Chiuro

We start from the sports field in Chiuro. Leaving it behind us, we head towards the Stelvio state road. At the first crossroads, we turn left onto the asphalt road. We keep to the right to cross a small bridge, from which a cycle path begins. We follow it until we reach a road on the right, which we take in order to cross another small bridge on our left.

At the end of the road, on the right, a climb begins through the vineyards. We take the path on the left and follow it until a junction, where we take the small path on the left. We cross a small bridge, after which a climb begins leading to the Church of San Bartolomeo (on the left).

We continue past the panoramic benches, keeping the church on our left, until we reach a narrow path through the vineyards which, descending, will take us back to Chiuro. We cross a small bridge near a large car park and continue along the road until we reach a butcher’s shop on the right, near a crossroads. Turning left, we continue along this road to return to the sports field in Chiuro.

The Church of San Bartolomeo

The parish church of San Bartolomeo stands halfway up the slope, surrounded by vegetation, and offers a beautiful panorama. It was built between the 12th and 13th centuries and rebuilt in the 18th century. The oldest and most interesting part of the architectural complex is the bell tower, in early Romanesque style with a pyramidal spire. It tapers upwards and is decorated exclusively with single- and double-light windows, which lighten the structure.

The interior of the church is simple: a single nave covered by a barrel vault and two side chapels. The presbytery, whose vault is decorated with stucco work, houses a 17th-century canvas depicting the Martyrdom of Saint Bartholomew. Beside the church, rebuilt in modern times, stands the building that once served as a monastery.

The Festival of Thanksgiving

Even today, in the month of November, the tradition of the Festa del Ringraziamento is renewed at San Bartolomeo. This celebration has been held for many years and is deeply felt and widely attended in this small hamlet of Chiuro, which has always lived in close connection with the land, agricultural work and its products.

It is a ceremony that strengthens the relationship between people and nature and reinforces a sense of community and belonging.

The Legend of San Bartolomeo

Associated with the Church of San Bartolomeo and the place where it stands is also a legend.

It is said that the original idea was to build the church higher up the slope, but on the morning after the first day of work, to everyone’s great surprise, all the work completed the previous day had disappeared. A closer look revealed that the materials and work had reappeared further down the slope. And so it went on for several days.

The inhabitants tried to understand the origin of this mystery: could it be the work of the devil? No — it was instead attributed to the hand of God, who wished to indicate to people the correct location for the church. Once this was understood, His will was respected, and the church was built further down the slope, where we can still admire it today.