Little Toledo: Gromo

Gromo is a suggestive medieval village in Lombardy, in the province of Bergamo. It rises to 676 meters of altitude and boasts 1,200 inhabitants. It is located in the Bergamo Prealps, in the Seriana valley. The peculiarity of the village is its typical black slate roofs. During the Middle Ages it earned the nickname of little Toledo by virtue of the numerous workshops it was equipped with, which made it an important center for iron working. In fact, Gromo was specialized in the production of sidearms, halberds, swords, shields and breastplates. In this regard, a visit to the museum and historical archive of the parchments and manuscripts that certify and testify to the prestige of the village is not to be missed. The museum of sidearms, on the other hand, evokes the strong production and commercial tradition of sidearms. The Town Hall houses an interesting eco-naturalistic museum of the Orobie wildlife. The Ginami castle, built around 1240 in a highly strategic position, on top of a fortress from which the entire Serio valley could be dominated and controlled, is of considerable value.