A journey into Valtellina’s prehistory
An itinerary setting out from San Giovanni and crossing the rocky promontory located on the western edge of the Terrazzo di Teglio. The natural environment provides evidence of the presence of man since Prehistory: cup- and canal-shaped engravings are visible on the smooth rocks protruding from the ground. Detailed excavations could confirm the hypothesis of the existence of a Castelliere, a small fortified borough from the Bronze or Iron Age.
Read more When you reach San Giovanni, park your car in the car park adjacent to the football pitch. From here you reach the church of the same name and you can find your bearings by using the CAI signage you see before you. Taking the dirt road, you reach the archaeological site of Dos de la Forca, where it is possible to admire cup- and canal-shaped engravings from the Prehistoric Age and a stretch of the ancient Roman road, the paved parts of which are still recognisable. Near the votive shrine, following the signs, turn left to then go up the path along characteristic furrows dug into the rock until you come to a small plateau. Immediately afterwards, go up a stretch of path with a more accentuated slope bordered by Mediterranean vegetation, synonymous with rocky, arid terrain significantly exposed to the sun. You then reach a characteristic and unusual conformation that crosses the path. This is the remains of an old trench dug during the Second World War to defend a final alpine redoubt. The ascent returns to being a little gentler and you finally come to a rocky peak, from which the gaze stretches from the Orobie to the Larian Mountains: Dos de la Forca, 850 m. The name probably derives from the site used in ancient times for executions and on its rocks it is easy to perceive ancient engravings, synonymous with a human presence since antiquity. From here you can travel back along the route you came along or else intercept the vehicle road that goes back down to San Giovanni and complete a circular circuit.
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