Montodine between the Serio, Adda and religious architecture

Montodine lies on a promontory that separates the present-day Serio Valley to the east from the ancient Adda river valley to the west. At the same time, the town is situated on the Serio near the point where the river flows into the Adda. This position between two river landscapes gives Montodine a clear geographical setting: cultural monuments, religious traditions and routes along the Adda and Serio can be combined here to suit different travel interests.

Between the Serio and Adda

Two differently routed trails are central to experiencing the landscape. The „Percorso verde“ is a circular route through the Adda and Serio valleys between the bridges of Cavenago d’Adda and Bertonico. The „Tra Adda e Serio“ route runs along the left bank of the Adda – from its confluence with the Po to Montodine. The bridges and the left bank of the Adda provide specific geographical reference points for planning the routes.

Oratorio del Rosario and Palazzo Benvenuti

The Compagnia del Rosario built the oratory approximately between 1611 and 1618. It preserves a fresco cycle by Gian Giacomo Barbelli from 1641 depicting the fifteen Mysteries of the Rosary. Another historical highlight is Palazzo Benvenuti: its defensive tower was built by Gerolamo Benvenuti in 1646. The tower has a square floor plan and is five storeys high.

Churches and oratories in Montodine

The parish church of Santa Maria Maddalena Penitente was built between 1726 and 1731. The Oratorio di San Rocco also has distinctive architectural features: the building has a central octagonal floor plan and was built between 1630 and 1647 as a votive structure commemorating the plague of 1630. The Oratorio della SS. Trinità was built between 1724 and 1726. Its terracotta façade and slender bell tower make it another example of Baroque forms in the Cremasco area.

Religious festivals

Montodine’s religious traditions are also reflected in recurring festivals. The feast of Madonna del Rosario takes place on the first Sunday in October and includes a procession carrying the statue of the Madonna on the Serio. During the feast of San Rocco on 16 August, unsalted breads are prepared and blessed during the ceremony. Two different forms of religious celebration thus come together: the procession on the river and the blessing of bread prepared especially for the feast.

Getting to Montodine

Montodine can be reached by car via the provincial road between Bergamo and Piacenza, formerly known as S.S. 591. The nearest railway stations to Montodine are in Castelleone and Crema.

For further travel planning, you may also consider these places: Corte De' Frati, Battaglia, Moscazzano, Castelleone, Pescarolo ed Uniti, Cansero, San Giovanni in Croce, Torlino Vimercati.

For the overview of the wider area: Cremona.