Just a short drive from Bergamo, the landscape transforms into a breathtaking mix of deep blue waters and rugged mountains. This area, comprising Lake Iseo and Val Camonica, offers a perfect blend of outdoor adventure and some of the most significant archaeological sites in Europe.

Lake Iseo: A Hidden Gem
Lake Iseo is the fourth largest lake in Lombardy, but it is often considered the most romantic due to its peaceful atmosphere. Its most famous feature is Monte Isola, the largest lake island in South and Central Europe.

The island is a car-free zone, making it a paradise for hikers and cyclists. For centuries, the local economy relied on fishing and the production of nets. Today, visitors can still see traditional wooden boats, called naècc, and enjoy fresh lake fish in the charming restaurants of Peschiera Maraglio.

Val Camonica: The Valley of Signs
Heading north from the lake, you enter Val Camonica, a long valley that stretches into the heart of the Alps. This valley is world-famous for being the first site in Italy to be recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site (in 1979).

It is home to one of the world's greatest collections of prehistoric rock art. More than 140,000 figures and symbols, known as the Rock Drawings of Val Camonica, were carved into the stone over a period of 8,000 years by the Camunni people. These engravings depict scenes of daily life, hunting, and religious rituals, providing a unique "stony library" of human history.

A Modern Landmark: The Floating Piers
In 2016, Lake Iseo gained international fame when the artist Christo created The Floating Piers, a yellow walkway that allowed people to "walk on water" from the mainland to Monte Isola. Although the installation was temporary, it put Lake Iseo on the map for contemporary art lovers worldwide.

Vocabulary Focus

• Rugged: (Of ground or terrain) having a broken, rocky, and uneven surface.
  
• Car-free zone: An area where the use of motor vehicles is prohibited.
  
• Stretches: To extend or spread over a large area or distance.
  
• Engravings: Designs or words cut into a hard surface, such as stone or metal.
  
• Landmark: An object or feature of a landscape or town that is easily seen and recognized.