The best traffic-free bike rides around Bordolano

Pontevico is an Italian municipality of about 7,150 inhabitants located at the southern end of the province of Brescia, in Lombardy. The village stands in a historically strategic position along the Oglio river, which marks the natural border with the province of Cremona. The name derives from the Latin Pons Vici, which literally means "bridge of the village". The municipal territory is predominantly flat and includes the hamlets of Bettegno, Campazzo, Chiesuola and Toro. Local economy is historically divided between a strong agricultural vocation and an industrial textile development linked to the Bassa Bresciana district. The center is about 32 kilometers from the provincial capital Brescia and is easily reachable by car via the A21 motorway or by the Brescia-Cremona railway line.

Pure Gravel ride. With mixed stretches on asphalt to relax a bit. Alternating shade and sun, but I think mid-season is preferable. The stretch of Verolavecchia and Verolanuova is beautiful, with its architectural features. There are fun climbs and descents, for which, however, it's better to have good brakes (as always).

A visit to this unusual museum is definitely worthwhile. Current prices, opening hours, and restrictions can be found here: https://museoverticale.it/

The historic city of Cremona in Lombardy is dominated by a monumental bell tower, the Torrazzo. At 112 meters tall, it is the tallest brick bell tower in Europe and one of the most impressive medieval structures in Italy. The Torrazzo was built gradually between the 13th and 14th centuries as part of the cathedral complex. Its brick construction testifies to both the technical ingenuity of medieval builders and the city's ambition to express its power and importance. In 1583, a unique astronomical clock was added to the tower, which still fascinates with its accuracy. Climbing the Torrazzo is a spiritual journey from earth to heaven, and it is not difficult to ascend the 502 steps that lead to the final terrace to enjoy a breathtaking 360° panorama. The visit includes a stop in the rooms dedicated to the study of time and astronomy in the new Vertical Museum, which was inaugurated in November 2018. https://www.cattedraledicremona.it/torrazzo-interno/?lang=de

This brick tower, approximately 40 meters tall, is the bell tower of the ancient Romanesque church of Santa Maria della Neve, now lost. It is known as the Torre della Norma and is the historical symbol of Casalbuttano. Dating back to the 12th century, it retains the sober and massive appearance typical of medieval Lombard architecture. As you climb into the village, you immediately notice its imposing presence: a visual landmark that tells the story of the long history of this agricultural village in the Cremona plain.

A splendid Renaissance square dominated by the three figures of the Cathedral, the Baptistery, and the Torrazzo, which offers a panoramic view of the entire Po Valley.

Used for food preservation, in the winter it was filled with snow and straw: the straw had an insulating function, while the snow, with its weight, became ice compacting inside the structure. This allowed the preservation of food in the summer. We are in "Scorzarolo", an old abandoned village near Verolavecchia (BS), here the icehouse most likely served two dairies for the processing of dairy products. The icehouse or "neviera" is made in a truncated cone shape with a circular plan and walls, usually in brick masonry or, like the one in Scorzarolo, in bricks, the ceiling is made in a dome. There are small windows and an entrance, the structure is about 4m deep.

The Scorzarolo Ice House: Ingenuity and Tradition This circular brick structure, with an ogival roof and about four meters deep, was filled with snow in the winter to preserve food during the summer. It may also have had a public-health service function, making it a key element of rural life at the time.