Roncola: Church Art and Trails on Monte Linzone

Roncola combines religious art and traces of history with outdoor activities. The parish church of San Bernardo brings together works from several centuries; Cà Baetti is home to the remains of medieval fortifications. The rural church of San Defendente is another historic landmark. Outdoor activities range from easy walks to more challenging trails; mountain biking and the route to Monte Linzone round out the options. If you are looking for a hotel in Roncola, you can first consider whether cultural history or trails and scenery will play a greater role in your stay.

Churches, Art and History

The parish church of San Bernardo dates back to the 15th century. Its furnishings include the painting “Vergine in gloria” by Gian Paolo Cavagna. The church also houses a 16th-century polyptych by Giovan Battista Moroni. There is also a painting from 1630 attributed to Girolamo Forabosco.

San Bernardo offers several specific points of interest for art lovers. A polyptych is a multi-panel work of art; Moroni’s work differs from the individually named paintings by virtue of this format alone. The dates also vary: the church is dated to the 15th century, the polyptych to the 16th century, and the painting attributed to Forabosco to 1630. Those wishing to consider art and architecture together will find a 15th-century church building and works from later centuries here.

The remains of medieval fortifications are located in Cà Baetti. The rural church of San Defendente was built in the 15th century near an ancient fortified settlement. Together with the works of art in San Bernardo, these landmarks add different facets to the area’s cultural history: sacred art, fortification remains and a church near an ancient fortified settlement.

Walks and Outdoor Activities

Excursions in Roncola range from easy walks to more challenging trails. Mountain biking is another option for outings. When planning, you can decide whether you would rather explore on foot or by mountain bike; the walks and trails also vary in difficulty.

Parco Avventura Roncola opened in March 2009. It offers visitors who are up for a challenge high-altitude adventures. Check the website before visiting for opening information; in bad weather, the park may close for safety reasons. When planning, you can therefore take into account both the challenges on offer and the possibility of closure.

The Route to Monte Linzone

The route to Monte Linzone offers a particular focus on scenery during your stay. The trail passes a grassy clearing with views over Val San Martino below, the surrounding hills and the plain as far as the Apennines. The route also opens up a 360-degree panorama of Valle Imagna below and the entire chain of the Orobie Pre-Alps and Alps. The descriptions highlight different features: the grassy clearing combines views of Val San Martino, the hills and the plain with distant views as far as the Apennines; the panorama looks out over Valle Imagna and the Orobie range.

From Monte Linzone, the route can be continued along trail 571 to Valico di Valcava and then on to Monte Tesoro.

You can leave your car in a car park; from there, the route follows the well-marked trail 571. This practical information about the trail complements the details about the scenery.

Discover more destinations: Azzano San Paolo, Scano Al Brembo, Colognola, Malpaga, Trescore Balneario, Montello, Aviatico, Zanica

For the main travel overview: Bergamo.