Ostello Del Porto
Lovere - Via G. Paglia 70
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Lovere is a small yet characterful Italian town perched along the shores of Lake Iseo in the province of Bergamo. Having developed away from major transport routes, Lovere has managed to preserve its authentic character intact, earning it a place among “Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages“. The town boasts ancient origins and, thanks to its strategic location, has always played a vital role in both overland and lakeside communications. During the reign of the Venetian Republic, Lovere became renowned for producing “Lovere Cloth“, a highly sought-after woollen fabric that was exported throughout Europe. Only in the twentieth century did the town begin to recognise its tourist potential, leading to various projects to promote its spectacular landscapes and cultural heritage.
Nestled between the crystalline waters of the lake and verdant surrounding mountains, Lovere is a true gem of the Bergamo region. The town is known as the capital of the Bergamo Lakes Mountain Community, which encompasses 38 municipalities across this territory. Lovere is not particularly large and can be explored in a day trip, yet it has preserved sites of considerable historical and architectural significance that speak volumes about the town’s past. For its incomparable beauty, English writer Lady Mary Wortley Montagu described Lovere as “the most romantic spot I have ever beheld in my life”.
The historic centre of Lovere has retained its timeless charm. The best way to discover it is to wander through its narrow streets lined with colourful buildings, ancient churches, historic towers and picturesque little squares. The heart of the old village is Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, from where numerous lanes now branch out across the town and lead to the stunning waterfront and Piazza XIII Martiri, the focal point of modern Lovere.
The beating heart of the ancient village is Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, a medieval square that once pulsed as the heart of the community. Originally known as Piazza degli Uffizi, it was home to the headquarters of the town’s most important institutions. Among the surviving palaces, the Palazzo Podestarile and the Civic Tower stand out, reminders of the Venetian rule. Particularly striking is the fresco of a lion on the tower’s façade—a symbol of Venetian dominion—dated 1442. You can climb the tower to enjoy a wonderful panorama of the town and surrounding countryside.
The Basilica of Santa Maria is located in Val Vendra and was built in the fifteenth century. The religious building underwent various renovations that transformed its original Gothic style into a more Renaissance aesthetic. Inside, three naves are crowned by a barrel vault. The basilica houses numerous artworks of considerable merit, including an altarpiece depicting the Assumption of Thomas by Tommaso Bona and wooden and marble sculptures from the Fantoni workshop.
A visit to Lovere would be incomplete without a lovely stroll along the shores of Lake Iseo to admire the stunning surrounding scenery. This area is also home to Piazza XIII Martiri, the town’s current focal point. The square features a nineteenth-century fountain dedicated to the 13 Lovere citizens who died for Italian independence. The waterfront is also home to the Cornasola tourist marina, one of Italy’s most modern and well-equipped nautical facilities. This is the perfect starting point for a wonderful boat excursion on the lake!
The Church of San Giorgio is considered one of the area’s oldest religious buildings, though the original structure has been significantly altered over time. In the fifteenth century, the church was enlarged and incorporated the tower-house known as Torre Soca, which had belonged to the Celeri family.
In subsequent centuries, the bell tower was destroyed and three naves were subsequently constructed. The interior is essentially a museum brimming with works of considerable value, including “Moses Drawing Water from the Rock” by Jan de Herdt and “The Last Supper” by Gian Paolo Cavagna.
The waterfront area is also home to the Tadini Academy, a neoclassical palazzo built in the eighteenth century by architect Sebastiano Salimbeni on commission from Count Luigi Tadini. The building was originally constructed to house Tadini’s collections, and upon his death, an Art Gallery was established here. Officially founded in 1829, the Academy is considered one of Lombardy’s oldest museums.
Its core is represented by a collection of works by Antonio Canova, whom Tadini had met in Rome. Among the most significant pieces held here are the sketch for Religion and the Tadini Stele, regarded as one of Canova’s final works. The museum also houses paintings by Lombard and Venetian artists such as Francesco Benaglio, Jacopo Bellini, Giandomenico Tiepolo and Francesco Hayez. An area is dedicated to porcelain collections featuring items acquired by Count Tadini during his travels throughout Italy and Europe.
The Civic Museum of Natural Sciences is located within Villa Milesi’s park and offers a journey through the local natural and historical heritage. Here you’ll find various natural history specimens from the territory, designed to showcase the richness and uniqueness of these places. The museum features several sections: ornithological, entomological, malacological, mineralogical, a herbarium and a teaching classroom. The museum regularly organises temporary exhibitions and cultural and educational events.
Lovere is not a large town but nonetheless boasts several welcoming accommodations. The most appealing facilities are those overlooking Lake Iseo, allowing you to wake up gazing at the lake and surrounding landscape. Lovere also makes an excellent base for exploring the Val Camonica and Val Seriana regions.
Lovere is accessible by car or boat. By car, visitors from Venice should take the A4 motorway towards Milan until the Brescia Centro exit; from there, take the SS11 and then the SS510 towards Pisogne–Costa. Those travelling from Milan should also follow the A4 (towards Venice) until the Seriate exit; from here, head along the SS42 del Tonale and della Mendola until the “Lovere” exit. From Bergamo, the town can be reached in less than an hour via the SS42.
The town does not have its own railway station, but the nearest one is in Pisogne, approximately 6 km away. Once there, you have two options: take a bus or a boat to Lovere. The town is served by ferry services connecting it to many other locations on the lake.
What's the weather at Lovere? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Lovere for the next few days.
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