Rota D'imagna: Churches, Karst and Trails in Valle Imagna

Churches and Local History

Rota D'imagna can be explored for travel planning through two themes: sacred art and karst landscapes. If you are interested in churches, architecture and historic furnishings, you will find several specific points of interest in the hamlets. The Chiesa di San Gottardo in the hamlet of Rota Dentro was built in 1496. Its façade is characterised by pilasters made of stone from Berbenno. The church also has an altarpiece depicting Saint Gotthard, attributed to Carlo Ceresa and dated 1679.

The Chiesa di San Siro provides another historical landmark. Construction began in 1724 and was completed in 1765. The elegant portico is attributed to Giacomo Quarenghi. Inside the church, a small sculpture depicts Saint Anne and the Virgin; it dates from the 14th or 15th century. There is also a baptismal font dating from 1614. Sacred architecture, visual art, sculpture and baptismal furnishings thus represent different facets of cultural interest.

The Casa Natale di Giacomo Quarenghi is also one of the town’s specific historical destinations. It stands in the hamlet of Cà Piatone and was built in 1600. The building contains a small chapel. Together with the portico of the Chiesa di San Siro attributed to Giacomo Quarenghi, it provides another connection to the area’s architectural and cultural history, although the two sites do not have the same function.

Karst Features and Tomba dei Polacchi

In Valle Imagna, Rota d’Imagna is one of the areas with particularly concentrated karst features. The Tomba dei Polacchi extends for more than 400 metres. In its innermost section, a stream flows through it.

A ceramic vessel was found at the foot of a stalagmite in the Tomba dei Polacchi. The cave can be visited with the support of the Gruppo Speleologico Valle Imagna. For those interested in nature, this combines a distinctive underground landscape with a specific cultural and historical find, while the karst features of Valle Imagna provide the geological setting.

Out and About on the Percorso Vita

The 10-kilometre cycling and walking path known as the Percorso Vita begins in Selino Basso near Sant’Omobono Terme and runs through the area of Rota d’Imagna. The path has equipped picnic areas. There are also car parks and rest areas along the Percorso Vita. Thus, in addition to the churches and the cave, a longer route for exercise and spending time outdoors is another theme you can take into account when planning.

When choosing a hotel or other accommodation for your stay in Rota D'imagna, you can determine your preferred focus in advance. Those interested in culture can focus on San Gottardo, San Siro and the Casa Natale di Giacomo Quarenghi. Those who want to include more of the landscape can look to the karst features, the Tomba dei Polacchi or the Percorso Vita.

Further destinations for orientation: Selvino, Brumano, Misano Di Gera D'adda, Bagnatica, Ghisalba, Stezzano, Roncola, Tavernola Bergamasca

For the broader travel overview: Bergamo.