Welcome to Taramelli Village, a quiet little corner tucked into the heart of Selvino. It’s one of those places where time seems to move more slowly, a village where history feels like it lingers in every narrow alleyway and stone doorway. As you step into the village, you find yourself surrounded by ancient houses huddled closely together around a small courtyard, just off to the right of Piazza Europa. Taramelli wasn’t always a quiet and cozy village—it was once part of a much larger district known as Rialto, one of the oldest in the area. Rialto was a bustling place, situated at the entrance to the Via Mercatorum, a vital trade route that dates to the year 1000. This old road is made up of a series of mule tracks and connected the Seriana Valley to the Brembana Valley which later stretched all the way to Switzerland and Germany.
As you wander the narrow paths leading into Taramelli, you get a sense that every stone here has a story to tell. Even though they’ve seen centuries pass the village’s old doorways, balconies, and windowsills are so intricately designed that the passage of time is difficult to perceive. From the Caffè Del Piccinini, a narrow little path squeezes between the houses, offering glimpses of these small architectural gems.
Just down the mule track, if you follow the Via Mercatorum towards Albino, you’ll come across the Fontana del Maso, an old spring that was essential to the village’s early days. It’s not just a fountain—it was the village’s source of life, the heart around which everything else grew. It’s one of those simple things that feels deeply important, even now.
Taramelli Village opens into Marconi Square, a nod to Guglielmo Marconi, the man who wowed the world with the discovery of the radio. It’s a small square, but it feels like the heart of the village, and it was named after Marconi thanks to Mr. Casnari, who was born in one of the village’s old buildings. Back in the day, this courtyard was home to a large stable, used by the villagers and the many travelers passing through. Now, it’s mostly a quiet spot.
One of the most striking things you’ll see here is a large, ancient building that stands proudly at the edge of the square. It’s one of the oldest buildings in all Selvino, dating back to the 16th century. Though it’s been converted into shops and boutiques now, its original purpose was much more practical—it was a fortified house, built to stand the test of time. This mix of the old and new is what makes Taramelli Village so special. The past is still very much alive here, even though the village itself has evolved.
Right next to this square once stood the famous Osteria “Vino Buono”, a tavern that catered to weary travelers in need of food, drink, and a place to rest. Over the years, the tavern changed names several times, but it was always a gathering place, offering warmth and hospitality. The sign that once hung above the door—two crossed swords—disappeared in 1956, but if you ask the locals, they’ll tell you it’s still remembered fondly. Now, there’s a tree where the tavern once stood, with a little bench beside it, a quiet spot to sit and imagine the lively conversations that once filled the air.
At the center of the village’s story is the Albergo Falcone, the first hotel in Selvino. Established in 1850, it was originally run by the Taramelli brothers, who also gave their name to the village itself. The hotel was a sign of the times—a symbol of Selvino’s growing popularity as a place for people to escape the cities and breathe in the fresh mountain air. Back then, people weren’t just looking for a place to stay; they wanted entertainment and leisure, so the Taramellis demolished the old stable and replaced it with a garden and dance floor for their guests. The Falcone Hotel became the heart of Selvino’s early tourism, a place where people could relax and enjoy the beauty of the mountains.
The lower part of the Falcone Hotel building, made of stone, was built to keep out the dampness. And the two grand arches, which date back to the early 16th century, were once a resting spot for caravans of mules making their way along the trade routes. For a long time, the arches were closed off, but they were reopened during renovations in the late 19th century, restoring a piece of the building’s history.
Go through the arches, and you’ll come across something unexpected: a small suspension bridge-like archway, known as the Canècc, that serves as the gateway to the deeper part of the village. It feels like you’re stepping into another world—an older, quieter world that has held onto its secrets for centuries. Above one of these arches is an old coat of arms from 1563, and right above that, you can see a restored painting of the Madonna with Child, another relic of the village’s past.
Taramelli Village reveals itself as you explore its narrow streets. It’s a place where history isn’t just written in books, but in the stones of the buildings and the pathways between them. It feels like stepping into a fairy tale, where the past and the present are so closely intertwined that they’re almost the same thing. In Taramelli Village, time slows down, and the stories of those who came before seems to come alive again.
Dreams and history still live in Selvino.
Italian