Park of Rock Engravings of Grosio: a journey into prehistory between nature and archaeology
In the heart of the Valtellina, in the municipality of Grosio, there is a place where the millennia-old history of man meets the beauty of the alpine landscape: it is the Park of Rock Engravings of Grosio, a unique archaeological and naturalistic site.
🏛 The Rupe Magna: a rock that tells 5000 years of history
The absolute protagonist of the Park is the Rupe Magna, one of the largest carved rocks in the entire alpine arc: it is 84 meters long and 35 wide, and was discovered in 1966 by Davide Pace. On its surface, there are over 5000 rock engravings made between the end of the Neolithic (IV millennium B.C.) and the Iron Age (I millennium B.C.).
The engraved figures depict worshippers, wrestlers, animals, geometric figures, objects of daily life (such as rakes) and vessels. Some crosses document the continuity of the practice into the Christian era. The techniques used are hammering (tapping with hard stone) and line engraving.
🏰 The two castles of Grosio
On the hill that overlooks the park stand two castles:
- The Castello Vecchio di San Faustino e Giovita (10th-11th century), with well-preserved remains of the walls and the tower.
- The Castello Nuovo Visconteo (14th century), built by the Viscounts to control the area.
Both can be visited freely and offer spectacular panoramic views of the valley and the Rhetic Alps.
🌿 Nature and landscape: chestnut trees and riparian forest
The park is located in an area of great natural value. The hill of the Rupe Magna is surrounded by centuries-old chestnut trees, a presence that has deeply marked the Valtellinese landscape. Not far away is a rare example of riparian forest, a natural habitat that grows along waterways.
📍 How to get there and visit the park
The park is located in Grosio, in the province of Sondrio.
- 🚗 It is reachable by car, with free parking on Via San Faustino, near the A2A power plant.
- 🏩 The nearest bus stops are "Grosio, Cima Piazzi/Scazzoni" and "Grosotto - Via Statale" (10-15 min on foot).
📅 Hours and tickets
Hours:
- 🌞 April - October: Tuesday-Sunday 10:00–12:30 / 13:30–18:00
- ❄️ November - March: Saturday, Sunday, and holidays 10:00–12:30 / 13:30—16:00
Guided tours of the Rupe Magna:
- Summer: 10:30 / 14:00 / 16:00
- Winter: 10:30 / 14:00
Tickets:
- €6 full price
- €3 youth (11-17 years)
- Free for children up to 10 years
👪 Suitable for
- Ideal for families, schools, history and archaeology enthusiasts
- Well-maintained trails that are walkable, but not all suitable for strollers or people with reduced mobility
📲 Contacts and info
- Official website: www.parcoincisionigrosio.it
- Email: info@parcoincisionigrosio.it
