Bergamo's Cheese Valleys

Why Bergamo

Bergamo joined UNESCO's Creative Cities network for gastronomy in 2019 on the strength of its cheese valleys in the Orobie Alps, where cheese has been made for over 400 years and about 150 summer pastures are still in use. Visit Bergamo lists Taleggio, Strachitunt, Formai de Mut dell'Alta Valle Brembana, Quartirolo Lombardo and Bitto among the province's DOP cheeses, along with Branzi and Agrì di Valtorta.

Taleggio and the Val Taleggio

Taleggio is named after the village of Taleggio in the Val Brembana, and its square shape goes back to the wooden boxes it was carried in on mules and donkeys during the seasonal move of the herds. In the valley, the Cooperativa Agricola S. Antonio at Reggetto, Vedeseta, collects about a million litres of milk a year (2020) from seven member farms and sells its cheese directly and through the old cheese agers of Peghera. Contact it on 0345 47467 before visiting.

Latteria di Branzi

Founded in 1953 by the cheesemaker Giacomo Midali, the dairy turns milk from mountain farms of the Val Brembana and Val Imagna into Branzi, one of the oldest cheeses of the Orobie. Its production and ageing rooms can be visited by booking, and the shop at Via San Rocco 41, Branzi, sells its cheeses and others from the valleys. In the city, its Bu cheese bar serves them in the centre of Bergamo.

Make Your Own Cheese

At Fattoria della Felicità, Località Zanecla, Onore, below the Presolana, farmers guide you through making a small primosale from the farm's organic milk while it sets you visit the cowshed, then lunch at the agriturismo. €60 per adult, ages 14 and over, starting at 10:30 on dates listed by Visit Bergamo through autumn 2026, with other dates for groups of four or more. Dogs are welcome. Book through Visit Bergamo.

FORME

Every October Bergamo hosts FORME, a festival of cheese with a big market, Cheese Labs, talks and competitions, and a stage for the UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy.

Where to Taste

Visit Bergamo also points to the Latteria Sociale Valtorta and the Latteria Sociale Montana di Scalve. Across the mountains in Valtellina, the Centro del Bitto ages alpine Bitto for ten years and more.