Albino, Italy

Infobox CityIT
img_coa = Albino-Stemma.png official_name = Comune di Albino
region = Lombardy
province = Bergamo (BG)
elevation_m = 342-410
area_total_km2 = 31.32
population_as_of = December 31, 2006
population_total = 17807
population_density_km2 = 568
timezone = CET, UTC+1
coordinates = coord|45|45|38|N|9|47|49|E|region:IT
frazioni = Bondo Petello, Desenzano al Serio, Comenduno, Vall'Alta, Fiobbio, Abbazia, Dossello, Casale, Grumelduro
telephone = 035
postalcode = 24021
gentilic = Albinesi
saint = Sts. Julian and Albinus
day = January 9
mayor = Piergiacomo Rizzi
website = [http://www.albino.it www.albino.it]

Albino is a "comune" in the province of Bergamo, in Lombardy, northern Italy. It is located north of Bergamo and is situated in the Seriana valley. The population continues to increase.

History

Archaeological findings have showed that the area was already settled in the Copper Age. In Roman times there were settlements in the area (probably of Gaulish origin), though the first document mentioning a "in vico Albines" dates from 892 AD. Later, entangled in the struggles between Guelphs and Ghibellines, the town was strongly fortified, a castle being built in the 14th century. Later it was under the Republic of Venice, with a strong increasing of textile and iron industry, peculiarities which characterize Albino still today.

Main sights

*"Parrocchiale di San Giuliano", founded in 898. Rebuilt in neoclassicist style in the early 19th century, it houses works by Giovan Battista Moroni, Enea Salmeggia and others. The bell tower (1497) was designed by Cosimo Fanzago.
*Convent of "San Bartolomeo" (12th century), in Lombard-Gothic style. It includes frescoes from the 16th century renovation, 21 wooden sculptures in the choir and polyptych in gilted wood. It is a national monument.
*Sanctuary of the "Madonna del Pianto" (15th century). It is home to a canvas by Moroni with "Christ Carrying the Cross" and one by Salmaggia, "The Deposition".
*Church of the Conception (late 15th century). It has a notable portico and a frescoes from the 14th and 16th centuries.
*Sanctuary of the Madonna of the Snow, on the country road leading to Selvino. It dates from the 16th century, and has frescoes from the same age which were recently restored.
*Church of "Sant'Anna" (16th century), designed by Giovan Battista Caniana.
*Sanctuary of Altino (16th century), in the "frazione" Vall'Alta.
*Cistercian Abbey
*Sanctuary of "Madonna della Gamba" ("Madonna of the Leg"), in the "frazione" Desenzano al Serio. Erected from 1448, it honours a miracle happened in 1440, when a maiden, praying the Virgin, was miraculously saved from the injuries received to her leg. It houses works by Enea Salmeggia, Palma il Giovane, Andrea Fantoni and others.
*Parish of St. Peter, a notable example of Lombard-Gothic architecture, in the "frazione" Desenzano al Serio.
*"Casa della Misericordia", with frescoes by Moroni (1570).
*"Casa Solari" 816th century).

Bounding communes

*Aviatico
*Gazzaniga
*Cene
*Gaverina Terme
*Casazza
*Vigano San Martino
*Borgo di Terzo
*Luzzana
*Trescore Balneario
*Cenate Sopra
*Pradalunga
*Selvino

External links

* [http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/3982/profile/bergamo.htm About Albino]
* [http://digilander.libero.it/tdsotm2/ Coat of arms of Albino]
* [http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?tb=1&city=Albino&country=IT Mapquest - Albino]