Located just 35 km from Bergamo, Dossena is the iron capital of the Brembana Valley, one of the first settlements in the entire area.
From the Latin “Dorsum,” meaning “hump, mountain,” Dossena was known as the settlement near Mt. Vaccareggio, inhabited since the Bronze Age to exploit the rich metal deposits. When there were no signs, nature was a great reference point!
Fluorite deposits, found in the Mt. Vaccareggio area, have always made it a precious land. The origin of this metal’s name is curious: in Latin “Fluere” means “to flow, to flow,” because this mineral melted, thus becoming liquid, and flowed quickly at very low temperatures! Because of this property, fluorspar was strategic enough to be used in a variety of industries, from steelmaking to the glass industry, from aviation engineering to the space industry. Fluorite mined here in Dossena was used as a component of some of NASA’s carrier rockets-the Atlas and Saturns-for lunar missions.
The system of tunnels was built over the centuries by several generations of villagers, who worked in the country’s mines with only the strength of their arms and pickaxes. Their toil is our wonder today, recognized as a rare example of dedication and sacrifice. Today Dossena has 930 inhabitants, and is the 190th municipality in the Bergamo area in terms of population, but at the height of mining in the 1920s there were nearly 1,200, and most of them worked in the mine.
A visit to the ancient mines represents a true journey to the “Center of the Earth,” an unforgettable experience: it is exciting to plunge into the darkness of the hand-hewn tunnels, guided only by the light of flashlights. The large mining chambers and underground quarters make this place a unique industrial find.
Nature is the protagonist all around Dossena, surrounded by lush green territory. In spring, in a feast of colors and scents discover this land thanks to the CAI trails and paths suitable for two-wheelers.
In Dossena you can savor the unique flavors of local products, such as cheeses, cured meats and exquisite craft beers. The many restaurants offer traditional menus, and the farms in the area are true garrisons of taste and tradition.
In 1500, Leonardo da Vinci visited Dossena itself to study the deposits and minerals. The great master fell in love with Dossena because of the nature and atmosphere of this village and the entire valley was his favorite destination! One of his maps of the area is preserved in one of the plates of the Windsor Codex, a valuable collection kept at the Royal Academy in London.
Dossena is suitable for everyone: families with children, groups of friends and, above all, lovers of flavors and nature. Stay in Dossena, discover its beauty, history and food and wine traditions, marvel at the sunset over the Orobie Mountains and the breathtaking views that surround this magical land.
