ISEO

Iseo fascinates the visitor for the elegance and sobriety of its historical centre, it enchants for the ancient churches and buildings, where interesting works of art are kept. On the lake-front, where the promenaders flow is continuous, several restaurants and pizzerias make up gathering points for the visitors as well as good opportunities to discover the tastes of a genuine and fanciful cuisine. So many the hotels and the comfortable campings allowing a pleasant stay. From the tourist port leave the boats to Montisola and to the other places of the lake.
Iseo was an imposing commercial centre in Roman age, its active port representing for the town the real economic strength up to the last century. The textile industry had an important role in Iseo development ; in 1600 the silk growing was followed by the construction of a silk mill, a workshop for the twisting of the flax, a dye factory and some tanneries.
The town territory extends from the “Torbiere” Natural Reserve to the hamlet of Pilzone.

St. Andrew Parish (XIIth c.). The imposing spired bell tower overhangs the inhabited area. The three aisles interior was modified in the ninth century, when the barreled coverage from the central aisle was made. Besides the frescos of the dome, there are other interesting pictorial works: the paintings with St. Michael the Archangel and The last Dinner.

“Our Lady of the Snow Sanctuary” was built in the seventeenth century on a light height. From the church square, where great platans are found, the Baroque façade of the sanctuary can be admired. It was erected only in a year and blessed in the 5th of August 1656, the day dedicated to the Holy Mary of the snow. The inside introduces an only aisle and two side altars. The XVth c. fresco represents " Our Lady with the Child and Saint Anthony the Abbot."

“Our Lady of the Market” Church. It can be reached from G. Garibaldi Square. The Oldofredis wanted it to be built in the XIVth c. The only aisle interior preserves interesting Baroque decorations and frescos of the XVth, XVIth, XVIIth centuries. On the main altar there is a beautiful painting representing " Virgin Mary nursing the Child."

Oldofredi Castle The Oldofredis Castle (XIth c.) rises next to the historical centre. The squared structure, with massive towers to the angles, suffered different transformations that altered its original architectural features. The recent restoration has well underlined the beautiful ogival portal and the drawbridge tracks. Today it hosts the public library.

VANTINI Building overlooks the square devoted to Giuseppe Garibaldi; it is a 1830-33 imposing building; the ground floor, in false ashlar, is surmounted by two floors with large windows. Presently the building is the town hall.

Peschiera Maraglio is a picturesque suburb with an attractive dock where the naèts, the typical fishermen boat of Iseo Lake, are moored. The historical centre can be visited only afoot, and only so the narrow streets and the St. Michael Church (XVIIth c.) can be admired. The church is well visible also from Sulzano, the nearest coast village on the county Brescia side of the lake. On the summit of a rocky wall the Oldofredis Fortress dominates the beautiful landscape. The fortress, with a cylindrical tower, was built in the XIIth c. to protect the Island.

Siviano can be reached following the coastal road or landing at Porto. From this typical village, ed on a high ground, fantastic panoramas on the county Bergamo coast can be admired. Among the mediaeval village streets, the Martinego Tower (XIVth c). Preceded by a steep stairway, the Baroque Parish devoted to Faustino and Giovita Saints overhangs the inhabited area.

From Peschiera Maraglio a coastal track, very popular for the presence of a pic-nic area among olive trees and for the several cafes and restaurants, leads to Sensole. In the village, there is a Hatful (XVIIth c).on whose hutted façade above the portal there is a painting devoted to the Holy Mary. On the summit of a rocky wall the Oldofredis Fortress dominates the beautiful landscape. The fortress, with a cylindrical tower, was built in the XIIth c. to protect the Island.

Carzano is a small suburb made of ancient fishermen houses . Its position is the best to admire the small Loreto Island and the Upper Sebino coast. Among the ancient houses the Baroque S. John Baptist Parish ( XVIII sec.)The church has got an unique aisle and two altars. In its proximities the Sixteenth century Martinengo Palace with beautiful external decorations.

At Cure, in the highest point of the island, the Cerinola Holy Mary Sanctuary , built in the XIIIth c.

The Loreto Island is the smallest island of the lake. It rises to the north of Montisola. The island is of private ownership. In 1400 a convent for the nuns of S.Chiara. was built there. Today there is a beautiful castle in neo-Gothic style with a park of conifers and a small dock.

The St. Paul Island rises to the south of Montisola. The island is of private ownership. Once fishermen, monks and nobles lived here. It is said that a huge convent was built here , but in 1700, when the island became of private ownership, the convent and the church were shaved to the ground. In 1912 it was purchased by the Basilio family and a great villa was built.