Tovo Sant’Agata is a small village in Media Valtellina that spreads out on the flat straight after Lovero. Its economy is centred around agriculture, with apple orchards seeming to creep out of its boundaries.
Its iconic landmark is the Castello di Bellaguarda, once part of the feudal property of the Venosta family, now immersed in chestnut woods and wild cherries. Hike out of town along the Sentiero dei Castelli to get here – set over three floors, historians consider it one of the most fascinating castle complexes still standing in Valtellina, having preserved some of the original structure down to the very last detail within its characteristic castle ‘enclosure.’
Also worth visiting is the Baroque Parish Church of Sant’Agata, as well as the ancient OratoryofSanti Ippolito and Cassiano set higher up the mountain slope amongst the chestnut trees. There’s a simple rectangular facade and through the stone portico you can admire a series of notable frescoes by Cipriano Valorsa (often called the ‘Raffaelo of Valtellina) on the other side of an ornate iron gate. On the same embankment stands the Church of the Beate Vergine di Caravaggio o di San Marco, whose simple facade belies the fact that inside there’s a beautifully preserved 15th century fresco depicting an enthroned Madonna with Child by Giovannino da Sondalo.
Courageous cyclists will undoubtedly be familiar with the iconic Mortirolo, but not everyone has attempted this mythical climb from Tovo: expect nothing but bird song, verdant vegetation, Alpine forests, and rocks to join you on what is considered one of the hardest climbs in cycling with gradients that reach 23% at times.
