Pertica Alta: Culture, Routes and Landscape

Pertica Alta can be explored through a range of themes: sacred architecture, the history of ironworking, local customs and landscape. When planning your trip, you can decide whether you are most interested in historic buildings, a self-chosen walking route, seasonal experiences or the area’s high-altitude landscapes.

Sacred Architecture and Historic Routes

The Santuario di S. Andrea o dei Morti di Barbaine is a 14th-century building. Its south wall features splayed Romanesque lancet windows, while pointed-arch windows can be seen on the bell tower. The window styles are therefore found on two different parts of the building: the south wall and the tower. Visitors interested in architecture can look for both the Romanesque details and the pointed arches.

The Oratorio di San Bernardo is also linked to a historic route. It lies along the path that led from the Pertiche to Nozza. As well as the features of individual buildings, an earlier connection between places is therefore another point of interest.

The Forno Fusorio di Livemmo: Access and Former Use

The Forno Fusorio di Livemmo dates from the second half of the 16th century. Its use changed over the course of history: initially, the facility was used for the primary processing of iron, and later exclusively for melting iron scrap. Both its date of origin and this change in function are therefore important to understanding its history.

The Forno can be reached by a mule track that descends from the hamlet of Livemmo; the elevation difference is 300 metres. This described route can also help you plan your visit. The elevation figure refers to the difference along the path, while the facility’s history offers a separate point of interest for your visit.

Belprato: Independent Visits and an Artistic Project

Belprato is open to visitors to explore independently. You can choose your own route or walking tour. This gives you the freedom to choose your route rather than follow a prescribed tour.

Belprato is also associated with the “Belprato Paese Dipinto” project. Launched in 2012, it aimed to bring local and other artists to Belprato every August, so they could leave an artistic contribution on the walls of the village’s houses. The project adds a cultural dimension to an independent visit, focused on the house walls and the participating artists.

Seasonal Experiences: TRANSUMANZA and Carnevale di Livemmo

During the TRANSUMANZA, visitors can accompany the herd as it travels to and from the mountain pastures of Pertica Alta. The pastures are at an altitude of 1,500 metres; the experience is described as taking place in June and September. If you would like to include it in your plans, check the specific dates before travelling. This lets you take the seasonal timing into account while planning your trip around the actual event days.

The Carnevale di Livemmo takes place over Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday afternoon, a procession of masked figures makes its way through the village streets. On Sunday, the three traditional double masks appear: “la vècia dal val”, “l'omasì del zerlo” and “il doppio”. The two days have different highlights: first the procession, then the appearance of the double masks. If you would like to make the Carnevale part of your trip, check the specific event dates and take into account the programme across both days.

Campo di Nasso and Its Elevation

Campo di Nasso is a vast plateau at an altitude of about 1,500 metres, set between the sky and forests in the quiet valleys of Pertica Alta. The seasonal herd movements to the mountain pastures of Pertica Alta, which are also at 1,500 metres, provide a point of comparison. The similar altitude links different visitor experiences: the TRANSUMANZA centres on accompanying the herd, while Campo di Nasso is described in terms of its plateau and landscape.

Discover more destinations: Vione, Arveaco, Siviano, Niardo, Arias, Barghe, Pregasio, Pontevico.

Go to the main travel overview: Brescia.