Lovere on Lake Iseo: Art, History and Nature

Lovere on Lake Iseo

Lovere lies on the western shore of Lake Iseo. For a trip combining cultural, historical and natural experiences, the town offers a varied selection of specific destinations – from the Accademia Tadini to the trails on Monte Cala.

Art and traces of history

The Accademia Tadini is a valuable art collection and a testament to Italian Neoclassicism. In the rooms facing Lake Iseo, you can see masterpieces by Antonio Canova and Francesco Hayez.

In the “beccarie” district stands the Torre Soca, which dates from the 13th to the 14th century. Between the 12th and 13th centuries, Lovere was fortified with a wall surrounding the town, a castle and tower houses built around the main square. Above the medieval village, on the road to Valle, stands the Chiesa di San Giorgio; it is one of the oldest religious buildings in Lovere. The approximately 28-metre-high Torre Civica bears several frescoes recalling the various rulers who controlled Lovere. Among them is a fresco depicting the lion as a symbol of Venetian rule, together with the year 1442.

Natural history and spiritual sites

The Museo Civico di Scienze Naturali “Alessio Amighetti” comprises departments of mineralogy, palaeontology, ornithology and mammals, malacology, entomology, mycology and botany. The ornithology department displays 221 specimens from the local lake and mountain area.

The Santuario di Lovere is dedicated to Christ the King of Virgins and is connected with the beginning of the human and spiritual journey of Bartolomea Capitanio and Vincenza Gerosa in Lovere. In the Santuario delle Sante loveresi, consecrated on 1 October 1938 and dedicated to Christ the King of Virgins in honour of its founders, the relics of both women are venerated in the side apses.

Tours and trails around Lovere

The Tour dell'Alto Lago can begin in Pisogne, Costa Volpino or Lovere. With an onboard audio guide in Italian and English, you can explore the northern Sebino. Another route is Lovere–S. Giovanni–Bossico–Ceratello–Lovere; it begins and ends at Piazzale Bonomelli in Lovere.

The Anello naturalistico del Monte Cala nature trail reaches the summit of Monte Cala at an altitude of 620 metres. For this loop trail, you can leave your car in the free car park on Via Gerone and then continue on foot via Via del Castelliere.

Practical information for getting around

To explore the natural heritage of Alto Sebino and Lake Iseo, the Infopoint Alto Lago d'Iseo distributes panoramic maps of trails and excursions. A visit to the Basilica di Santa Maria in Valvendra outside public opening hours is available for groups and parties upon request to the Infopoint Alto Lago d'Iseo at least two days in advance.

More destinations

More destinations: Oltre Il Colle, Carona, Telgate, Seriate, Lallio, Valleve, Torre Boldone, Camerata Cornello.

To the higher-level travel overview: Bergamo.