Malonno: Church Art, Mining and MTB
Accommodation in Malonno
What would you like to focus on during a trip to Malonno? Church art, historic sites, mining history and MTB routes offer different points of interest; the tradition of the festive dish Le Migole is also part of the town. For your planning, it helps to consider the different highlights and conditions separately: a historical and cultural route, an MTB trail and the visitor route through the mines cover different things.
Church Art and Historic Sites
The high altar in the Chiesa di Santa Maria a Lava features a fresco of the Madonna and Child enthroned, created in 1407. The church’s presbytery also contains a Marian cycle of twelve fresco panels from the 16th century. Thus, the same church brings together a single dated work and a later cycle comprising several panels. Visitors interested in sacred art will find two clearly distinct subjects and periods here.
The Parrocchiale dei Santi Faustino e Giovita stands on a rocky spur not far from the settlement of Malonno, in the direction of Contrada Odecla. Its original church or chapel was built by Benedictine monks from the Monastero di S. Faustino di Brescia no later than the 11th or 12th century. Both the church’s distinctive location and its early origins are therefore part of the town’s history. A historical and cultural route through Malonno also passes the Forno Fusorio, a smelting furnace dating from around the 16th century. The route offers a way to discover important historical and cultural sights in the town; check the details again before your trip.
MTB Routes and Ski Touring
The MTB trails have distinct starting points, destinations and characteristics. The Varagnola Trail starts in the centre of Malonno and runs to LocalitĂ Varagnola. From the route, you can look out across the valley from Forno Allione to Rino di Sonico. The Vent MTB trail also starts in the centre of Malonno, but ends in Vent at 1,750 metres above sea level. There, the route follows mule tracks and singletrack trails and requires good technical skills. For Vent, this means that, in addition to the destination, specific riding skills and the types of trails are also described.
The Piz-Tri MTB route runs mostly along roads and mule tracks dating from the First World War. Piz Tri is also associated with ski touring. Don’t plan your routes based on their names alone: check current trail conditions before setting out; at Piz Tri, also check seasonal conditions and routes locally.
Mining History Underground
The visitor route through the mines of Malonno extends for more than 1,000 metres through underground galleries, tunnels and mine chambers. At Ferromin Alta (Livello Radello), it includes the “Salone 18” chamber, which lies 520 metres from the entrance. One of the two exploration tunnels extends to a depth of 860 metres. The distance to the chamber and the tunnel’s depth refer to different points in the mine complex.
Ferromin Bassa (Livello Roma) includes a descending tunnel section made accessible by walkways and structural work. The underground areas therefore have different structural features. Check visitor regulations and the accessibility of the relevant sections before your visit.
Le Migole and Local Festive Traditions
Le Migole is a special festive dish, a tradition kept alive through local events and sagre. Alongside art, history and activities, the dish gives your trip a culinary connection to local festivities. If you have a specific event in mind, check its dates and programme, as these may vary.
Discover More Destinations
Toscolano Maderno, Muscoline, San Felice Del Benaco, Limone Sul Garda, Verolavecchia, Manerbio, San Paolo, Pilzone
For the broader travel overview: Brescia.
