Mountain tourist resort, disposed pictorially on the northern part of Valle Sabbia; boundary with Trento’s province (east), Valcamonica and Valtrompia (west), connected to them with the Crocedomini’s and Maniva’s Pass. Dominated by Blumone’s Peak, magnificent monument of the Adamello’s group. The territories of Bagolino, dominating also Ponte Caffaro is crossed by the homonymous river, born in the Pass and downwards Gaver’s basin alternating with rafts and fake planes, after about 16 km reaches the town, shortly after, turning abruptly at Prada’s Bridge enters Pian d’Oneda arriving to Chiese’s River, few meters away from Idro’s Lake.

Bagolino, anciently structured in the typical up side down “s” shape, is articulated in the two districts of Osnà and Cavril. It’s disposal is typical of the Middle Ages, houses of notable height, lent one against the other with decorating and architectural elements of a certain importance: porches, underpasses, small terraces, balconies, wrought iron gates, frescoes, wooden lofts and terracotta roof tiles, hardly ever with slate “scàe”. The “piastroi” streets that go across the town are narrow, stone made, mostly with several small steps that take to the higher part of the town. Overlooked by the monumental S. Giorgio’s Cathedral.

Porches do not miss, with characteristic arches, make the town of particular attraction, almost magic. Via Portici is gorgeous, in the past this was the main street where commerce developed, nowadays it hosts private houses.

Nowadays, Bagolino is presented as an isolated centre, to be reached on purpose, away from the main communication streets. Yet, its origins are due the viability. During the whole roman times and high middle ages to go to Brescia and Trento, as Pian d’Oneda was impossible to transit due its wetlands, passers by had to ascend Caffaro’s Valley following the river and at a safe point cross same from Riccomassimo and descend in Lodrone. On XI A.C., Augusto made built the Gaver’s road to beat the blames in Breno and dividing in two Valle Camonica.

At the junction, created due traffic needs, some houses were raised, a small village named Pagulinus. Around the year 1000, some residents in Condino to set them free from the rigid slavery of Counts of Lodron moved to Bagolino and founded a free neighbourhood with it’s own rules. To keep their autonomy, Bagolino decided to be politically linked to the Venetian Republic, but remained ecclesiastically linked to the prince – bishop of Trento. The geographic position was very helpful, in the Bagolino’s territories there are three passes: Croce Domini, Maniva and Berga, that communicate with the respective brescian valleys: Valle Camonica, Valle Trompia and Valle Sabbia, therefore strategically important.

The iron mines of Collio and S. Colombano, the beech wood richness to produce the best coal, the abundant water from the Caffaro’s allowed a melting oven construction which turned out to be together with the cheese production the main activities assuring the Bagolino residents a high level of living.

It was maybe due the work possibilities and the freedom, that Bagolino was after Brescia and Chiari, the most populated brescian town and enjoyed privileges and considerable prestige. Testimony such glorious past, are the numerous art masterpieces present on its churches (public buildings by excellence for a free and independent community).

Standing out due its magnificent the church of S. Giorgio (third on size on the brescian territory), jewel case of the masterpieces of renamed masters: Tiziano, Tintoretto, Young Palma, Torbido, Sandrini, Lucchese. Besides the church, in a recent architectural view (1926, there is the church of S. Lorenzo, ancient cemetery chapel, first religious bulding of Bagolino. Complete and interesting the church of S. Rocco, due the cycle of frescoes by Giovanni Pietro di Cemmo (performed among 1483 – 1486) an example of Lombard painting that goes thru international Gothic to renaissance.
Catching the eye, the small church of the Saints Gervasio and Protasio that from the heights of the mountain sentinels the town. The building is dated to the half of the XVI century.
Bagolino has a notable quantity of frescoes extended in houses and dairy farms. Were performed as a form of protection against sickness and calamities, or devoted to Saints statues erected at street or path junction. The more important the junction was, the richer the saint statue. Interesting and worthy examples are: Cavra dairy farm, Curlo with Da Cemmo fresco and the Poor Souls.

Who likes mountain biking, Bagolino offers several trails around Gaver. For the climber, the town offers medium difficulty gym. Due the presence of the several streams and mountain lakes besides hosting trout fish, along the Caffaro’s river it is possible to practice rafting. Recommended season is the period from mid April to October. Thanks to it’s woods, Bagolino is a desired destination for the mushrooms searchers.

Besides sports related to nature, the town offers several structures such as: tennis, football, volleyball and bowl courts. Tourism in Bagolino is not only during the summer season. In winter, it is possible to ski downhill and cross country ski as well as mountaineering. Going down to the Valley, arrival to Idro’s Lake, reign of the water sports lovers: swimming, windsurf, sailing, fishing and kayak.

There are several trails for trekking in Bagolino, varying in difficult and length, taking us thru landscapes always different and marvellous. Here, a list of trails with corresponding number, but you can enjoy and choose the one you find more fascinating:

About 10 km farther from Bagolino’s town, along a road that embraces the mountain, the town of Maniva can be reached, real paradise for mountain, relax and nature’s lovers. Here we find the typical chalets or Bagolino’s malga. During winter time, Maniva offers the visitor the chance to ski while admiring such suggestive landscape.

8 km away from Bagolino, on the street that takes to Gaver, we find Valle Dorizzo, small mountain centre crossed by the waters of Caffaro’s river in a picturesque green scenery and thick woods. Fishing and canoeing may be practised here. During the warm season, it’s the departure gate of several excursions among the mountains, healthy walks in the pine forest that guarantee a pleasant stay in search of nature and tranquillity. During winter season, it is possible to ski downhill and rent ski, for non skiers it is possible to ice skate.

During the months of July and August, the shuttle service Ponte Caffaro - Bagolino – Valle Dorizzo – Gaver begins and several evening entertainments are organized.

Climbing further on, arrival to Gaver, renamed ski resort, able to offer the best ski slops and cross country ski trails as well as several ski lifts.

(Text have been taken from the booklet “Bagolino, a town to discover”)