Bani
Discover Bani, the small hamlet of Ardesio
If you are looking for a mountainous location away from the chaos of the city, Bani may be the right choice for you. This hamlet of Ardesio, in the province of Bergamo, is located within the Orobie Park, at an altitude of 1025 meters.
Territory
Bani is a small inhabited center consisting of a single hamlet, where houses are very close together. The population is made up of 87 inhabitants, mainly concentrated around the parish, which shares the same parish priest with that of Valcanale. The hamlet is located away from the town center, offering a pleasant solution for those seeking tranquility.
Monuments and places of interest
In the hamlet of Bani you will find the Church of San Giovanni Battista, a parish dedicated to the patron saint. The old church of Bani, mentioned in the pastoral visit of St. Carlo Borromeo in 1575, has been restored and currently houses a painting depicting the Madonna of the Belt, Saint Monica, Saint Augustine, and purgatory souls, a work by an anonymous Bergamo artist known as the "Master of Ardesio."
The current church of Bani was built in the seventeenth century in a different location from the previous one, for which there are no traces. The main altar of the church, dated 1710, of Fantoni school, still retains the drawings in the museums. Near the cemetery there is a monument to Don Francesco Brignoli, a priest much loved by the citizens of the hamlet, to whom the museum next to the church is dedicated. His writings, letters, and breviaries are preserved in the museum.
Culture and traditions
Bani is a place rich in traditions. Every second Sunday in August, the Sacred Belt is celebrated, and the day before, spectacular fireworks can be admired. Another famous tradition is the "Caneal d'ol magnà," a dramatic representation held on the last Sunday of Carnival, in which the redemption of the poor people against usurping authorities is represented.
Francesco Giuseppe Brignoli (1853-1934) - Ol pret di Bà
Francesco Giuseppe Brignoli, also known as "ol pret di Bà" in Bergamo dialect, was a priest much loved by the citizens of the hamlet. He lived in Bani for 44 years, giving the community his knowledge and teachings.
Thanks to his life, Bani has become a place of interest for the entire Bergamo area. In the small museum dedicated to Don Francesco Brignoli, located near the church, you can discover his life through his writings and letters, becoming part of the history of this small hamlet.
If you want to discover a place immersed in nature, but also rich in history and culture, Bani is the destination for you.
