GUIDE TO THE VIA MERCATORUM

WITH THE PATRONAGE OF THE ITALIAN ALPINE CLUB SECTION OF BERGAMO
by Silvia Bonomi – Photographs by Dimitri Salvi

The protagonist of this new guide is the “Via Mercatorum”, a collection of ancient mule tracks that cross some areas between the Val Seriana and Val Brembana, two of the main Bergamo valleys. During the Middle Ages, the merchants who supplied the least accessible inhabited areas used to pass through here (until the birth of the Via Priula in 1593); then they reached Cornello dei Tasso, the terminus and crossroads for caravans heading towards the upper Val Brembana, below whose arcades the market took place.

The guide presents two different routes: the “Via Alta” (the High Route), which starts from the village of Nembro in the Seriana and leads us to Serina through Selvino, Aviatico, Trafficanti di Costa Serina and Cornalba; and the “Via Più Antica” (the Oldest Route), which starts from Nembro and arrives in Serina passing through Selvino, Algua and its hamlets.

The guide presents two different routes: the “Via Alta” (the High Route), which starts from the village of Nembro in the Seriana and leads us to Serina through Selvino, Aviatico, Trafficanti di Costa Serina and Cornalba; and the “Via Più Antica” (the Oldest Route), which starts from Nembro and arrives in Serina passing through Selvino, Algua and its hamlets.

The author’s purpose is double: on one side, making known and appreciated the medieval road that represented the main route for the trades coming from Bergamo and going to Valtellina; on the other side to highlight the natural, historical, religious and cultural heritage that can be met and that today is more than ever the pride of the inhabitants of these places.

The result is a guide for low-level trekking that combines the passion for the mountains with the history of the places crossed. The paved paths bordered by dry-stone walls lead us on a journey through fascinating towns and places with an ancient flavour. The many sacred places that we meet along the way tell us about the deep faith that has always characterized the people of Bergamo.
The “Via Mercatorum” also crosses places that have been the scenery for the hard work of miners since ancient times, as well as towns and small villages that gave birth to prominent personalities.
Throughout the track and in every season nature predominates and triumphs with its harmony of colors, scents, its fauna and the views of the Orobic Prealps.

Caratteristiche tecniche
Formato cm 14,5×21 – 128 pagine – Itinerari con cartine e fotogra e inedite a colori – Rilegatura in brossura – Cartina riepilogativa in allegato.

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