The bridge over the river reminds us of a millennia of events

The small church of the Oratorio next to Montecchio Bridge contains an art treasure - The fortresses that once controlled the valley now watch the tourism of the thermal springs - The rediscovery of "The archangel Michael’s Fight" in Artogne

Its strategic trading position helped to increase quickly Darfo’s importance, which before the year 1000 became a Royal court of the Emperor Henry III and in XII C. had to account for six thousand inhabitants. The first supporter of the Boario thermal springs was the writer Alessandro Manzoni, who, from 1845, drank it daily.
The most important monument at DARFO BOARIO TERME is the Chiesetta dell’Oratorio (see box on the page 8) in the hamlet of MONTECCHIO, which is opposite the apse (with a single lancet window, 1300-1400’s) of the parish of Santa Maria Assunta. Not far is the risky span of the so called Roman ponte (bridge), of which the granite and "simona" stone structure was designed by Francesco Cifrondi (1686).
The hamlet of ERBANNO, of which the historical centre has been well preserved, is indicated on the road by a Romanesque bell tower with double lancet windows of the Chiesetta di San Martino, reduced to a cemetery enclosure which one enters by way of a portal made of "simona" stone and dated 1465. In the chapel, there are frescoes from a period antecedent to Da Cemmo (the complex is presently inaccessible due to restoration).
Going up to the town, we see the 1500’s Palazzo Federici, with two trilobated windows on the top floor.
The church of Santa Maria del Restello, north and higher elevated, is from the beginning of the XVI C. Here is an admirable series of frescoes, done 1530-40, by Callisto Piazza. In the presbytery at the rear are the Assumption, St. Giorgio and the Princess and on the left, the Decapitation of St. Giovanni Battista.
Going up the road to Angolo Terme, just before the hamlet of GORZONE, you can turn left to the Parco di Luine, a hill where prehistoric rock engravings have been discovered (free entry, closed Mon).
On the external wall of the parish of Gorzone is the sarcophagi of Uson Federici (1336). The Castello Federici, protected high up, is not far from the hamlet; built around 1160 and of long strategic importance. Today, the towers and wall have disappeared and there remains an imposing elegant residence.
The thermal spring vocation goes back to the early 1800’s in ANGOLO TERME and was concretised for tourists in the 1950’s. The parish of San Lorenzo is rich with XVII century wood sculptures, of which the portal wings are noteworthy, by the Fantoni school: fifteen sculptures tell Episodes of the life of Christ. The Sanctuary of San Silvestro has a great view of the country and valley; built between the XVI-XVIII centuries with an elegant arcade.
Going back towards Darfo, we turn off left to the hamlet of MAZZUNNO.
Next to the parish is the small church of San Rocco which contains frescoes from the 1400-1500’s by the Pietro da Cemmo school. For a visit, contact the parish priest (tel. 0364/548062) or the nuns in the near institute.
From Darfo going towards Brescia we come to GIANICO. On the impending mountain with a broad view of the valley, is the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Monte (or of the Nativity), constructed in XVIII century on the small church erected in 1536 to invoke protection against the frequent floods. The main altar piece of the Nativity of Mary is by Palma il Giovane.
In ARTOGNE it is worth a stop at the Church (1400-1500’s) of Santa Maria Elisabetta on the old Valeriana road. The vault of the presbytery has frescoes recently restored from sleep under the whitewashing of the time of the plague: it is about a Fight of the archangel Michael against the forces of evil, dated 1568. Other 16th century frescoes can be seen in the nave. The canvasses of the Via Crucis deserve attention, said by Pitocchetto, author of another canvass which is now preserved in the parish, attributed to Giacomo Ceruti.
The small rustic church of Sant’Andrea (XV C.) on the outside presents some frescoes dated XVI-XVII centuries. Inside, are 15th century votive frescoes. For a visit to these two Artogne churches, ask at the gates of the nearest houses.
PIAN CAMUNO boasts of a rather original XV century construction complex: Santa Maria della Rotonda has in fact an arcade in front of the presbytery, supported by a column made of "simona" stone. From behind a wooden grill in the arcade the nuns used to watch church functions. The XV-XVI century frescoes are by the Da Cemmo school. For a visit, contact the parish priest, tel. 0364/591506.
Not far from here, the small Santa Giulia church (XV cent.) preserves the Romanesque absidioles and the squat bell tower from the original building. The Medieval Tower near the centre of the town has a square plan, with a roof with two slopes and is on the corner of a wide building.

The Chiesetta dell’Oratorio (or of the Dead) was originally a portico entry to the cemetery where flood victims were buried (1471). The village was destroyed. In following, the walls were raised, recovered with frescoes by the Pietro da Cemmo school.
At the centre of the vault is Christ surrounded by Apostles, Evangelists, Doctors of the Church, Martyrs, Deacons, Confessors, Founders of Orders and Patriarchs. Towards the entry there is a Madonna of Mercy who protects the praying under her mantle. The Universal Judgement unfolds on the left arch of the contrafaçade. On the far wall, there is a Madonna on the Throne and other Saints. On the right wall, an opened window damaged a grand Crucifixion. The church is usually open. For information, contact the parish priest (tel. 0364