Val d'Astino

The Astino valley is bordered to the east by the spur of Benaglia, to the west by the hill dominated by Villa Bagnada and Presati Castle, to the north by San Sebastiano and the hills of Bastia and San Vigilio, and then opens out to the south towards the Longuelo district. From here there are various routes that allow pleasant excursions into the green, towards Città Alta, Sudorno and the Allegrezza forest. It is a small remnant of land in the middle of the Bergamo hills, surrounded today by ancient organic crops in the heart of the protected area of the Parco dei Colli, a forest where birds of prey still nest and a few houses can be found. It is a precious landscape context for its naturalness just a stone's throw from the city. In the Val d'Astino, the city opens up to nature in its dual soul, Alta and Bassa, green and urban. To pass from the frenzy of the centre to the quiet harmony of nature would seem surreal, but not in this green treasure chest. This marvellous portion of the hills is historically linked to the monastery of the same name, a fundamental and identifying element of the valley, founded in 1107 by the Vallombrosian order and rebuilt several times over time. The area has been the protagonist of some incredible moments: an imposing overall restoration, which culminated in the return ‘home’ of a work of exceptional value, The Last Supper by Alessandro Allori, and the conquest in 2021, with the project ‘Biodiversity within the city’, of the the prized National Landscape Award and the Landscape Award of the Council of Europe. A thousand years of history speak of this place, an identity for the city and the local community, loved by all who visit, the custodian of a centuries-old history experienced by all social strata. It is an area sensitive to the changes of time, which over the centuries has been able to renew itself constantly, in the interweaving of nature and culture. Astino is a magical place where you can discover the Church of the Holy Sepulchre next to the monastery, the marvellous internal cloister, the panoramic garden and the cellars where you can spend moments of conviviality, enjoy the pleasure of food and relationships. An area of extreme charm, a rare pearl, which the townspeople could not do without, a place for moments of leisure and lightness, where one can walk, cycle, enjoy the valley in peace with one's family, the site is also and above all a very popular cultural centre, as well as a point of reference for study, research and territorial application. Visit the site