On the hills above the town of Rovato, the convent complex of the SS. Annunciata, the main attraction of Monte Orfano, is clearly visible, identifiable in the characteristic late medieval architectural structure of its portico.

A building designed for monk’s community life, it was built between 1149 and 1452. It is built around an ancient cloister on two floors: the lower one, in particular, rests on 22 stone columns with capitals featuring decorative motifs formed by leaf collars.

In 1449 two friars of the Servants of Mary’s congregation obtained land to build a convent and a church, which was completed in 1503. The building soon became a destination for pilgrimages, particularly on the occasion of the great feasts dedicated to the Madonna, until 1772, when it was suppressed. Only in 1963, again by the Servants of Mary, a religious community was reconstituted within it.

The Convent houses works of great artistic importance, including an Annunciation by Romanino (1485-1566), and is characterised by a cloister with perfect geometry. The simple lines of the columns and arches frame the central well adorned with a refined wrought iron decoration.

The Convent is surrounded by a vineyard owned by the Bellavista Winery and today entrusted to the Vittorio and Mariella Moretti Foundation, which has subjected it to conservation with the aim of making its great historical, architectural and naturalistic value known and appreciated.

Furthermore, for those interested, there is the possibility of visiting and staying at the Convent, surrounded by peace and tranquillity.

The Convent can be reached via a cobbled road at the foot of Monte Orfano.

Photo Merighi Province of Brescia Archive, Comune di Rovato