FRANCIACORTA

A sunny morainic amphitheatre located to the south of Iseo Lake, Franciacorta is a land devoted to grape growing since Roman times.
Laying on mild hills and covered with vineyards as well as with patrician villas, castles and abbeys, Franciacorta offers to visitors all those opportunities that only a land with deep historical roots can propose.
Franciacorta historical and artistic itinerary starts at the Monastery of S. Pietro in Lamosa, at Provaglio d’Iseo. The monastery, founded in the eleventh century, is one of the most interesting monastic complex in Brescia area.
Near San Pietro Curch, its oldest part, a chapel built during the Baroque period: from its parvis, visitors can enjoy an extraordinary view on “Torbiere del Sebino” Natural Reserve.
Not far from Provaglio, lays Rodengo Saiano, unified in 1927 but with old origins: Rodengo was in fact founded by the Romans, while Saiano has Longobard origins.
Very interesting San Nicola Abbey, an impressive monastery founded in the fifteenth century by the Olivetans. The building expands around three big cloisters and it is decorated by works of the most important local artists of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries (Foppa, Romanino, Moretto, Gambara, Cossali).
The monastery hosts a workshop for books restoration and a wrought iron museum. The monks distil herbal spirits.
Corte Franca, divided in four villages (Borgonato, Colombaro, Nigoline e Timoline) is the heart of Franciacorta. Immersed in vineyards and surrounded by old villas, it boasts Berlucchi Villa at Borgonato, Monti della Corte Palace at Nigoline, Pizzini Villa at Timoline and Lana Villa at Colombaro where, in its park, the oldest (300 hundred years old) and the highest Italian Lebanon cedar rises.
The itinerary continues visiting Bornato Castle, surrounded by walls hiding a Renaissance villa, and Passirano Castle, with imposing defensive walls.
Many the villas scattered in the all area: Soncini Villa at Provezze, Fenaroli Villa at Fantecolo, Lechi Villa at Erbusco.
Strongly suggested a visit to Ricci Curbastro Villa at Capriolo, seat of the Agricultural Museum of the Wine.
Many the cellars to visit and many the opportunities, for tourists, to choice between big and small wine producers, as well as to taste new or well- known wine brands, such as “Bollicine” , one of the best Italian sparkling wine.
Here some important and fascinating vitivinicolo events:
“Cantine Aperte” , the opening of the cellars to the public to show the working methods of the different kinds of wines and the “Festival della Franciacorta”, the yearly appointment with Franciacorta wines.