アルバーノサンタレッサンドロの天然記念物・トップ18

Beautiful area characterized by centuries-old chestnut trees. Large grassy spaces just outside the woods along the mule track. Benches available for seating.

first open space adjacent to the Forcella church with the Porta del Cielo

Accessible to everyone and very panoramic

Perhaps in front of this imposing small sacred monument, which the hiker encounters here in the form of a summit cross, a few short sentences from Pope Francis are of interest (address of April 5, 2024): "Feel called (...) to bring into the Church and into the world a little of that immense love that compelled Jesus to die on the cross for us. May the familiar closeness to Him make you, as it was with Francis [of Assisi], ever more humble, united, joyful and essential, in love for the cross and in attention to the poor, witnesses of peace and prophets of hope in this time of ours, which has so much difficulty in recognizing the presence of the Lord." (Pope Francis)

The monument, located on the panoramic terrace of the sanctuary, overlooking the lower Val Seriana, is a patinated bronze frame inside which sculptural elements are positioned. It is the winning work of the competition for the design of a monument/memorial dedicated to the victims of the Covid-19 pandemic at the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Neve in Pradalunga. The work that won the First Jury Prize was presented by the artist Luca Cavalca.

A very well kept sanctuary, we were amazed to find such beautiful frescoes.

Memorial dedicated to the victims of Coronavirus by Luca Cavalca sculptor and designer (August 6, 2023)

I've been there many times seeing how easy it is to get there. Steep but short path from the parking lot of the former Pighet restaurant. Nice simple walk from Maresana or a training and tiring climb from Ranica.