Discover Sarnico: Art, Water and History

Sarnico combines the landscape of Lake Iseo with art, churches and historic buildings. The town lies at the confluence of Lake Iseo and the Oglio River. The townscape and surrounding area bring together local history, water activities, boat trips and paths leading into the mountain landscape.

Art and History in the Townscape

The historic centre of Sarnico, the Contrada, still preserves a semicircular medieval structure. Its rear side faces the mountain and follows the layout of the ancient town wall. In the upper part of this historic centre stands the Chiesetta di San Paolo, amid the ancient castle of the Marenzi family. It was built in 1428 and probably stands on the foundations of a considerably older church.

The religious buildings also tell the story of different eras. The Chiesetta di San Rocco was built in 1630 during the plague in Lombardy to seek the saint's miraculous healing powers for this disease. Inside, there is a large painting of the Madonna and Child; above them are the two saints venerated in connection with the rosary, Domenico di Guzman and Santa Caterina da Siena. The Chiesa di San Martino has a main façade in the style of the 18th century.

The Museo Civico d'Arte e del Territorio "Gianni Bellini" opened in 2002 and is housed in the 16th-century Palazzo Gervasoni, which was formerly a convent for women. The Pinacoteca Gianni Bellini contains around 150 works, mainly paintings dating from 1500 to 1700. This cultural heritage is complemented by an original ensemble of Art Nouveau buildings designed by the Milanese architect Giuseppe Sommaruga, whose designs also influenced local public and private architecture.

The Mausoleo Faccanoni is a monumental tomb commissioned by the Faccanoni family in 1907 within the cemetery grounds of the municipality of Sarnico. It was built exclusively from locally sourced materials: Sarizzo from Val Seriana for the base, Ceppo di Brembate for the structure, Pietra di Sarnico for the steps, and wrought iron and bronze for the gate providing access to the crypt. Also dating from 1907 is Villa Giuseppe Faccanoni on the lakeshore at Via Veneto, surrounded by a large park.

Water and Hiking Trails around Sarnico

The location on Lake Iseo also shapes the activities available. Visitor activities offered in Sarnico include water sports. During the warm season, boat trips on Lake Iseo departing from Sarnico are recommended as a visitor activity. Those who would rather spend the day on a trail can take the 4 km Sentiero Forcella Molere hike. It takes 1 hour and 20 minutes and involves 276 metres of ascent.

Another trekking route from Sarnico to Monte Bronzone begins in Sarnico and leads to the Forcella on the slopes of Monte Faeto. From there, it offers panoramic views of Sarnico and Lake Iseo. The Infopoint Basso Lago d'Iseo e Valcalepio is located in the historic centre of Sarnico at Via Tresanda 1.

Further Ideas for Places to Visit

If you would like to compare Sarnico with other destinations in the surrounding area, you can find additional ideas for places to visit here: Montello, Zandobbio, Vigolo, Treviglio, Brembilla, Monasterolo del Castello, Oneta, Scano Al Brembo.

To the higher-level travel overview: Bergamo.