Zone: Erosion Pyramids, Hiking Trails and Churches

Zone brings together natural attractions and historic churches. When planning your trip, you can decide whether you would prefer to explore geological formations and hiking trails or churches and their art history.

Erosion Pyramids and Hiking Trails

The Riserva Regionale delle Piramidi di Erosione di Zone was established in 1984. It covers about 21 hectares and lies at an elevation of between 400 and 600 metres above sea level. The reserve contains numerous earth pyramids topped with broad caps of resistant rock. They were formed by the erosion of an original moraine deposit. The caps and their geological formation give this natural area two distinctive features that reveal its character.

The nature reserve has a moderate trekking route that is 2.5 kilometres long, with 160 metres of elevation gain and a duration of about one hour. These details can help you estimate how much time to allow. As route conditions can change, check the latest route information before setting out.

North of Zone cemetery, the Antica Strada Valeriana leaves the paved road and follows an old cobbled path into Valurbes. The section near Zone reaches Passo Croce di Zone at an elevation of 903 metres. Several hiking trails intersect there; the Antica Strada Valeriana continues into Valle Camonica. The transition from asphalt to cobblestones and the pass with its trail junction describe different sections and landmarks along this route.

The site of the Archosaur footprints lies on Via Valurbes along the Antica Strada Valeriana, north of the village of Zone. From the cemetery, it is about one kilometre away, or roughly a twenty-minute walk. These are two different reference points for planning your time: about one hour for the trek in the reserve, and around twenty minutes on foot from the cemetery to the site. Free parking is available at the cemetery. If you plan to park there, check the current parking situation in advance.

Another attraction is the Bosco degli Gnomi. The walking trail starts at the edge of Zone and passes 44 wooden sculptures by local artist Luigi Zatti, known as Il Rosso. Here, the focus is on the works of a named artist; by contrast, the trekking route details describe the distance, elevation gain and duration of a trail.

Churches and Art History

San Giorgio a Cislano dates back to the 12th century and is the first church mentioned in records for the Zone area. Its age is therefore linked to a special place in the area’s documented church history.

The parish church of San Giovanni Battista is located in the upper part of Zone and houses works by Andrea Fantoni. The present building was constructed between 1675 and 1680. Its altars are considered an important link in the history of wood sculpture in the 17th and 18th centuries. The construction date and the church’s significance in art history can thus be distinguished: the date refers to the present building, while the altars are associated with wood sculpture across two centuries.

The Church of Santi Ippolito e Cassiano was built in the 15th century and has retained its original form. Its interior is completely covered with frescoes. The depictions show the Passion of Christ, the Evangelists and the Doctors of the Church. A ramp leads to the church, with eight small chapels along it. They were built in the second half of the 20th century as votive offerings for peace. The church’s construction history, frescoes and later peace chapels are presented here side by side—three distinct aspects that differ in both time and theme.

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For the main travel overview: Brescia.