San Giovanni Bianco
Welcome to San Giovanni Bianco!
Hello everyone! Today I'll be telling you about San Giovanni Bianco, an Italian municipality located in Lombardy, in the beautiful Brembana Valley.
With its 4,653 inhabitants, San Giovanni Bianco is one of the main centers of the entire valley and is easily accessible: it is only 28 kilometers north of the provincial capital, Bergamo.
But let's talk about the history of this charming town.
A bit of history
The first stable settlements in the area probably date back to the Roman Empire, when the Romans exploited the mineral resources in the mountains to create numerous connections with the nearby "pagus Saturnius".
The name of the town comes from the large presence of white limestone formations, and during the Middle Ages, San Giovanni Bianco prospered thanks to mining activity.
There were problems as well, though: the area was affected by fratricidal struggles between the Guelphs and the Ghibellines. Despite this, the Ghibelline influence did not cause any kind of conflict.
With the advent of the Republic of Venice, trade increased further thanks to the construction of the Via Priula, which passed through the center of the town. The main families of the town established important relationships with the Serenissima and emigrated to Venice, where the skilled workers from the Brembana people were much appreciated.
At this time, the village took on a well-defined shape, so much so that it still shows its original structure today.
What to see in San Giovanni Bianco
San Giovanni Bianco has a lot to offer its visitors.
First of all, you cannot miss the church dedicated to St. John the Baptist, the patron saint of the town. The church, built in the 18th century, houses numerous works of art of great value. Another church of great interest is that of Santa Maria Assunta, which dates back to the 16th century.
For nature lovers, San Giovanni Bianco offers numerous opportunities for excursions. Among the most famous destinations is the Curò Refuge, located at an altitude of 1435 meters on Mount Cancervo. You can reach the refuge on foot following the CAI 531 path or by car using the road that starts from the center of the town.
There are also numerous events that enliven the town throughout the year, starting with the celebrations for the patron saint St. John the Baptist, which take place on June 24th with an impressive fireworks display.
The "Mercatorum e Priula" Cultural Center
Since 2015, the municipality of San Giovanni Bianco has been part of the "Mercatorum e Priula" Cultural Center, born from an agreement signed with the Brembani municipalities of Camerata Cornello and Dossena to enhance the artistic, architectural, historical and environmental assets of the territory.
Thanks to this project, the municipalities intend to promote knowledge of the historical and cultural heritage of their territory, organizing events, exhibitions and educational activities.
In addition, the Cultural Center celebrates every year the ancient trade of the "calusèr," which was the blacksmith who dedicated himself to the production of wooden clogs.
Conclusions
So here is a brief overview of San Giovanni Bianco, a town with ancient history and incomparable natural beauty.
I hope that my story has intrigued you and made you want to visit this charming village in the Brembana Valley. You won't regret it!
