Places to visit
Iron, copper, silver, lead and other minerals: Valsassina has always been rich. Melting furnaces, bellows, forges, strong arms and skilled hands over the centuries have forged swords, nails, cannon balls, agricultural tools and everything that could be produced from the extracted and processed metals. For centuries the noise of knitting has resounded in the valley. With the reopening of the Primaluna mines it is now possible to penetrate the bowels of the Grigna: 1,000 meters of illuminated galleries to travel through time and space, discovering a place full of charm and history. Along the path that winds through the galleries you come across an extraordinary environment, full of unpredictable colors and precious artifacts, like the tools used by miners in their hard work.
The territory is mainly covered by meadows, chestnut woods and wide woods furrowed by numerous paths, surrounded by peaks that reach even the 2,500 meters of height. In the heart of the valley, in the municipality of Barzio, you can reach Piani di Bobbio which form a unique ski area with the Valtorta slopes, having shared ski lifts. Dairy production is a strength of the economy of the valley from which are obtained high quality cheeses such as Taleggio and Robiola.
Live the lake
Valsassina is an area to be discovered.
It is a little corner of paradise where you will be welcomed in one of the many accommodation facilities scattered throughout the valley; you can choose from numerous hotels, farmhouses and B&Bs. As well as allowing you to discover the beauty of the area, these establishments will also let you taste the area’s typical products. First of all the cheese, among the most famous you will find the Taleggio and the Robiola.
Ideas for sport
Throughout the year, you can challenge your limits by free climbing.
From the heart of the valley, in the municipality of Barzio, you can reach the Piani di Bobbio; together with the slopes of Valtorta, they form a single ski area. This is the ideal destination for those who want to try their hand at skiing or snowboarding; for those who do not like these two sports, it is possible to go snowshoeing.
Art & Culture
Iron, copper, silver, lead and other minerals: Valsassina has always been rich in them.
Today, the 1,000 metres of illuminated and open galleries allow visitors to travel through time and space, discovering a place rich in charm and history. In addition, the Manzoni family moved here to the village of Barzio around 1600, and today it is possible to visit some of the manor houses, including Palazzo Manzoni. This is a land not only of history but also of traditions, including dairy production, which has always been a strong point of the valley’s economy, producing high quality cheeses such as Taleggio and Robiola.
