Ardenno Among Churches, Wine and Trails

Ardenno combines sacred art, historic buildings, wine-growing terraces and trails to create a destination that you can explore from several perspectives. At the heart of Ardenno stands the Collegiata di San Lorenzo: it was built in 1497 and altered several times over the centuries.

Churches, Art and Historic Buildings

A particular focus is placed on the churches and historic buildings. The wooden altarpiece of the Collegiata di San Lorenzo was carved by Giovanni Angelo Del Mayno and painted by Battista da Leganano in 1539–1540. The Caneva vescovile was formerly the residence of the representatives of the Bishop of Como. It preserves medieval architectural structures and part of a 15th-century tower.

The Palazzo Parravicini-Zaccaria on Via Cavour also makes its own architectural statement. Its antique portal leads into a columned atrium overlooking the garden below. The Santuario di S. Gottardo was built at the beginning of the 18th century and adds a more recent historical period to the historic sacred buildings.

In Piazzalunga there is the chapel known as Chiesa Vegia. It contains a folk-style cycle of paintings from the late 15th century featuring a Crucifixion and saints, the Last Supper, and a Madonna and Child with saints. In Biolo, the parish church of Santa Maria Assunta was built around the middle of the 15th century and extended in 1613. Inside are a 15th-century Nativity scene and three works by Pietro Ligari.

Wine Country and Trails

The landscape of the Rhaetian slopes near Ardenno is characterized by wine-growing terraces. The DOC wine-growing zone of Valtellina Superiore begins within the municipality of Ardenno.

Two specific points lie along the Sentiero Valtellina: at kilometer 25.2 is the Ardenno – Canale Enel rest area. At kilometer 24.5 is the Chiosco del Ponte – Ardenno refreshment station. Those who divide the route into sections can use the rest area at kilometer 25.2 and the refreshment station at kilometer 24.5 as separate waypoints for their own route planning. The two points are 0.7 kilometers apart. The kilometer values serve as fixed reference points for the two stations. On the Ardenno–Paniga variant of the Sentiero Valtellina, one section is temporarily impassable. The detour begins after passing under the SS38, near a snack bar or kiosk. For the Ardenno–Paniga variant, the temporarily impassable section must also be included in the stage planning.

Another trail is the Il Sentiero dei Cincet loop. The municipality of Ardenno organized it in 2000 using existing paths. The loop relates to the local folk religious art and cultural heritage. It begins at Ardenno Town Hall; there, the first sign points in the direction of San Lucio–Piazzalunga. For the start, the first sign pointing toward San Lucio–Piazzalunga is the specific orientation point at the beginning of the loop.

More Destinations

For further travel planning, you can also include Montespluga, Corna, Dubino, Cataeggio, Mello, Casacce, Lovero and Morbegno in your plans.

To the higher-level travel overview: Sondrio.