Discover Monte Isola with three itineraries

History itinerary

The itinerary accompanies the discovery of historical-artistic traces and memories of the island. Valuable frescoes, manor houses, country churches, parish churches and the work that made Monte Isola famous throughout the world: The Floating Piers.

This is the most demanding thematic route, in fact you will cover 14 kilometres with 400 metres of elevation gain, but the effort will be rewarded by a breathtaking panorama and the discovery of unforgettable picturesque views!

Let’s set off!

Once arrived in Peschiera Maraglio, the first stop on our route is the Museum of Traditions, located in the Infopoint premises, where you can observe the typical boat, the naèt, set into the floor of the first floor.
Going a little further into the village of Peschiera Maraglio, through the typical narrow streets, you will reach the Church of San Michele Arcangelo, decorated with rich stucco and frescoes, and the Oratory of San Rocco, where you can admire various paintings attributed to Girolamo Romanino.

Back to the lakefront, you will find a panel dedicated to Christo’s famous work ‘The Floating Piers’, situated along the ‘Strada degli Ulivi’ (Olive Tree Road) which has inspired the art of painters such as Arturo Tosi, Francesco Salodini, Angelo Fiessi and Martino Dolci.

The next stop on our route is Rocca Martinengo, one of the most important monuments on the island, which, thanks to its strategic position, allows you to admire Lake Iseo from north to south!

Once there, we start to climb towards Senzano, where you can stop and visit the small Church of San Severino before taking the path that leads to the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Ceriola, located at the highest point on the island. From there you will see a breathtaking view and, inside the church, you can observe the statue of the Madonna della Ceriola.

After visiting the sanctuary, you start to descend towards the picturesque village of Masse, where you will find the Church of San Rocco. You will then continue on to Siviano, the most populated village on the island, where you can admire the small medieval centre and the Church of San Faustino and Giovita. The discovery of this village does not end here, because in a few minutes’ walk you will reach Porto di Siviano, from where you can admire the wonderful Villa Ferrata from the outside.

You tour is coming to an end: the last stop will be the Church of St John the Baptist in Carzano, which houses a chapel dedicated to the Holy Cross, in whose honour the famous Flower Festival is organised every five years.

Traditions Itinerary

The itinerary leads to the discovery of Monte Isola through the memory of its past and the craft activities that characterize it and which have been handed down to the present day: the manufacture of boats, the processing of nets and the creation of paper flowers.

Are you ready?

Your route begins along the lakefront in Peschiera Maraglio, and once you arrive in front of the Tourist Office, take the alley on the left that will lead you to the inner street of the village. In a few minutes you will reach a small square, where you will find the first panel indicating the stages of the itinerary.

Leaving behind the alleys that have been the backdrop to years and years of culture and traditions, you will find yourself on the lakeside promenade, that is known as the ‘Strada degli Ulivi’, where the ‘Voga Longa’ is held every year on the 15th of August, Ferragosto. It’s a three-and-a-half-kilometre rowing race, run using naècc, the island’s typical boats.

Your journey continues towards Menzino, and as you stroll along you can admire a wonderful view of the lake and the island of San Paolo. The third stop is in the main square of Siviano, where you will find a panel that allows you to discover some legends about the production of the net. Descending towards Porto di Siviano, you can discover more curiosities on the subject near the ‘La Rete’ net factory.

The next stops are situated in Carzano, and they concern the traditions linked to the Celebrations of the Holy Cross, which are held every five years. During the celebrations, the whole village is decorated with paper flowers, which are handmade according to a tradition handed down from generation to generation.

Your itinerary is almost coming to an end, and continuing in the direction of Peschiera Maraglio you will find the last information panel near the Archetti Ercole shipyard, where the modern naèt is produced.

Taste itinerary

Products of the land and the lake born from the experience of processing local fruits are the protagonists of this itinerary of taste. A journey marked by tradition, quality and passion handed down from generation to generation.

Here we go!

The itinerary to discover the gastronomic traditions of Monte Isola begins in Peschiera Maraglio, where the technique of preserving sardines in oil has been handed down for centuries. The sardines are salted and dried in the sun on special ‘archetti’. On the lakeside between Peschiera Maraglio and Sensole, several artistic installations representing this traditional technique are on display.

Continuing on towards Menzino, we begin to see olive groves, cultivated in terraces, which lead us to our second stop, dedicated to the production of olive oil. The route then leads to Senzano, where you will discover the cultivation methods of plantations such as vines, small fruits and saffron, which are facilitated by the island’s mild climate.

At this point you will have to climb to Cure, where you will be introduced to the highlight of the local gastronomy: the “salame di Monte Isola”. The particularity of this cured sausage is that the meat is manually cut with a knife, and it is smoked in special rooms called ‘cà del salam’, or ‘salami houses’.

Your experience does not end here, in fact, in the next panel located in Siviano, you will discover the typical dishes of the island, which can be enjoyed in all the local restaurants, accompanied by beautiful views.

The last stop on your itinerary is in the village of Carzano, where you can learn more about fishing and oil production.