Trekking
2:20 h
5.87 km
472 m
10 m
ModerateGreen Communities are coordinated and associated local communities that aim to jointly implement development plans that are sustainable from an energy, environmental, economic, and social perspective.
They seek to build vibrant communities to "walk together," considering a broadly geographic territory with multiple adhering areas to define a process of territorial regeneration, not only environmental but also social and economic, which addresses the various crises of the mountains (climatic, economic, social), combating depopulation, abandonment, and desertification.
The territorial scope identified for the establishment of the "ValGreen" Green Community consists of eleven municipalities of the Valtellina Mountain Community mandate in Morbegno, created to start a virtuous process of land management and sustainable tourism development. The consortium entity with the contiguous municipalities of Cercino, Cino, Civo, Dubino, Forcola, Mantello, Mello, Morbegno, Talamona, Tartano, and Traona focuses on different axes: the forestry sector, slow mobility in relation to the cycle path and through actions on trail systems, and efficiency improvement of owned buildings.
Regarding slow mobility, the project focuses on the Valtellina Trail cycle path on one side, for its enhancement in terms of routes and services, and on the trail network on the other side, to develop the connection of cultural sites present in the territory.
FROM THE ISOLA DELLA PESCAIA TO DOMOFOLE CASTLE
The Isola della Pescaia is located in the Adda River and is crossed by a section of the Valtellina Trail.
Recently, a ruin called the Casetta della Pescaia has been restored there, made available by the Valtellina Community of Morbegno to organize events with school groups and other activities related to flora, fauna, and their preservation.
Numerous trails also start from this center, including the one that leads to the panoramic Domofole Castle.
To reach it, you cross the wooden bridge over the Adda and pass through the village of Traona, going through the locality of Valletta along ordinary roads.
Upon reaching the locality of Coffedo, near the San Giovanni valley, a path branches off climbing the typical terraced slopes up to the locality of Consiglio.
Continuing, you arrive at the medieval Domofole Castle, an ancient fortification documented in 1023, when the structure was owned by the Vicedomini, a powerful feudal family from Como that settled in the Lower Valtellina before the year 1000.
It is a fortification situated on a hill west of the village of Mello, a strategic point dominating the Lower Valtellina.
From the mighty tower, you can continue the walk toward the locality of Bernedo to finally reach the church of San Giovanni di Bioggio.
This sacred place is of particular interest because the ancient apse preserves a cycle of frescoes by the 16th-century painter Sigismondo de Magistris from Como.
DOMOFOLE CASTLE
In the territory of the Municipality of Mello, on a hill located in the middle of the San Giovanni valley, stands a powerful tower made of gray stones clearly visible from the valley floor: the Domofole Castle.
The first mention of the castle is found in a document from 1023, at a time when the structure belonged to the Vicedomini, a powerful feudal family from Como that settled in the Lower Valtellina before the year 1000.
However, the building from the early millennium is not the one visible today, as the castle was destroyed at the end of the 13th century during the conflicts between the Guelphs and Ghibellines, then rebuilt a few years later.
In 1524, the fortification was abandoned by order of the Three Gray Leagues.
The Grisons, new rulers of Valtellina and Valchiavenna, decided to abandon the fortifications of the valleys recently conquered, leading to the decay of Domofole Castle.
The structure has been restored in recent years through careful intervention on the remaining portions.
The best-preserved part is a powerful quadrangular tower, roofless, built with squared granite blocks and adorned with several single-lancet windows.
The original construction was arranged on multiple floors illuminated by windows, while the entrance, for security reasons, was elevated above the surrounding ground.
Part of the walls surrounding the top of the hill and remains of a residential portion are still visible.
Additionally, to the north of the tower is the small church dedicated to Santa Maria Maddalena, which does not belong to the original castle construction but was built at the end of the 16th century. The remains of a second medieval church, also dedicated to Santa Maria Maddalena, consist only of the apse ruins, where traces of ancient frescoes have been found.
