12 hours in Lovere

To reach Lovere from Bergamo, by car, follow the directions towards Lovere/Lago d'Iseo and take the State Road 42.

Small museum, great beauty!

The Academy was built between 1821 and 1826 by Count Luigi Tadini, who, three years later, founded the Institute of Fine Arts that bears his name. It hosts precious works that the count gathered so that they could be a model for young artists, and to this end, a school of design and music was annexed to the Academy, which is still active nowadays.

In the 33 rooms masterpieces of famous artists such as Jacopo Bellini, Palma the Younger, Francesco Benaglio, Giacomo Ceruti, brother Galgario, Giandomenico Tiepolo, and Francesco Hayez are displayed. The works of Antonio Canova are very significant and certainly deserve to be mentioned. 

Lakefront Domenico Oprandi 

As an appetizer, it is worth enjoying the light, the reflections and the soft lines of the landscape along the lake. The redesign, completed in 2013, donated extra charm to the city, giving it a natural platform to enjoy the view, to relax or sunbathe.

But, if the lake lakefront is not enough for you, try to head to the harbor and watch the traditional boats and fishermen, bearers of ancient traditions and crafts.

Restaurants and inns in the center

 For lunch, it is worth to sit in one of the restaurants that characterize the center of the city. The cuisine reflects the landscape that can be seen from the window, blending the flavors of the lake and the mountains.

Excellent combinations between polenta and fish for example, as for the casonsei: meat ravioli typical of the Bergamo culture. A good rule would be to accompany all of this with courses of the excellent wines from nearby Valcalepio.

The XIII Martiri Square

To recover from the delights of lunch, you can sit on a bench overlooking the lake or do some shopping in the surrounding marketplace.

Known as the place is full of history, the Martiri Square houses the monument to Liberty, offered to citizens by Enrico Banzolini, patriot of the Lovere Renaissance, who participated in the defense of Venice; and it is dedicated to the partisans shot by the fascists on December 22, 1943.

Today is the hub of city life and is home to the boat landings and bus stops.

Villa Milesi and the "A. Amighetti" Civic Museum of Natural Sciences 

Do you want to enjoy the natural beauty of the surroundings, but without leaving the country?

This is possible in the Museum of Natural Sciences! Founded in 1996, in the home of the family Milesi, it gathers today the finest collections of thousands of birds, insects, shells, plants and minerals from the Bergamo area, but also from the Mediterranean or even further....Oh, and everything is free!

To Montisola, by boat 

Lovere is beautiful, but the surrounding area is not far behind. It is therefore worthwhile to board one of the boats that go around the lake. On the one hand, you can choose to wander aimlessly, eyes glued to the views that arise while exploring the environment; on the other, you can point to Montisola, the largest lake island in Europe.

After landing, you can walk the entire perimeter in complete freedom: given that cars are not allowed, it is the ideal location for those who enjoy walking or cycling. Whether it is in Montisola or in the various places mentioned on the tour, do not miss the presence of the characteristic boats, which in the local dialect are called "naèt ".

Stay or return?

If you can stop in the evening in Lovere or near it, you should prolong the boat trip until nightfall, when the villages light up and, with the full moon, you can enjoy the spectacular view of the "Bogn", the dizzying rock wall that juts out into the water in Riva di Solto.

If you have to return to Bergamo, you can advance through the hills of Valcalepio, full of small fascinating restaurants. While dining, you can go back, maybe by asking help from the pictures you have taken of the beauty of the places you have visited. But beauty is to be shared, so why not share it with friends?