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Historic center · Tirano, Lombardy
Centro storico di Tirano
Tirano’s old town, with the Bormina, Poschiavina and Milanese gates of the late 15th-century walls, noble palaces and the banks of the Adda River.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Centro storico di Tirano
Tirano’s location, at the crossroads of roads leading to the Bernina Pass, the Stelvio and Lake Como, made the town a fortified strongpoint. In 1492 the Duke of Milan, Ludovico Sforza, known as Ludovico il Moro, had it surrounded by walls. Three gates survive, marking the exits from the old town: the Porta Bormina, toward Bormio and the Stelvio; the Porta Poschiavina, toward Poschiavo and Switzerland; and the Porta Milanese, toward Milan.
Between the gates the center has narrow streets, courtyards and palaces built in the 16th and 17th centuries, when the families that controlled trade between Lombardy and the Grisons grew wealthy. Besides the Palazzo Salis, open to visitors, there are façades with coats of arms, stone portals and iron balconies. The collegiata of San Martino is the main church in the center.
The Adda River crosses the town, and its banks have promenades and bridges with views of slopes covered in terraced vineyards, where nebbiolo—the grape of Valtellina red wines—is grown. The dry-stone terrace walls are part of the valley’s landscape.
The whole walk is done on foot, linking the center with the stations and the basilica.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1 to 1.5 hours on foot.
Best time
The historic centre is about a 5 to 10-minute walk from the train stations, on the other side of the river Adda.
How to get there
Try the pizzoccheri, buckwheat pasta with potato, cabbage and melted cheese, a typical Valtellina dish, at one of the restaurants in the centre.
Tip
Try the pizzoccheri, buckwheat pasta with potato, cabbage and melted cheese, a typical Valtellina dish, at one of the restaurants in town.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Centro storico di Tirano
Who built Tirano’s walls?
The duke of Milão Ludovico Sforza, il Moro, in 1492. Three gates remain: Bormina, Poschiavina and Milanese.
What is typical to eat in Tirano?
Pizzoccheri, a buckwheat pasta with potato, cabbage and cheese, and sciatt, fried cheese fritters, paired with the nebbiolo red wines of Valtellina.
Is the old town center near the station?
Yes, about 5 to 10 minutes on foot, on the other side of the Adda river.