Dalmine
Welcome to Dalmine, between history and nature
If you are looking for a location surrounded by nature but at the same time rich in history, you cannot miss Dalmine, a municipality in the province of Bergamo in Lombardy, with about 23,238 inhabitants.
Physical geography
Territory
Dalmine is located about 8 kilometers southwest of Bergamo, on the eastern bank of the Brembo river. The municipality's territory is distributed over an area of about 17.8 square kilometers, while its seven hamlets, Dalmine Centro, Brembo, Guzzanica, Sabbio, Sforzatica Santa Maria, Sforzatica Sant'Andrea and Mariano, are spread over a flat land. A significant part of the area is occupied by Tenaris, a leading company in the steel sector.
Hydrographic network
The territory of Dalmine is characterized by a rich hydrographic network, which includes the Brembo river, which delimits the administrative border to the west, and numerous artificial canals, used since medieval times for irrigation, including the terminal branches of the Roggia Serio Grande, the roggia Morlana and the roggia Colleonesca, which draw from the course of the Serio river in val Seriana.
History
Roman era
The first evidence of settlements in the territory of Dalmine dates back to the Roman era. In particular, in the district of Sforzatica d'Oleno, the remains of a sacred building, a funerary altar and epigraphs have been found, which suggest the presence of a Roman village of some importance. Furthermore, the territory was crossed by the Gallic Road, a Roman road of great importance.
Middle Ages
In the Middle Ages, the villages of Sforzatica and Oleno are mentioned in documents from 879 and 909, while the first mention of Mariano dates back to 909 and Sabbio to 954. In 975, the name Dalmine appears. These five settlements are mentioned as separate medieval communes in the statutes of Bergamo of 1263, each with its own defensive system.
The churches of Sant'Andrea, San Lorenzo and San Michele belonged to the parish of Pontirolo vecchio and were part of the diocese of Milan, while the church of Santa Maria d'Oleno depended on the parish of Lallio in Bergamo.
Dalmine today
In 1927, the municipality of Dalmine was created by the union of Sabbio Bergamasco, Mariano al Brembo, and Sforzatica, in addition to the Dalmine hamlet, which was not the municipal seat. Today, Dalmine is a modern location, but it maintains its historical roots, as evidenced by the presence of numerous churches and historical buildings.
Tourism
Places of interest
One of the most interesting places in Dalmine is undoubtedly the parish church of Santa Maria Assunta, located in the historic center of the city. The building dates back to the thirteenth century, but underwent numerous modifications over the centuries. Other noteworthy religious buildings are the church of San Lorenzo in Guzzanica and the church of Sforzatica Sant'Andrea.
Dalmine is also known for the presence of numerous historical buildings, such as the Palazzo del Municipio and the Palazzo Tornielli, both located in the historic center. In addition, the location is surrounded by green hills, ideal for long walks and bike rides.
Food and wine
The food and wine tradition of Dalmine is strongly linked to the territory and local products. Among the typical dishes of Bergamo cuisine, you should try casoncelli, meat-filled ravioli flavored with sage, and taragna polenta, a variant of polenta seasoned with cheese and butter.
There are also numerous agricultural companies in the area that produce quality wine, such as Valcalepio and Moscato, and extra virgin olive oil.
Conclusion
Dalmine is a location that offers many opportunities to visitors, thanks to its lush nature, ancient history, and great food and wine tradition. If you are looking for a vacation full of relaxation and discovery of new cultures, you cannot miss this splendid location in Lombardy.
