Montisola, l'isola lacustre più grande d'Europa

Pisogne

Pisogne is a town located in the province of Brescia, in the lower part of Valcamonica.
It has about 8,000 inhabitants and is very welcoming and appreciated by tourists, especially in the summer because it overlooks Lake Iseo.

Montisola, l'isola lacustre più grande d'Europa

Pisogne

Pisogne is a town located in the province of Brescia, in the lower part of Valcamonica.
It has about 8,000 inhabitants and is very welcoming and appreciated by tourists, especially in the summer because it overlooks Lake Iseo.

In the past, the town was crossed by the Via Valeriana, the most important Roman road, and for this reason it has always played a very important role for the inhabitants of the valley, providing a trade center between it and the lower Sebino valley. In recent years it has invested heavily in tourism with a lakeside promenade, cycle track and the central square to compete with it’s more well known cousin on the other side of the lake, the town of Lovere, in the neighbouring province of Bergamo.

It is one of the largest inhabited centers in Valle Camonica and for this reason it is very well connected with other towns by public transport. To reach Pisogne, we recommend you use the train from Boario not far from the centre but you can easily take the bus without any complications. By car it is less than 15 minutes from Boario.

For more info on trains: https://www.thetrainline.com/en/train-times/pisogne-to-brescia

WHAT TO DO IN PISOGNE

Shopping!!! (North of Station)

Pisogne is very quiet, historical  and pleasant destination for spending a relaxing afternoon, visiting the various places of interest that the town has to offer or having fun shopping in the mall.

Store Hours: Mon 14.00 – 19.30, Tue – Sun 9.30 – 19.30

All other attractions are south of station or behind.

You cannot fail to enjoy the sun on the lakefront promenade, which starts from the town station and continues along the Vello-Toline cycle-pedestrian path.
During the walk you can take advantage of the bars, ice cream parlors and the old and new small fishing ports  of the town. From here you can see up to the opposite shore of the lake, where there are several villages, including Lovere, which can be reached by boat.

At the end of thepromenade there is a symbolic monument to the history of Pisogne: the White Horse of Troy.

THE HISTORIC CENTRAL SQUARE

The square is one of the main attractions of Pisogne: its original name is “Umberto I”, but . According to a local legend, eight women accused of witchcraft were burned alive at the end of the 16th century.
Today it is the center of the town, closed to traffic to serve as a meeting point for everyone, both children and adults. In its surroundings there are bars and restaurants that you can sit inside or outside taking in the views across the lake.

THE VESCOVO TOWER

Torre del Vescovo is located just off the main square. Its construction was promoted by Bishop Berardo Maggi in 1299. Initially built as a tower-house, it was transformed into a military building after 1288, following the attack on Pisogne by the Ghibellines of Lovere. The bishop wanted to make it a sort of protection for the inhabitants, with a height of 32 meters. According to local legend, the eight women accused and later burned at the stake for witchcraft were imprisoned right in the Bishop’s Tower before being killed.

It is open to visitors from Tuesday to Sunday, with free admission.
NOTE the stairs are steep and crowded. But the view is great!

VILLA DAMIOLI AND DAMIOLI PARK

Villa Damioli is a historic villa located near the main square of the town, in the past owned by a nobleman called Eduino Damioli. Today it is used for parties, events or weddings.
This building has 200 rooms, some of which have works of art, in particular  neoclassical frescoes.
It has a large garden with different types of plants, a pond and an artificial grotto. You can have dinner on some nights in the Villa.

The Damioli Park is considered a very romantic place, this public park is located behind the parish church. Enriched by colorful vegetation, it has a refreshment point, an area for dogs and a play area for children.

PUDA AND SAN MARCO STREET

Puda is a historic district with restaurants and shops located behind the main square. Originally from the Renaissance era, a Carolingian church once stood there and today several historic buildings remain, including the ancient prison of Pisogne, now a simple house.

San Marco is one of the most important historic streets of Pisogne, takes its name from the patron saint of the city of Venice as in the past the town was under Venetian rule. Here is Casa Fanzago, the home of one of the most important noble families of Pisogne, originally from the town of Clusone.

LIDO GIOIA

At the edge of the lake stands this lido(recreation area, public but pay to enter) with a large garden, beach, swimming pool, bar, shaded area with tables and benches, inflatables for children, beach volleyball court, showers, and sunbeds (with the possibility of renting).
Parking and entrance are subject to charges, and small dogs are allowed.

During the summer you can enjoy the sun during the day, while in the evening, being a meeting place much appreciated by young people, parties are often organized.

CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA DELLA NEVE

Built at the end of the fifteenth century at the behest of the people, this famous church was commissioned by Girolamo Romanino, from whom it took its nickname. Despite this, most of the decorations were instead the work of Pietro da Cemmo. The frescoes in particular are well known because they depict the Passion of Christ, considered one of the cornerstones within the Italian tradition and the inspiration of countless artistic and literary works.

Santa Maria della Neve
Santa Maria della Neve

In the past, the town was crossed by the Via Valeriana, the most important Roman road, and for this reason it has always played a very important role for the inhabitants of the valley, providing a trade center between it and the lower Sebino valley. In recent years it has invested heavily in tourism with a lakeside promenade, cycle track and the central square to compete with it’s more well known cousin on the other side of the lake, the town of Lovere, in the neighbouring province of Bergamo.

It is one of the largest inhabited centers in Valle Camonica and for this reason it is very well connected with other towns by public transport. To reach Pisogne, we recommend you use the train from Boario not far from the centre but you can easily take the bus without any complications. By car it is less than 15 minutes from Boario.

For more info on trains: https://www.thetrainline.com/en/train-times/pisogne-to-brescia

WHAT TO DO IN PISOGNE

Shopping!!! (North of Station)

Pisogne is very quiet, historical  and pleasant destination for spending a relaxing afternoon, visiting the various places of interest that the town has to offer or having fun shopping in the mall.

Store Hours: Mon 14.00 – 19.30, Tue – Sun 9.30 – 19.30

All other attractions are south of station or behind.

You cannot fail to enjoy the sun on the lakefront promenade, which starts from the town station and continues along the Vello-Toline cycle-pedestrian path.
During the walk you can take advantage of the bars, ice cream parlors and the old and new small fishing ports  of the town. From here you can see up to the opposite shore of the lake, where there are several villages, including Lovere, which can be reached by boat.

At the end of thepromenade there is a symbolic monument to the history of Pisogne: the White Horse of Troy.

THE HISTORIC CENTRAL SQUARE

The square is one of the main attractions of Pisogne: its original name is “Umberto I”, but . According to a local legend, eight women accused of witchcraft were burned alive at the end of the 16th century.
Today it is the center of the town, closed to traffic to serve as a meeting point for everyone, both children and adults. In its surroundings there are bars and restaurants that you can sit inside or outside taking in the views across the lake.

THE VESCOVO TOWER

Torre del Vescovo is located just off the main square. Its construction was promoted by Bishop Berardo Maggi in 1299. Initially built as a tower-house, it was transformed into a military building after 1288, following the attack on Pisogne by the Ghibellines of Lovere. The bishop wanted to make it a sort of protection for the inhabitants, with a height of 32 meters. According to local legend, the eight women accused and later burned at the stake for witchcraft were imprisoned right in the Bishop’s Tower before being killed.

It is open to visitors from Tuesday to Sunday, with free admission.
NOTE the stairs are steep and crowded. But the view is great!

VILLA DAMIOLI AND DAMIOLI PARK

Villa Damioli is a historic villa located near the main square of the town, in the past owned by a nobleman called Eduino Damioli. Today it is used for parties, events or weddings.
This building has 200 rooms, some of which have works of art, in particular  neoclassical frescoes.
It has a large garden with different types of plants, a pond and an artificial grotto. You can have dinner on some nights in the Villa.

The Damioli Park is considered a very romantic place, this public park is located behind the parish church. Enriched by colorful vegetation, it has a refreshment point, an area for dogs and a play area for children.

PUDA AND SAN MARCO STREET

Puda is a historic district with restaurants and shops located behind the main square. Originally from the Renaissance era, a Carolingian church once stood there and today several historic buildings remain, including the ancient prison of Pisogne, now a simple house.

San Marco is one of the most important historic streets of Pisogne, takes its name from the patron saint of the city of Venice as in the past the town was under Venetian rule. Here is Casa Fanzago, the home of one of the most important noble families of Pisogne, originally from the town of Clusone.

LIDO GIOIA

At the edge of the lake stands this lido(recreation area, public but pay to enter) with a large garden, beach, swimming pool, bar, shaded area with tables and benches, inflatables for children, beach volleyball court, showers, and sunbeds (with the possibility of renting).
Parking and entrance are subject to charges, and small dogs are allowed.

During the summer you can enjoy the sun during the day, while in the evening, being a meeting place much appreciated by young people, parties are often organized.

CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA DELLA NEVE

Built at the end of the fifteenth century at the behest of the people, this famous church was commissioned by Girolamo Romanino, from whom it took its nickname. Despite this, most of the decorations were instead the work of Pietro da Cemmo. The frescoes in particular are well known because they depict the Passion of Christ, considered one of the cornerstones within the Italian tradition and the inspiration of countless artistic and literary works.

Santa Maria della Neve
Santa Maria della Neve