Paratico: Castle Ruins, Art and Trails along the Oglio

Paratico combines striking buildings, artistic venues and trails in a varied landscape. The ruins of Castello Lantieri stand on the hill, dominating the surrounding countryside. Castello Lantieri was probably built around 1200 on the ruins of an older manor house dating back to 1007. A walk through Paratico therefore leads to traces whose historical depth extends from the Middle Ages to the present day.

Castles, a Church and Contemporary Art

The Church of San Pietro stands on the western hill of Paratico in a rural landscape largely shaped by vineyards. Its origins date back to the 15th century; these include a fresco dated 1444 and other fragments attributed to the 15th century. Every year on 8 December, the church hosts the festival of the “Madonna dei Pom”, also known as the “Madonna dei pomi”.

The Torre Lantieri is another defining historic building. It was probably built in the 14th century as an extension of Paratico’s fortifications. Following a heritage restoration completed at the end of 2009, the tower was converted into a museum. A different accent is provided by the permanent exhibition “Viale dei volti”, featuring stone sculptures connected with Paratico’s biennial exhibition of sandstone art and culture, “Scolpire in Piazza”.

In the town park, the Neo-Gothic Oselanda building houses exhibitions of contemporary art and offers views of the lake.

Water Landscapes and Trails along the Oglio

The Parco dei Taxodi is a natural oasis with elevated walkways and aquatic plants. These aquatic plants provide shelter for bird species such as the grey heron.

The Sentiero Verde dell’Oglio runs almost entirely through the Parco Regionale dell’Oglio Nord regional park. After passing through Paratico, it reaches the Seriola Fusia, a 14th-century irrigation canal that diverts water from the Oglio. The trail therefore passes through a landscape where the river, irrigation and protected nature are closely interconnected.

Cycling, Hiking and Activities along the Riverbank

Cyclists can choose between two different routes. The Brescia–Paratico cycle path offers views of the hills of Franciacorta and Lake Iseo and can be ridden in both directions. The Paratico–Palazzolo sull’Oglio cycle path runs along the Oglio River between Paratico and Palazzolo sull’Oglio. Each route has its own distinctive landscape features.

The fourth stage of La Via delle Sorelle also leads to Paratico: it runs from Sarnico across the bridge to Paratico and from there along the river on the Sentiero Verde dell’Oglio to the municipality of Capriolo. Along Paratico’s riverbanks, wakeboarding, water skiing and canoeing offer further activities. When choosing a hotel or other accommodation in Paratico, this makes it possible to accommodate different interests – from architectural history and art to cycle paths, river landscapes and water sports.

Orientation and Historical Connections

At the Paratico Infopoint near Bosco Taxodi, visitors can obtain free maps, tourist information material and personal recommendations for exploring Paratico and Lake Iseo. The Paratico–Palazzolo railway line represents the region’s mobility history: it began operating in 1876 and was approximately 10 kilometres long. Panoramic train rides on the Sebino railway connect Paratico-Sarnico with Palazzolo sull’Oglio and use historic carriages with outward-facing seats.

Further destinations for trip planning: Gardola, Pertica Alta, Pontevico, Adro, Manerba Del Garda, Artogne, Calvisano and Marone.

For the broader travel overview: Brescia.