Brescia
Lake Garda
Valsabbia
Lake Idro
Valtrompia
The brescian plain
Franciacorta
Lake Iseo
Valcamonica
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Franciacorta is an area of
gentle hills covered with vineyards, medieval towers and patrician villas. It lies in a
sunny hollow to the south of Lake Iseo and has been dedicated to wine-making since the
Romans started to cultivate the vine.
Heirs of the tradition, today's wine makers produce
high-quality wines, the most famous being "Franciacorta", the king of Italian
sparkling wines.Rodengo Saiano
Rodengo
Saiano has been a single district since 1927. It is situated about 15 kilometres from the
city and is of ancient origin: Saiano was actually established under the Romans and
Rodengo during the Longobard era. One place that simply must be visited is the abbey of
San Nicola which is one of the most impressive monastic sites in Italy. It was founded
in the 11th century by Cluniac monks but passed into the hands of the Olivetans
in the mid-15th century.
The Abbey is built around three large cloisters and is
decorated with works by the greatest artists of the Brescian school of the 16th
and 17th centuries (Foppa, Romanino, Moretto, Gambara and Cossali).
Inside there is a book-restoration workshop and a Museum of Wrought Ironwork and
today the monks still produce a liquor based on herbs
Provaglio d'Iseo
The last district in Franciacorta before Lake Iseo, Provaglio provides a delightful
view over the Sebino Peat Moss. The origin of the district is strictly connected with the
presence of the Cluniac Monastery of San Pietro in Lamosa founded in 11th
century.
This monastery is one of the most interesting Romanesque
remains in the province of Brescia. The oldest part is the church of San Pietro next to
which a baroque chapel was built.
There is an excellent view of the nearby peat moss from its churchyard.
Corte Franca
Corte
Franca is the heart of Franciacorta and is divided into four villages - Borgonato,
Colombaro, Nigoline and Timoline. Large, old residences alternate with renowned
wineries surrounded by attractive vineyards.
Among the more beautiful are the Villa Berlucchi in
Borgonato, Villa Lana of Conti Terzi in Colombaro (in whose gardens stands the highest
Cedar of Lebanon in Italy and 300 years old), Palazzo Monti della Corte in Nigoline and
Villa Pizzini in Timoline.
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