Serina: Mountain Trails, Art and History in the Prealpi Orobie

Serina Between Mountain Trails and Local Culture

Serina lies at an altitude of 821 m in the heart of the Prealpi Orobie. The town is situated in a meadow hollow surrounded by several mountain ridges and various well-known peaks. To the east, Monte Alben rises in an area between Val Serina, Val del Riso and Val Seriana. If you would like to combine nature and culture, you will find two clearly defined themes here: mountain trails and historic sites.

Hiking in Valle Serina

Valle Serina offers hiking trails for different levels of ability—from a leisurely Sunday stroll to challenging hikes. You can therefore adapt your daily plans to your preferred level of intensity and choose between quiet paths and demanding routes.

The SLB05 hiking stage follows the Via Mercatorum and reaches Serina after passing through Corone. Trail 502, “Serina–Monte Alben”, starts in Serina, passes over Passo del Sapplì and Passo della Forca, and reaches the summit of Monte Alben at an altitude of 2,019 m. Together, the two routes provide clear guidance for choosing between a stage along the Via Mercatorum and an ascent into the mountain landscape.

Another circular route is “Valle del Manzo e Sorgenti di Serina”. It descends to the Torrente Serina and its springs.

Churches, Fountains and Local Tradition

The parish church of Serina was built between 1670 and 1760 by the Caniana brothers on the site of an earlier 15th-century building. It houses Palma il Vecchio’s polyptych “Presentazione della Vergine”.

The Fontana Tricuspidale dates from 1645 and stands at the junction of the two branches of the Via Mercatorum. Its water flows from a bronze lion’s head; the large basin was carved from a single worked block of stone. In this way, a historic connection to the roads and fine craftsmanship come together in a single structure.

Construction of the Monastero SS.Trinità began in 1643 and was completed in 1675; the nuns moved in in 1676. The monastery includes a Baroque church dedicated to the Holy Trinity, with a cruciform floor plan, rich stucco decoration and large windows beneath the dome. The Monastero also contains a depiction of the Holy Trinity by Palma il Giovane, as well as paintings attributed to Carlo Ceresa and Giovanni Carobbio.

The Fiera di Serina is also part of the local culture: it is an exhibition of cattle breeds rooted in the community’s long-standing farming tradition. Serina is also home to the birthplace of Palma il Vecchio, where works can be seen. Cultural interest therefore extends from religious buildings and art to an agriculture-based tradition.

More destinations: Fontanella, Grumello Del Monte, Carobbio, Canonica D'adda, Spinone Al Lago, Foppolo, Vigano San Martino, Arcene.

To the main travel overview: Bergamo.