Bormio

Bormio (1225 m; 4200 inhabitants) is a holiday resort in the wide grassy valley of the Adda, the upper part of the Valtellina to the west of the Ortler mountains. A little higher lies the spa town of Bagni di Bormio, where you have views of Bormio and the valley. Due to the fact that Bormio has hosted the World Championships in winter sports twice, one would expect more allure. However, Bormio itself has remained simple. It was once an important stopping point between Venice and Switzerland. From that time, the small old core with its churches and several old houses adorned with frescoes, beautiful portals, and wrought ironwork has survived. On the central square stands the 12th-century Romanesque church of S. Vitale. On the same square is also the former church of S. Spirito (now Casa Bianchi with late Gothic frescoes in the interior) and furthermore the former town hall with the massive Torre del Commune. On the Via Roma stands the beautiful tower of Casa Pedranzini. In the highest part of the village is Palazzo De Simoni, which houses a local museum. Just above Bormio are the botanical alpine garden, the Giardino Botanico Alpino Rezia, and the Museo Mineralogico Naturalistico. At the tourist office on Via Stelvio 10, information about Bormio and the region can be obtained. South of Bormio runs a very narrow road in some sections to Bormio 2000, the new winter sports resort that can also be accessed by cable car.

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