Sarnico: Art, History and Hiking

Sarnico lies where Lake Iseo meets the Oglio River. Its cultural history is reflected in the layout of the old town centre, its churches and buildings from different periods; at the same time, hiking and activities on the water are among the things visitors come for. The Madonna di Stella Maris night procession takes place every year. It began in 1970 at the initiative of the parish priest, don Giovanni Ferraroli, and the town’s boat owners. When planning your trip, you can balance cultural sights and outdoor activities according to your interests.

Historic Centre and Churches

The historic centre is known as the Contrada. It preserves a semicircular medieval layout, with its rear facing the mountain and its arrangement following the line of the ancient town wall. In the upper part of the centre stands the Chiesetta di San Paolo, amid the ancient Marenzi castle. It was built in 1428, probably on the foundations of a much older church.

The Chiesetta di San Rocco was built in 1630 during the plague in Lombardy, to invoke the saint’s miraculous healing powers against the disease. The chapel contains a large painting of the Madonna and Child. Above them are the saints Domenico di Guzman and Santa Caterina da Siena, who are venerated in connection with the Rosary. At the Chiesa di San Martino, the architectural focus is the main façade, designed in the 18th-century style.

Art and Architecture in Sarnico

The Museo Civico d'Arte e del Territorio “Gianni Bellini” opened in 2002. It is housed in the 16th-century Palazzo Gervasoni, formerly a convent for women. The Pinacoteca Gianni Bellini contains around 150 works, mostly paintings dating from 1500 to 1700. The museum and its collection thus offer a different aspect of a cultural visit, alongside the older churches and the medieval layout of the Contrada.

Art Nouveau architecture is also part of the townscape: Sarnico is home to an original ensemble of Art Nouveau buildings designed by the Milanese architect Giuseppe Sommaruga. Their design also influenced local public and private architecture. The Mausoleo Faccanoni is a distinct example of the use of different building materials: a monumental tomb commissioned by the Faccanoni family in 1907 on the grounds of the municipal cemetery. Only locally sourced materials were used: Sarizzo from Val Seriana for the base, Ceppo di Brembate for the main structure, and Pietra di Sarnico for the steps. The gate at the entrance to the crypt is made of wrought iron and bronze.

Villa Giuseppe Faccanoni also dates from 1907. It stands on the lakeshore on Via Veneto and is surrounded by a large park. Together with the mausoleum, it shows how buildings from the same period in Sarnico can be explored through their different features: the mausoleum through its materials and function as a tomb, and the villa through its location and surrounding park.

Hiking and Activities on the Water

The Sentiero Forcella Molere is a 4 km hike that takes 1 hour and 20 minutes, with 276 metres of elevation gain. Distance, time and ascent give you several useful points of reference for planning. Another trekking route starts in Sarnico and leads to the Forcella on the slopes of Monte Faeto; from there, you can enjoy panoramic views of Sarnico and Lake Iseo. The two routes therefore offer different points of interest: the Sentiero Forcella Molere has a specified duration and elevation gain, while the trekking route is notable for its views of the town and lake.

Activities available to visitors in Sarnico include water sports. During the warmer months, boat trips on Lake Iseo are also recommended. These activities on the water complement the cultural sights and hikes, giving you more ways to choose the focus of your stay.

The Basso Lago d'Iseo e Valcalepio Infopoint is located in the historic centre of Sarnico, at Via Tresanda 1.

Discover more destinations: Vall'alta, Medolago, Verdello, Leffe, Villongo, Villassio, Fino Del Monte, Brumano.

Go to the main travel overview: Bergamo.