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Coordinates: 46°00′27″N 10°20′51″E / 46.00750°N 10.34750°E / 46.00750; 10.34750
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{{refimprove|date=June 2014}}
{{Infobox valley
{{Infobox valley
| name = Val Camonica
| name = Val Camonica
| embed =
| embed =
| other_name = ''Al Camònega''
| other_name = Valle Camonica<br/>Camonica Valley
| native_name = {{native name|lmo|Al Camònega}}
| photo = Valcamonica fisica.jpg
| photo = Valcamonica fisica.jpg
| photo_size = 235
| photo_size = 235
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| photo_caption =
| photo_caption =
| photo_alt =
| photo_alt =
| map = Alps
| map = Alps#Italy Lombardy#Italy
| map_size =
| map_size =
| map_width =
| map_width =
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| label =
| label =
| label_position =
| label_position =
| coordinates = {{coord|46|00|27|N|10|20|51|E|type:landmark|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| lat_d = 46 | lat_m = 00 | lat_s = 27 | lat_NS = N
| long_d = 10 | long_m = 20 | long_s = 51 | long_EW = E
⚫
| coordinates =
| coordinates_ref =
| coordinates_ref =
| elevation = {{convert|1883|m|ft|abbr=on}} | elevation_m = | elevation_ft =
| elevation = {{convert|1883|m|ft|abbr=on}} | elevation_m = | elevation_ft =
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| length =
| length =
| width =
| width =
| area = {{convert|1335|km2|mi2|abr=on}}
| area = {{convert|1335|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}
| depth =
| depth =
| type =
| type =
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| watercourses = River [[Oglio]]
| watercourses = River [[Oglio]]
| footnotes =
| footnotes =
}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Valle Camonica - Alto Sebino Biosphere Reserve
| iucn_category =
| photo = Val Paghera Gruppo Baitone.jpg
| photo_alt =
| photo_caption = Paghera Valley and Baitone Mountains
| photo_width=
| map =
| relief =
| location = [[Lombardy]], Italy
| nearest_city = [[Brescia]]
⚫
| coordinates =
| area = {{convert|1355.65|sqkm|sqmi}}
| established = 2018
| website = {{website|http://www.cmvallecamonica.bs.it}}
| governing_body = Mountain community of Val Camonica ({{lang|it|Comunità montana di Valle Camonica}})
}}
}}
[[File:Valcamonicaposizione.png|thumb|250px|Position of Val Camonica in [[Lombardy]]]]
[[File:Valcamonicaposizione.png|thumb|250px|Position of Val Camonica in [[Lombardy]]]]
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[[File:Monte Concarena - Val Camonica.jpg|thumb|250px|Mount [[Concarena]]]]
[[File:Monte Concarena - Val Camonica.jpg|thumb|250px|Mount [[Concarena]]]]
[[File:Val Camonica - Galleria delle carte geografiche - Musei Vaticani (Foto Luca Giarelli).JPG|250px|thumb|Map of Val Camonica (16th C., [[The Gallery of Maps]], [[Vatican Museums]])]]
[[File:Val Camonica - Galleria delle carte geografiche - Musei Vaticani (Foto Luca Giarelli).JPG|250px|thumb|Map of Val Camonica (16th C., [[The Gallery of Maps]], [[Vatican Museums]])]]
[[File:Rosa camuna e antropomorfi R24 - Foppe - Nadro (Foto Luca Giarelli).jpg|right|250px|thumb|Rock engravings, [[Nadro]]]]
[[File:Rosa camuna e antropomorfi R24 - Foppe - Nadro (Foto Luca Giarelli).jpg|right|250px|thumb|Rock engravings (an "astronaut" and a [[Camunian rose]]), [[Nadro]]]]
[[File:Anfiteatro romano - Cividate Camuno (Foto Luca Giarelli).jpg|250px|thumb|Roman anphitheater at [[Cividate Camuno]]]]
[[File:Anfiteatro romano - Cividate Camuno (Foto Luca Giarelli).jpg|250px|thumb|Roman anphitheater at [[Cividate Camuno]]]]
[[File:Portale - Pieve di San Siro - Cemmo (Foto Luca Giarelli).jpg|250px|thumb|Portal of the parish church of St Siro, [[Capo di Ponte]]]]
[[File:Portale - Pieve di San Siro - Cemmo (Foto Luca Giarelli).jpg|250px|thumb|Portal of the parish church of St Siro, [[Capo di Ponte]]]]
[[File:Torre Maggiore o Canevali - Castello di Breno (Foto Luca Giarelli).jpg|250px|thumb|The castle at [[Breno]]]]
[[File:Torre Maggiore o Canevali - Castello di Breno (Foto Luca Giarelli).jpg|250px|thumb|The castle at [[Breno, Lombardy|Breno]]]]
[[File:Bienno casatorre1.jpg|250px|thumb|Tower in [[Bienno]]]]
[[File:Bienno casatorre1.jpg|250px|thumb|Tower in [[Bienno]]]]
[[File:Volta della cappella con decollazione di S Giovanni e S. Rocco - Chiesa della SS Trinità - Esine (Foto Luca Giarelli).jpg|250px|thumb|Church of the Holy Trinity, [[Esine]]]]
[[File:Volta della cappella con decollazione di S Giovanni e S. Rocco - Chiesa della SS Trinità - Esine (Foto Luca Giarelli).jpg|250px|thumb|Church of the Holy Trinity, [[Esine]]]]


'''Val Camonica''' (also '''''Valcamonica''''' or '''Camonica Valley''', [[Eastern Lombard dialect|local dialect]]: '''''Al Camònega''''') is one of the largest valleys of the central [[Alps]], in eastern [[Lombardy]], [[Italy]]. It extends about {{convert|90|km|mi}} from the [[Tonale Pass]] to Corna Trentapassi, in the commune of [[Pisogne]] near [[Lake Iseo]]. It has an area of about {{convert|1335|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}<ref group=note>Area of the municipalities, excluding Val di Scalve</ref> and 118,323 inhabitants.<ref group=note>Sum of [[Istituto Nazionale di Statistica|ISTAT]] data of communes at 31 December 2007</ref>
'''Val Camonica''' or '''Valcamonica''' ({{langx|lmo|label=[[Eastern Lombard dialect|Eastern Lombard]]|Al Camònega}}), also '''Valle Camonica''' and anglicized as '''Camonica Valley''', is one of the largest valleys of the central [[Alps]], in eastern [[Lombardy]], [[Italy]]. It extends about {{convert|90|km|mi}} from the [[Tonale Pass]] to Corna Trentapassi, in the commune of [[Pisogne]] near [[Lake Iseo]]. It has an area of about {{convert|1335|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}<ref group=note>Area of the municipalities, excluding Val di Scalve</ref> and 118,323 inhabitants.<ref group=note>Sum of [[Istituto Nazionale di Statistica|ISTAT]] data of communes at 31 December 2007</ref> The River [[Oglio]] runs through its full length, rising at [[Ponte di Legno]] and flowing into Lake Iseo between Pisogne and [[Costa Volpino]].


Almost all of the valley is included in the administrative territory of the [[province of Brescia]], except for [[Lovere]], [[Rogno]], Costa Volpino and the Val di Scalve, which belong to the [[province of Bergamo]]. Since 1979, the [[Rock Drawings in Valcamonica|rock drawings]] located along the valley are a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]], while the entire valley became a UNESCO [[World Biosphere Reserve]] in 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.unesco.org/news/twenty-four-new-sites-join-unesco-s-world-network-biosphere-reserves|title=Twenty-four new sites join UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves 26 July 2018|date=26 July 2018|author=UNESCO|access-date=1 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.geneva.unesco.org/biosphere-reserves/italy/valle-camonica_alto-sebino|title=Valle Camonica – Alto Sebino Biosphere Reserve, Italy|author=UNESCO|access-date=1 November 2019|archive-date=1 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101133214/https://en.geneva.unesco.org/biosphere-reserves/italy/valle-camonica_alto-sebino|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The River [[Oglio]] runs through its full length, rising at [[Ponte di Legno]] and flowing into Lake Iseo between Pisogne and [[Costa Volpino]].

Almost all of the valley is included in the administrative territory of the [[province of Brescia]], except for [[Lovere]], [[Rogno]], Costa Volpino and the Val di Scalve, which belong to the [[province of Bergamo]].


==Etymology==
==Etymology==
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==Geography==
==Geography==
{{Unreferenced section|date=August 2022}}


===Territory===
===Territory===
Val Camonica can be divided into three main areas:
Val Camonica can be divided into three main areas:
# ''Lower Val Camonica'': a flat area of meadows and fields, starting from the shores of [[Lake Iseo]] and extending to the transverse ridge of [[Bienno]], sometimes referred to as the [[Breno]] Threshold.
# ''Lower Val Camonica'': a flat area of meadows and fields, starting from the shores of [[Lake Iseo]] and extending to the transverse ridge of [[Bienno]], sometimes referred to as the [[Breno, Lombardy|Breno]] Threshold.
# ''Middle Val Camonica'': extending from the Breno Threshold to the municipality of [[Sonico, Lombardy|Sonico]] {{endash}} [[Edolo]]. The ''lower middle valley'' extends from Breno to [[Sellero]], while the ''upper middle valley'' starts at the narrow gorge at [[Cedegolo]] and extends to Sonico {{endash}} Edolo.
# ''Middle Val Camonica'': extending from the Breno Threshold to the municipality of [[Sonico, Lombardy|Sonico]] {{endash}} [[Edolo]]. The ''lower middle valley'' extends from Breno to [[Sellero]], while the ''upper middle valley'' starts at the narrow gorge at [[Cedegolo]] and extends to Sonico {{endash}} Edolo.
# ''High Val Camonica'': This part of the valley follows the [[Periadriatic Seam]], and is oriented from east to west. Starting in the Val di Corteno, it continues as to the town of [[Ponte di Legno]] at the top of the valley. Its climate is similar to that of central Valtellina.
# ''High Val Camonica'': This part of the valley follows the [[Periadriatic Seam]], and is oriented from east to west. Starting in the Val di Corteno, it continues as to the town of [[Ponte di Legno]] at the top of the valley. Its climate is similar to that of central Valtellina.
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{| class="wikitable" border="1"
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|- bgcolor="#EFEFEF"
|- bgcolor="#efefef"
| align="center" | North
| align="center" | North
| align="center" |East
| align="center" |East
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==History==
==History==
Val Camonica likely became habitable only around 15,000 years ago, at the end of last [[Ice Age]], with the melting of the [[glacier]] that first carved out the valley. It is likely that the first humans visited the valley in [[epipaleolithic]] times, and appear to have settled by the [[Neolithic]] period. When the [[Ancient Romans]] extended their dominions north of the [[River Po]], they encountered a people called the [[Camunni]], of unknown origin, populating the valley. About [[Rock Drawings in Valcamonica|300,000 petroglyphs]] survive from this period. By the end of the first century BC, the Valle Camonica was ruled by [[Ancient Rome]], which established the city of [[Cividate Camuno]], with baths, an amphitheater and a large temple dedicated to [[Minerva]].
Val Camonica likely became habitable only around 15,000 years ago, at the end of [[Last Glacial Period|last ice age]], with the melting of the [[glacier]] that first carved out the valley. It is likely that the first humans visited the valley in [[epipaleolithic]] times, and appear to have settled by the [[Neolithic]] period. When the [[Ancient Romans]] extended their dominions north of the [[River Po]], they encountered a people called the [[Camunni]], who were a Rhaetian tribe, populating the valley. About [[Rock Drawings in Valcamonica|300,000 petroglyphs]] survive from this period. By the end of the first century BC, the Valle Camonica was ruled by [[Ancient Rome]], which established the city of [[Cividate Camuno]], with baths, an amphitheater and a large temple dedicated to [[Minerva]].


During the [[Middle Ages]], numerous clashes between the [[Guelphs and Ghibellines]] took place in this region. The Guelphs supported the power of the Bishop of Brescia and the papacy, while the Ghibellines sided with the [[Holy Roman Emperor]]. In 1287 the Val Camonica rebelled against control by [[Brescia]] and sided with the [[House of Visconti|Visconti]], lords of [[Milan]], who extended their control over the area during the 14th century. From 1427 to 1454 there were numerous battles between [[Milan]] and the [[Republic of Venice]] for the control of the valley. Ultimately the valley came under the control of Venice. During the following centuries, the civilian population grew and engaged in the iron trade.
During the [[Middle Ages]], numerous clashes between the [[Guelphs and Ghibellines]] took place in this region. The Guelphs supported the power of the Bishop of Brescia and the papacy, while the Ghibellines sided with the [[Holy Roman Emperor]]. In 1287 the Val Camonica rebelled against control by [[Brescia]] and sided with the [[Visconti of Milan|Visconti]], lords of [[Milan]], who extended their control over the area during the 14th century. From 1427 to 1454 there were [[Wars in Lombardy|numerous battles]] between the [[Duchy of Milan]] and the [[Republic of Venice]] for the control of the valley. Ultimately the valley came under the control of Venice. During the following centuries, the civilian population grew and engaged in the iron trade.


Val Camonica was separated from Venice after Venice was conquered by [[Napoleon]] in 1797. After the deposition of Napoleon, the area was controlled by the [[Austro-Hungarian Empire]]. In 1859, Val Camonica was annexed to the [[Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946)|Kingdom of Italy]]. During World War I battle lines stretched along its eastern border, across the [[Adamello Group]]. The battles fought in this area are known as the White War in the Adamello.
Val Camonica was separated from Venice after Venice [[Fall of the Republic of Venice|was conquered]] by [[Napoleon]] in 1797. After the deposition of Napoleon, the area was controlled by the [[Austro-Hungarian Empire]]. In 1859, Val Camonica was annexed to the [[Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946)|Kingdom of Italy]]. During World War I battle lines stretched along its eastern border, across the [[Adamello Group]]. The battles fought in this area are known as the White War in the Adamello.


In 1955, the National Park of Naquane stone carvings at [[Capo di Ponte]] was created by the Archaeological Administration of [[Lombardy]].
In 1955, the National Park of Naquane stone carvings at [[Capo di Ponte]] was created by the Archaeological Administration of [[Lombardy]].
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===UNESCO Site===
===UNESCO Site===
{{further|Rock Drawings in Valcamonica}}
{{Further|Rock Drawings in Valcamonica}}
Val Camonica is home to the greatest complex of rock drawings in [[Europe]], containing approximately 300,000 petroglyphs<ref name=archeointro>{{cite web|url=http://www.archeocamuni.it/arte_rupestre.html|title=''Introduzione all'arte rupestre della Valcamonica'' su Archeocamuni.it|accessdate=11 May 2009|language=Italian}}</ref> from the [[epipaleolithic]] era to the [[middle ages]].
Val Camonica is home to the greatest complex of rock drawings in [[Europe]], containing approximately 300,000 petroglyphs<ref name=archeointro>{{cite web|url=http://www.archeocamuni.it/arte_rupestre.html|title=''Introduzione all'arte rupestre della Valcamonica'' su Archeocamuni.it|access-date=11 May 2009|language=it}}</ref> from the [[epipaleolithic]] era to the [[Middle Ages]].
* Parco nazionale delle incisioni rupestri di Naquane in [[Capo di Ponte]]
* Parco nazionale delle incisioni rupestri di Naquane in [[Capo di Ponte]]
* Parco archeologico nazionale dei massi di Cemmo
* Parco archeologico nazionale dei massi di Cemmo
* Parco archeologico comunale di Seradina-Bedolina in [[Capo di Ponte]]
* Parco archeologico comunale di Seradina-Bedolina in Capo di Ponte
* Parco archeologico di Asinino-Anvòia in [[Ossimo]]
* Parco archeologico di Asinino-Anvòia in [[Ossimo]]
* Parco archeologico comunale di Luine in [[Darfo Boario Terme]]
* Parco archeologico comunale di Luine in [[Darfo Boario Terme]]
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* Parco archeologico comunale di Sonico
* Parco archeologico comunale di Sonico
* Riserva naturale Incisioni rupestri di Ceto, Cimbergo e Paspardo in [[Nadro]]
* Riserva naturale Incisioni rupestri di Ceto, Cimbergo e Paspardo in [[Nadro]]

Camonica was the first site in Italy included in UNESCO’s [[World Heritage Site|World Heritage list]] in 1979 because of its unique symbols and more than 140,000 figures carved along 8,000 years on rocks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/94/|title=Rock Drawings in Valcamonica|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en|access-date=2019-02-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://users.auth.gr/~christar/assets/iaeg16/files/pdf/Italy/Rockdrawing_valcamonica.pdf|title=Rock Drawings in Valcamonica|date=5 February 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vallecamonicaunesco.it/?lang=en&|title="Camonica Valley Rock Art" UNESCO site n.94|website=www.vallecamonicaunesco.it|access-date=2019-02-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Marretta|first=Alberto|date=2013|title=The abstract mind: Valcamonica complex geometric compositions in the light of new discoveries|url=https://www.academia.edu/4624338|journal=XXV Valcamonica Symposium 2013|pages=343–56}}</ref>


===Medieval villages===
===Medieval villages===
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===Roman city===
===Roman city===
* Theatre and Anphitheater at [[Cividate Camuno]]
* Theatre and Amphitheater at [[Cividate Camuno]]
* [[Temple of Minerva]] at [[Breno]]
* Temple of Minerva at [[Breno, Lombardy|Breno]]


===Mountain excursions===
===Mountain excursions===
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* Parco tematico ''Archeopark'', [[Darfo Boario Terme]]
* Parco tematico ''Archeopark'', [[Darfo Boario Terme]]
* Museo etnografico del ferro, delle arti e tradizioni popolari, [[Bienno]]
* Museo etnografico del ferro, delle arti e tradizioni popolari, [[Bienno]]
* Museo Civico Camuno, [[Breno]]
* Museo Civico Camuno, [[Breno, Lombardy|Breno]]
* Museo didattico di arte e vita preistorica, [[Capo di Ponte]]
* Museo didattico di arte e vita preistorica, [[Capo di Ponte]]
* Museo didattico della riserva, [[Nadro]]
* Museo didattico della riserva, [[Nadro]]
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===Notable sanctuaries and churches===
===Notable sanctuaries and churches===
* Chiesa di Santa Maria della Neve in [[Pisogne]]
* Chiesa di Santa Maria della Neve in [[Pisogne]]
* Chiesa di Sant'Antonio in [[Breno]]
* Chiesa di Sant'Antonio in [[Breno, Lombardy|Breno]]
* Chiesa di Santa Maria Annunziata in [[Bienno]]
* Chiesa di Santa Maria Annunziata in [[Bienno]]
* Santuario del Cristo Re in [[Bienno]]
* Santuario del Cristo Re in [[Bienno]]
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Image:Panorama Valle Adamè - Saviore dell'Adamello (Foto Luca Giarelli).jpg|Valle Adamé
Image:Panorama Valle Adamè - Saviore dell'Adamello (Foto Luca Giarelli).jpg|Valle Adamé
Image:Monte Pizzo Badile - Val Camonica.jpg|Pizzo Badile Camuno
Image:Monte Pizzo Badile - Val Camonica.jpg|Pizzo Badile Camuno
Image:Valle Camonica da Breno.jpg|Valle Camonica from [[Breno]] to north
Image:Valle Camonica da Breno.jpg|Valle Camonica from [[Breno, Lombardy|Breno]] to north
Image:Valcamonica da braone.jpg|Valle Camonica from [[Braone]] to south
Image:Valcamonica da braone.jpg|Valle Camonica from [[Braone]] to south
Image:Panorama della Valle Camonica e Gruppo dell'Adamello da Gorzone - Darfo Boario Terme (Foto Luca Giarelli).jpg|Valle Camonica from Gorzone
Image:Panorama della Valle Camonica e Gruppo dell'Adamello da Gorzone - Darfo Boario Terme (Foto Luca Giarelli).jpg|Valle Camonica from Gorzone
Image:Scena_di_duello_R6_-_Foppe_-_Nadro_(Foto_Luca_Giarelli).jpg|[[Petroglyph]] from Foppe of [[Nadro]]
Image:Scena_di_duello_R6_-_Foppe_-_Nadro_(Foto_Luca_Giarelli).jpg|[[Petroglyph]] from Foppe of [[Nadro]]
Image:Arte Rupestre Valcamonica Sacerdote.jpg|Running Priest{{dubious|date=June 2014}} in [[Capo di Ponte]]
Image:Figura che corre - R 35 - Parco di Naquane - Capo di Ponte.jpg|Running Priest{{dubious|date=June 2014}} in [[Capo di Ponte]]
</gallery></div>
</gallery></div>


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==Notes==
==Notes==
{{reflist|2|group=note}}
{{Reflist|2|group=note}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{Reflist|2}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons|Val Camonica}}
{{commons|Val Camonica}}
* [http://www.voli.bs.it/itinera/Cd/english/Default.htm Itinera in Valcamonica (EN)]
* [http://www.voli.bs.it/itinera/Cd/english/Default.htm Itinera in Valcamonica (EN)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328121549/http://www.voli.bs.it/itinera/Cd/english/Default.htm |date=2010-03-28 }}
* [http://www.sitiunesco.it/index.phtml?id=593 Italian World Heritage Sites]
* [http://www.sitiunesco.it/index.phtml?id=593 Italian World Heritage Sites] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051102043818/http://www.sitiunesco.it/index.phtml?id=593 |date=2005-11-02 }}
* [http://www.civitascamunnorum.com National museum and archaeological park with Roman theatre and amphitheatre]
* [http://www.civitascamunnorum.com National museum and archaeological park with Roman theatre and amphitheatre]
* [http://www.rupestre.net/alps/valcamonica.html Valcamonica Rock Art, records and pictures]
* [http://www.rupestre.net/alps/valcamonica.html Valcamonica Rock Art, records and pictures]
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{{Lago d'Iseo}}
{{Lago d'Iseo}}
{{World Heritage Sites in Italy}}
{{World Heritage Sites in Italy}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Archaeological sites in Italy]]
[[Category:Archaeological sites in Italy]]
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[[Category:Province of Brescia]]
[[Category:Province of Brescia]]
[[Category:Valleys of the Alps]]
[[Category:Valleys of the Alps]]
[[Category:Valleys of Italy]]
[[Category:Valleys of Lombardy|Camonica]]
[[Category:Valleys of Lombardy]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in Italy]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in Italy]]
[[Category:Biosphere reserves of Italy]]

Latest revision as of 05:16, 1 November 2024

Val Camonica
Valle Camonica
Camonica Valley
Val Camonica is located in Alps
Val Camonica
Val Camonica
Location of Val Camonica within the Alps
Val Camonica is located in Lombardy
Val Camonica
Val Camonica
Val Camonica (Lombardy)
Val Camonica is located in Italy
Val Camonica
Val Camonica
Val Camonica (Italy)
Floor elevation1,883 m (6,178 ft)
Area1,335 km2 (515 sq mi)
Naming
Native nameAl Camònega (Lombard)
Geography
Coordinates46°00′27″N 10°20′51″E / 46.00750°N 10.34750°E / 46.00750; 10.34750 
RiversRiver Oglio
Valle Camonica - Alto Sebino Biosphere Reserve
Paghera Valley and Baitone Mountains
Map
LocationLombardy, Italy
Nearest cityBrescia
Area1,355.65 square kilometres (523.42 sq mi)
Established2018
Governing bodyMountain community of Val Camonica (Comunità montana di Valle Camonica)
Websitewww.cmvallecamonica.bs.it
Position of Val Camonica in Lombardy
Flag of Val Camonica
Mount Concarena
Map of Val Camonica (16th C., The Gallery of Maps, Vatican Museums)
Rock engravings (an "astronaut" and a Camunian rose), Nadro
Roman anphitheater at Cividate Camuno
Portal of the parish church of St Siro, Capo di Ponte
The castle at Breno
Tower in Bienno
Church of the Holy Trinity, Esine

Val Camonica or Valcamonica (Eastern Lombard: Al Camònega), also Valle Camonica and anglicized as Camonica Valley, is one of the largest valleys of the central Alps, in eastern Lombardy, Italy. It extends about 90 kilometres (56 mi) from the Tonale Pass to Corna Trentapassi, in the commune of Pisogne near Lake Iseo. It has an area of about 1,335 km2 (515 sq mi)[note 1] and 118,323 inhabitants.[note 2] The River Oglio runs through its full length, rising at Ponte di Legno and flowing into Lake Iseo between Pisogne and Costa Volpino.

Almost all of the valley is included in the administrative territory of the province of Brescia, except for Lovere, Rogno, Costa Volpino and the Val di Scalve, which belong to the province of Bergamo. Since 1979, the rock drawings located along the valley are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while the entire valley became a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in 2018.[1][2]

Etymology

[edit]

Val Camonica is derived from the Latin Vallis Camunnorum, "Valley of the Camunni."

Geography

[edit]

Territory

[edit]

Val Camonica can be divided into three main areas:

  1. Lower Val Camonica: a flat area of meadows and fields, starting from the shores of Lake Iseo and extending to the transverse ridge of Bienno, sometimes referred to as the Breno Threshold.
  2. Middle Val Camonica: extending from the Breno Threshold to the municipality of Sonico – Edolo. The lower middle valley extends from Breno to Sellero, while the upper middle valley starts at the narrow gorge at Cedegolo and extends to Sonico – Edolo.
  3. High Val Camonica: This part of the valley follows the Periadriatic Seam, and is oriented from east to west. Starting in the Val di Corteno, it continues as to the town of Ponte di Legno at the top of the valley. Its climate is similar to that of central Valtellina.

The valley is bounded by these borders:

North East South West

Hydrography

[edit]

Val Camonica is traversed by the River Oglio, the fifth longest river in Italy, which rises at Ponte di Legno from the confluence of the Frigidolfo and Narcanello rivers. It flows into Lake Iseo between the municipalities of Pisogne and Costa Volpino.

Numerous streams, some of them seasonal, descend from the mountainsides and flow into the Oglio.

At high altitude there are many alpine lakes, including Lago Moro, as well as many artificial reservoirs, such as the Lago d'Arno.

History

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Val Camonica likely became habitable only around 15,000 years ago, at the end of last ice age, with the melting of the glacier that first carved out the valley. It is likely that the first humans visited the valley in epipaleolithic times, and appear to have settled by the Neolithic period. When the Ancient Romans extended their dominions north of the River Po, they encountered a people called the Camunni, who were a Rhaetian tribe, populating the valley. About 300,000 petroglyphs survive from this period. By the end of the first century BC, the Valle Camonica was ruled by Ancient Rome, which established the city of Cividate Camuno, with baths, an amphitheater and a large temple dedicated to Minerva.

During the Middle Ages, numerous clashes between the Guelphs and Ghibellines took place in this region. The Guelphs supported the power of the Bishop of Brescia and the papacy, while the Ghibellines sided with the Holy Roman Emperor. In 1287 the Val Camonica rebelled against control by Brescia and sided with the Visconti, lords of Milan, who extended their control over the area during the 14th century. From 1427 to 1454 there were numerous battles between the Duchy of Milan and the Republic of Venice for the control of the valley. Ultimately the valley came under the control of Venice. During the following centuries, the civilian population grew and engaged in the iron trade.

Val Camonica was separated from Venice after Venice was conquered by Napoleon in 1797. After the deposition of Napoleon, the area was controlled by the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In 1859, Val Camonica was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy. During World War I battle lines stretched along its eastern border, across the Adamello Group. The battles fought in this area are known as the White War in the Adamello.

In 1955, the National Park of Naquane stone carvings at Capo di Ponte was created by the Archaeological Administration of Lombardy.

Monuments and places of interest

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UNESCO Site

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Further information: Rock Drawings in Valcamonica

Val Camonica is home to the greatest complex of rock drawings in Europe, containing approximately 300,000 petroglyphs[3] from the epipaleolithic era to the Middle Ages.

  • Parco nazionale delle incisioni rupestri di Naquane in Capo di Ponte
  • Parco archeologico nazionale dei massi di Cemmo
  • Parco archeologico comunale di Seradina-Bedolina in Capo di Ponte
  • Parco archeologico di Asinino-Anvòia in Ossimo
  • Parco archeologico comunale di Luine in Darfo Boario Terme
  • Parco archeologico comunale di Sellero
  • Parco archeologico comunale di Sonico
  • Riserva naturale Incisioni rupestri di Ceto, Cimbergo e Paspardo in Nadro

Camonica was the first site in Italy included in UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 1979 because of its unique symbols and more than 140,000 figures carved along 8,000 years on rocks.[4][5][6][7]

Medieval villages

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  • Bienno, recognised as one of the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy
  • Lovere, also recognised as one of the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy
  • Pescarzo (Capo di Ponte), a characteristic small town.

Castles

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  • Castle of Breno, the largest castle in Val Camonica
  • Castle of Gorzone, home of the Federici family, standing on a small hill next to the Dezzo torrent
  • Castle of Cimbergo, in the valley of the Re, dominates the middle Valley
  • Castle of Lozio, the fortress where the Lozio Massacre occurred
  • Castle of Mù, the Federici bastion in the upper valley, of which only the foundations remain

Roman city

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Mountain excursions

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  • CAI paths in the Parco dell'Adamello
  • First World War (so-called "Guerra Bianca in Adamello") trench at Vezza d'Oglio

Roman Baths

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Museums and theme parks

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Notable sanctuaries and churches

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Winter sports

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See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Area of the municipalities, excluding Val di Scalve
  2. ^ Sum of ISTAT data of communes at 31 December 2007
  3. ^ The Val di Scalve is a side valley of Val Camonica, but has always been a separate entity both historically and administratively.

References

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  1. ^ UNESCO (26 July 2018). "Twenty-four new sites join UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves 26 July 2018". Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  2. ^ UNESCO. "Valle Camonica – Alto Sebino Biosphere Reserve, Italy". Archived from the original on 1 November 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  3. ^ "Introduzione all'arte rupestre della Valcamonica su Archeocamuni.it" (in Italian). Retrieved 11 May 2009.
  4. ^ "Rock Drawings in Valcamonica". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 2019-02-13.
  5. ^ "Rock Drawings in Valcamonica" (PDF). 5 February 2024.
  6. ^ ""Camonica Valley Rock Art" UNESCO site n.94". www.vallecamonicaunesco.it. Retrieved 2019-02-13.
  7. ^ Marretta, Alberto (2013). "The abstract mind: Valcamonica complex geometric compositions in the light of new discoveries". XXV Valcamonica Symposium 2013: 343–56.
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