Sightseeing in Aprica

A simple walk to get to know Aprica. Start from the Aprica Infopoint, go down Corso Roma until the town square, named in honour of the sculptor Mario Negri. You'll find his statue "Il Sole-Gruppo di Famiglia" next to the main entrance of the Town Hall.

Continue along Corso Roma until the “Scarpù Uècc” Ski Museum, with its fascinating array of skis and equipment, from the late 19th century to the present day. Inside the museum you'll find a wooden display case carved by the sculptor Andrea Fanchi, the Alpenstock of Pope Wojtyla donated by the alpinist Lino Zani to the curator of the exhibition, Elio Negri.

Pass Stella Alpina Residence, turn right and go up a dirt road that leads to “Castelli” area, with its natural climbing wall, perfect for anyone looking to try their hand at this sport.

The road continues to contrada Dosso, the highest in Aprica, where you can admire wall paintings by the artist Alcide Pancot, inspired by alpine flora. Go past the fountain, the mid-point of this contrada, continue into Via Panoramica, with a view on most of the town; you will reach the SS. Pietro e Paolo Church and the Maria Ausiliatrice Sanctuary. The church was erected in the 13th century and despite numerous renovations and extensions over the years, still features a triple nave structure, separated by columns inside, where you can admire two precious canvasses set in wooden ancons. The Oratory of the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament, where you can observe a statue dedicated to the Madonna of S. Rosario di Pompei, stands next to the ancient church.

The Maria Ausiliatrice sanctuary, designed by engineer Damiano Cattaneo and architect Piero Boccone, was consecrated in 1999 by Bishop Monsignor Alessandro Maggiolini and houses two fascinating works: an imposing crucifix above the altar by Giuliano Collina, and an image of the Madonna dei Salesiani on the right wall of the sanctuary, by the same artist. The large organ was built by the German company Sattel in 1955 and was originally installed in the parish church of Schifferstadt, Speyer (Germany). In order to make room for a new mechanical transmission instrument, in 1998 it was dismantled by the company "Vleugels Orgelmanufacktur" of Hardheim, which also saw to its technical inspection and installation in this new church in Aprica.

We now cross Corso Roma into Via Tonale as we enter contrada San Pietro, where the first xenodochium was erected in around the year 1000, a hospice for wayfarers, hence the name of this contrada: Ospitale, meaning hospitable. A short detour on the left, close to the first fountain, gives us the chance to observe the boundary stone which in ancient times marked the border between the provinces of Sondrio and Bergamo and not, as today, Brescia.

Go down Via Tonale and you will notice wall paintings along the entire contrada, by Alcide Pancot, inspired by alpine fauna.

Continue along Via Ospitale as far as le Lische spot, where the fitness trail begins, an itinerary with equipment for outdoor training and exercises suitable for all levels of fitness. This path leads to panoramic views of Aprica, before descending on the right towards the starting point of the Magnolta gondola, the public swimming pool and sports centre.

Take Via Magnolta to the left, go past the Aprica stream then down Via Clef. This road leads towards contrada Santa Maria and gives us the chance to observe beautiful views of the mid-low Valtellina valley. We now come to the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, remembered by Bishop Niguarda in 1589 and parish church since 1907. A sumptuous baroque gate dating back to 1778 leads into the single nave church, where you can admire the frescoes of Turildo Conconi. As you visit the contrada, you can admire the wall paintings on the story and traditions of Aprica, by Alcide Pancot.

Pass the bridge and turn left into Via Italia; past the ascent along the stream, we now come to the recently restored mill Mulino dei Plaz.

Continue along Via Italia towards contrada Mavigna; pass the crossing with Via Magnolta and continue along Via Europa, where we come to piazza Palabione. The monument to the fallen of the two World Wars stands in the centre, with bronze works by the sculptor Livio Benetti.

Go up Via Adamello until the Campetti ski area, home to a practice golf pitch in summer.

Turn left into Via Stella Alpina, up to the football pitch, and as you continue on the left you come across Piazza delle sei contrade on your left, where our walk ends.