Val Camonica (also Valcamonica or Camonica Valley, Eastern Lombard: Al Camònega) 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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
Bienno, recognised as one of the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy
Lovere, also recognised as one of the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy
^""Camonica Valley Rock Art" UNESCO site n.94". www.vallecamonicaunesco.it. Retrieved 2019-02-13.
^Marretta, Alberto (2013). "The abstract mind: Valcamonica complex geometric compositions in the light of new discoveries". XXV Valcamonica Symposium 2013: 343–56.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Val Camonica.
Itinera in Valcamonica (EN)
Italian World Heritage Sites
National museum and archaeological park with Roman theatre and amphitheatre
Valcamonica Rock Art, records and pictures
EuroPreArt, European Prehistoric Art database, 50 Valcamonica rock art records
January 24, 2023
camonica, also, valcamonica, camonica, valley, eastern, lombard, camònega, largest, valleys, central, alps, eastern, lombardy, italy, extends, about, kilometres, from, tonale, pass, corna, trentapassi, commune, pisogne, near, lake, iseo, area, about, note, inh. Val Camonica also Valcamonica or Camonica Valley Eastern Lombard Al Camonega 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 Val CamonicaAl CamonegaVal CamonicaLocation of Val Camonica within the AlpsShow map of AlpsVal CamonicaVal Camonica Lombardy Show map of LombardyVal CamonicaVal Camonica Italy Show map of ItalyFloor elevation1 883 m 6 178 ft Area1 335 km2 515 sq mi GeographyCoordinates46 00 27 N 10 20 51 E 46 00750 N 10 34750 E 46 00750 10 34750 Coordinates 46 00 27 N 10 20 51 E 46 00750 N 10 34750 E 46 00750 10 34750 RiversRiver OglioValle Camonica Alto Sebino Biosphere ReservePaghera Valley and Baitone MountainsLocationLombardy ItalyNearest cityBresciaArea1 355 65 square kilometres 523 42 sq mi Established2018Governing bodyComunita Montana di Valle CamonicaWebsitehttp www cmvallecamonica bs itPosition 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 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 Contents 1 Etymology 2 Geography 2 1 Territory 2 2 Hydrography 3 History 4 Monuments and places of interest 4 1 UNESCO Site 4 2 Medieval villages 4 3 Castles 4 4 Roman city 4 5 Mountain excursions 4 6 Roman Baths 4 7 Museums and theme parks 4 8 Notable sanctuaries and churches 4 9 Winter sports 5 Photo gallery 6 See also 7 Notes 8 References 9 External linksEtymology EditVal Camonica is derived from the Latin Vallis Camunnorum Valley of the Camunni Geography EditThis section does not cite any sources Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Val Camonica news newspapers books scholar JSTOR August 2022 Learn how and when to remove this template message Territory Edit 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 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 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 WestProvince of Sondrio Valtellina Valfurva Trentino Val di Sole Val Rendena Province of Brescia Val Trompia Val Sabbia Lake Iseo Province of Bergamo Val Borlezza Province of Bergamo Val Cavallina Val Seriana Val di Scalve note 3 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 EditVal 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 EditUNESCO Site Edit 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 Anvoia 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 NadroCamonica 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 Edit 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 Edit 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 Mu the Federici bastion in the upper valley of which only the foundations remainRoman city Edit Theatre and Amphitheater at Cividate Camuno Temple of Minerva at BrenoMountain excursions Edit CAI paths in the Parco dell Adamello First World War so called Guerra Bianca in Adamello trench at Vezza d OglioRoman Baths Edit Boario Terme Angolo TermeMuseums and theme parks Edit Parco tematico Archeopark Darfo Boario Terme Museo etnografico del ferro delle arti e tradizioni popolari Bienno Museo Civico Camuno Breno Museo didattico di arte e vita preistorica Capo di Ponte Museo didattico della riserva Nadro Museo archeologico di Valle Camonica Cividate Camuno Mostra museo Camillo Golgi Corteno Golgi Museo etnografico Ossimo Museo parrocchiale d arte sacra Ponte di Legno Museo della Guerra Bianca in Adamello TemuNotable sanctuaries and churches Edit Chiesa di Santa Maria della Neve in Pisogne Chiesa di Sant Antonio in Breno Chiesa di Santa Maria Annunziata in Bienno Santuario del Cristo Re in Bienno Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta in Esine Monastero di San Salvatore in Capo di Ponte Oratorio dei Disciplini in Montecchio Pieve di San Siro in Cemmo Santuario della Via Crucis in Cerveno Sacri Monti Winter sports Edit Winter sports Centers at Ponte di Legno Borno Montecampione Aprica and Val PalotPhoto gallery Edit Concarena Valle Adame Pizzo Badile Camuno Valle Camonica from Breno to north Valle Camonica from Braone to south Valle Camonica from Gorzone Petroglyph from Foppe of Nadro Running Priest dubious discuss in Capo di PonteSee also EditCamunni Rock Drawings in Valcamonica Val Camonica witch trialsNotes Edit Area of the municipalities excluding Val di Scalve Sum of ISTAT data of communes at 31 December 2007 The Val di Scalve is a side valley of Val Camonica but has always been a separate entity both historically and administratively References Edit UNESCO 26 July 2018 Twenty four new sites join UNESCO s World Network of Biosphere Reserves 26 July 2018 Retrieved 1 November 2019 UNESCO Valle Camonica Alto Sebino Biosphere Reserve Italy Retrieved 1 November 2019 Introduzione all arte rupestre della Valcamonica su Archeocamuni it in Italian Retrieved 11 May 2009 Centre UNESCO World Heritage Rock Drawings in Valcamonica UNESCO World Heritage Centre Retrieved 2019 02 13 Rock Drawings in Valcamonica PDF Camonica Valley Rock Art UNESCO site n 94 www vallecamonicaunesco it Retrieved 2019 02 13 Marretta Alberto 2013 The abstract mind Valcamonica complex geometric compositions in the light of new discoveries XXV Valcamonica Symposium 2013 343 56 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Val Camonica Itinera in Valcamonica EN Italian World Heritage Sites National museum and archaeological park with Roman theatre and amphitheatre Valcamonica Rock Art records and pictures EuroPreArt European Prehistoric Art database 50 Valcamonica rock art records Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Val Camonica amp oldid 1105323478, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
