Associazione Città Italiane Patrimonio Mondiale UNESCO

The first rock drawings by man date back to the Pre-Boreal climatic interval in the eighth millennium that was characterised by dense pine and birch tree forestation. The first hunters from the Camunni tribe lived in this habitat. The inhabitants lived in groups on the hillsides and not the valley floor especially during thaws, as landslides were commonplace.
Between the 16th century BC and 476 AD, the Valcamonica was occupied by the Romans. There were iron mines in this area and Celtic craftsmen were able to produce high-quality steel from it. Full governmental autonomy and Roman citizenship was granted to the residents of the area. Even during Roman times, Valcamonica sustained raiding parties by Barbarians. The Herulians arrived after the fall of the Roman Empire and were followed by the Ostrogoths who brought much death and destruction in 542 The Longobards ruled the valley between 568 and 774 when it was taken over by the Franks.
Over the course of time, Benedictines were sent to the valley with the aim of bringing Christianity to the community. They built churches and alms-houses to help the needy.
Around the year 1000, the farming community began to feel some sense of self-identity and to request self-rule. This was how “le Vicinie” were formed, an association of “vicini” (from the Latin “vicus” = “village”).
“Comunes” started to appear after 1164 with approval of the Emperor Federico.
From 1428, Valcamonica came under the Republic of Venice even though there were many disputes between Milan and Venice over the acquisition of the valleys. Peace only arrived in 1454.
The thriving economy of Valcamonica was based on wool production by the monks. but pastoral work, especially in the high valleys was also important. The villages that had iron mines began to gain importance.
Brescia was overcome by the French in 1769 and Valcamonica took the name of “Cantone della Montagna” (Canton of the mountain) and was split up into seven townships. The borough of Serio was formed in 1797 and included the Comunes on the right bank of the River Oglio whereas Comunes on the left bank came under Brescia. In 1801 all of Valcamonica broke away from Brescian jurisdiction and its annexation by Serio.
Agriculture and stock farming suffered drastically during Napoleonic rule.
Austria re-annexed the valleys to Serio. Between 1815 and 1818, Valcamonica was stricken by famine and plague.
At the start of the period of the Kingdom of Italy, the 52 Comunes were split up in the three districts of Breno, Edolo and Pisogne with Breno as the main district.
Starting from the 1880’s, an economic depression led to people beginning to leave the valleys.
A programme of industrial development was implemented in the early 1900’s.

WWI brought great hardship and poverty to the people of Valcamonica who almost to a man took part in the anti-fascist movement during WWII.
Valcamonica ranges from the Tonale Pass to Lake Iseo. Its territory has been changed over the years by glacial movement and the slow-flowing River Oglio. It is split towards the North by two enormous Alpine ranges that are both more than 3,500 metres (11,482 feet) high: the Adamello-Presanella and l’Ortles-Cevedale. Because of its special geographical layout, the valley is sub-divided into three sections:
- Alta (high) Valle Camonica;
- Alta (medium) Valle Camonica;
- Alta (low) Valle Camonica;
The valley has two very large natural reserves (Adamello and Stelvio) and can claim an artistic/historical heritage covering 10,000 years. This makes it unique amongst all the Alpine valleys.