Isola di Fondra
Fondra Island: a journey into history
Fondra Island, a municipality in the province of Bergamo in Lombardy, preserves a millennia-old history. The area was exploited by the Romans for the copper mines present in the territory, and it is likely that the first stable settlements date back to the time of the barbarian invasions. In 1595, the municipality of Valfondra Inferiore divided into Carona, Branzi, and Fondra, from which Trabuchello detached in 1639, becoming an autonomous municipality. The municipality of Fondra Island was established in 1927 by the union of the municipalities of Fondra and Trabuchello.
A history linked to the mines
The toponym Fondra would derive from the Latin "fundere" because this activity was highly developed in the area. Copper, iron, and lead were extracted, and these raw materials were processed for the production of nails. The area was subject to the domination of the Lombard-Venetian Kingdom and had to pay heavy taxes and duties that caused an irreversible crisis in the metallurgical sector. In the following period, people lived with dignity with what nature offered. Only in recent decades, the tourism industry has begun to take root, contributing to revitalizing the village after a period of slow depopulation.
The municipality of Fondra Island today
The municipality also includes the districts of Forcella, Foppa, Cornelli, Pusdosso, and Via Piana, located on the slopes of Mount Torcola, in a very sunny position. Today, Fondra Island is a small scattered municipality with 166 inhabitants located in the high Val Brembana, about 45 kilometers north of Bergamo. The landscape surrounding the village is characterized by mountains, streams, and forests, which invite excursions and trekking.
The importance of the municipalities of Fondra and Trabuchello
The municipalities of Fondra and Trabuchello were included in the administrative district of "Valle Brembana Oltre la Goggia" in the sixteenth century, after becoming part of the Republic of Venice. This district included all the municipalities of the upper valley, with headquarters in Valnegra, and enjoyed tax breaks and numerous privileges. Tourism is contributing to the resurgence of the importance of these municipalities, which are one of the preferred destinations for tourists who want to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Conclusions
Fondra Island, a municipality in the province of Bergamo, is a country that preserves a millennia-old history linked to mines and the domination of different powers. Today, the village has been reborn thanks to the tourism industry, which offers visitors the opportunity to relax and enjoy the beauty of the valley and the surrounding nature. A journey to Fondra Island is a unique experience to discover the ancient roots of this land and its timeless beauty.
