Capriate San Gervasio: Leolandia, UNESCO heritage and paths along the Adda

Capriate San Gervasio combines family experiences, industrial history and a river landscape along the Adda. The municipality is one of the municipalities within the Parco Adda Nord Regional Park. One of the defining destinations is Crespi d’Adda, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. At the same time, Leolandia offers a varied programme for a day out, with shows, dances, songs with live singing, characters and entertaining activities.

Leolandia and Minitalia for families

Leolandia is located at Via Vittorio Veneto 52, 24042 Capriate S. Gervasio (BG). The park includes Minitalia, a miniature representation of Italy. The offering is complemented by shows, dances, songs with live singing, characters and entertaining activities. This makes it possible to add a clearly family-oriented activity to a stay in Capriate San Gervasio, while the historic destinations provide a different focus.

Crespi d’Adda and the history of the workers’ settlement

Crespi d’Adda was founded in 1877 by Cristoforo Crespi next to his textile factory. Today, the workers’ district is closely associated with the cultural and industrial history of the region. The cemetery of Crespi d’Adda was laid out between 1905 and 1908 based on a design by Gaetano Moretti. Since 1995, Crespi d’Adda has held UNESCO World Heritage Site status, making a visit especially suitable for travellers interested in architecture, history and social development.

The Chiesa di San Siro also offers a historical perspective on the town. The first Chiesa di San Siro was built in the 12th century at a site previously occupied by a necropolis. Today’s Chiesa di San Siro is a Romanesque church with an open portico supported by arches. The Cappella Morali is a funerary monument of exceptional historical and artistic value. Remains of settlements belonging to the Golasecca culture, dating from the 7th to the 5th century BC, have also been identified on the Penisola di San Gervasio.

Penisola di San Gervasio and paths along the Adda

The Penisola di San Gervasio is almost completely surrounded by the Adda River and is traditionally divided into the areas of Cava degli Spagnoli and Isolette. This landscape combines the watercourse, natural paths and historical points of reference. The Penisola di San Gervasio can be reached on foot or by bicycle via natural paths; by car, main roads lead there from the centre of Capriate San Gervasio.

For hikes and cycling tours, the Da Leonardo all’UNESCO route is an important point of reference. It connects riverside paths along the river between Imbersago and the workers’ district of Crespi d’Adda. The section of the Da Leonardo all’UNESCO route in Capriate leads from Funtanì to Cava degli Spagnoli, passing the pebble beach of Cavalla, and continues to Crespi d’Adda. This allows the river landscape and cultural history to be considered together when planning a day out.

Practical information for your stay

The UNESCO Visitor Centre houses the official Info Point of Regione Lombardia, a bookshop and multimedia museum rooms accessible as part of a guided tour. At the UNESCO Visitor Centre, admission tickets for guided tours and events in Crespi d’Adda can also be purchased in advance. This information point therefore brings together information and services relating to Crespi d’Adda.

Other destinations for your travel planning include Martinengo, Sorisole, Fiumenero, Brembilla, Medolago, Carona, Riva Di Solto and Cavernago.

To the higher-level travel overview: Bergamo.