Teglio

Where art, culture, the outdoors, and wellbeing converge: Teglio is a captivating local town at an elevation of 900 metres.

Teglio has a long history of many settlements from various groups, dating back to antiquity, which must be due to its strategic position and richness of the landscape, be it through its bounty of crops or its successful trading – there are signs of inhabitation from the earliest primitive settlements to the Roman, the Lombards, the Grisons, up until the Cisalpine Republic of Napoleon.

When it comes to agriculture, Teglio has got it good with such a sun-drenched spot on the valley side, giving it the ideal terrain for grapes, rye, and buckwheat – the key ingredient in pizzoccheri, Valtellina’s well-known gourmet staple, with a centuries-old recipe that is now safeguarded by the Accademia del Pizzoccheri set up in the town.

Its bounty of cultural and historic sites can be split into various themes: noble palazzi, churches, and rock engravings. The 16th-century Palazzo Besta stands out with its classic Valtellina-style renaissance-era architecture. Dubbed the ‘little palace of the Alps’, it once belonged to the rich Besta family, but has now transformed into a museum where you can also discover many archaeological finds inside its Antiquarium Tellinum. 

Take a walk through the centre of the town to see the Parish Church of Santa Eufemia, built in 1117 for the parish of the Castellanza di Teglio. The building, inside a ‘sacred enclosure’, stands alongside the oratory of the Bianchi and Neri, and the ossuary of the old cemetery. Just a little further on, you’ll see the oldest church in the town dating back to the 11th century, the Roman Church of San Pietro. Another unmissable sight is the famous ‘de li beli miri’ tower, the last remains of Teglio’s castle Castrum Tilii, sticking out above the pine forest

Teglio is one of those great towns where its art and culture sit in perfect harmony with its four-season outdoor activities–namely the vast public spaces dedicated to getting outside and moving, by foot or by bike. There are seven undulating family-friend routes marked around town, introducing visitors to the various neighbourhoods including San Rocco where you’ll find the Menaglio mill, the beautiful little lake of Somasassa, and the rock engravings in the Caven area. More outdoor exploration awaits on the Via dei Terrazzamenti and the Cammino mariano delle Alpi pilgrimage route, which both trace routes along the edge of the mountainside and are easily joined from the centre of the town. On the valley floor below, the 114km traffic-free Sentiero Valtellina passes by on its route between Colico and Bormio, suitable for all generations and abilities to walk or cycle.

Let’s face it: it’s rare for so many stellar outdoor sports to play side by side with such art, tradition, and history, and that’s precisely what sets Teglio apart. It’s a hit with cyclists of all disciplines and abilities as well as hardy hikers and those simply looking for a stroll through its pretty streets and meadows. Into rafting, fishing, rock climbing, or paragliding? You’re in the right place. Head further up the mountainside to Prato Valentino, an intimate family-friendly ski resort with red and blue runs and a whole lot of backcountry terrain for ski mountaineers. On the other side of the valley, the Orobic Alps are a snowshoers’ untouched paradise. 

Thanks to its historical and cultural sites, Teglio – listed highly amongst the most beautiful towns in Italy – has evolved into a must-do in both summer and winter. In recognition of the town’s commitment to preserving its heritage, guaranteeing a warm welcome to all visitors, adopting an eco-friendly outlook, and upholding the quality of its cuisine, Teglio has been internationally certified as a Città Slow.

Map Teglio