Tresivio

Rhaetic Alps

There is an area, West of Sondrio, where you can't do without noticing the sunlit terraced vineyards where the Valtellina Superiore Sassella DOCG is produced.  The first part of the tour crosses the typical terraced vineyards of the Rhaetic Alps, offering wonderful sights of the river Adda and the valley floor. In the second part of the tour, connecting Castione Andevenno to Sondrio, the route is almost entirely flat and crosses Parco Bartesaghi, that is Sondrio's most important green area.  Two places touched by the route are definitely worth a visit: SANTUARIO DELLA MADONNA DEL SASSELLA The Sanctuary was built Nestled on a rocky spur in the Fifteenth century and has become one of the symbols of this area, as it can easily be seen from the state road.    ROCK ENGRAVINGS LA GANDA, CASTIONEA recent discovery shed light on La Ganda (Castione Andevenno): a rock engraved about 3,000 years ago. There are a great number of engravings and most of them have antropomorphic features. 

The Cammino mariano delle Alpi pilgrimage route is an important religious, cultural and tourism-driven project in Valtellina. Tracing a route through the valley, the hiking itinerary incorporates several shrines to the Virgin Mary before reaching the Basilica of the Madonna di Tirano — the most significant sacred monument in the province and proclaimed the ‘celestial patroness of all of Valtellina’ by Pope Pius XII in 1946. There are two route options: the 91km Via Occidentale (western approach) from Piantedo to Tirano (accessible from spring 2022) and the 66km Via Orientale (eastern approach) from Bormio to Tirano, in the planning stage. The Via Occidentale is divided into five stages: Piantedo–Morbegno, Morbegno–Berbenno, Berbenno–Sondrio, Sondrio–Teglio and Teglio–Tirano. It makes use of the existing trail network and waymarked routes, including the Via dei Terrazzamenti which traverses the valley’s most authentic and charming areas, passing distinctive terraced vineyards and a wealth of historic, religious and civic buildings that transmit a fascinating insight.   Discover more and request the Credenziale del pellegrino on www.camminomarianodellealpi.it 

Sondrio

Sondrio

Orobic Alps

Cà Mazza and Cà Zoia Mill is a rare example of a mill operated by the archaic system of the horizontal water wheel.

When you visit Valtellina you can't do without noticing the importance of the farming industry, the heritage of a centuries-long tradition. The first testimony of this rich history is to be found in the in a document written in 1531, which records the mills existing at the time. The mill were built in the Middle Ages and fell in disuse in recent decades. The Mulino Oberti Carmelino  is a two-storey building, that still houses the old wooden workings. On the Northern side, below th round window, "1886" is painted, which probably is the date of the renovation works. There is also a writing on the ground floor: "Mulino n.56 - del 1934" (Mill nr 56 - since 1934). Other parts of the building, such as the stairs on the Northern side and the balcony were built more recently. In the Seventies the mill lost its function, the watercourse that supplied water was buried and the wheel was removed. 

Mulin de la Rusina (Rusina's Mill) owes its name to the last miller of Vendolo, named Rosina. Inside the mill there are two massive millstones with suspended hoppers and huge rotating sieves. The water coming from creek Boco operates the mechanisms. It is possibile to channel water towards the three wheels thanks to a small basin and moveable wooden bulkheads, or to drain water away by using an iron sluice.  This system allows to operate the mill only when needed, in order to prevent millstones from chipping. 

A church surrounded by vineyards, offering visitors an amazing view of the valley floor.

The Sanctuary was built along the Castles route, that crosses the Rhaetian slope and its typical terraced vineyards.