Serina: Mountain Scenery, Trails and Art
Accommodation in Serina
Serina lies at an altitude of 821 metres in the heart of the Prealpi Orobie. The town is situated in a hollow of meadows surrounded by several mountain ridges. To the east, Monte Alben rises in an area between Val Serina, Val del Riso and Val Seriana. The landscape, trails and historic buildings offer different ways to shape your stay.
Hiking in Serina and the Valle Serina
The Valle Serina offers hiking trails ranging from leisurely Sunday strolls to challenging hikes. You can use the type of outing you have in mind to help plan your day. Conditions on individual trails may vary; seasonal conditions also affect mountain hikes. Check conditions before setting out.
Hiking stage SLB05 follows the Via Mercatorum and reaches Serina after passing through Corone. Another trail starts directly in Serina: Trail 502, named “Serina-Monte Alben,” passes over Passo del Sapplì and Passo della Forca before reaching the summit of Monte Alben at an altitude of 2,019 metres. The details of the starting point, intermediate stops and destination show how differently the two routes are described.
Another named hike is the circular route “Valle del Manzo e Sorgenti di Serina.” It descends to the Torrente Serina and its springs. Trail conditions should be suitable for the planned outing.
Churches, art and local history
Serina’s parish church was built between 1670 and 1760 by the Caniana brothers over an earlier 15th-century building. It houses Palma il Vecchio’s polyptych “Presentazione della Vergine.” The building’s history and artwork give a visit to the town an art-historical dimension distinct from its hiking destinations.
Another notable landmark in the town’s history is the Fontana Tricuspidale. The fountain dates from 1645 and stands where the two branches of the Via Mercatorum meet. Water flows from a bronze lion’s head. The large basin was carved from a single block of stone. Its location and design together tell of the connection between the road network and the historic townscape.
Construction of the Monastero SS.TrinitĂ began in 1643; it was completed in 1675, and the nuns moved in the following year. The monastery includes a Baroque church dedicated to the Holy Trinity. Its floor plan is cross-shaped; stucco decoration and large windows beneath the dome define its architecture. The Monastero SS.TrinitĂ also houses a depiction of the Holy Trinity by Palma il Giovane, as well as paintings attributed to Carlo Ceresa and Giovanni Carobbio.
Traditions and other cultural sites
The Fiera di Serina is an exhibition of cattle breeds rooted in the community’s long-standing farming tradition. It complements the church and art history with another aspect of the town: its agricultural traditions.
Palma il Vecchio is also connected with Serina: his birthplace and works can be seen there. Together with the polyptych in the parish church, they offer another way to explore the town’s art history. When planning your trip, you can consider whether you want to focus your stay mainly on hiking trails and mountain scenery, or more on buildings, art and farming traditions.
If you are looking for hotels for a stay in Serina, choosing a focus can help you plan your trip around your interests. Hiking routes offer different destinations and itineraries; the historic sites and artworks provide another thematic perspective. Check the route’s seasonal conditions before planning a mountain hike.
Discover more destinations: Calusco D'adda, Ghisalba, Carvico, Treviglio, Fiumenero, Brembate, Palazzago, Barzana
For the overview of the wider area: Bergamo.
