Walking through the streets of Aprica feels like stepping back in time. The walls of houses transform into large canvases that tell stories of the land’s history, nature, and traditions
Welcome to Aprica’s open-air museum—a unique experience that blends culture, art, and breathtaking scenery.
More than forty murals bring to life three of the town’s six historic districts: Santa Maria, Dosso, and San Pietro. Each painting invites you to discover the mountains from a fresh perspective, thanks to the realistic and evocative style of artist Alcide Pancot, originally from Veneto but deeply connected to Aprica.
The journey begins in the Santa Maria district, the vibrant heart of the village. Here, the mural titled “The Bear Hunt” welcomes visitors, leading the way through scenes of mountain life: the founding of the first hotel, the building of the chairlift, transhumance, and charcoal production. Each image is a dive into the past, portraying everyday rural life alongside major transformations.
Continuing to the Dosso district, the trail moves into the scents and colours of the high alpine meadows. The artworks here celebrate alpine flora with stunningly realistic details: edelweiss, gentians, rhododendrons, and many other native plants are depicted in their natural environment.
Finally, in the San Pietro district, a fairy-tale setting unfolds, inhabited by symbolic mountain animals: the majestic eagle, the nimble chamois, and the powerful bear come to life within imaginative painted frames, honouring the wildlife that roams the trails and forests of the Orobie Valtellinesi Park.
This route is designed for explorers of all ages. Use the QR codes to dive deeper into the history behind the artworks, discover curiosities about the artist, and let yourself be guided on an adventure that blends culture and nature!
