Once upon a time...
Industry speaks Bergamascan
This is an industrial centre positioned at the mouth of the River Oglio on the Iseo Lake. In the 10th century it acquired notoriety for its continuous fight to defend itself from invasion by the Hungarians. During this period many notable defensive structures and forts were erected.One can say that the town is divided in two distinct zones: one is consists of areas of beautiful flora and fauna where in summer it is easy to find fishermen alongside people sunbathing. The other consists of the mountains behind where following a pine tree lined path one arrives at the renowned Magnolini Mountain Retreat from which one can admire the lake from above. There are 5 districts which divide the town. Branico is where one can find the San Bartolomeo e Gottardo Church with recently discovered frescoes. Ceratello, situated in an area of dominance with respect to the other districts, and thus is graced with a medieval castle and where many tourists visit every year. Corti, taking its name from the latin Curtis, and in fact in the medieval era it was in fact a court whilst nowadays it is a small borough with characteristic religious artifacts. Fraccanico is a borough that dates back to the Roman empire and has always been inhabited just by shepherds and agriculturists, only recently becoming more populated. Piano is the lowest lying district set on a plain embedded next to the River Oglio. Qualino, where in this district can be found the Sant. Ambrogio Church embellished with paintings dedicated to the numerous Saints as well as a Serassi Organ. Volpino is a district with Roman origins, where its name heralds from the wolves that were present in the area in historical times. Within this district with its medieval structures the Santo Stefano Church can be found, known for its paintings which are of particular merit. This area is rich in Volpinite, a particular type of chalk, which makes the community known world-wide.
