Along the Franciacorta Road

This route starts at Iseo, a beautiful tourism resort at the bottom end of Lake Sebino, by taking us towards Brescia, with an almost immediate pause at Provaglio d’Iseo - the splendid San Pietro in Lamosa monastery founded by monks from Cluny looking out over Lake Sebino peat bogs, the historical centre, castle ruins, Madonna del Corno and panoramic views.

From the town we go down a fine road passing halfway up the hill (turn-offs for the ancient rural hamlets of Sergnana and Persaga) to reach Provezze (Villa Soncini, a sixteenth century building, enlarged in the eighteenth century) and Monticelli Brusati (Shrine to the “Madonna del Monte” or “della Rosa” and the “Madonna dell’Avello” or “Cerezzata”).

At this point, we reach Ome, (the Maglio Averoldi, recently transformed into a museum open to the public).

Now, by continuing along stretches submerged in the landscape of the hills, vineyards and small settlements we reach Rodengo Saiano, not leaving out Corneto (Villa Fenaroli XVIII-XIX centuries).

At Rodengo Saiano the most precious jewel in Franciacorta stands majestically: an Olivetan Abbey and important religious monument founded in the X century by Monks from Cluny and directed by Olivetan Monks, rich in frescoes by Foppa, Lattanzio Gambara and Romanino.

A stretch towards Brescia leads to Gussago (various “palazzi”) and then to Cellatica.

The route then continues in the direction of Paderno Franciacorta (castle), Passirano and Bornato, (castles), touches Cazzago San Martino (the seventeenth century municipal building, Villa Cazzago with thirteenth century towers) and crosses Calino (the Maggi Villas) before descending towards Rovato (castle walls, Porcellaga Palazzo, Cappuccini Convent, S. Stefano Church, San Michele Church).

The next leg is ancient “castrum” Coccaglio and then to Cologne (once a Roman colony) until reaching Erbusco (castle, Villa Lechi XVI - XVII centuries, S. Maria Parish Church).

A beautiful hilly road among vineyards refined with rose bushes takes us to Torbiato and then by crossing the Iseo-Rovato road, to Borgonato (Lana-Berlucchi Palazzo) which together with the villages of Timoline (S. Giulia Church, Villa Pizzini Piomarta), Colombaro (Ragnoli-Lana Palazzo, Barboglio de’ Gaioncelli Palazzo), Nigoline, (Sant’Eufemia Church, Monti della Corte Palazzo) form the municipality of Corte Franca.

Next we reach Adro (shrine to the “Madonna della Neve”, XVII century Bargnani Dandolo Palazzo, with the adjacent Bargnani small church, Santa Maria in Favento) and then head for Capriolo (castle) followed by Paratico, whose castle witnesses the strategic function of this centre in the past.

Finally we move in the direction of Clusane (Carmagnola Castle) to end our journey.

• Length: 80 km
• Difficulty: (on bicycle) easy with a few ascents
• Parts that can be cycled: all the way
• Average duration (on bicycle) 4 hours