Parco del Serio

Malpaga Castle is situated at 15 km from Bergamo town center and you can reach it from the exit of Seriate along the highway Milano-Venezia heading towards Brescia-Cremona and by following the indications.
The castle dates back to the 14th century and was built and placed in the middle of the plain; subsequently, the commander Bartolomeo Colleoni from Bergamo, a condottiere, purchased the fortress together with the surrounding estate, and used it as a fortified posting first and as his residence after.
The fortified complex has a square shape, built all in pebbles alternating with fired bricks; the walls, strong and solid according to the features of the period, are painted with frescoes representing scenes of battles, celebrations, ladies, knights, and sacred subjects. The loggia is decorated with frescoes by Romanino, according to some experts, by Fogolino according to others: they represent the historical struggles between the inhabitants of Bergamo and the inhabitants of Milan.
For visits and information www.castellomalpaga.it
Leaving on foot from the castle and heading towards the river, you can visit an area rich in meagre plain meadows characterized by the presence of a rich flora presenting diversified elements, with characteristic species of the east European and Asiatic dry steppes, mountain species transported downstream by the current of the river, and Mediterranean species typical of the warm environments.
The spring blooming, with the different species of the genus Sedum coloring with yellow the large meadows covering the banks of the river, are spectacular.

The area of Cologno al Serio, situated at about 10 km in the south of Bergamo, is characterized by an interesting landscape thanks to the presence of a great number of active resurgences within a countryside still rich in fields, edges, and tree rows.
The spontaneous outcrop of underground fresh waters can take place along lines known as resurgence lines, given to the presence of impermeable strata of clay.
The progressive increase in the clayey matrix, the granulometric reduction in inert elements, as well as the reduction of the altimetry, hinder the downflow of the underground waters which tend to come to the surface and give origin to the resurgences phenomenon. This natural phenomenon has been exploited by man during the centuries with irrigation purposes and to create water meadows.
On the contrary, the so-called "fontanili" are semi-natural structures dug by man in areas where the water outcrops originating a head and a consequent pole used to canalize water. Today these areas are interesting for the naturalistic importance the resurgences have acquired in time thanks to the rich vegetation surrounding the heads and the banks of the poles.

In the middle of the Park there is a pedestrian and cycling trail following the river between Ghisalba and Mozzanica in an interesting stretch characterized by the presence of a large riverbed from where several branches start by leaving in the middle small islands and rows of pebble deposits originated by the floods. In the riverbed you can easily observe Little Egrets and Grey Herons, as well as the rarer Lapwing, while in the small wood covering the banks you can listen to the tuneful warbling of the Nightingale.
In Romano di Lombardia you can divert towards the historical town center, where you will find the Fortress of the Visconti family, the so-called "Rocca viscontea", housing the head offices of Serio Park.

It is one of the most important areas of the Park from a naturalistic point of view: as a matter of fact, it has been included in the Sites of Community Importance forming Natura 2000 Network at a European level. The area includes woodlands, uncultivated fields, and wetlands: environments representing the habitat of several species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians including the rare and endemic Italian Agile Frog (Rana latastei). The reserve only covers 56 hectares, but it represents a very important natural environment in the context of the surrounding plain.
You can visit the reserve along both banks of the river by leaving from the Municipalities of Piannego and Ricengo, at a few kilometers from the town of Crema, rich in interesting historical-architectural elements. For information on the town of Crema www.comune.crema.cr.it