Baresi
Baresi: a rural village
Located in the Municipality of Roncobello, Baresi is a geographical fraction of the Lombardy region. This small inhabited center was founded in the first centuries after Christ and has about 150 inhabitants. It is a characteristic rural village, immersed in the green valleys of the Orobic Prealps. The village is located at an altitude of about 888 meters above sea level, which gives it a splendid panorama of mountains, woods and green meadows.
History
Origins
Baresi was born as a village of shepherds and farmers, intent on cultivating fields and raising livestock. An activity which continues to this day, as agriculture and livestock still represent the economy of this inhabited center.
Modern age
In Napoleonic times, in 1810, the municipality of Baresi was suppressed and aggregated to the municipality of Roncobello. However, in 1816, with the establishment of the Lombardo-Venetian Kingdom, Baresi regained its autonomy. In 1861, in the time of the Risorgimento, Baresi already counted 244 inhabitants. However, the municipality of Baresi was definitively suppressed in 1927, when it was aggregated to the municipality of Roncobello.
Monuments and places of interest
Religious architecture
Baresi is a small village that, despite its small size, hosts some monuments of historical and artistic interest. Among these, the church of San Giacomo Apostolo, located in the namesake fraction. The church is small and has a painting attributed to Palma il Vecchio.
Civil architecture
The "Maurizio Gervasoni" mill, located in the fraction of Baresi, represents one of the most precious monuments of the area. This ancient mill, dating back to 1600, was listed in the first national census of Places of the Heart, promoted by the Italian Environment Fund in 2003. Through a collaboration between the Gervasoni family and Intesa Sanpaolo, the Italian Environment Fund acquired ownership of the mill and, after a series of renovations, reopened it to the public in 2006. Today the mill is functioning again and is used to produce flour.
Conclusions
Baresi is an ancient rural village that represents one of the hidden treasures of the Orobic Prealps. Despite its small size, this inhabited center is rich in history, art and culture. Among its beauties, the church of San Giacomo Apostolo and the Gervasoni mill stand out, two monuments that are worth visiting. Reaching Baresi is simple: it is possible to take the A4 Milan-Venice motorway and exit at Bergamo, from where you can follow the provincial road 25 towards Val Brembana. Once you arrive in Roncobello, it is possible to reach Baresi by car or on foot, by following one of the paths that cross the valleys of the Orobic Prealps.
