Archaeological Parks and Artistic Treasures of Valcamonica
The Camuni, a population of hunters whose origins are still unclear, settled in Valle Camonica in very ancient times.
The rock engravings, true graffiti carved into the rock, represent the greatest cultural expression of these peoples as they witness the development of this primitive society over a period ranging from the Neolithic to the Roman conquest.
While the oldest findings, dating back to the 5th-4th millennium BC, are made in simple and stylized forms, it is only with the Iron Age (4th-1st century BC) that a more complete representation of narrative scenes is achieved, which reproduce in an extraordinarily naturalistic way the activities of daily life: hunting and war, field work and craft activities, worship scenes, as well as groups of dwellings.
For their value as historical-artistic testimony, the rock engravings of Valcamonica were declared in 1979 by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
The engravings are found throughout the valley, in over 180 different locations, and you can visit them in the eight dedicated archaeological parks.
Scan the QR Codes in the Via Raetia Passport and Guide to access always updated content on archaeological parks. You will find practical information such as opening hours and prices as well as recommended routes among the rock engravings.
