Brescia, Collebeato, Cellatica, Concesio, Gussago are the municipalities that you pass through first stage of the Sisters’ Way. In truth, the feeling for much of the journey is that of never abandoning Brescia. The low variant, easier but with a greater asphalt surface, goes up and down from various parts of the city. Until you immerse yourself in the final stretch in enchanting scenery with Franciacorta which often has nothing to envy of Tuscany.
The stage is all ups and downs for almost twenty kilometres. In the end they will be for us 25 because those from the station to the Coop in via Mantova must be added to the official ones and those to then arrive in the center at the info point for the traditional stamp of the credential. Double marks for this journey because we always start from the Lombardy Coop to Coop passport.
We are six girls and two men and the right energy immediately kicks in. Initial introductions are always a bit formal, but then a hundred steps are enough and everything changes.
From the archaeological area of salt to Castle and then cross it through underground passages. The fortress located on the Cidneo hill is recognized by many Brescians as the symbol of the city. On the slopes is one of the oldest urban vineyards in Europe, the Pusterla vineyard it is home to centenary vines which in the 1900s earned a gold medal wine at the Northern Italy Wine Competition. Even today it is dedicated to the production of wine and grappa and jams and jellies made with the fruits of native trees.
The descent from the castle takes us back to an urban area and we travel along minor roads, cycle paths and paths and then climb towards Collebeato. From there you begin to see the Madonna della Stella Sanctuary with a hilly landscape characterized by vineyards and olive trees. You climb a little more to get to the top.
Completed in 1539, the Madonna della Stella Sanctuary stands on the Selva hill about 400 meters above sea level. Located between the municipalities of Concesio, Cellatica and Gussago, from the churchyard you can admire a valuable panorama which on the clearest days allows you to see the snow-capped peaks of Monte Rosa.
Built in a sober Baroque style, the Sanctuary houses precious artistic testimonies within it including the Madonna with child by Romanino (1536 – 1538) and the Portrait of San Carlo Borromeo by Grazio Cossali (1612). Note in the center of the floor the place where, according to legend, the Madonna gave the deaf mute back his speech in exchange for the promise to erect a Christian building in this place. On the outside, noteworthy is the bronze statue of Pope Paul VI, blessed in 1982 by Pope John Paul VI during his visit to Brescia.
At the entrance to the sanctuary there is an installation that recalls feminicides. The parish priest is keen to underline the commitment against such violence. From there you quickly descend to reach Gussago.
A group that seems to have been on the move for days and not a few hours. Two Chiara, Federica, Camilla, Marta, Isabel, Neven and Marco. They range from 25 to 67 years old, all from the province of Varese but with very varied experiences. Once again Coop allows you to live virtuous and positive experiences.
