Sondrio

Orobic Alps

Cà Mazza and Cà Zoia Mill is a rare example of a mill operated by the archaic system of the horizontal water wheel.

When you visit Valtellina you can't do without noticing the importance of the farming industry, the heritage of a centuries-long tradition. The first testimony of this rich history is to be found in the in a document written in 1531, which records the mills existing at the time. The mill were built in the Middle Ages and fell in disuse in recent decades. The Mulino Oberti Carmelino  is a two-storey building, that still houses the old wooden workings. On the Northern side, below th round window, "1886" is painted, which probably is the date of the renovation works. There is also a writing on the ground floor: "Mulino n.56 - del 1934" (Mill nr 56 - since 1934). Other parts of the building, such as the stairs on the Northern side and the balcony were built more recently. In the Seventies the mill lost its function, the watercourse that supplied water was buried and the wheel was removed. 

Mulin de la Rusina (Rusina's Mill) owes its name to the last miller of Vendolo, named Rosina. Inside the mill there are two massive millstones with suspended hoppers and huge rotating sieves. The water coming from creek Boco operates the mechanisms. It is possibile to channel water towards the three wheels thanks to a small basin and moveable wooden bulkheads, or to drain water away by using an iron sluice.  This system allows to operate the mill only when needed, in order to prevent millstones from chipping. 

A church surrounded by vineyards, offering visitors an amazing view of the valley floor.

The Sanctuary was built along the Castles route, that crosses the Rhaetian slope and its typical terraced vineyards.

Picturesque church at the gates of Sondrio, nestled among terraced vineyards.

Built on a preexisting edifice dedicated to the same Saint, it dominates the town.

A nice mule track leads to this massive building, located on a promontory overlooking the creek Livrio

The plant of the church - excluding the altar -  is a square and reminds of a Greek cross. The central room has a circular, nearly flat roof. The main altar is made of polychrome marble and hosts a huge mixtilinear painting by Pietro Ligari, which portrays Mary wih the Child between Saint Augustine, a soldier, a cherub and Saint Thomas (1742). Above the painting, a polychrome Venetian window portrays the Cross in the middle and, on the sides, Saint Augustine and Saint Thomas. On the sides of the main altar there are two other paintings by Pietro Ligari: one portraying the Annunciation of Saint Anne's pregnancy and the other the birth of Mary.

Built on a hump above the town, this is a very ancient Church that reminds of the rural houses of the past.