Discover Cene: Fossils, Towers and Trails

Cene combines paleontological highlights with visible traces of its history and paths through forests, meadows and former cultural landscapes. This creates a destination that can be explored in very different ways depending on your interests: by discovering extraordinary fossils, taking a tour of historic buildings, or going hiking and cycling in the area around Monte Bò.

Fossils, Churches and Historic Buildings

The site of the Parco Paleontologico di Cene yielded the fossil remains of Eudimorphodon ranzii in 1973, the oldest known pterosaur in the world and the first flying reptile attributed to the Triassic period. This paleontological connection gives Cene a distinctive theme that extends beyond its local history.

The Chiesa Prepositurale di San Zenone also tells the story of the town’s development. Its reconstruction began in 1761; the bell tower was built from the old tower of the castle. Il Castello has also preserved a fortified historic core. Large stone walls, herringbone masonry and the remains of a demolished tower characterize this area. Following construction work, Il Castello was converted into a private residence.

The Torre del Mazzo is the only surviving historic tower in Cene. The preserved section belonged to an ancient fortification that was connected to the castle by a path. It is approximately two storeys high and features herringbone masonry. Another testament to everyday life in the past is the public washhouse known as “ol laandére”. It is the only surviving public washhouse in Cene and was built in 1898 for the women of the S. Rocco district.

Among the smaller, independent sights is Ol Piputì, a wall sculpture in Cene that is locally interpreted as a depiction of a swaddled child. The sculpture is made of marble from Cene and probably dates from the 13th century. Details like these complement the larger buildings with a local history directly connected to the town.

Hiking through Forests, Meadows and Terraces

Cene offers several clearly distinct hiking options. CAI Trail 546 begins near the road to Monte Bò and leads through forests to the meadows of Monte Bò. Known as the Giro del Monte Bue, CAI Trail 546 is a moderately difficult hike covering 7.7 kilometres. Those who prefer a longer tour can take the moderately difficult 11.7-kilometre trail from Cene to Prati Moletti via Route 541. Route 541 starts at the Chiesa della Madonnina di Cene.

The Strada Verde connects with the municipality of Cene via Monte Altino. Its route passes through forests, pastures and terraces that preserve traces of former farming activity. The landscape is therefore visible not only as a natural area, but also as the result of land use shaped over a long period. The different trail lengths and landscapes help you plan your day according to your preferred hiking pace and interests.

Cycling Routes with Different Character

Cene can also be explored by bicycle in several directions. The Ciclodromo di Cene is a fully fenced asphalt circuit approximately 1,080 metres long. The Ciclovia della Val Seriana is also suitable for families: it has only minor significant inclines and runs on unpaved earth or asphalt, making it particularly suitable for families. This places a compact circuit and a family-friendly route alongside each other as cycling options with different designs.

More Places for Trip Planning

More places you can discover: Branzi, Vigolo, Brembate, Canonica D'adda, Verdello, Solto Collina, Valtorta, Montello.

To the broader travel overview: Bergamo.