Valle Camonica, Lombardy, thanks to its network of rock art sites, archaeological areas, museums and itineraries – run by central government, the regional authority and local councils – is an exemplary model of a “cultural system” which enables visitors to ...
undertake a fascinating journey touching on archaeology, history and nature.
Since prehistoric times in Valle Camonica there has been a remarkable relationship between the inhabitants and their surroundings. Humans have long lived in the valley and left evidence of their presence in the form of settlements, cemeteries and religious areas, but they have also filled it with pecked figures – relating to both daily life and the spiritual world – engraved on outcropping rock surfaces, smoothed and shaped by glaciers, and on steles and erratic boulders arranged to form megalithic sanctuaries.
In 1979 this rock art patrimony was the first Italian site to be inscribed in the Unesco World Heritage List (Site 94) for reason of its widespread occurrence (it was found in over 30 of the 41 municipalities in the valley), chronological range (from the late Upper Paleolithic: 13,000-10,000 years ago, until the Iron Age; 1st millennium BC, with occurrences until the 20th century) and iconographic interest (a wide variety of subjects are represented, from concrete objects to abstract concepts).
In 2005 the Site Management Plan was drawn up by the Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Acticities and Tourism, coordinated by the Lombardy Archaeological Heritage Superintendency in collaboration with local authorities; this is designed to ensure the protection and development of the Site, and increase public knowledge of it.
There are at present eight rock art parks where engravings may be seen and meditated upon; these are accompanied by archaeological sites and areas, and multi-theme itineraries- a demonstration of the attention given to the cultural heritage of this valley, wich has realized the importance for future socio-economic development of making available to visitors its unique territorial resources.
The Valle Camonica National Prehistory and Proto-history Centre in Capo di Ponte (Brescia) complements another important hub, the “Civitas Camunnorum” Roman Archaeology Centre, made up of the National Archaeology Museum and the Cividate Camuno Roman Theatre and Anphitheatre Archaeological Area, together with the Sanctuary of Minerva, Breno.
Valle Camonica has always been a place of innovation. Today, even after hundreds of years the tradition and passion of dedicated artisanal crafters and creative workers continues to thrive in the area. Numerous arts and cultural initiatives continue to emerge and to drive the Camunian region.
