Bormio

Understand

Geographical notes

The Bormio basin is large and bright; excavated over the centuries by glaciers and waterways and partly filled by floods, it is surrounded by mountains that to the north form a limestone and dolomite barrier whose main peak is the Reit (3,075 m). It protects from the Northern winds. This basin characterizes the area as it is entirely surrounded by river valleys. Four valleys converge: the Valdidentro which connects it to the Foscagno Pass, crossed by the Viola torrent, the Valfurva which connects it to the Gavia Pass, crossed by Frodolfo, the Braulio Valley which connects it to the Stelvio Pass, and the Valdisotto, in which flows the river Adda towards the capital Sondrio. It is about 65 km from Sondrio, in a north-easterly direction. Background The Bormio area constitutes a unitary region whose physical characteristics have contributed to determining a single history, a common ethnographic imprint and similar living conditions. The first mention of Bormio in ancient documents is in a letter from Cassiodorus. During the Middle Ages Bormio was the seat of the homonymous county, including the territories that correspond to the municipalities of Valfurva, Valdidentro and Livigno. The Contado, despite the attempts to acquire the power of the bishops of Como and the bishopric of Chur, maintained its independence for about three centuries from the tenth to the thirteenth, when it came under the control of Como. In 1377, through the enactment of the "Magna Carta of Bormi's liberties", the municipality regained its autonomy and obtained important privileges. Power was entrusted to the Podestà of Bormio. He represented the superior authority and enjoyed directive and constricting power. Without him the municipal bodies could not act. Since then and for all the following two centuries, the Contado was at the center of the trade route that connected Venice with northern Europe. Thanks to its strategic position and the possibility of imposing duties exclusiv

Getting there

The nearest airports to Bormio are around 3 hrs away:

Milano-Linate LIN IATA Milano-Malpensa MXP IATA Bergamo-Orio al Serio Airport BGY IATA Brescia-Montichiari Airport VBS IATA Bolzano Airport BZO IATA

By car Bormio is located in Alta Valtellina, in the heart of the Alps, near the border with Switzerland. It is located about 200 km from Milan, 240 km from Zurich (CH) and 130 km from Bolzano. If you want to reach Bormio by car, the following are the possible routes: Roads open all year round: • From Milan - highway 36 to Colico - state road 38 "dello Stelvio" - Sondrio - Tirano - Bormio • From Brescia - Edolo - Aprica Pass - Tirano - Bormio Roads open only in summer: • From Val Camonica - Gavia Pass - Santa Caterina - Bormio • From Trentino Alto Adige - Stelvio Pass - Bormio To reach Bormio from Northern Europe: Roads open all year round: • From Landeck (A) towards St. Moritz (CH) to Zernez (CH) - towards Fuorn Pass - Munt La Schera Tunnel (toll) - Italian Customs at Passo del Gallo - Livigno - Eira Pass - Passo del Foscagno - Bormio. • From Zurich (CH) - Landquart (CH) towards Klosters - Vereina Tunnel Zernez - towards Passo del Forno - Munt La Schera Tunnel (toll) - Italian Customs at Passo del Gallo - Livigno - Eira Pass - Passo del Foscagno - Bormio • From Zurich (CH) - Landquart (CH) - Chur (CH) Thusis - Tiefencastel - Julier Pass - St. Moritz Bernina Pass - Tirano - Bormio. Roads open only in summer: • From Zurich (CH) - Landquart (CH) - Davos (CH) Flüela Pass - Zernez - direction Passo del Forno - Munt La Schera Tunnel (toll) - Italian Customs at Passo del Gallo - Livigno - Eira Pass - Passo del Foscagno - Bormio. • From Zurich (CH) - Landquart (CH) - Chur (CH) Thusis - Tiefencastel - Julier Pass - St. Moritz Bernina Pass - Forcola - Livigno - Eira Pass - Foscagno Pass - Bormio. • From Zurich (CH) - Landquart (CH) - Chur (CH) Thusis - Tiefencastel - Julier Pass - St. Moritz Bernina Pass - Tirano - Bormio

By bus The Gianolini company provides buses from

Do

Hot springs The historic ones Bagni Vecchi or the modern ones either in Terme or in the luxury Bagni Nuovi or the free ones outdoor into a creek. Outdoors activities. Walking (in the forest or through the hundreds years historical buildings). Hiking. Trekking. Skiing: alpine ski (worldwide known for the male FIS world cup downhill race), cross-country ski, ski touring. Skating (local top worldwide athletes in short track ice skating competitions). Mountain climbing (historically top mountain climbers, e.g. also members of the first and following K2 expeditions). Biking (flat areas or uphill and downhill, mountain biking, downhill mountain biking). Hunting mushrooms and blueberries. Riding horses. Enjoy local culture. Eating local food and drinking local wines, liquors and water. Shopping in the historical center. Enjoying historical mountain art, architecture and handicraft. Events. Watching some Italian Basketball teams and soccer teams summer pre-season training. Relaxing (slow down!).

Eat

Bresaola Pizzoccheri Sciatt. Polenta taragna Formaggi e salumi locali (local cheese and cold cuts). Porcini e finferli (porcini and finferli mushrooms).

Drink & nightlife

Vini rossi locali della Valtellina (Local red wines from Valtellina Valley). Amari locali (local after dinner liquors). Local bottled water (a leader in bottled water in Italy, water from a local glacier).