Bariano: Sacred Art, Monastic History and Routes along the Serio

Bariano between Sacred Art and the Serio Landscape

Bariano combines rural architecture, sacred art and traces of older history with a landscape along the Serio River. This gives your trip planning several perspectives: in the historic centre, buildings and religious sites take centre stage, while the Ciclovia della pianura bergamasca provides a nature trail for cyclists and pedestrians through Bariano.

Historic Centre with Several Historical Layers

Bariano’s historic centre includes the “Palazzo”, the building known as the “Stallo Misericordia” and Palazzo Grataroli. The “Palazzo” probably stands on the site of Bariano’s former fortification. Clear traces of its former representative importance are still preserved at Palazzo Grataroli. The town centre is therefore characterised by different historical layers.

Churches and Art in Bariano

The parish church of Santi Gervasio e Protasio was built from 1743 onwards on the site of the demolished church of San Bartolomeo. Filippo Alessandri designed it in the 18th-century neoclassical style. The ceiling and presbytery feature stuccowork and frescoes from the late 18th century.

The Chiesa dell’Annunciata houses an altarpiece of the Annunciation by Vincenzo Angelo Orelli, which the artist created in the early years of the 19th century. The church itself was built in 1610 by Cavaliere Antonio Rivola on the site of the demolished church of Saints Protasio and Gervasio. Its building history and furnishings therefore originate from different periods.

Convento dei Neveri and Cappella dei Mortini

Frescoes from the 14th century are preserved in the western apse of the Convento dei Neveri. Roman and Lombard tombs are also still visible there. The monastic history of the site can be traced back to 1480: at that time, the archpriest of Bariano, Fermo Furnio da Caravaggio, transferred the church and the surrounding land to the Congregation of the Carmelite Fathers of Mantua, who founded their monastery there.

Near Bariano’s historic centre, the Cappella dei Mortini is located on Via Diaz and is considered a small oratory. In front of the building is a square equipped with benches. A fresco is regarded as a depiction of the Virgin Mary with the Child and an angel; at her feet, several damned souls can be seen in the fire, pleading for intercession.

Landscape, Railway Station and Cycle Path

Bariano has a railway station on the Milan–Treviglio–Brescia railway line, in the corridor of Parco del Serio. Bariano’s rural architecture extends from the historic centre through the countryside to the banks of the Serio River, along which Bariano lies.

For active days, the Ciclovia della pianura bergamasca complements the historical tour. In Bariano, it follows a nature trail accessible from a wooded section and suitable for cyclists and pedestrians. This allows the perception of the town to be complemented by a landscape aspect without losing sight of its historic core.

For your further trip planning, you can also choose Fonteno, Adrara San Rocco, Brusaporto, Mozzanica, Cavernago, Antegnate, Schilpario and Fara Gera D'adda.

To the higher-level travel overview: Bergamo.