Lake Iseo |TOP|
It is in the north of the country in the Val Camonica area, near the cities of Brescia and Bergamo. The lake is almost equally divided between the provinces of Bergamo and Brescia. Northern Italy is known for its heavily industrialised towns and in between there are several natural lakes. Lake Iseo retains its natural environment, with its lush green mountains surrounding the crystal clear lake.
lake iseo
There are several medieval towns around the lake, the largest being Iseo and Sarnico. A notable tourism sector has emerged. A road has been carved into the side of the mountains that circumnavigates the entire lake. In the middle of the lake there are Montisola island, Loreto isle and San Paolo isle (which compound the Monte Isola municipality). There is easy access via the regular running lake ferries.[2]
The level of the lake is regulated by the Sarnico Dam, built in 1933 in Fosio.The work, built in concrete and steel, is managed by the Consorzio dell'Oglio which divides the water withdrawn between irrigation uses and hydroelectric uses.[5]
Among the towns to visit there is certainly Lovere, in the province of Bergamo. Lovere has been counted among the most beautiful towns in Italy for its priceless architectural and artistic heritage, its medieval streets, and the beautiful lakefront. Also worth visiting is the Tadini Academy, housed in a beautiful neoclassical style building, where you can admire works of art by Antonio Canova. The ancient town allows you to get lost in romantic streets that make you dream, and at the same time, you can visit unique places such as the Basilica of Santa Maria in Valvendra, the Civic Tower, and of course not to be missed the Tourist Port which presents itself as one of the most modern and large in Europe. Finally, the Sanctuary of the Loveresi Saints is also very interesting.
Monte Isola is certainly not to be missed among what to see on Lake Iseo. This looks like one of the largest inhabited lake islands in all of Europe. This is located on Lake Iseo and as the name suggests, it is configured just like a mountain rising above an island.
Among what to see on Lake Iseo, we also find the ancient Via Valeriana, which is located between the Camonica Valley and the lake. The Romans built this ancient road was the only connection between Val Camonica and Brescia until 1850. This cobbled street among the hills overlooking Lake Iseo allows you to discover unique views. On this road, it is possible to discover the Sanctuary of Minerva, located at the entrance to the Bren and the Amphitheater of Cividate Camuno is also very beautiful. This area is also perfect for trekking.
Another area for trekking and discovering the beauty of the itineraries on Lake Iseo is that of Mount Guglielmo. The excursion to Mount Guglielmo is one of the most beautiful and scenic on Lake Iseo and one of the most challenging. It takes about two and a half hours (one way) to reach its summit, and the path is entirely in the woods. It can be reached in three ways: from Zone, from the Croce di Marone refuge, or Passabocche. The summit is 1,949 meters high and the view from up there leaves you breathless because it is so panoramic. At the top, there is the Almici Refuge, but it is always better to make sure it is open, and in any case, it is advisable to bring water and snacks. This route allows you to reach a panoramic point that offers a view of the lake, Montisola, and Mount Adamello.
Iseo is certainly the main tourist center of the lake and is located in the province of Brescia. This beautiful town offers many activities to do: from the classic lakeside promenade, with restaurants at water level, to the discovery of the most beautiful cafes, to the squares of historical interest. Ferries depart from all towns that allow you to both go around the lake and move from one area to another.
Another place that deserves a visit is the, an attraction not to be missed on Lake Iseo: they are located in a Reserve that was established in 1984 and takes its name from the strange shape that the moraine deposit of sand, boulders, and pebbles it has acquired over the centuries, transforming itself into strips of rock up to 30 meters high, with large boulders lying on their top, as if they were hats, protecting the rock below. The route is of medium difficulty and is not particularly suitable for families with small children. These very particular rocky conformations are found in the small town of Zone, which rises in the mountains just above Marone, one of the most important inhabited centers of the lake.
Image courtesy of Booking.comPsst! Sassabenek is also another popular and well-established campground with tons of amenities.HotelsHotel UliviIf you want to stay on the south end of the lake, consider spending your time at Hotel Ulivi in Paratico. The hotel has beautiful grounds, views, and amenities for guests to make it worth a mid-range price point.
Image courtesy of Booking.comLa Foresta Monte IsolaThis hotel is perfect for those who want a peaceful, unique Italian getaway. On the island of Monte Isola, the location is enough to make you want to book. The rooms are simple, but what stands out is Italian hospitality (and a very budget-friendly price tag.)Image courtesy of Booking.comAirbnbsLa Casa Del PortoThe beautiful modern apartments of La Casa del Porto are not the only reason to book. This building is in the main square of quaint Lovere and has lake views.Image courtesy of Booking.com
Less than 100km from both Bergamo and Brescia, Lake Iseo (aka Sebino) is one of the least known Lombard lakes. Shut in by soaring mountains, it's a magnificent sight. About halfway along the lake, a mountain soars right out of the water.
With the exception of the south shore and a series of tunnels at the northeast end of the lake, the road closely hugs the water on its circuit around Lake Iseo and is especially dramatic south of Lovere. Various back roads also lead high up behind Lovere for magnificent views.
To the lake's north stretches the Valle Camonica, famed for its Stone Age rock carvings. To the south stretches the rolling Franciacorta wine country and, to the west, the picture-book-pretty Lake Endine.
We begin with an enjoyable trip around the lake: 65 km of beautiful roads discovering quaint villages and panoramic views. Travel by car takes less than two hours and by bike between three and four hours. In Summertime you may also travel around the lake by ferry, for another perspective, for this you should take half a day.
Monte Isola, the largest inhabited island of European lakes: full of colourful boats, narrow alleys, steep stairways, stone villages. The lakefront is filled with quintessential shops and restaurants, the aroma of gelato and coffee draws you in. Walk among the olive trees and in the woods, until you reach the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Ceriola, up there, have your camera ready for the most amazing panoramic shot.
Lovere has been listed as one of The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy since 2003. The welcoming historic center, artistic heritage, elegant buildings and a stunning lakefront with squares and cafes are well worth a visit.
On the southern shore of the lake, you will find Sarnico. A town full of life, very popular for walks along the lakefront and as you wander through the characteristic alleys in the historic center you will discover shops of all varieties. An interesting fact: Sarnico is also the birthplace of the Riva shipyards and hosts some of the elegant Liberty villas of the architect Sommaruga, which can be visited during events.
The Italian lakes of Como, Maggiore and Garda are far better known, but sibling Lake Iseo, about a two-hour drive from Milan or Venice, is well worth a visit. Although fewer international travelers make it here than to the other famous lakes, Iseo ffers exceptional rural beauty, prized villages, amazing wines, historic walking trails and cool experiences. A good time to visit is in late summer and early fall when the temperatures are still balmy and the Festival Franciacorta in Cantina, celebrating the renowned sparkling wine, takes place. Here are all the reasons to go now.
As for eats, Iseo combines lakeside specialties with hearty dishes found in mountainous regions. Area favorites include la sardina di lago, which despite its name is not a sardine, but rather shad, which is typically fried or seasoned with olive oil and served with polenta; tinca al forno (baked and stuffed tench or doctor fish), associated with the village of Clusane on the lake; spaghetti with crayfish; the ravioli-like casoncelli, filled with cheeses or combinations of meat, amaretti and raisins; and area sweets like bossola, a buttery cake usually served during the Christmas season; and spongada, a sweet bready-cake topped with sugar.
5.For some great, historic hiking. You can hike La Antica Strada Valeriana, a former ancient trade road whose origin likely dates to Roman times. Offering magnificent views of Lake Iseo and, in autumn, settings with beautifully colored trees, the Strada runs for some 25 kilometers between the towns of Pilzone d'Iseo and Pisogne on the eastern side of the lake, but you can tackle it in sections that have varying degrees of difficulty. In Pisogne make sure to visit the Santa Maria delle Neve church to see the remarkable frescoes by Girolamo di Romano, a Renaissance-era painter from Brescia.
at the headquarters in montecolino, construction workers assemble the piers, which are produced in 100-meter-long segments and stored outside montecolino on lake iseophoto by wolfgang volz, january 2016
Lake Iseo (Lago d'Iseo or Sebino) is located in Lombardy, northern Italy, between the larger and more famous Lake Garda and Lake Como. Like them, it is a long and narrow lake winding north-south and sheltered by mountains. It's a more manageable size, however, and a great destination for travellers who have already visited and appreciated the principal Italian lakes, or simply for holiday-makers who prefer exploring off the beaten track. Although it's not unknown, you will find fewer of your compatriots holidaying here. Since there is an inhabited island in the lake, there are passenger ferries operating all-year-round (although the longer non-essential routes are cut from schedules in winter). This makes Iseo a good out-of-season destination, although you may find restaurants fairly empty and a few tourist businesses closed. We visited the lake in autumn when the wooded hillsides were glorious shades of gold, red and brown. 041b061a72