VILLA DI TIRANO

The historic town of Villa di Tirano, characterised by its division into many quarters, has many different buildings that show the importance that this locality had in the past. In fact, walking around the centre of the town it is possible to recognise from some elegant entrances, towers that loom over some buildings and the 14 th century style bell tower of the church, the ancient nobility of the village. Amongst the main constructions of the Beltramelli quarter we can include a sixteenth century house owned by the parish church, the fifteenth century Mascioni House with two rows of columns and, behind this, the ancient Castagna House, where, according to tradition once hosted the archbishop of Milan, San Carlo Borromeo, during his historic visit to the nearby Sanctuary of the Madonna of Tirano on the 27 th August, 1580. Not far from here, on the slopes of the Rheatian Alps, sits the little church of St Perpetua from which you have a wide view both up and down the valley. Continuing towards the centre of the town, one can note the facade of the Lambertenghi House, decorated with its coat-of-arms, just before reaching the main square characterised by the Church parish buildings, the council building (ex Palazzo Torelli) as well as the other new construction that actually hosts the town pharmacy and the Council auditorium. Going towards Bianzone you arrive at the Saint Antonio quarter, which is of special interest, to then reach, further ahead, the church of St. Martino where you find a small ossuary in the churchyard. The Besta Palazzo, St Siro church and the Sanctuary of the Madonna of the Plain characterises the outskirts of Bianzone. Here, we find the vineyard “ La Gatta ” a particularly, popular destination for wine tasters. Of particular interest is the suburb of Stazzona, possibly the most ancient of the town (the name and a tombstone found in the district prove its Roman origins). Even here, you will find the parish church with its very interesting frescoes together with other noble houses and the famous bridge ‘Ponte di Sasso'. At a short distance, using the local highway, you can reach the site of the Protected Area of the Eco Observatory – Aprica Alpine Fauna, the Nature Reserve of Pian di Gembro, and the Saint Antonio valleys, all in the Valtellina Orobian Alps Park . Of practical interest is the location of a Wine Co-operative Cellar and Fruit Co-operative, near the Bed and Breakfast. Here, it is possible to taste and buy local products, which are the highlight of the breakfast that will be served during your stay. The Apple Festival, that usually takes place around mid October of every year and attracts large numbers of visitors from all over, represents the maximum valuation of the typical local products. With regard to more recreative, additional cultural activities, you can count on the possibility of using the golf courses at Bormio and Caiolo, and the bicycle paths around Sondrio, Bormio or the local one, that takes you from Villa di Tirano up to Grosio, for the major part going along the Adda river. For who wants to challenge themselves to a longer bike route, we can recommend the Engadina bike paths that can be reached using the “Trenino Rosso” (Lugano-Tirano- St. Moritz – Chur). This trip, alone, guarantees a journey with an incline of 70% up to the altitude of 2253m, something unique in Europe .