fraction which is only 2km from the main town, is one of the few remaining examples of peasant architecture; the ancient agricultural nucleus has an urban structure that recalls the districts of the past centuries. The rural houses and narrow streets are concentrated around the small Church of San Giacomo which, located in the centre of the village, has an interesting wooden altar inside. Rusio is the starting point for many itineraries: Via del Latte, Olmo Mountain Refuge, Malga Campo Mountain Refuge, Church of San Peder, Denzil and the Valle dei Mulini. The latter has been a place of human settlements since prehistoric times, it flows deeply engraved between walls and pinnacles forming a canyon with very high walls and an uncontaminated landscape, of particular interest also for those who practice sport climbing, with its four cliffs.
The Sanctuary of Lantana, from the 15th century, is rich in history and art and preserves numerous frescoes. There are numerous historic villas from the late 1800s and early 1900s, evidence of époque tourism in the Upper Seriana Valley, designed by prestigious architects.
The Salto degli Sposi is a magnificent viewpoint that can be reached by a pleasant walk, which recalls the legend linked to the Polish musician Maximilian Prihoda and the well-known painter Anna Stareat, who decided to throw themselves from here, embracing, to seal their eternal love.
"Le Macine" Mill Museum houses relics of peasant life from the last century. You cannot fail to enjoy the naturalistic context surrounding Castione, i.e. the Orobie Bergamasche Park): many activities for the family and for the sportier people, such as trekking, nature walks, adventurous mountain bike and e-bike itineraries, rock climbing and, in winter, ski slopes suitable for everyone, cross-country trails, trails for alpine skiers and snowshoe hikers, ice-skating rink and snowmobile excursions.
PRODUCTS AND TRADITIONS
Cheeses and dairy products to satisfy the taste, wooden artefacts and sculptures showing traditional craftsmanship, available in various shops in the area.
EVENTS
Among the most important and attended, we point out: the historic Christmas Markets which reached their 20th edition in 2022, from the end of November to the end of December; the Feast of Sant’Alessandro (August 25/26, patron saint celebration in Castione); “Pegher Fest” in the Bratto area in the first week of October, a folk festival inspired by peasant life with a parade of floats/allegorical groups with sheep as the protagonists; the Feast of Lantana, a religious festival dedicated to the Sanctuary on the first weekend of July.
ORANGE FLAG
Since 2022, Castione della Presolana has been an Orange Flag village of the Touring Club. These are the reasons:
"The town is immersed in a prestigious landscape and effectively promotes the natural resources and open-air activities that can be done in the area. The tourist information service is efficient thanks to the dedicated information point and the town, as a whole, is lively with restaurants, accommodation and shops selling typical products and handicrafts."
The area of Bratto-Dorga has been a tourist destination since the beginning of the last century, as demonstrated by the presence of numerous Art Nouveau villas.
It is situated at the base of Mount Presolana (2,521 m), which is also known as the “Queen of the Orobie” for its spectacular limestone faces, which are the same as the Dolomites.
WHAT TO SEE
The village of Rusio, a small fraction which is only 2km from the main town, is one of the few remaining examples of peasant architecture; the ancient agricultural nucleus has an urban structure that recalls the districts of the past centuries. The rural houses and narrow streets are concentrated around the small Church of San Giacomo which, located in the centre of the village, has an interesting wooden altar inside. Rusio is the starting point for many itineraries: Via del Latte, Olmo Mountain Refuge, Malga Campo Mountain Refuge, Church of San Peder, Denzil and the Valle dei Mulini. The latter has been a place of human settlements since prehistoric times, it flows deeply engraved between walls and pinnacles forming a canyon with very high walls and an uncontaminated landscape, of particular interest also for those who practice sport climbing, with its four cliffs.
The Sanctuary of Lantana, from the 15th century, is rich in history and art and preserves numerous frescoes. There are numerous historic villas from the late 1800s and early 1900s, evidence of époque tourism in the Upper Seriana Valley, designed by prestigious architects.
The Salto degli Sposi is a magnificent viewpoint that can be reached by a pleasant walk, which recalls the legend linked to the Polish musician Maximilian Prihoda and the well-known painter Anna Stareat, who decided to throw themselves from here, embracing, to seal their eternal love.
"Le Macine" Mill Museum houses relics of peasant life from the last century. You cannot fail to enjoy the naturalistic context surrounding Castione, i.e. the Orobie Bergamasche Park): many activities for the family and for the sportier people, such as trekking, nature walks, adventurous mountain bike and e-bike itineraries, rock climbing and, in winter, ski slopes suitable for everyone, cross-country trails, trails for alpine skiers and snowshoe hikers, ice-skating rink and snowmobile excursions.
PRODUCTS AND TRADITIONS
Cheeses and dairy products to satisfy the taste, wooden artefacts and sculptures showing traditional craftsmanship, available in various shops in the area.
EVENTS
Among the most important and attended, we point out: the historic Christmas Markets which reached their 20th edition in 2022, from the end of November to the end of December; the Feast of Sant’Alessandro (August 25/26, patron saint celebration in Castione); “Pegher Fest” in the Bratto area in the first week of October, a folk festival inspired by peasant life with a parade of floats/allegorical groups with sheep as the protagonists; the Feast of Lantana, a religious festival dedicated to the Sanctuary on the first weekend of July.
ORANGE FLAG
Since 2022, Castione della Presolana has been an Orange Flag village of the Touring Club. These are the reasons:
"The town is immersed in a prestigious landscape and effectively promotes the natural resources and open-air activities that can be done in the area. The tourist information service is efficient thanks to the dedicated information point and the town, as a whole, is lively with restaurants, accommodation and shops selling typical products and handicrafts."
