Lovere

In the northern Italian province of Bergamo at the northwest end of Lake Iseo sits a charismatic town in the heart of Lombardy. Lovere sits in a natural amphitheatre of breathtaking mountains at the edge of the Camonica Valley - an awe-inspiring UNESCO heritage site that extends for 90km to the northeast. Only 1 hour away from Lovere is the city of Bergamo and its international airport, and a mere 50km to the north lays the Bergamo Alps. With several other mountain ranges just beyond it, Lovere is an excellent choice for hiking and skiing enthusiasts. The town is serviced by regular ferries that connect it to the other towns that surround the lake, such as Pisogne, Iseo, and Sarnico. Regular buses offer easy access around Lovere and also to surrounding towns like Castro and Sellere.

Lovere boasts of a rich history from ancient Rome all the way to the Renaissance, while at the same time the town offers plenty of modern conveniences - from markets and grocers, to pharmacies, clinics, salons, gyms, and sporting grounds. Typical services such as banks, schools, post offices, police stations, and a hospital sit next to specialty shops selling computers, phones, jewellery, books and clothing. Many of the town’s establishments, plazas, streets and parks provide breathtaking views of Lake Iseo, the Marina, and the nearby Alps. The town exudes effortless modernity (without towering high-rises or large commercial complexes), and preserves its historical European aesthetic.

Lovere is full of village homes, townhouses, apartment buildings and villas that showcase a masterful blend of architectural styles. Overhanging wooden roofs - typical of the Swiss design are effortlessly combined with the robust stone arcades of Italian craftsmanship. Beautifully subtle-coloured homes fill the town, while its classical Italian apartments remain modest and tasteful. Its winding roads meander past gorgeous brickwork, before opening up to stunning plazas like the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II and the Piazza XIII Martiri.

A number of attractive parks like the Parco Fanti D’Italia and Parco di Villa Milesi offer lovely views of Lake Iseo’s remarkable waters. The neighbouring Palazzo Tadini is a palace that houses an astounding array of works from the 15th to 19th centuries by renowned Italian artists. Testaments to its culturally rich and significant history are the Santa Maria and San Giorgio churches which are over 500 and 700 years old respectively. Both have received partial renovations in the renaissance style and have been carefully preserved throughout the years. Walking through Lovere feels like a timeless experience as its charming streets and alleys pass by alluring cafés and tantalizing restaurants, while its striking churches like the Santa Maria di Valvendra and the San Giorgio serve as partial reminders of Lovere’s pre-renaissance past.

The town’s location on Lake Iseo and its transportation routes via bus and ferry make visiting Lovere’s inviting surrounding towns simple and stress-free. Tucked away at the northern edge of Lake Iseo, Lovere is surrounded by wondrous nature, a majestic lake, and an abundance of historical sites and towns which are easily accessible. Its proximity to the Alps is an advantage for any hiker or winter sports fan. What makes Lovere such a prime location is that despite its relaxing remoteness it still has every modern convenience and comfort readily available – most with an amazing view of the Alps and with Lake Iseo right on its doorstep.