Ponte in Valtellina
Let's visit the Municipality of Ponte in Valtellina
Hi everyone! Today I'll take you on a tour of the Municipality of Ponte in Valtellina, a small town of just over 2000 inhabitants in the province of Sondrio, in Lombardy. Are you ready to discover all its beauties together?
Physical geography
Ponte in Valtellina is located in the beautiful Val Fontana, at the foot of the Ron peak, and stretches between the Rhaetian and the Orobic side. Its strategic location makes it the ideal starting point to discover the surrounding mountains and the breathtaking landscapes of Valtellina.
Origin of the name
The name "Ponte" comes from the Middle High German "biunte", a Lombard administrative term that referred to a fenced and cultivated field. However, there are other interpretations: some say that the name refers to a bridge over the Adda river or to a crossing over the Rhon stream.
History
Symbols
The coat of arms of the Municipality of Ponte in Valtellina was recognized by decree of the head of government on January 21, 1943. The municipal banner, instead, is a yellow cloth with red border, granted by D.P.R. of November 3, 2009.
Monuments and places of interest
Historical homes and palaces
Ponte in Valtellina is rich in historical homes, such as the Jesuit college, active from the second half of the 16th century until the suppression of the Jesuit order in 1773, or the houses of the Quadrio, Guicciardi, Piazzi or Giacomoni families.
Religious architecture
The Municipality of Ponte in Valtellina has no less than 26 churches and religious buildings, including the Church of San Maurizio, of parochial dignity, located in the main square of the town dedicated to Bernardino Luini. Then there is the Church of Sant'Ignazio, built in the 17th century by the Jesuits, or the Sanctuary of the Madonna di Campagna, built in the 16th century and which contains a rare Renaissance organ restored in the early 1990s. Other interesting churches are the Church of San Gregorio Magno, the Church of the Most Holy Trinity, the Church of St. Anthony Abbot (dating back to the end of the 1300s), the Church of San Rocco (immersed in greenery), the Church of San Lorenzo, the Church of San Francesco Saverio (now closed to public worship but still owned by the Piazzi family) and the Church of the Immaculate Conception.
In the parishes of San Luigi di Sazzo and Arigna, which belong to the Orobic side of the Municipality, we also find the Sanctuary of San Luigi Gonzaga, the Parish Church of the Saints Carlo and Ignazio in Fontaniva, the Church of Santo Stefano at the lakes of Santo Stefano, the Church of San Matteo in Val d'Arigna (unfortunately abandoned and in a state of strong degradation), the Church of San Gregorio in Albereda, the Oratory of St. John the Baptist in Fontaniva, the Church of Santo Stefano at the Forni, the Church of San Lorenzo at the Briotti and the Church of San Pio X in Casacce.
Society
Demographic evolution
The Municipality of Ponte in Valtellina has about 2245 inhabitants, who in recent years have shown a slight decrease.
Culture
Museums
If you are passionate about culture, you cannot miss the Ethnographic Museum of Peasant Culture, which will immerse you in the local tradition and history.
Conclusion
In short, the Municipality of Ponte in Valtellina is a real gem to be discovered, among the mountains of Valtellina and its incredible testimonies of history, architecture and religiosity. An ideal destination for those looking for relaxation and contact with unspoiled and authentic nature. Come visit us!
