Our Mountains - Summer - Bergamo
When you look at the old walls of the houses in the tangled narrow streets of Gandino or Clusone and see the remains of frescoes and the coats of arms above the main entrances of the old houses of noble families, one thinks of the men and women who lived behind those walls and walked through the streets.
The sense of contemplation, almost of fear, which is caused by the massive structure of the Grand Hotel at San Pellegrino with its spectral tower, with the big domes and the friezesby Liberty which testify of luxury, of the “Belle Epoque”, of the joy of life and of frivolity, but also at the same time one can experience a profound sense of loss for a past time which a walk through history can give.
The San Pellegrino Grand Hotel and Casino are amidst the hills which protect the place and these mountains are a green headland against the blue sky. Holidays in the hill areas, like at Clusone and thermal holidays like Sant’Omobono, Trescore, Bracca, Gaverina are only a few steps from the mountains. The mountains of the Bergamo country are always fascinating, every time they bring us nearer to ourselves.
The Pre–Alps and the Orobic Alps
These alps run from the smooth hills around Bergamo to the two thousand metres of the rough ridge of Alben mountain which look like a witches’ castle, to the splendid grandeur of the Arera Group at an altitude of 2.500 metres, above the Valcanale, a narrow chasm with fir-trees and old hamlets where the purest alpine atmosphere is breathed are where in summer you meet many herds.
The King and queen of the Orobic Alps are Pizzo dei tre Signori, Corno Stella, Pizzo del Becco on one side and on the other side the great “Three Thousand” - Pizzo Coca, Redorta and Scais. They contain paths and small lakes and itineraries among meadows, slopes and rocks and the emotion which they inspire can only be described with difficulty.
In the country of Bergamo, you will find pine woods and the quiet of the Valle di Scalve, the far end of the Province, which seems to pierce into an other dimension of time when coming downhill from Presolana Pass or uphill from the “Via Mala”.
All of these are places for unobtrusive tourism: San Pellegrino, Clusone, Presolana Pass, Schilpario…
The Lakes District
The small and enchanting Lake Endine is confined between mountains, with its camouflaged anglers and the rowing boats ploughing lazily between the green shores.
Lake Iseo, Lake Sebino, with Lovere, Predore, Sarnico, are home to the art of navigation. Monte Isola, in the middle of the lake is the biggest lake island of Europe.
The Brembo river with its “Lido” – beach – at Clanezzo, lies among the remains of medieval fortresses
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