DESCRIPTION OF THE AREA
Rosciate is a small town located at the feet of the hill producing the famous moscato di Scanzo, a passito wine; it was also at the origin of the wars between Guelphs and Ghibelllines. The wine was also very appreciated at the Czars' court, introduced by the famous architect Giacomo Quarenghi (whose mansion is in Rosciate).
Rests of settlings from the Roman and Middle Age period up to the mansions of the Venetian Republic later on (see Città Alta) are still visible. From Alberico da Rosciate, illustrious jurist who lived in the XII century, called at various courts in Europe, to the Venetian period, when the art of Lombard paintings developed (the old church of the XV century proves the value of rediscovered and renovated frescos); then the already mentioned architect Giacomo Quarenghi, famous all around Europe (his most important buildings and monuments are to be seen in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Rome); the Epis twin brothers, born at the beginning of 1800, skilful painters, some of whose works can be admired in the main church (and in other churches around Lombardy) together with the more famous oil on canvas by Cifrondi. All of those facts give this small town a great historic, artic and landscape value. Don't forget that also the Colleoni family, with its famous leader, who was in Venice's pay (see Malpaga castle, 12 km), had a mansion that still exists.

ITINERARY
Starting from this palace, we invite you on a route in the vineyards of the area, to taste the famous moscato in the wineshops and the abundant libations of local cuisine in the typical farmsteads you'll cross on your way.
Walking along Via Medolago, where we are located, you can have a stop at the "La Brugherata" farmstead (agriturismo), once home of the bishops of Bergamo. You can taste moscato and other esteemed wines. Going further on, you'll get on the "cornone" path, that'll lead you to the ancient village of S. Pantaleone, dating back to the post-Roman period (600 d.C.) where you can continue by tasting typical products at the winegrowers' Savoldi of Valbona. On the main road, s.p. 68 Via Sporla, you get to the valley of "Celinate", a place of uncommon beauty. The terrific view of the ancient mansion, the major of Scanzorosciate's villas in the Neoclassic style from the end of 1700, will take you in their tavern, to taste their typical dishes and wines of their estate. If you haven't eaten or drunk too much yet, you can continue direction "Tribulina", in the Zerra valley, full of vineyards, on the top of which you'll find the "Cerri e Bironda" winegrowers, located with an enviable view on Citta' Alta.
Above you lies the "Castelletto" (lit. little castle), ancient fortification, where looking to north, you can see the tiny village of Gavarno Vescovado, at the feet of Misma mount (1100 mt), summer residence for the bishops of Bergamo from 1600. Here, lived and died the teacher Victor de Sabata, whose grave is in the little cemetery. Unfortunately the old building, called "Il Castello" (the castle), has been renewed changing in an inopportune way the ancient structure; anyway the tiny village is still very evocative. In the small church (beginning 1700) you can find some canvases by Cifrondi.
Going back to the "Castelletto", on the main road s.p. 65, you go down to the wwf oasis "Val Predina" (with guided tours) and then to the Val Cavallina, where Trescore Balneario, with the magnificent "Villa Suardi", on the Lorenzo Lotto itinerary, Venetian artist who lived here between 1510 and 1530 (you'll get to know him better by visiting Bergamo) and the thermal baths, is the first important town of this valley, that'll take you to the Endine and Iseo lakes.

BICYCLE ITINERARY
Well, new friends of mine; have you eaten well? drunk too much?
...then wear your trekking shoes or take your mountain bike and follow me, if you wish, we'll go back on the same itinerary, but this time on the narrow hill paths in the vineyards. From our house we go up to the Monte Bastia in approximately 20 minutes (with rests of Roman fortifications), from the top you have a panoramic view of 360degrees, all around with the Po plain south, Bergamo with Citta' Alta west (on clear days you can also see the Monte Rosa and the Apennines), Alzano Lombardo (famous basilica with works of A. Fantoni, 1700), town with middle ages settlings and neoclassic buildings, where the Seriana Valley starts north and continues east with the Monte Misma (1100mt). Taking this direction, we'll soon stop at "Frances", taste his wonderful moscato with the dishes of the local cuisine. With the narrow path in the woods, we'll get above the estates of Valbona and Celinate (which hopefully you have already visited): the view is really breathtaking! Continuing you get to the village of Gavarno: shall we go to the Monte Misma? On a dirt road, in the freshness of woods and then with a path in the meadows, with fit legs, you can make it in 2-3 hours.
From up there, just try and imagine the view, since it's the first important mountain on the plain! (you can have a discount: half the way we can drive by car).
Going back to "Tribulina" we'll visit again "Cerri e Bironda" winegrowers, then down in the Zerra Valley, back to S. Pantaleone, Valbona farmstead, and going back on the "cornone" road, we'll have a rest and look at the "Brugherada" estate, our house and in the background the majestic Citta' Alta.

HINTS ON THE MOSCATO DI SCANZO
Although it's called "di Scanzo" the major production is located right here in Rosciate, and from here eastwards in the estates we have visited. The origin of this species of grapewine is contested between Greeks and Romans: just think how long it has been famous!
This species of grapewine, thanks to the presence of the "moon stone" in great amounts in the earth, warmed up by sun, helps the ripening of grapes, till they almost wither on the vine shoots. The process of withering continues then for some weeks in proper dry and airy spaces, before wine-making. Only after two long years, after having matured its greedy properties, it will be ready to be tasted with local desserts or cheese

BERGAMO
It's not our task to describe you the history of this wonderful city, because you'll probably already have a guide and thanks to tourist offices you'll get the chanche to develop a passion for everything you'll visit, so that you'll leave reluctantly. Citta' Alta is a destination of tourists from all around the world, attracted by the history and the beauty of its landscapes (S. Vigilio), but also the lower part of the town is not less worth a visit.

THE VALLEYS
There are five main valleys: Seriana, Serina, Brembana, Taleggio and Imagna.
Historical centres of great value can be visited in this valleys. Just to mention: Alzano L.do, Albino, Clusone and Rovetta in the Val Seriana; S. Pellegrino and S. Giovanni Bianco in the Brembana and Taleggio valleys, S. Omobono in the Imagna Valley.
These valleys are a great attraction for sporty people, in fact in summer there are many paths at high altitudes, as the famous path of the Orobie, and in winter innumerable places for skiing and cross-country skiing.