Bienno is an ancient medieval village in the Val Camonica, whose territory rises in the Val Grigna. Called "the village of the Magli", the valley in which Bienno rises is known for the traditional working of wrought iron by means of hammers driven by water wheels. Rich in wonderful views and picturesque courtyards, surrounded by the green mountains, Bienno has become famous as it is one of the "most beautiful villages in Italy" and "Orange Flag Country".
Every year Bienno is a tourist destination for thousands of people who take a break between historic buildings and museums, frescoed churches, corners of nature and excellent local food.
Among the palaces and historic buildings of the village stand out the Palazzo Simoni Fè, now home to the art gallery, the Renaissance Palazzo Francesconi Rebajoli and the combined Mulino & Fucina Museum, original nuclei of the Ethnographic Museum of Iron, Popular Arts and Traditions of Bienno. The Casa degli Artisti or Casa Valigia, home to exhibitions and workshops, is also of great interest. Spirituality is one of the fundamental building blocks of Bienno. Walking through the streets of the historic center you can admire: the birthplace of Santa Geltrude Comensoli, the Church of Santa Maria, the Parish Church, the Hermitage of S.s Pietro e Paolo and the Colle della Maddalena with the mighty statue of Christ the King.
In August, every year, the Bienno Market Exhibition returns to Valle Camonica, a highly appreciated event that attracts visitors from all over Northern Italy. At the center of the event is the small medieval town. A point of reference for all those who wish to taste life in small villages to discover ancient traditions and priceless views.
And it is precisely on the occasion of the exhibition that courtyards, streets and squares of Bienno come alive with various forms of art and with the beauty of the crafts of the past. The public has the opportunity to admire sculptors, painters and artisans at work in their workshops to create unique and original artifacts and give an unexpected dip into the past. Ample space also for the typical products of the area, with the best dairy and food and wine companies in the province. Moments of great appeal are the live demonstrations of ancient crafts. From the mill to the forging, from the forge to the sawmill, visitors are enchanted by the magic of activities now supplanted by large industrial processes.
Among the typical features of the village we find the Casoncelli, ravioli of considerable size stuffed with boiled or roasted meat, sausage, bread, grated cheese, eggs, salt, parsley. They are seasoned with melted butter, sage and plenty of grated cheese. Polenta is also typical of the area, a very tasty flour-based product usually accompanied by the most varied dishes, often based on meat and in particular game. The traditional dessert is Spongada, a soft focaccia of flour, eggs, butter, sugar, salt, milk, yeast. Furthermore, do not miss the local dairy production. In Bienno summer pasture is still practiced; there are many sorceresses in the mountains of the municipality that host impressive herds in the summer. In these traditional structures the most delicious butter and cheeses are produced, obtained with milk produced in the malga.
