Entratico: Buca del Corno and Historic Sites

Entratico Between Cave and Village History

Entratico draws attention to an unusual combination of nature and culture. Buca del Corno on Monte Sega represents a geologically distinctive landscape, while the bell tower, medieval village, and local exhibits offer insights into the history of the area. If you plan your trip around different interests, in Entratico you can take into account both the underground world and smaller cultural and historical attractions.

Buca del Corno on Monte Sega

Buca del Corno is located on the northwestern slope of Monte Sega, in the hamlet of Corno in Entratico, at 470 m above sea level. Its location makes the cave a clearly identifiable natural landmark within the municipal area. At the same time, it preserves a geological structure whose significance is not fully apparent from its name alone.

Buca del Corno is a typical bedding-plane cave. With its branches, it extends for a total of 385 m through Jurassic limestone and has an elevation gain of 36 m. For visitors interested in geology, this involves several specific features: its formation in Jurassic limestone, its branched extent, and the difference in elevation within the cave.

Water also shapes this natural area. Buca del Corno is an active cave through which water flows; during heavy rainfall, the water flow can become considerable. The rare beetle Allegrettia Pavani also lives in the cave. Both aspects make Buca del Corno a place where geological formations and distinctive wildlife can be observed together, without this implying anything about the current visiting situation.

Visit with a Set Duration

Access to Buca del Corno is possible only when accompanied by volunteers from the “Gruppo Guide Buca del Corno.” The visit lasts approximately 45 minutes on average. This clearly defined framework is important for your planning: the cave visit is not an exploration of arbitrary length, but takes place with a guide and lasts approximately three quarters of an hour on average.

Architecture and Local Culture

The Campanile of the Chiesa di San Martino is part of Entratico’s cultural and historical profile. It was built between 1609 and 1698 from two-colour stone blocks from the Cherio River. The construction period and the material used provide the bell tower with a precise historical classification.

The Sala Civica consiliare displays a 3D model showing the surroundings outside Buca del Corno, as well as its full extent in plan and its actual elevation, including the difference in height. Also located there is a wooden Cattedrale in Miniatura by Giovan Battista Mutti. The two pieces have different focuses: the model explains the cave’s spatial form, while the miniature is an independent handcrafted work by Giovan Battista Mutti.

Vicolo Castello, also known as Bus Castel, is a medieval village with the remains of a small castle. The Museo Agricolo e del Vino Ricci Curbastro is also located in the area around Entratico. The cultural offering therefore ranges from historic settlement structures and sacred architecture to a museum focusing on agriculture and wine.

A Hiking Trail North of the Municipality

For combining your visit with a hike, CAI hiking trail 617B is a specific reference point. It begins in the hamlet of Maico, at the end of a paved road north of the municipality of Entratico.

Park with Barbecue Areas and Tables

The park surrounding Buca del Corno is equipped with barbecue areas and tables. This area complements the visit to the natural surroundings with a specifically designated outdoor space. When planning, you can therefore take the park’s facilities into account alongside the cave, landscape, and wildlife.

Further Destinations for Orientation

Villa Dʼalmè, Valbondione, Canonica D'adda, Gazzaniga, Costa Valle Imagna, Palosco, Montello and Mezzoldo

For the main travel overview: Bergamo.