La Madonna della
Ceriola On Montisola, the large lake island towering in the center of Lake Iseo, tourists love to visit the Sanctuary of the Virgin Mary perched on the very top of the mountain. |
The Sanctuary, called Madonna della
Ceriola, is a Fifth Century Church founded by Bishop Vigilio of Brescia, the
saint who converted the majority of Celtic population of the area of Lake Iseo
(then called Sebino) to Christianity. The church was built upon the ruins of a
pagan temple dedicated to the Mother Goddess. |
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From Villa La Briciola, reach the lake shore village of
Sulzano 1.5 km and take the water taxi (Traghetto – it runs about every hour)
across the lake to Peschiera Maraglio the Fishermen’s Village you see from Villa
La Briciola Upper Terrace. Two roads lead first to Senzano, then Cure and the
Sanctuary. The walk takes about four hours, the reward is a breathtaking view of
the entire lake and a plunge into the past….. |
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Santa Maria del
Giogo Santa Maria del Giogo is a medieval church also built on the site of a pagan Celtic temple. |
Located at an altitude of about 1000
mts above sea level, the site is reacheable by following the road (Ancient
Valerian Road - Antica Strada Valeriana) that from Villa La Briciola leads to
the top of the mountain. |
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Near the mountain top, besides another breathtaking
view that spans the Valley of Sebino (the Lake) and the Valtrompia tourists find
an ideal picnic site or , for the less adventurous the Trattoria Santa Maria
with a great selection of typical dishes to taste or, my personal favorite:
"bread and the local salami" |
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Iseo Iseo is one of the largest lake shore villages. Just 5 miles from Villa La Briciola, Iseo offers sightseeing, shopping, lake shore restaurants and the typical Friday Morning Open Market (Il Mercato), a true fun experience for any Italy Vacation... |