San Vigilio between churches, old paths and wide views

San Vigilio: sacred art and traces of history

San Vigilio, a hamlet of Concesio, combines a clear cultural focus with paths leading into varied surroundings. The architectural fabric of the Santuario Madonna della Stella, its church forecourt and the small square in front of it are part of San Vigilio. Sacred art, local traditions, historic routes and hikes thus offer different ways of discovering this place.

Sanctuary, churches and art

The altarpiece by Romanino in the Santuario Madonna della Stella has a particularly striking visual concept: it depicts the Madonna with the Christ Child and a star on her head. The Santuario, situated on a hill, also offers views of Brescia and the lower plain, Valle Trompia, Valle Camonica and Franciacorta.

The parish church of Saints Vigilius and Gregory the Great also reaches far back into history. It was built in 1237 and elevated to parish church status in 1632. The parish church of San Vigilio e San Gregorio Magno also houses a painting dating from 1569. Its fresh, dynamic and brilliant technique recalls the luminosity of Titian and provides another highlight for visitors interested in culture.

The wooded area of Selva is located at the Santuario Madonna della Stella. According to local tradition, it is associated with an apparition of the Virgin Mary at the end of May 1536.

Historic paths and hikes

The ancient Via Valeriana runs past the site of San Velgio and continued towards the middle and upper Valle Trompia. Hiking enthusiasts can also take the Sentiero 3V: from San Vigilio, it can be reached via the ascent to Camaldoli and continues through Quarone di Sotto, Quarone di Sopra, Civine and Piazzole.

A short hike from San Vigilio also leads along the Sentiero degli Alpini to the hilltop church of San Velgio. Along this route, you pass stations of the Way of the Cross. For the hike from San Vigilio di Concesio to Monte Cornone via the Sentiero degli Alpini, allow for around 300 metres of elevation gain and 1 hour 40 minutes of walking time; its difficulty rating is E (hike).

Museums in the surrounding area

Two museums in the area around San Vigilio provide cultural context beyond the immediate locality. Il Maglio Averoldi is one museum, as is the Museo del Risorgimento. Both destinations broaden the view of the region and provide an additional option for a stay in which churches, paths and landscape views are not the only focus.

Choosing the right type of accommodation

When choosing a hotel in San Vigilio, it helps to weigh up your interests clearly: the churches, the Santuario and the traditions of Selva favour a cultural and spiritual focus. For hiking, the Sentiero 3V, accessible from the village, as well as the paths along the Sentiero degli Alpini are relevant. The museums in the surrounding area complement this selection. This allows you to base your accommodation decision on the experiences you actually want to pursue during your trip to Italy.

More destinations

More destinations for planning your trip to Italy: Clusane, Monte Isola, Brescia, Bari, Castello, Erbusco, Esine and Cevo.

For the higher-level travel overview: Brescia.