Retrace the history of the Chiese Valley thanks to its castles in the company of Mountain Friends Guides. A journey back in time through stories of men of honor and leaders, who brought wealth and protection to the territory.
Leave your cars in the parking lot of the Miralago Restaurant and Campsite and immediately turn your back towards the town of Baitoni. From here you go up the old road that connected Baitoni to Bondone above via a very steep route but which allows you to quickly access one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, a balcony overlooking the valley and with a wide view of Lake 'Hydro. The village has very ancient origins (the first writings date back to 1100) and is a small hive perched on the mountain where you can still feel the feverish agitation of the past, of which now only the memory remains evoked by lively fountains and solemn frescoes that embellish the village mountain. The route moves east, in the direction of the small church of Madona di Plos, one of the most sacred and important votive places for the mountain village. Continuing on, you quickly reach the Castle of San Giovanni, the stronghold of the Lodron Counts, lords of the lower Chiese, which dates back to 1200 and, perched above Lake Idro, controlled the transit of goods and armies. By visiting the internal courtyards you will be able to rediscover the splendor of the past. Filled with medieval views, you will begin to descend along a short path that will take you back to the cars, left on the banks of the lake.
