San Paolo d'Argon
Visiting San Paolo d'Argon: Discovering Its History and Monuments
If you're looking for a place that combines history, culture, and architectural beauty, San Paolo d'Argon might be the right choice for you. This Bergamo municipality, with just over 5000 inhabitants, is located at the beginning of the Val Cavallina, to the east of the Orobic Bergamo, and is crossed by important communication routes such as the State Road 42 del Tonale and della Mendola and the provincial road 91 that connects it to Lake Iseo.
History
San Paolo d'Argon has an ancient history that dates back to the Middle Ages. In particular, the municipality has always been an important cultural and economic center thanks to the presence of a large Cluniac Benedictine monastery founded by the Bergamo count Gisalberto in 1079. The monastery managed the surrounding territories for centuries until, in the fifteenth century, all the properties passed under the dominion of the Republic of Venice.
After Venetian rule, San Paolo d'Argon became part of the Cisalpine Republic, then of Austrian Lombardy and finally, since 1859, it has become part of Italy.
Monuments and Places of Interest
San Paolo d'Argon is rich in monuments and places that testify to its history and architectural beauty.
Religious architecture
- Abbey of San Paolo d'Argon: one of the most popular places is the Benedictine monastery, now a Cruciferan abbey, which still retains the imprint of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Among the interesting areas are the refectory frescoed by the Veronese artist Giovanni Battista Lorenzetti and the Chapter Room. The former abbey church, consecrated in 1198, was rebuilt in the Baroque style during the seventeenth century, maintaining the width of the original structure. The bell tower, on the other hand, was rebuilt between the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
- Parish of San Paolo Apostolo: next to the abbey is the church of the Conversion of Saint Paul, rebuilt by the Lugano architect Domenico Messi starting from 1684. It features frescoes on the nave's vault executed by the Como artist Giulio Quaglio the Younger of Laino between 1712 and 1713.
Art and Culture
San Paolo d'Argon is a municipality that has always valued art and culture. One of the most popular places is the Civic Library, located inside the former Benedictine monastery. The library contains over 30,000 volumes, including numerous incunabula and manuscripts.
Nature
Finally, if you're a nature lover, San Paolo d'Argon offers numerous trails that will allow you to discover the natural beauty of the surrounding area. In particular, the hilly part of the municipality has remained devoted to agriculture and forests, offering green and pristine landscapes.
In summary, San Paolo d'Argon is a municipality rich in history, culture, and natural beauty that is worth knowing and visiting.
