IL MONASTERO DI SAN PIETRO IN LAMOSA
Via Sebina – Provaglio d’Iseo
Open to the public (Town Council of Provaglio d'Iseo, tel. 030 929 1200 - Friends Association, tel. 030 983477)
>From its location near Provaglio d'Iseo, the Monastery of San Pietro in Lamosa boasts splendid views across the Torbiere del Sebino. This area, designated a Nature Reserve in 1983, is perfect for strolling in or cycling along. The monastery takes its name from the "Lame", the wetlands that the monks living in this Monastery modelled on the Benedictine Monastery of Cluny drained with groundbreaking techniques when ownership of the land was conferred to the Monastery in 1083 by two Longobard feudalists. During the Middle Ages the monastery had a dual function: it was a sacred place for pilgrims and a shelter for peddlers and travelers of the Strata de Franzacurta, the road leading Brescia to Iseo. In 1536 the Monastery was handed over to the Benedictine Nuns of Santa Giulia of Brescia up until its dissolution in the 1700s; subsequently it passed into the hands of the Bergomi-Bonini family who then donated it to the parish of Provaglio. Funds raised by the Friends Association and the Town Council have financed its recent renovation, restoring the medieval apse, bell tower and vast central nave, (that was enlarged in the XVI century), to their former glory. The frescoes adorning the church have been partially restored, some of them inspired by the work of artists such as Gambara, Foppa and Romanino. Its original Romanesque structure is best viewed from the outside and in the apses and splayed windows. The Baroque chapel in the parvis is beautifully preserved, the surrounding wetlands providing it with an enchanting backdrop.

IL CONVENTO DELL’ANNUNCIATA
Via da Cemmo - Monte Orfano – Rovato
Open to the public (Servi di Maria Friars, tel. 030 772 1377)
The convent boasts a magnificent location on the eastern slopes of Mount Orfano in Rovato. In 1449 two friars belonging to the confraternity of the Servi di Maria were given some land on which to build a convent and a church which were completed in 1503. It soon became a sacred place for pilgrims, particularly on feast days of Our Lady until it was dissolved in 1772. It was only until 1963, and at the instigation of the Servi di Maria, that it once again became home to a religious community. The Annunciation by Romanino (1485-1566) is amongst the several highly valuable works of art housed in the convent. The convent has a perfectly geometric cloister; the understated simplicity of its colonnade and arcade frames a finely decorated wrought iron central well.

L’ABBAZIA OLIVETANA DI SAN NICOLA
Via Brescia, 83 – Rodengo Saiano
Open to the public (Olivetan Benedictine monks, tel. 030 610182)
One of Italy's most imposing religious buildings, the Abbey of San Nicola, was founded in the X century and was to prosper again thanks to the Olivetans who in 1446 were nominated priorates of Rodengo. The abbey, previously owned by the Italian State, was once again taken over by a religious order in 1969 and it then reverted to its original function. The late 16th century cloister with its compound pillars, the 15th century little rustic cloister, the refectory, the large gallery and its many rooms displaying masterpieces of great 16th and 17th century Brescian artists were comprehensively restored to their former glory.
It houses a book restoration laboratory and a Museum of Iron. Advance booking required.