Top 7 Lakes around Bienno

The Church of San Fiorino is one of Borno's small historical wonders, and thanks to the sources I consulted, I can give you an accurate, complete, and up-to-date overview. 🕍 Identity and location It is a subsidiary church dedicated to San Fiorino / San Floriano, the Roman legionary invoked against fires and floods. It stands northwest of Borno, along the road leading to Lake Lova, in a very quiet grassy and wooded area. 📜 Origins and history The sources agree on a long and layered history: 11th–13th century: first documented construction phases. 1410: appears in the list of ancient Camun churches subject to contribution to the Bishop of Brescia. 1456: a papal bull establishes the curatial benefit of S. Florini. 1532: cited in the Queriniano Catalogue of ecclesiastical benefices. 1567–1573: recorded in pastoral visits as a country church. Archaeological findings During restorations and excavations, artifacts have emerged that suggest the presence of an ancient Roman place of worship: a fragment of an altar dedicated to Mercury, with a Latin inscription; a Roman burial with the mark "LLAESEC"; stone elements with grooves typical of ancient thresholds. These findings strengthen the hypothesis that the church was built on a previous pagan temple. 🏛️ Architecture The church is simple and harmonious, typical of Camun rural chapels: Single nave with two bays. Rectangular presbytery with a barrel vault. Mixed masonry bell tower. Sober facade, with an off-center stone portal and traces of frescoes. Inside, you can find: 16th-century frescoes (partially mutilated), a 15th-century fresco with San Fiorino in the guise of a legionary, architectural elements from different eras. 🔧 Restorations The church, deteriorated by time, was restored in 1978 thanks to Don Costantino Ravelli.

The Church of San Fiorino is one of the small historical and spiritual pearls of the Borno plateau (Valle Camonica): a simple, intimate building, but layered with history, ancient cults, and surprising discoveries. 🕍 Identity and location The small church stands north of the inhabited area of Borno, along the road leading to Lova, in a grassy and silent area, slightly set back from the village. It is a subsidiary church dedicated to San Fiorino / San Floriano, a figure venerated as a protector against fires and floods. 📜 Origins and history The first attestations date back to the 15th century, but tradition and archaeological findings suggest an even older origin. Key points of its history: 1456: A bull of Callixtus III mentions the chapel of Sancti Florinj among the Camunican churches subject to contribution. 1532: It appears in the Queriniano Catalogue of ecclesiastical benefices. 16th century: It is registered in pastoral visits as a country church. Around 1650: Extensions and renovations that give it its current appearance. 1978–1980: Modern restorations that bring to light frescoes and Roman artifacts. 🏛️ Architecture The church is simple and harmonious, typical of Camunican rural chapels: Single nave with two bays. Rectangular presbytery with a barrel vault. Mixed masonry bell gable. Sober facade, with a decentered stone portal and traces of ancient frescoes. Inside, you can find: 16th-century frescoes, partly mutilated; a 15th-century fresco depicting San Fiorino as a Roman legionary; architectural elements from different eras. 🏺 Archaeological finds During the 1980 restorations, artifacts emerged that suggest the presence, in Roman times, of a small temple dedicated to Mercury: a fragment of a Roman altar with a dedication to Mercury; a Roman burial with the inscription “LLAESEC”; stone elements with grooves typical of ancient thresholds. These findings make the site particularly fascinating: a place where Christian worship seems to have overlapped with a previous pagan sacred site.

It is not Lake San Fiorino but Lake Lova

Lake Lova is a picturesque hiking destination located above Borno, on the Altopiano del Sole plateau in Val Camonica. It is appreciated for its alpine landscape, tranquility, and the variety of surrounding trails. The lake is located at approximately 1,392 meters above sea level and can be reached via several hiking trails, including the Sentiero della Memoria (Path of Remembrance) that starts from the church of San Fiorino in Borno. After a short paved stretch to the Trattoria Navertino, you take a dirt path that winds through larch and fir trees, with steep sections and slippery cobblestones. The hike is immersed in a natural environment typical of the Lombard Prealps, with natural fountains and good cell phone coverage. A longer alternative is the Monte Mignone – Lake Lova circular hike, approximately 11.1 km long with an elevation gain of 837 meters, to be done counterclockwise. This route offers spectacular views and passes through pastures and woods, with the lake as its focal point. Lake Lova is also a hub for other trails: from here, you can continue towards the San Fermo Refuge or the Laeng Refuge, following CAI trails 106 and 182. Parking is available near the lake, making it accessible even for less experienced hikers. Scenically, the lake is nestled in a green valley surrounded by woods and pastures, with calm waters reflecting the sky and surrounding mountains. It's an ideal destination in all seasons, but particularly captivating in autumn due to the colorful foliage.

A magnificent excursion to do in autumn when everything takes on a unique colour.

I recommend stopping at the Tita Secchi refuge, Alessandra and Piero and their staff were fantastic, delicious lunch and a family and relaxing atmosphere!!

Friendly staff and great food!

Beautiful excursion, you go up on a dirt road (possible cuts on unmarked but perfectly visible paths) up to Passo Bruffione with a bivouac of the same name. From Passo Bruffione you go back along the dirt road you came from for a few meters up to the signpost for Passo Brealone and Laghetti di Bruffione. You go back up the marked dirt road almost to Passo Brealone, where on the left you can see the sign (eroded by the elements) for Laghetti di Bruffione, you follow the signs going down to the right on a steep path marked in sections by white/red signs and stone men. Once you reach the lakes, continue on a single path that goes down towards Gaver. We did the tour at a leisurely pace and made several stops for photos and to admire the view. Stunning panorama along the entire route. From Passo Bruffione you can see the mountains of the Valle del Chiese. Along the way we naturally see Mount Bruffione, Cornone del Blumone and many other peaks including Carè Alto.