Costa Volpino
Welcome to Volpino: a journey through history and geography
Hello everyone! Today I will talk about Volpino, a hamlet in the municipality of Costa Volpino, located in the lower Val Camonica, province of Bergamo.
Physical geography
Volpino sits on a terrace just above the plain of the Oglio River. The town is divided to the south from Corti (Costa Volpino) by the bed of the Supine stream, and to the north from Rogno by the Val Gola. Thanks to the presence of Lake Iseo, the climate is temperate with an average annual rainfall of around 1200 mm. The winds alternate between a diurnal current called the Lake Hour and a nocturnal one called the Veil.
Toponym
The name "Volpino" first appeared in 1116 when a certain Giovanni Brusati living in the castle of Volpino was mentioned. The toponym could derive from the presence of foxes in the area or, according to Fappani, from a deposit of materials used for the construction of the banks of the streams, called "Volpara". Leonardo da Vinci, in a sketch of Iseo lake and the surrounding towns, mentions the locality of "Volci" (Volpino).
History
The territory of Volpino was already known during the Roman period for the extraction of volpinite, a particular type of gypsum. In 1927, tombs from the Roman period were found and in 1970 a first-second century A.D. stone dedicated to the Roman deity Aburno was discovered.
During the Lombard domination, Volpino joined the caves of the "Grotta dei Pagani" to take refuge from enemy raids. From the year 1000 until the end of the 12th century, a castle stood on the hill overlooking the settlement, which was destroyed in 1198-1199 during disputes between the Guelph Brescia and the Ghibelline Bergamo.
From the 13th century onwards, Volpino was dominated by the Visconti, Malatesta, the Republic of Venice, the French and Austrians.
Tourist attractions
Volpino offers numerous tourist attractions, starting from Lake Iseo. Many water sports can be practiced, including windsurfing, kitesurfing and sailing. I recommend taking a boat tour that will take you to discover the wonders of Monte Isola, the largest lake island in Europe.
Do not miss the parish church of San Pietro, dating back to the 17th century, with beautiful frescoes and Baroque decorations. Near the church, we find the Oratory of Sant'Antonio, which was once the church of the convent of the minor conventual friars.
Events
Volpino offers numerous events throughout the year. The most important is the San Bartolomeo Fair, which takes place in the last week of August. The fair offers many stalls with typical products, shows and live music. In September, the festival of San Vittore is also held with games, shows and fireworks.
Conclusion
Volpino is a place with ancient charm that I invite you to discover during your visit to Italy. In addition to the tourist attractions, you can admire beautiful landscapes and taste dishes from the local cuisine. Do not miss the opportunity to learn more about the history and culture of this fascinating place. See you soon!
