the legend
In 774 A.D, Chalemagne gave the entire Valle Camonica to the monastery of Tours, in France; it's this decree that starts the legend of the Frankish emperor’s passage, where Charlemagne marched from the city of Bergamo to the Tonale Pass, fighting Langobards and heathens; to celebrate his victories -and the victory of the catholic faith- Charlemagne ordered to build a number of churches, from Lovere to Ponte di Legno.
the carolingian churches
These churches –although more recent than their supposedly VIII-century construction- are all still existing and offer a stimulating journey through the sacred art of the valley.
To know something more
Beside some books in the local libraries on the argument, there is also an internet page dedicated to the discovery of the Carolingian route through the Valle Camonica.