Index

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Among ancient abbeys and

prestigious wineries
Franciacorta and its name 2 hours by car

Franciacorta: the wine, the land

The stylistic range of Franciacortas Range of Style Curtefranca and IGT Sebino

Art and history

Monuments Museums Handcraft

Nature

Lake Iseo

Gastronomy

Sport

Sport Pedalling through Franciacorta Walking through Franciacorta

Franciacorta Wine Route

Vademecum
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How to get to Franciacorta

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AMONG ANCIENT ABBEYS

AND PRESTIGIOUS WINERIES
This is the leading motif of a delightful
itinerary, to savour and absorb without
haste, in search of the architectural
jewels and wines of Franciacorta, of its
magnificent countrysidewhose sun-blessed,
morainal hills roll gently out from Lake Iseo
and march to Brescia, inLombardy.

Vineyard-clad hills, tiny, ancient borghi all of stone,

quality, with Franciacorta at their head, veritable

medieval towers and castles, 16 century palaces,

King of Italian sparkling wines. Fashioned by their

17th and 18th century noble villas, where aristocratic

hands, refined and matured, Franciacorta dominated

Brescian families had their farming estates and

the market at once with surprising growth and an

summer residences, a land from time immemorial

energy unsurpassed in Europe. Alongside it are more

dedicated to the cultivation of the grapevine.

limited-production wines, equally prized by wine-

Grapes were grown here in fact as far back as

lovers, outstanding reds and equally choice whites,

Roman times. Todays winegrowers, the heirs to

the widely-respected Curtefranca selections.

th

this millennial patrimony, produce wines of superb

The perfect way to discover

the subtle magic of Franciacorta
is to wander through its villages and hills,
surrendering oneself to their fine charms, dropping
in to the wineries to sample their wines, discovering
in each hamlet its artisans and antique furniture
shops, rummage around in the open-air antiques
stalls and markets, let ones palate be seduced by
the family atmosphere of the trattorie and by the
restaurants elegance and refinement, where local
meats and Lake Iseo fish duet together in succulent
harmony, led in the culinary dance by the areas two
iconic dishes, Rovato beef with olive oil, and the
oven-baked stuffed tench of Clusane. In Franciacorta,
vineyards lie cheek by jowl on the hillside with olive
trees, vegetable gardens, and woods, and create an
irresistible landscape that begs to be discovered bit
by bit, as soon as one steps out from the hamlets
that grace this magnificent stage. Franciacortas
wineries, boasting interiors that are true cathedrals
to the most modern winemaking technology, are all
there, too, awaiting a visit.

A visit has twin reasons:

To learn how the wineries make their fabulous
wines, and to personally admire the magnificent
buildings that house them, most of them historic
noble residences, others re-structured ancient
farmhouses, still others futuristic architectural
masterpieces designed by celebrated architects.
The Strada del Franciacorta member wineries, all
well-marked by road signs, have retail wine
shops and are open to welcome tourists, and to
initiate them into the secrets of Franciacorta
through cellar tours and wine tastings.

is the origin of
theNAME What
the name Franciacorta?
That is a riddle with no sure answer, and one that still
arouses animated speculation. The most authoritative
view holds that the name derives from franchae
curtes. During the Middle Ages, the local settlements
were corti regie, or royal towns; successively, when
they became the property of the local Benedictine or
Cluniac monasteries, they enjoyed special economic
privileges --called franchigie, hence franca--, such as
the exemption from customs fees, since they were
responsible for the condition of the local roads and
for draining marshes for cultivation. One certain fact
is that the name Franzacurta appears for the first
time in the 1277 Statutes of the commune of Brescia,
while the precise geographical localisation dates to
1429, when the Statutes of Doge Francesco Foscari
laid out its boundaries, which are still today the same
ones in the Franciacorta Production Code.

2 HOURS BY CAR
From Franciacorta one can take
fascinating day-trips to the artfilled cities of Lombardy and the
Veneto, such as Brescia, Bergamo,
Cremona, Pavia, Verona, Mantua,
and Milan; or to the Valcamonica
(which offers, among other sights,
Europes largest park of rock
engravings, at Capo di Ponte), to
Lake Garda.

FRANCIACORTA:
THE WINE, THE LAND

A unique name to define an area, a

winemaking method and a wine.

Franciacorta was the first wine made by second

rigorously hand-picked clusters of Chardonnay and/

fermentation in the bottle to obtain, in 1995, the

or Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Blanc (the latter up to a

status of Denominazione di Origine Controllata e

maximum of 50%), which are then given a gentle

Garantita, or registered and guaranteed designation

pressing. The production period is a lengthy one.

of origin, Italys highest official recognition of quality

After about 7 months from the harvest, cultured

and peculiarity. Produced in accord with the Metodo

yeasts are added to the base wine and it is bottled.

Franciacorta, the Franciacorta Method, which was

At least another 18 months must pass as the wine

created by the Consorzio per la Tutela, the wine now

slowly re-ferments in the bottle in contact with the

has, since 2010, a new Production Code that raises

spent yeast cells, or sur lie, after which period it may

its quality still higher. Franciacorta is made from

be disgorged.

Franciacorta
is ideal with all of the
courses throughout the meal.
Its characteristics make it perfect
enjoy by itself or as an aperitif, yet it
For non-vintage Satn and
Ros that period increases to 24 partners deliciously with a wide range
months, for the vintage bottling of dishes, from appetizers through
desserts, best in the Demi- Sec
to a minimum of 30 months, and
style with the latter.
for a Riserva to 60 months.

The stylistic Range of Franciacortas

Franciacorta

Franciacorta Satn

Franciacorta Ros

Grapes: Chardonnay and/or Pinot

Noir and/or Pinot Blanc (the latter up
to 50%).

Grapes: Chardonnay ( generally) plus

up to 50% Pinot blanc; therefore, Satn
is always a Blanc de Blanc.

Grapes: from Chardonnay, Pinot

Blanc and with a minimum of 25%
Pinot noir.

Process: Second fermentation in the

bottle, with a minimum of 18 months
sur lie. Pressure: between 5 and 6
atmospheres.

Process: Its velvety and soft quality

is due to the reduced pressure in the
bottle ( less than 5 atmospheres). It is
made only in the Brut style.

Sensory profile: straw yellow with

greenish or golden highlights and
a delicate, long-lingering bead of
bubbles. The bouquet boasts classic
notes of second fermentation in the
bottle- delicate impressions of yeast
and crusted bread-, enhanced by subtle
hints of citrus , dried white fig, and
mixed roasted nuts, including almond
and hazelnut. On the palate it is fullflavoured, refined, and remarkably wellbalanced.

Sensory profile: Straw yellow in

appearance, sometimes deep in hue,
and with greenish highlights at times.
It releases a creamy, long-lasting bead
of notably delicate bubbles. A softcontoured bouquet offers emphatic
notes of well-ripened fruit, enriched by
delicate nuances of spring flowers and
of mixed nuts, including roasted almond
and hazelnut. In the mouth, lively
flavours and a refreshing crispness are
in admirable balance with a texture that
gives the impression of luxurious silk.

Process: The white and red grapes are

vinified separately. Franciacorta Ros
is often made of just pinot noir grapes,
with a ros-method fermentation, but it
is also made by blending pinot noir with
base wines of chardonnay and/or pinot
blanc. The pinot noir must ferment in
contact with the skins to give the wine
the desired ros hue.

Range of styles: No dosage, Extra Brut,

Brut, Extra Dry, Sec or Dry, Demi Sec.

Range of styles: Brut

Sensory profile: The pinot noir

component provides impressive
fragrances, as well as firm structure
and distinctive energy.
Range of styles: No dosage, Extra Brut,
Brut, Extra Dry, Sec or Dry, Demi Sec.

All the three types of

Franciacorta can acquire greater
complexity through a longer
maturation. The wines can be
refined through further years,
thus obtaining more prestigious

Franciacorta Millesimato
Process: Millesimato, or vintage-dated Franciacorta,
is composed of base wines that are at least 85% from
one single growing year. It may be released only after
a minimum of 37 months from harvest.
Sensory profile: The bouquet and palate of
Franciacorta Millesimato reflect in a striking fashion
the weather conditions of its growing year and the
sensory expressiveness of the grapes from that
particular vintage.

products. It is the case of the

Franciacorta Millesimato and
the Franciacorta Riserva.

Franciacorta Riserva
Process: Riserva is a Franciacorta Millesimato, which
can include Satn and Ros, that has matured sur
lie a minimum of 60 months. A Riserva is released,
therefore, a full 67 months (5 and a half years) after
harvest. Since many Franciacorta Millesimato rest
sur lie far longer than the required minimum of 30
months, this designation was created to highlight
this unique type of wine.
Sensory profile: The bouquet and palate of
Franciacorta Millesimato reflect in a striking fashion
the weather conditions of its growing year and the
sensory expressiveness of the grapes from that
particular vintage.

Range of Styles
No Dosage (sugar up to 3 g/l, a natural
compound in wine) - It is the driest of the range
of Franciacorta. Its taste, accompanied by
aromas of fermentation in the bottle (bread crust,
yeast), makes it special as an aperitif but also
throughout the meal, provided that the dishes
are not enriched with hot flavoured spices and
herbs. Perfect is the combination with white
tripe, rice croquettes, grilled salt cod
and sweetbreads.

Extra dry (sugar 12 to 17 g/l) - Soft, with a

higher dosage than the Brut. It is suitable for a
wide variety of savoury pies. It is excellent as
an aperitif and goes well with pasta dishes with
white or pink fish sauce, like spaghetti with
clams and mussels, frying of fish and fish in crazy
water style.

Sec or Dry (sugar 17 to 32 g/l) - Dry

and slightly sweet, it is particularly
suited to soft cheeses such
The different
as Taleggio, or with slightly
ranges of styles of
spicy ones, as well as with
liver pat. In some cases, it
Franciacorta are characterized
can accompany desserts
by various added dosages of
like pastries, tarts with
white/ yellow fresh fruits
liqueur after the dgorgement and
and sweet buns.

Extra Brut (sugar up

to 6 g/l) - Very dry, it
goes well with raw
fish, like tuna and
sea bass tartare,
sushi, sashimi,
shellfish and
they are equipped with particular
seafood cooked or
raw. A little risky
personalities. They perfectly
Demi-sec (sugar 33
but pleasant is the
to
55 g/l) - Thanks to its
match
with
a
variety
of
combination with
sweet
taste, due to the high
cooked sausages (pork
foods.
sugar
dose,
it combines well
sausage, leg of pork with
with
sponge
cakes,
custards, fruits,
herbs, roast pork with potatoes).
panna
cotta,
homemade
pies,
cakes, tarte
Very pleasant, the combination with
tatin,
apple
crumble,
panettone
and
pandoro. In
buffalo mozzarella, burrata and heart of burrata.
addition, Franciacorta Demi-Sec is pleasant in
accompaniment with appetizers, cheeses and
liver pat.
Brut (sugar less than 12 g/l) - Dry but softer
than Extra Brut, it is certainly the most versatile
of Franciacortas range in combinations, as an
Satn - It is a Blanc de Blancs and it is
aperitif but also throughout the meal, especially
extremely elegant, ideal for the whole meal. In
with dishes with delicate flavours. Some
particular, it goes well with baked pasta, risotto,
proposals can be pasta with white meat sauce,
fish dishes (sturgeon, trout, whitefish, tench,
veal cutlet, grilled fish, baked fish, pizza, pizza
blue fish), Sauris, Parma and San Daniele ham,
with four cheeses and ham pizza.
mature cheeses. It is also perfect with the sole

Curtefranca
Doc and Igt Sebino
miller, chicken with cream, scallops in white
wine, Catalan lobster, risotto with asparagus and
risotto with radicchio.
Ros It is suitable with salami and sausages,
pasta and risotto with porcini mushrooms,
Aubergine Parmesan, fish soup, white meat, fried
chicken and fried rabbit, frogs. It goes well with
cheesecake with strawberry coulis, tart berries,
fruit pastries and butter cookies.

Curtefranca Doc Bianco

Grapes: generally from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir,
plus an addition of Pinot Blanc, up to 50%.
Process: Second fermentation in the bottle, with a
minimum of 18 months sur lie. Pressure: between 5
and 6 atmospheres.
Serving suggestions: antipasti of cured meats and
fish-based dishes; superb with typical Franciacorta
lake fish, such as baked tench.
Curtefranca Doc Rosso
Production: from Cabernet Franc and Carmenere
grapes, grown in the past in Franciacorta and
recently re-discovered. The blend also contains
Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Sensory profile: a lively, luminous ruby red with
purplish highlights; heady, youthful bouquet; dry,
fruity palate.
Serving suggestions: first and second courses of
meat, above all beef with olive oil, a Franciacorta
specialty.
IGT Sebino
Production: some of Franciacortas high-quality
reds and whites wines bear the name Indicazione
Geografica Tipica (IGT) Sebino. The styles may be
Bianco, Rosso, Novello (nouveau), Passito (sweet,
from semi-dried grapes) or named after one of the
grape varieties officially allowed in the province of
Brescia.

ART AND HISTORY

Castles, Villas, Museums...

What is there to see in

Franciacorta, whose landscape
bears the imprint of so many art
treasures, large and small, and
so much history? Here are some
ideas.

Monuments

Abbey of San Nicola in Rodengo Saiano (tel. +39 030

610182), one of the most imposing monastic complex
in northern Italy. It was founded in the 10th century
by Cluniac monks, then passed to the Olivetan order
towards the mid-16th century. The abbey is designed
around three spacious cloisters and was decorated
by the foremost artists of the 16th and 17th century
Brescian School, such as Foppa, Romanino, Moretto,
and Gambara. Visitors can admire the church, with its
18th century stuccos and frescoes; the sacristy, housing
18th century intarsia furniture pieces; the late-16 th
century cloister with its twin columns and the simpler
one of the 15th century; the impressive refectory; and
the chapter house. Inside as well is the erboristeria,
where the monks made their liqueurs from decoctions
of herbs.

Cluniac Monastery of San Pietro in Lamosa in

Provaglio dIseo (tel. +39 030 9823617). This harmonious
Romanesque complex offers a rich collection of
exceptional frescoes from various periods. One can
visit the church with its cloister, and the Disciplina,
or study room. The churchyard has a spectacular view
over the Torbiere del Sebino, a natural oasis unique in
Europe, with its 2 square kilometres of water, canes,
and marsh vegetation, where thousands of birds have
found their ideal habitat; in late spring they cover vast
stretches of the water lilies. These vast watery tracts,
which in ancient times were called lame, contributed
to the name of the monastery.
Monastery dellAnnunciata at Rovato, on the eastern
slope of Monte Orfano (tel. +39 030 7721377), is one
of the handsomest in all of Lombardy, an oasis of peace
that still proudly displays artistic masterpieces, such as
the Annunciation by Gerolamo Romanino, one of the
leaders of the 16th century Brescian School. From here,

one enjoys a superb view out over the Franciacorta hills

and plains. Founded by the Servite order in the 15th
century, it features a cloister with admirable balance;
an exquisitely ornamented well reigns in the centre,
made of wrought-iron, an art that was a specialty of
the brzafer, the Franciacorta artist-blacksmiths.
Sanctuary of the Madonna della Neve at Adro (tel.
+39 030 7356623), founded on the spot where the
Blessed Virgin appeared to a deaf-mute shepherd, and
still today a pilgrimage centre. It preserves an especially
rich collection of ex votos. Next to it is the Museum of
Linen and Silk, which one can visit by reservation.
Sanctuary of the Madonna della Ceriola at the top
of Monte Isola (tel. +39 030 9886172), which offers a
spectacular view over the lake, the Sebino peat moors,
and Franciacorta.
Towers and castles
With its strategic position as a border land and
commercial hub, Franciacorta was the object
of continuous struggle among powerful nobles
and the communal signorie. It was well fortified
with defensive towers and castles, which still
dot the countryside today. The most impressive
is Adros tower, with its Ghibelline battlements.
The most ancient castles were simply fortified spaces
where the local populace took refuge in times of
danger; the Fassati Castle in Passirano is an excellent
example. The castle in Bornato, with its harmonious
Italian-style garden, is a rare example of a fortified
Renaissance villa built inside a medieval castle.

Monks and vines

The history of Franciacorta was heavily influenced by
the activities of the monastic orders, which, even well
before the year 1000, possessed vast properties. Such
institutions served as the heart of the civic, religious,
and economic life of their time. They were the ones
who reclaimed the marshes, farmed the land, and
introduced the grapevine. The Santa Giulia di Brescia
convent of nuns was among the most prominent,
founded by Lombard King Desiderius. Other monastic
centres included the Cluniac abbey at Clusane, Santa
Giulia at Timoline, and the monasteries of San Faustino
di Brescia at Torbiato and that of Verona.
Nobles and villas
Franciacorta is dotted everywhere with villas
surrounded by centuries-old parks, built in past
centuries by noble Brescian families in the heart of
their rural possessions. A perfect example is Villa
Lechi di Erbusco, the venue that Franciacorta uses for
its most prestigious wine events. The exterior can be
admired by visitors, since like most of the Franciacorta
villas, it is still a private residence. Among the most
impressive and spectacular are Villa Monte Rossa in
Bornato, Villa Fenaroli in Corneto di Rodengo Saiano,
Villa Conti Bettoni Cazzago in Cazzago San Martino,
Palazzo Lana in Colombaro, Palazzo Torri in Nigoline di
Cortefranca, and Villa Catturich-Ducco in Passirano.
Contemporary art in the wine cellar
In Franciacorta, wine and contemporary art are a perfect
couple. Some wineries have installed monumental
artworks en plein air in their vineyards, while others
house permanent collections of paintings and
sculpture, all of them museums in every sense of the
term, with works by the finest Italian and international
artists, all in locations of uncommon natural beauty.
Many wineries too are the venues of periodic art
shows and exhibits. Others have
designed fascinating
m u s e u m

exhibits of agriculture
and wine, gathering together
thousands of objects, utensils, and tools
that in times past were used every day in the fields,
cellars, and homes, all of them themed together and
illustrated with prints and pictures.

Museums

Il Borgo del Maglio

Via Maglio 51 | Ome | tel. +39 030 9280022
www.cm.valletrompia.it/musei
Maglio Averoldi is an ancient medieval blacksmith
forge still functioning today, a true living museum that
transmits a close-up experience of the history and the
techniques of working iron, one of the most classic
artisanal professions in the province of Brescia. Here
in particular is the art of the brzafer, once widespread
in the province, which is the art of wrought iron,
fashioning the glowing metal into tools, furnishings,
and sculptures. The first document citing the forge
dates to 1155, and since that time it has remained
active, through various vicissitudes, up until the death,
in 1984, of its last owner, Andrea Averoldi, at which
point the town then purchased and restored it. Visitors
can now witness the demonstrations of these ancient
and noble arts; Andrea Averoldis house hosts the
collections of Pietro Malossi, a Brescian antiquarian,
a huge trove of artworks and precious objects that he
gave in 1988 to the Foundation that bears his name.
MUSIL Musem of Industry and Labour
Via del Commercio, 18 | Rodengo Saiano
tel. +39 030 6813487
Collection of machinery, restoration workshop,
exhibition space for cultural education.

Santa Giulia Museum of the City UNESCO World

Heritage
Via dei Musei, 81/b | Brescia | tel. +39 030 2977834
www.bresciamusei.com
A trip through the history, art, and spirituality of Brescia
from prehistory to the present. It is unique in Europe for
its location, in a monastery founded by the Lombard King
Desiderius and his wife Ansa, built over the remains
of pre-existing Roman houses. The Monastery of San
Salvatore, successively of Santa Giulia, possessed
properties in Franciacorta, documented as far back as
766, in the Diploma of Adelchi. The museum complex
comprises the basilica of San Salvatore, the oratory
of Santa Maria in Solario, the 15th century church of
Santa Giulia and its Renaissance cloisters. It also offers
highly-respected art exhibits.

Artisans

Among all the ancient artisanal occupations, one of

the most impressive is the art of wrought iron. Todays
practitioners, heirs of the brusafer who, since the
17th century have adorned gates, balconies, and the
curvaceous barred windows of Franciacorta residences,
continue to create masterpieces in their modest
workshops. On Monte Isola the tradition of weaving
fishing nets remains vigorous, as well as the building
of traditional fishing boats, the nacc. Stone taken
from Sarnico has characterised for centuries the local
architecture; its utilisation for windows and doorways,
for chimneys, columns and staircases beautifying both
public and private buildings, increased in popularity
at the beginning of 17th century. There are still some
quarries near Paratico, but the artisans who work the
stone are unfortunately few indeed.

NATURE
In Franciacorta dense woods
frame the rows of vines and
the olive groves.

Parks protect areas of

particular landscape and
natural importance, and
streams furrow the hill slopes
with their tortuous courses. For
those who love nature, here is a
real Eden, traversed by a dense
network of trails, some of them
magnificent gems.

4
The Peat-Moors of Sebino
The torbiere, or peat-moors, are located on the borders
of Franciacorta, where the hills drop down to rest
by Lake Iseo. The Riserva Naturale della Regione
Lombardia, set up in 1983, is a nature oasis and
an official international resource, unique in all of
Europe. The torbiere, with their pools of water and
marsh vegetation, cover some 360 hectares. Visitors
can explore them by means of paths and wooden
walkways that are admirably integrated into the
environment. The best spot from which to take them in
with a single sweeping glance is the courtyard of the
Monastery of San Pietro in Lamosa at Provaglio dIseo.
The torbiere constitute a very unusual environment that
was created from the late 18th to the mid-19th centuries,
as a consequence of the extraction of peat,
which was used as a fuel.
The excavations gave

rise
to numerous
pits, still visible today,
where thousands of birds and marsh
plants have found their natural habitat. The torbiere
are thus surrounded today by dense canebrakes dotted
by isolated trees, and the pools covered by water lilies,
which are at full bloom from May through September.
Among the many birds that live there undisturbed are
a full 25 breeds of water birds, such as the blue heron,
grebe, red heron, cormorant, shoveller, marsh hawk,
and the brown kite.
Botanical Garden at Ome
Located in the valley of the Fus, the garden is dedicated
to conifers, of which it boasts all 7 existing families.
An oasis of peace, circling a small lake, it changes
appearance with the passing of the seasons.
Monticelli Brusati Waterfalls
An impressive and fascinating trail that follows a
mountain stream in the Val Gaina. Hikers can pick
between two routes, an easy walk suitable for all, and
one more challenging, with some cabled stretches.
Brescia Hills Park
Set up in 2000, the park covers some 4,309 hectares
just outside Brescia and includes the communes of
Rodengo Saiano and Cellatica in Franciacorta.
The Santissima Park at Gussago
Built as a monastery by the Dominican monks in the
14th century, on the summit of the Santissima hill,
which is patterned by vineyards and terraces, the
Santissima is one Franciacortas most panoramic spots,
and the symbol of Gussago. The park offers benches in
rest areas, educational panels, a vista point, and a bike
and walking trail that winds around it.

Park of the northern Oglio River

The park extends along the course of
the Oglio, which starts from lake Iseo and slowly
wends its way over the Lombard plain. It comprises
interesting routes in two communes in Franciacorta
as well, Paratico and Capriolo. The park features
many activities during the year oriented towards the
environment, foods, and local traditions.
The Pyramids of Zone
These impressively high pinnacles, sculpted by water
erosion, are less than an hour by car from Franciacorta,
north of the lake. Known locally as Fate di pietra,
the Stone Fairies, they are Europes most impressive
eroded pyramids.

Lake Iseo

Lake Iseo, brimming with fish and caressed by constant

breezes, is heaven for those whose passion is sailing
and windsurfing but also for those whose idea of
vacation includes sports and outdoors activities. The
lake shores offer many well-known tourism jewels,
first and foremost Iseo, which gave its name to the
lake and boasts a fine historical centre dating back
to the Middle Age (which preserves the 11th century
Oldofredi Castle and the Romanesque church of
SantAndrea) and a panoramic shoreline promenade.
From the limpid waters of the lake rises Monte Isola,
the largest inhabited lake island in Europe; just a
quick ferry-ride away, it is truly a world apart, with
small fishing villages that have preserved intact their
pristine charm. For overnight stays, Franciacorta offers
a broad array of opportunities, including 3, 4 and 5 star
hotels, historic inns that are now B&Bs, agriturismos
and ancient villas as well. Well-equipped campgrounds
await plein-air enthusiasts, well positioned around the
lake, surrounded by hills gently sloping down to the
shore.

GASTRONOMY

Franciacorta boasts a very distinctive

gastronomic tradition, a duet of two
culinary cultures: the farmers
meat-based cuisine in the interior,
in conversation with Lake Iseos
culture of fish.

Fine foods and traditional products:

a feast for gourmet
The two most traditional dishes are Rovato beef
with olive oil and oven-baked stuffed tench. The
first reflects Rovatos historical role as an important
meat-production centre, dating back to the centuries
of Venetian rule, while the second is a specialty of
Clusane, a small fishing village near Lake Iseo. Linking
the two dishes together is polenta, which, today just
as much as in the past, appears as an inseparable
component of both. But Franciacorta is also highlyrespected for its bolliti, mixed boiled meats, testifying

to the exceptional quality of the local meats. Presented

by the restaurants in elaborate carts and on spits as
well, bolliti appear in the autumn, with interesting
variations, in innumerable trattorie, in particular those
in Gussago, alongside game and mushrooms. As to
fish, which arrives fresh caught from nearby Sebino,
the selections include tench, char, whitefish, eel, and
the so called grilled sardines, which are actually aole
or other small fish dried in the sun, preserved in oil,
then cooked over the coals.

First courses include potato gnocchi, and casonsei, or Brescia-style ravioli, plus tortelli and strangolapreti (small
spinach gnocchi); dessert features bossola, a close relative of Veronas pandoro, and the Lombard classic torta di
rose. Franciacorta enjoys many traditional food products: among the cheeses, in particular, are Brescias Robiola,
various Stracchinos, Pressato, Salva, Silter, and the DOP Gorgonzola, Grana Padano, Provolone Valpadana, and
Quartirolo Lombardo. Then there are the missoltini, or small sun-dried lake fish, the honeys, sausages and cured
meats, such as Monte Isolas subtly-smoked salami, and the Ret from Capriolo. Sebinos extravirgin olive oil is
outstanding, made in accord with a very rigorous production code and currently in limited supply. The grappas,
made from Franciacorta wine, are celebrated, as are the local artisanal pastries.

Fine dining in Franciacorta is

an ultra-delicious surprise:
the land of extraordinary wines has produced
restaurants to match. Moving effortlessly
between tradition and innovation, with
roots deep in the savoury local cuisine, this
gastronomy is on glorious display in trattorie
and farm holidays as well.

SPORT IN
FRANCIACORTA

Bicycle tourism - Franciacorta is paradise for lovers of

two wheels and can easily be explored from a bikes
seat. Some 15 different routes wend their way through
this area, right to Lake Iseo.
Five bicycle agrico-tourism routes have been created
by the Strada del Vino. Suitable for all levels of fitness,
they are a terrific idea for those who would like to
take a peaceful ride on two wheels, for families with
young children, and for wine-loving tourists desirous
of getting to know Franciacorta close-up and
personal. The routes pass by fields and vineyards,
ancient hamlets and points of significant naturalistic
importance, places with breathtaking panoramas, and
spots of great historical and artistic interest. The routes
offer as well a good selection of farm holidays, hotels,
eating establishments, members of the Wine Road all
perfectly well-equipped to offer hospitality to cyclists
and to offer them all of the help they need.
The following pages describe these routes. For further
details, go to the website www.stradadelfranciacorta.it.
Hikes & walks - Trails, dirt roads, and nature paths
traverse woods, fields, and vineyards, offering up both
pleasant, relaxing strolls as well as strenuous, musclechallenging routes.
Mountain Bike - The hills boast tortuous trails that
will satisfy all needs, from the neophyte to the most
demanding expert.

6
Golf - Tee off at Nigoline di Corte Franca, on the greens
of the Franciacorta Golf Club, with three 9 hole courses,
known as Brut, Satn and Ros.
Tennis and swimming - Tennis courts are jewels set
in the verdant countryside, and the hotels and farm
holidays provide pools for guests.
Wellness - Strada del Franciacorta member hotels and
farm holidays offer fitness spas and health centres that
pamper and tone their guests.
Horseback riding - Numerous riding schools and
facilities are the ideal jumping-off place for magnificent
horseback rides through the countryside.
Sailing, windsurfing, water sports Lake Iseo is their
kingdom, as sailing enthusiasts well know. The lake
shore has well-equipped beaches, boating docks and
ports, and centres for sports and every other activity.
Water parks - Water games, pools, waterslides, hydro
massages.
Spelunking - Over 60 caves, but available only for those
who are experts, with the necessary equipment.

Pedalling through Franciacorta

Franciacorta Satn
Route 1 | Yellow Itinerary

Clusane

AVERAGE CYCLING TIME:

2 hours and 30/ 2 hours and 40

Lake Iseo
Iseo
Colombaro
Timoline

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY: none

CYCLING CONDITIONS: the route is entirely on surfaced

Provaglio dIseo

roads, with the exception of a brief stretch in the

Riserva Naturale delle Torbiere, and is suitable
for cyclists of all ages
BEST PERIOD: throughout the year

Borgonato
Adro

Torbiato

Fornaci
Quattrovie

DISTANCE: 30 Km
Start: Iseo

From the premises of Iseo Bike take the bicycle path

on the right and enter Via Colombera, enjoying a
view of the lamette ponds and of the lake.
Follow the road for CREMIGNANE and
take the Brescia-Paratico bike path as
far as CLUSANE DISEO. Now take
the provincial road in the direction
of Sarnico and, after the pedestrian
traffic light, turn left. The road will
lead to COLOMBARO and to NIGOLINE,
where, at the stop sign on the right,
you continue on in the direction of ADRO,
passing by the Parish Church. You can turn right
for a brief detour on the cobblestoned street
towards PALAZZO TORRI and the CHURCH
OF SANTEUFEMIA. Continuing on the
main road, in the midst of vineyards, a
descent veering left brings you to the
SANCTUARY OF MADONNA DELLA
NEVE. At the small roundabout on
the left, follow the road, going slightly
uphill. At the top of a gentle hill, turn left
and descend; vineyards surround you here
and you pass by a gate that is an artwork designed

Erbusco

Monterotondo

by ARNALDO POMODORO. Continue on and take

the road for CALINO, and follow the sign that reads
Valli. After the descent, and the railway
crossing, turn left and reach BETTOLINO
DI MONTEROTONDO, and follow the
signs towards PROVAGLIO DISEO,
until arriving at BORGONATO, where
several historic wineries are located.
Continue towards NIGOLINE. Once you
pass by the artisans zone, keep next
to the outside wall of VILLA PANCIERAZOPPOLA and follow the signs for the centre
of TIMOLINE. At the roundabout, you will find ahead
the Parish Church; take the road for PROVAGLIO
DISEO, flanked by vineyards and wineries.
Before the railway crossing, turn left and
take the Brescia-Paratico bike path,
which skirts the RISERVA NATURALE
DELLE TORBIERE. Continue along the
road, keeping the business district on
your left until you arrive at the stop sign
at the provincial road. Cross it and return
to CREMIGNANE. Continue on the same road
you took at the beginning, finally reaching Iseo.

Pedalling through Franciacorta

Lake Iseo
Franciacorta Pas Dos
Route 2 | Blue Itinerary
AVERAGE CYCING TIME: 2 hours and 30

Provaglio
dIseo
Fontane

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY: none

CYCLING CONDITIONS: the route follows
roads with little traffic and is suitable
for cyclists of all ages.
BEST PERIOD: all year
DISTANCE: 30 Km
Start: Rodengo Saiano

Monticelli Brusati
Fantecolo
Ome

Monterotondo
Camignone

Corneto
Passirano
Paderno
Franciacorta

Bettola
Rodegno
Saiano

At RODENGO SAIANO, after a visit to the ABBEY, take

the descending underpass and continue towards the
centre and follow the signs for MONTICELLI BRUSATI
and OME. Turn left into Via Cantarane, riding
for quite a time next to the imposing wall
of the VILLA FENAROLI. When the road
meets up with the provincial road turn
left towards Monticelli Brusati until
you arrive at the historic MAGLIO
AVEROLDI. After a few curves among
the vineyards, take the small road on
the right for VILLA and pass through this
ancient village. At the stop sign, turn right,
then follow the signs to the town centre and reach
the village of TORRE. Go through the roundabout
on the left in the direction of PROVEZZE,
passing by the PALAZZO PISA on the left,
and then a pleasant downhill takes you
into the centre of PROVAGLIO DISEO
and to the MONASTERY OF SAN
PIETRO IN LAMOSA with its view over
the peat-moors. After visiting the abbey,
continue south and to the SANTELLA
roundabout, along the Brescia-Paratico bike
path. Continue up a slight rise that brings you to
the road that leads towards MONTEROTONDO. Keep
following the signs of the Brescia-Paratico bike path; the

long descent brings you to the PASSIRANO roundabout.

Go to the left, following the signs for CAMIGNONE. After
about 1 km, you reach CONTRADA BARBOGLIO. Continue
towards the village centre until you reach a traffic
light. Go past the majestic VILLA CATTURICH
- DUCCO, and at the sign for the bike path
turn towards the centre of PASSIRANO,
where you will pass in front of the Town
Hall and the Parish Church. The next street,
slightly rising, brings you left, towards a
tree lined boulevard and the CASTEL OF
PASSIRANO. Turn left, pedalling down the
slight descent, in the direction of PADERNO
FRANCIACORTA. You now enter an area of cultivated
fields and you will make out in the distance on
your left the first outposts of the BRESCIAN
PRE-ALPS. Continue on towards the centre
following the signs for CASTEGNATO. Once
you have left the artisan area, and just
before the sign that indicates the end of
PADERNO FRANCIACORTA, turn left into
Via Tre Cortili. Keep to the right and return
to the surfaced road, crossing the railway. At
the intersection, keep again to the right until you
come to the RODENGO SAIANO sign. Ascending, take
the roundabout, and on the left, after the overpass,
return to the town centre and the abbey.

Pedalling through Franciacorta

Lake Iseo
Franciacorta Brut
Route 3 | Green Itinerary
AVERAGE CYCLING TIME: 2 hours and 30

Paratico

Tengattini
Cremignane

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY: a few steep stretches will

be hard for those not in shape
CYCLING CONDITIONS: the route is on surfaced

Capriolo

Colombaro

and unsurfaced roads without heavy traffic; suitable

Corte Franca

for those with at least some training.

BEST PERIOD: all year
DISTANCE: 30 Km
Start: Clusane dIseo

At Clusane dIseo take the Brescia-Paratico bike path

to the pedestrian traffic light just outside PARATICO.
At Via Tengattini, turn left and ascend slightly,
continuing on in Via Martiri della Libert.
On your left you can admire, perched on
a small hill, the ruins of the LANTIERI
CASTLE. Follow the signs of the ParaticoPalazzolo bike path. After passing, on
your right, the parish church, admire
the last stretch of Lake Iseo between
SARNICO and PARATICO. Leave the two
and arrive at the CHURCH OF SAN PIETRO.
A narrow country road alongside the cemetery brings
you to CAPRIOLO. The River OGLIO is flowing
beneath you. Cross the railway tracks and
take a fairly demanding ascent to the
roundabout, then go left. When you
arrive at SANTELLA DI SAN CARLO,
turn right and go straight on the street
in the historical centre, then turn left
into Via Balladore, ascending, and then
Via Simeone Paratico, with its porticoes
and courtyards, stone houses and wroughtiron windows. Reaching Via Colzano, the hardiest

Nigoline
Adro

cyclists can reach the CASTLE. Return to Via Colzano,

and passing under an arch, ride towards the hollow.
The road descends into a woods of locust and
chestnut trees then arrives in front of an
ancient furnace transformed into a winery.
The road widens and reaches the town
of ADRO, with the PALAZZO BARGNANI
DANDOLO, now the Town Hall. Follow
the signs for the town centre, then turn
left into Via Carota and into Via Santa
Maria until the narrow intersection with Via
Cave. Turn right into it, then ascend along the
edge of the hill. Continue on the unpaved road as far
as the church of SANTEUFEMIA, then descend
to the PALAZZO TORRI. At the stop sign turn
left, and after passing the parish church of
NIGOLINE, turn left towards the edge of
town. Continue on until COLOMBARO,
admiring on your right the spacious
view of Lake Iseo, Monte Isola, and the
imposing bulk of Monte Guglielmo in the
background. At the end of the street, turn
for the very last burst of effort that brings you
back to CLUSANE.

Pedalling through Franciacorta

Bettolino

Erbusco
Spina

Franciacorta Ros
Route 4 | Red Itinerary

Zocco

Bornato

Cologne

Villa

Calino
Pedergnano

Cazzago
S.Martino

AVERAGE CYCING TIME: 2 hours

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY: none, except for a
cobblestone stretch to reach the Convent of the
Santissima Annunciata
(elevation of 261 metres above sea level).

Coccaglio

Rovato

Barco

CYCLING CONDITIONS: excellent

BEST PERIOD: from spring to autumn
DISTANCE: 37 Km
Start: Erbusco
From the offices of the Strada del Vino Franciacorta in
Erbusco take on your right the street in ascent. At the
stop sign, go straight along Via Verdi and admire the
VILLA LECHI and PALAZZO LONGHI DE CARLI.
Continue in descent along a lengthy wall,
then turn right until you arrive at the small
village of VILLA. At the roundabout, turn
into Via Crocefissa. At the intersection,
turn left and rise with Via Pedergnano
Sotto. At the stop sign, keep on the same
street, then ascend again on Via Mattina.
At the stop sign, take the provincial road on
the right towards Iseo, and continue until the
sign for CALINO. Here a road brings you into the town, and
then, following the signs, you enter BORNATO.
After crossing the railway tracks, you go up
a narrow ascent that leads to the CASTLE
OF BORNATO. Before the entrance,
turn left into a narrow cobblestoned
road, cross the railway tracks, and take
the long bike path as far as CAZZAGO
SAN MARTINO. Re-crossing the railway
tracks, continue again on the bike path as
far as the wheel sculpture. Turn left into the

street that passes over the motorway. Follow the signs

for the centre of ROVATO, with the QUISTINI CASTLE on
your right, then before going through the town centre
turn right towards the market area in Via Conte
Eugenio Martinengo Cesaresco. On the
right, along a curve, detour to visit the
church of SANTO STEFANO and ascend
to the CONVENT OF SANTISSIMA
ANNUNCIATA. Turning back, continue
towards COCCAGLIO, and arrive in the
centre of the town, noting the ROMAN
TOWER and the PARISH CHURCH. After the
traffic light, take the small bike path and continue
in Via San Pietro towards COLOGNE. Follow the signs for
Adro and Iseo until you reach the village of Spina.
Follow the signs for Erbusco-Rovato and
reach ZOCCO DERBUSCO, then continue
riding as far as the narrow passageway
with a traffic light that takes you across
the provincial road. Soon after, you will
reach the offices of the STRADA DEL
VINO FRANCIACORTA and the end of this
itinerary.

Pedalling through Franciacorta

Bettola

Franciacorta Extra Brut

Route 5 | Black Itinerary
AVERAGE CYCING TIME: 2 hours and 30
TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY: none
CYCLING CONDITIONS: Suitable for any age

Rodegno
Saiano

Gussago
Sale
Urago Mella

BEST PERIOD: all year

DISTANCE: 40 Km
Brescia
Start: Piazza della Loggia- Brescia

From Piazza Loggia in Brescia ride along Via San

Faustino until the intersection with Via Leonardo da
Vinci. Turn left, and after having ridden the
length of it, and after crossing the Mella
river, you reach Via Volturno. At the end
of Via Cristoforo Colombo turn right
into Via Zoccolo and then left into
Via Torricella di Sotto, which is a very
slight ascent. At the end of the street,
take the bike path that will take you
towards CELLATICA. When you arrive at
the traffic light, turn left into Via Carabioli,
and keep right, following the numerous signs along
the path for Paratico. At the end of Via Sale,
you reach the village of GUSSAGO, with
its medieval houses and Renaissance
palaces. Follow for the last time the
signs along the bike path, which you
will shortly leave turning left at the
small roundabout in Via Monticello
and right at the following roundabout
in Via Valia. Right on the curve turn left
into Via Staffoli, where you take again the
bike path for Paratico. A lovely pathway through
grain fields and vineyards brings you to the ABBEY OF

RODENGO SAIANO. Returning, the underpass brings

you to the centre of RODENGO SAIANO, as far as the
first roundabout. Go right, passing through the
entire town. After the brief narrow stretch
- on your right is the CHURCH OF SAN
ROCCO - you are in Via Gussago, then in
Via San Zenone, with the SANCTUARY
OF SANTISSIMA in front of you. The road
climbs slightly, and after the cemetery
of the village of RONCO DI GUSSAGO,
turn right at the first intersection to ride
around the SANTISSIMA on an unpaved
road. You reach the little church of SAN GAETANO
- SANTOLINO, then Via Pinidolo. At the end, turn
left, and the Via Nava brings you to Via Paolo
Richiedei. In front of you is the PARISH
CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA ASSUNTA.
Turn right and follow the street signs for
Cellatica and Brescia.
The Associazione Strada del
Franciacorta reports these tracks just as
a promotion and it is not responsible for any
changes (including traffic problems) encountered
along the route.

Walking
through Franciacorta
Step by step along special itineraries to discover the
hidden Franciacorta, among rows of perfectly structured
vineyards, villages with long history and old traditions,
farmsteads, wine cellars and traces of human activities,
so as to enjoy gorgeous landscapes from the highest
hills which appear like islands in the middle of the sea.
Franciacorta is an area that spreads out between Brescia
and the southern part of the Lake Iseo, a land-strip
characterized by a peculiar microclimate and
cultivated grounds, being famous for its wine
industry.

All the routes are located on existing paths or

either on roads or cart roads, not marked by special
trail markers, for this reason every single itinerary detail
should be read with attention. These routes are accessible
and open to the public at the date of this publication,
April 2012. Before departure we recommend to check on
the spot any possible warning or restriction that public
authorities could take to stop or limit the accessibility
and we suggest to respect them strictly.

Walking through Franciacorta

TREKKING
BRESCIA ISEO

BRESCIA>
RODENGO SAIANO> ISEO
A two-day trekking route
from Brescia to Iseo to
discover some hills and
country landscapes.
- Suitable for adults.

The starting point is from the farm house Santellone,

in Villaggio Badia, Brescia. The gentle country road
soon reaches an information point in Parco delle Colline
(Park of the Hills) with a rest area nearby. From here
on you walk for about 1 hour and 30 minutes along
the well visible cartway marked by the white and red
trail marker number 19, till you reach the Campiani
area. Along this stretch of road you pass by the first
vineyards which draw S. Anna slopes, cross the road
connecting Brescia to Cellatica and then take the path
precisely ending up in the Campiani area. Here the
landscape stretches out to the low Trompia Valley on
one side and Franciacorta on the other side. You bend
into the road to Cellatica following the Path 3V
with the white and light blue

Iseo

FIRST LEG:

BRESCIA
RODENGO
SAIANO

Suitable for: adults

Average walking time: 6 hours
Length: 15,8 Km
Total drop: +660m / -620m
Road bed: footpath 17%
dirt road 45% asphalt 38%

Camignone

trail marker to the Shrine of Madonna della Stella

(about 2 hours and 30 minutes from the starting point),
an extremely panoramic view point. You cross the
church courtyard and walk down the stairs until the
last Via Crucis station: you go down along it following
the signs Sentiero della Franciacorta (Franciacorta
Path) with white and red trail marker till the centre of
Gussago town.
From the parish church you quickly reach Via Roma
walking along it in the northern direction and leaving
behind, in the middle of its length, the white and red trail
marker. You pass by the first roundabout then you walk
under the bypass Concesio-Ospitaletto and at the next
roundabout you turn left to meet in a few meters the
path Sentiero delle due Tese, S5 with white and red
trail marker. After having waded the stream you follow
the path to the abandoned farm house of
Tesa di Sopra, reachable in 1
hour and 30 minutes.
From the

SECOND LEG:

RODENGO
SAIANO ISEO

Suitable for: adults

Average walking time:
4 hours 30 minutes
Length: 12,3 Km
Total drop: +550m / -555m
Road bed: path 12%
dirt road 40% asphalt 48%

You take on again the route beginning with the flight of

steps, in direction of Convent of Calvario, situated on the
hills of Monte Delma. When you reach the asphalt road,
you go down to the hairpin bend and take the path into the
wood marked by white and red trail marker to farmstead
Berta till the top of Monte Delma where a vineyard is
located. You follow the ridge with a lot of hunting lodges
to the west, first along the cartway and then along the
path with a white and red trail marker to Strada della Valle
and Monte Valenzano, going past it.
Near a wide dirt stream situated on a small mountain pass,
you quickly go downhill on the left side on the asphalt

Monte Delma

Corneto

meadow beyond the abandoned farm house you can

enjoy the very wide landscape of Pianura Padana (the
Po Valley) and Franciacorta area. Coming back to the
cartroad, you walk uphill for about 5 minutes till the
crossroads, bend left slightly downhill till a building,
turn around it through a hairpin bend, where the dirt
road is taken over by a steep path for a few meters
until the little church of S. Filippo, from where you can
enjoy the wonderful landscape on Monte Delma and
Rodengo Saiano. Near the little church the steep path
leads to the asphalt road and shortly after you cross
the Gandovere stream and the carriageable road which
joins Rodengo Saiano and Ome and then you arrive in
Corneto area following the road with the same name.
After passing by the elegant Villa Fenaroli you turn
right between two high stone walls and go along the
cartway which follows the foot of Monte Delma and
is bounded by a stone wall at the end of which there
is a crossroads, you go on along the dirt road, keeping
the foot of the mount to cross shortly after the asphalt
road and bend right to the flight of steps of Calvario
(about 25 minutes from Corneto).

road, direction Camignone, reachable passing under the

bypass which joins Brescia and Val Camonica. When you
pass by the traffic lights, follow the white and red trail
marker, take Via Chiesa and then Via Mazzini trough the
old Barboglio quarter. Then walk straight on the side of
the road surrounded by vineyards that leads to Fantecolo,
S. Apollonio church and the little church of Alpini. Here,
you leave behind the signs of Franciacorta path (SF) with
the white and red trail marker and turn right into the
cartway situated between the statue and the little church,
walking along the vineyards and later into the wood. After
15 minutes you pass an old shooting box on your right side
till you reach a small stone building below a high tension
pylon, where you follow the white and red trail marker
MS to Provaglio dIseo. You cross the town always
following the white and red trail markers and walk uphill
along Via S. Rocco. The asphalt road becomes a cobbled
one that after having passed the ruins of the castle,
reaches one of the most panoramic view points of this
trekking route: the Shrine of Madonna del Corno. Beyond
the sacred place you follow the flat dirt road and then the
path number 243, white and red trail marker, that ends
up in Via Roma by a level crossing. The bus and railway
station are a few minutes away from Iseo Town centre.

Gussago

Campiani

Villaggio Badia

Walking through Franciacorta

Croce di Erbusco

MONTE ORFANO
A very panoramic route, suitable
for adults and young people. It
unfolds on footpaths and cosy
roads.

The excursion starts in the town of Rovato, in Via

Piedimonte, near the Shrine of Madonna of S. Stefano
where a car park and some notice boards concerning
the Monte Alto are also located. After visiting the
superb Shrine you go uphill the well visible pavement
road in the direction of Convent of Annunciata; at the
first hairpin bend you follow the path with the white
and red trail marker number 981 which goes through a
beautiful wood with a slight steep, offering a glimpse
of landscape towards the pre-Alps. Ignoring all the
footpaths that come together, you go on till the ridge
near a shooting box and after a short distance you
meet the farmstead Genovesina with a wide view
on the vineyards below, in direction of Coccaglio. Going
onwards on the ridge with wide sights on the preAlps and Franciacorta, you reach the Madonnina and
further away an helicopter landing area near the peak
called the Cross Villa of Erbusco. On this comfortable
meadow it is possible to have a rest since the onward
stretch ends up here (1 hour and 20 minutes). At
this point you go backwards passing over again the
farmstead Genovesina and at the next shooting box,
instead of returning on the footpath number 981, you
keep going on the ridge until you reach the peak Cross
of Coccaglio. You follow a stretch downhill and once

Suitable for: Families

Average walking time: 2 hours
40 minutes
Length: 5,5 Km
Total drop: +290m / -290m
Road bed: footpath 57%
dirt road 24% asphalt 19%

Coccaglio
you get on the road you take again the ridge footpath,
passing over a small lake and the small refuge of the
Alpini, equipped with benches and a drinking fountain,
till you reach the big war memorial, also called Cross
of Rovato. You go downhill, through the cement road
that passes near the small church of St. Michele
till the Convent of Annunciata. You keep walking
downhill on the right hand side of the Convent, with
a nice view on Coccaglio, cross the car parking and
the drinking fountain. You take a cobbled path which
reaches in a few bends the irrigation ditch Fusia that
is close to a small bridge and a traffic lights where
you can find benches and information notice boards.
Walking downhill you reach Coccaglio and the nearby
railways station. The route goes uphill for a few meters
along the cobbled road covered downhill previously,
then you turn right and follow the white and red trail
marker number 980, pass over a house and continue
along the path at the foot of the mountain, just over
the irrigation ditch. You get onto the small dirt road
among the vineyards where you can look up at the
Convent of Annunciata and shortly after you reach the
houses of Rovato and the point of departure.

Walking through Franciacorta

Suitable for: Families

Average walking time: 1 hour
30 minutes
Length: 6,3 Km
Total drop: +150m / -150m
Road bed: footpath 21%
dirt road 27% asphalt 52%

D
ERBUSCO
The excursion is suitable for
families and unfolds among
vineyards on cosy roads,
easily recognizable and with a
minimum drop.

Erbusco

Villa
Once reached the town of Erbusco you lead for the
main church square where you can leave the car in
the car parking in Via Cavour or if is full , near the
elementary school at the end of the same road. You
take first Via Vittorio Emanuele and then Via Guglielmo
Marconi, following the road signs to Bike Park and
walking along the main church square, Via Castello
and Via Campanili at the end of which you enter the
countryside on an asphalt road to be followed for a
few minutes till you get to a crossroads with a dirt
road, marked by an MS white and red trail marker.
You follow the MS signs for 30 minutes passing
over a crossroads with 5 roads and the S. Bernardino
monastery then you proceed along the edges of a wood
among vineyards, old farmsteads and small dry-walls
till you cross the asphalt road. You leave behind the

Pedergnano

white and red trail marker and you turn to the right,
slightly downhill among high walls, till a votive niche.
Keeping on the right, you go along Via Case Sparse
for about 20 minutes, reaching the crossroads with 5
different roads covered on the outward route. Here you
can choose either to take the outward track or to go
straight onto the main road which leads into the town,
after having passed Villa Longhis park; in this case
after about 500 meters, you have to turn right into Via
S. Bonifacio and pass over the imposing Villa Lechi.
You walk under an arch and reach the main church
square where you cross the outward route, only a few
meters away from the car parking in Via Cavour.

Monte Alto

MONTE ALTO

The route is suitable for adult

excursionists. You walk on dirt
paths and roads with
wide landscapes on
Franciacorta.

Nigoline
Suitable for: adults
Average walking time: 2 hours
45 minutes
Length: 7,3 Km
Total drop: +440m / -440m
Road bed: path 55%
dirt road 36% asphalt 9%

The starting point is the car park of Via G. Bonomelli,

in Nigoline of Corte Franca. From here you walk along
Via S. Eufemia, a cobbled road among vineyards, till
the homonym Church. Once you pass the sacred place
you walk on the dirt road for a few minutes till the
junction, where a road sign indicates the Bordiga
Valley area. You take a slight descending road on
the well visible path which crosses a stream and
grazes a house, beyond which there is a fork where
you have to turn to the right and follow the yellow
signs on the trees. From here on you go steep uphill
the wood till you reach the ruins of a castle with an
information point. You go round the ruins and pass a
crossroads and a high tension pylon, always following
the footpath marked by the yellow signs. In the area
Dos Pron where there is also a wooden bench,
you first follow the direction Senter Put-Crus-C.
Diaol and then you head for the ridge, reachable in
about 15 minutes following the footpaths uphill on
the right. The wooded ridge starts now and leads at

the top of Monte Alto, passing by the Scala Santa

(Holy stairs), the last steep stretch. Once reached the
peak the landscape is unique: you can admire the
Lake Iseo, all the Franciacorta area, the morainic circle
which identifies the edge of the last ice age, Monte
Orfano and the Appenines on the horizon. The way
back itinerary is very pleasant and panoramic: you
take the well visible cartroad at the right hand side of
the cross in the southern direction and you proceed in
slight slope passing by a lot of shooting boxes and an
old stone farmstead. Keeping on the left at every fork
you meet, after 45 minutes from the top, a votive niche
with a drinking fountain; you turn right and after a few
meters you find yourself among luxuriant vineyards,
and you walk along a footpath delimited by a small
dry-wall. You follow it till a house where you have to
turn left and after 10 minutes you reach the outward
route, just above S. Eufemia church. From here on you
cover the same route until the car park.

Walking through Franciacorta

Timoline

Torbiero del Sebino

BORGONATO
The route is suitable for
everybody and it unfolds
entirely on easy roads among
vineyards, without difficulties,
easily identifiable and with a
minimum drop.

Corte Franca

The starting point is in Borgonato, near the parish

club dedicated to the Saints Francesco and Chiara
situated in Via Cavour where there is also a car park
while the train station is 300 meters away. You walk
in west direction along Via Cavour, you pass on a
bottleneck beyond which you can admire S. Vitale
church on the hill, with the typical bell tower located
in a higher position. At the end of the vineyard, you
take the road lined with a stone wall which enters
the fields in the northern direction and you follow
it going past a cement canal. When you reach the
entrance of the cave characterized by a depression
with a small lake, you pass between two metal nets
and after about 30 minutes from the starting point
you reach the farmstead Luogonuovo. Shortly after
you meet the small church of Madonna dellInquine
and the road proceeds slightly downhill becoming
an asphalt road. Along this stretch of route you can
admire the well visible calcareous beddings of Monte
della Madonna and the church of Madonna del Corno.
After 50 minutes from the departure you reach the
crossroads that links Provaglio and Timoline, in the
vicinity of the railways station. You turn left in west
direction following for 100 meters the road to Timoline
afterwards you turn again on the left following the dirt
cycle track. After a while you arrive to a wide crest
where sight widen northwards on the vineyards, the
peat-moors, the Lake Iseo and the mountains around
the Lake. Further away you meet the church dedicated

Provaglio dIseo

Suitable for: Families

Average walking time: 2 hours
30 minutes
Length: 8,2 Km
Total drop: +90m / -90m
Road bed: footpath 0%
dirt road 63% asphalt 37%

to S. Carlo, with its attached farmstead, abandoned at

the moment. The road bends on the right and crosses
again the driveway Provaglio dIseo-Timoline but you
immediately go on the dirt road Via del Pozzo, which
heads to the tower bell of Timoline.
At the end of Via del Pozzo you go southwards along via
Mario Gatti and pass a white and deep purple house.
When you reach a junction, you keep walking on the
right, along the metal nest and you arrive again into
the cave area, between two lakes. You follow the main
road pointing at Borgonato that proceeds beyond the
cement canal and bends on the left to close the ring
route. At the end of the stone wall you turn right and
after 50 meters you take Via Ignazio Berlucchi that
penetrates into the vineyards and it is characterized by
stone walls and rows of oaks. At the end of the rows,
the main road bends and points out towards a pass
between two short wooded hills. The road follows the
edges of the vineyard and gets closer to the railway
lines, running along them in the northern direction,
between the hill and the houses, and goes back to the
starting point.

G
TORRENTE GAINA
The route is suitable for
everybody and it unfolds mainly
on paths among the stream and
the woods.

THE TORRENTS
Both excursions along the torrents
Gaina and Gandovere described
hereafter can be taken on the same
day because of short duration and
not far away.

Walking through Franciacorta

Once reached the town of Monticelli Brusati you leave
the car in one of the small car parks between the town
and the administrative divisions of Gaina or Foina. If
they are full, you should park in the larger car parks
in the centre of Monticelli, from where the white and
pink trail markers with the letters SC start. In this
case you should walk on the asphalt road to Gaina and
add about 30 minutes to the route duration. In Gaina
you walk towards the small square of the town, near
a small effigy of the Madonna and a drinking fountain
where you keep on the left, following the sign posts
with letters SC. After about 100 meters the built-up
area ends and the dirt road starts; from here on you
follow the vineyards and the olive trees till the road
sign which indicates 2 route possibilities: Version A
path, which goes on into the wood and only further
on you wade across the Gaina stream and path for
experts which soon goes down into the spectacular
gorge of the stream. If this one isnt too full of water,
it is advisable to follow the Version path for experts
that is described afterwards. When you reach an
extraordinary canyon you go uphill following the white
and red road signs. You face various fords, you pass
over a small effigy of the Madonna set in the stones,
some benches and at the end of this path you meet
the crossroads with Version A path which you follow
after a glance at the beautiful waterfall, located 10
meters far off the crossroads. You follow the Version
A footpath facing a short stretch going uphill steeply,
at the end of which you keep the path on the left in
the wood halfway up the hill. After having passed a
stream, you keep following the Version A path and
the white and red road signs in the
wood; you will

Il Cimarone
Suitable for: Families
Average walking time: 2 hours
30 minutes
Length: 3,8 Km
Total drop: +250m / -250m
Road bed: footpath 41%
dirt road 37% asphalt 22%

Gaina
Foina
find the typical stone Mostas (a head engraved in
the stone), another beautiful waterfall with the link
path to the Version trail for experts, characterized by
metal stairs. Shortly later on there is a wide picnic
area where the Version A path ends up. From here on
you follow the road sign Version B path. When you
cross a dirt road, you keep on the right till the folding
of a small stream, then you leave the small road and
go downhill through a path and go beyond the Gaina
stream. You face a short steep slope till you reach the
dirt road which joins together Gaina and Polaveno. You
turn right and you proceed straightforward leaving out
the roads on the left side as far as the highest point
of the itinerary. From here on you start the pleasant
descending slope which becomes from a dirt to a
cement road, passing by a car park with a view point
on the hollow of Monticelli and then reaching the
starting point.

TORRENTE
GANDOVERE
The path is suitable for families
and unfolds entirely along a
cosy road of short length and
with a minimum drop.

Brione

From the town of Ome you reach Valle, the

administrative division of Ome, one of the best
preserved areas in the zone. You park the car at the
entrance of the town and you cross Valle passing by
the church and other typical buildings, well described
on the explanation notices on the spot.
You follow the signs to botanical garden of cultivated
conifers marked also by the white and red trail markers.
After the last houses of the village you go on to the
right and walk along the Gandovere stream until a
small bridge with a notice board concerning the Ertina
tower dating back to the Middle Ages. The tower is
located inside a farmstead and it is reachable in a few
minutes walk. You go along the stream until the next
notice board regarding Ertina mill, again dating back
to the Middle Ages and reachable through a
short detour on the

Martignago

Valle

Suitable for: Families

Average walking time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Length: 2,8 Km
Total drop: +60m / -60m
Road bed: path 0%
dirt road 10% asphalt 90%

left side on a dirt road. Taking the main road again

you reach the entrance of the botanical garden of
cultivated conifers with explanation charts of different
existing species. Shortly after you meet the Paradiso
picnic area and nearby, a small effigy of Madonna
with a small votive chapel. The itinerary ends here and
you return back through the same route.

THE STRADA DEL

FRANCIACORTA

The Strada del Franciacorta is

a route of 80 kilometres whose
purpose is to promote and further
develop the tourism potential
of Franciacorta in general, and
of the culture of its wine and
foods in particular.

One of the first Wine Roads in Italy, it was launched in

2000 through the synergistic collaboration of, on the
one hand, private individuals and businesses, including
Connecting to the Apple Store you can find the new
wineries, hotels, historical residences, restaurants,
app Franciacorta for anyone who wants to spend
trattorie, osterie, agriturismos, campgrounds, wine
a journey here in this charming land. This app is
bars, distilleries, agricultural producers, travel agencies,
the ideal tool to receive useful information about
golf courses, and bicycle renters, and, on the other,
Franciacorta in real time. There is a list of the wine
public and private entities and organisations, such
cellars, restaurants, places, monuments, bicycle or
as communes and organisations for the promotion
trekking routes. Moreover, there is a Gallery of videos
of individual areas. The Strada del Franciacorta is the
and images that allows to see the preview of the
organisation of choice for individual tourists, groups,
places of Franciacorta.
and tour operators, since it offers them technical
You can find a free download of the new app
and organisational support. Upon contact, its office
connecting to the App Store (available for iPhone and
will provide information about the area and lodging
iPod Touch with operating system iOS 4.2).
arrangements, request services, an design itineraries.
The association organises multi-day package visits,
guided tours of the wineries, wine-tasting and cooking
seminars, as well as a whole series of special events,
For further information
EVENTS
such as Di cantina in cantinaalla scoperta della
IAT LAGO DISEOFor further information
Franciacorta, which are guided tours and tastings
FRANCIACORTA
connect to:
by member wineries over the weekends. The list of Lungolago Marconi 2 c-d | Iseo www.stradadelfranciacorta.it
P. +39 030 980209
participating wineries is available on the Stradas
website, and reservations can be made directly with iat.iseo@provincia.brescia.it
the wineries.

Vademecum

8
Associazione Strada
del Franciacorta
Via G. Verdi 53 | 25030 | Erbusco (BS)
P: +39 030 7760870
F: +39 030 7768539
info@stradadelfranciacorta.it
www.stradadelfranciacorta.it

Tourism information offices

IAT Brescia
Via dei Musei 32 | Brescia
P: +39 030 3749916
promozione.turismo@provincia.brescia.it
IAT Iseo
Lungolago Marconi 2c-d | Iseo (BS)
P: +39 030 980209 | iat.iseo@tiscali.it
InfoPoint Turismo
Largo Formentone | Brescia
P: +39 030 2400357 | F: +39 030 3773773
infopoint@comune.brescia.it
InfoPoint Station
Via L. Gambara 25 (Piazzale Stazione) | Brescia
P: +39 030 8378559
infopointstazione@comune.brescia.it
Transports
International Airport, Orio al Serio (BG)
Call center +39 035 326323 | www.sacbo.it
Valerio Catullo Airport - Verona Villafranca (VR)
P: +39 045 8095666 | www.aeroportoverona.it
Milano Airports: Linate and Malpensa
P: +39 02 74852200 | www.sea-aeroportimilano.it
Railway: Brescia and Rovato stations
Call center P: 89 20 21 | from abroad P: +39 06 68475475
www.fsitaliane.it | www.trenitalia.com
Trenord: Brescia | Rovato | Iseo stations
P: 800 500005 | my-link@trenord.it
www.trenord.it

Bus lines: Centralised Information Centre

Call centre 840 620 001 | www.trasportibrescia.it
Navigation, Lago dIseo
P: +39 035 971483 | www.navigazionelagoiseo.it
Theatres
Centro Teatrale Bresciano - Teatro Stabile di Brescia
P: +39 030 2928611 | www.ctbteatrostabile.it
Teatro Grande - Brescia
P: +39 030 2979311 | www.teatrogrande.it
Museums
Fondazione Brescia Musei
P: +39 030 2400640 | www.bresciamusei.com
Museo di Santa Giulia
P: +39 030 2977834
Catholic churches
Diocese of Brescia
P: +39 030 37221 | www.diocesi.brescia.it
Emergencies
113 Public Emergencies
116 ACI Assistance
112 Carabinieri
115 Firemen
118 Health Emergency
Hospitals
Presidio Ospedaliero di Chiari: P: l. +39 030 71021
Presidio Ospedaliero di Iseo: P: +39 030 9887259
Ospedale Civile Brescia: P: +39 030 39951

HOW TO REACH
FRANCIACORTA

9
BY AIRPLANE
Orio al Serio Airport, Bergamo (38 Km)
Verona- Villafranca- Catullo Airport (75 Km)
Milano- Linate Airport (80 Km)
Milano- Malpensa Airport (130 Km)

BY CAR
S.P. 510, Brescia- Iseo
State Highway 11, Brescia- Palazzolo sullOglio
Autostrada A4 Milan- Venice (Palazzolo, Rovato,
Ospitaletto exits)

BY TRAIN
Railway Milano- Venezia
Stations: Rovato and Brescia
Railway Brescia- Iseo- Edolo
Stations: Iseo, Provaglio-Timoline di Corte Franca,
Borgonato, Bornato, Rovato, Passirano, Paderno
Franciacorta.