Sotto Il Monte Giovanni Xxiii: Churches, Memorial Sites and Routes

Church art, the memory of Pope John XXIII, and routes for hikers and pilgrims give Sotto Il Monte Giovanni Xxiii a distinct cultural focus. These offer different starting points for planning your trip: frescoes and historic buildings represent religious art and history, the memorial sites add a biographical dimension, while the routes bring outdoor activity into focus. This allows you to choose the theme that you want to give the most weight to during your stay.

Churches and historic buildings

The Abbazia di S. Egidio combines an early founding history with a striking visual motif. The Bergamasque nobleman Alberto da Prezzate founded the abbey in 1080. The apse vault features Renaissance frescoes; at its centre, Christ Pantocrator is depicted in a mandorla. The vault is the curved ceiling in the apse area and draws the eye to the central composition. Two aspects are of particular interest for understanding the art history here: the abbey’s founding date and the Renaissance depiction in the apse. The central motif directs attention to a specific detail in the pictorial programme.

At the Chiesa di Santa Maria in Brusicco, the date of construction and a life story come together. The church dates from 1450; Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli was baptised there on 25 November 1881. These dates refer to different events: 1450 places the church building in its historical period, while 1881 dates Roncalli’s baptism. The Santuario della Madonna delle Caneve, built in 1727, is also located in the hamlet of Canève. An old, rediscovered fresco is above the altar. The two church stops therefore differ in their dates and points of interest: in Brusicco, the baptism offers a biographical connection; at the Santuario, the focus is the fresco above the altar.

Another glimpse into architectural history takes you to the Torre di San Giovanni. A fortification stood on this site in 964 and was later converted into a bell tower. The square tower is 17 metres high and a remarkable example of Romanesque art. The dates mark different events: 964 refers to the fortification at the tower’s site, while 1080 is the founding date of the Abbazia di S. Egidio.

Memorial sites and pilgrimage information

The Casa Natale is currently a museum dedicated to the memory of Pope Roncalli; it is cared for by the PIME Fathers. Camaitino is considered Pope Roncalli’s first home. The complex also houses a Casa delle Memorie, dedicated to Pope John XXIII. The two sites therefore have different points of reference: the Casa Natale focuses on the museum and its care, while Camaitino is associated with its status as his first home and with the Casa delle Memorie.

The PIME seminary is currently a place for spiritual retreats and prayer for groups from Italy and abroad. If you are planning a group visit, arrange the details in advance.

The Casa del Pellegrino has a large reception hall and two video rooms where a short introductory film about the pilgrimage can be shown. The secretariat helps organise visitor itineraries and prepares tailor-made offers for parishes, tour operators and groups. If you are part of one of these groups, it is best to coordinate your plans with the secretariat in advance.

Gardens, routes and landscape

The Giardino della Pace is a place for reflection, quiet contemplation and preparation for visiting the Obedentia et Pax Crypt. The statue of Saint John XXIII also welcomes pilgrims. A circular path through the garden leads to the crypt’s new entrance. Here, the idea of pausing for reflection goes hand in hand with a specific route to the crypt.

The Via Giovannea follows a different route: it runs from Sotto il Monte through Celana to San Gregorio and has been restored and maintained for hikers and pilgrims. Red-and-white trail markers bearing the designation JXXIII and a depiction of the Pope mark the route. The circular path in the garden leads to the crypt entrance; the Via Giovannea passes through the places mentioned above.

Monte Canto has hiking and cycling routes that pass through chestnut woods and vineyards. If you are weighing up the different routes, the main considerations here are whether to hike or cycle and the routes through woods and vineyards. This differs from the JXXIII trail markers and the places along the Via Giovannea.

Discover more destinations: Monasterolo del Castello, Piazza Brembana, Clanezzo, Entratico, Pumenengo, Calcinate, Capriate San Gervasio, Vigolo.

For the main travel overview: Bergamo.