Riva di Solto in the Instagram spotlight: the Orrido del Bogn effect

A reader from Seregno, in Brianza, has been visiting Riva di Solto for a few years. She comes for day trips from Milan to the lake, to breathe and get away from routine. Over time she has watched the village closely, and she wrote to the editors of a local newspaper.

For years Riva di Solto was seen as a fishing village on the Bergamo shore of Lake Iseo, also known as the Sebino. It was a quiet place, far from the glamour of the Lario, as Lake Como is called, and from the more pop feel of Lake Garda.

Then came Instagram. The Orrido del Bogn, a gorge with tall limestone cliffs dropping sheer into emerald water, began appearing on feeds across Europe. It is often sold as a kind of Thailand an hour from Milan.

According to the writer, the village now faces a contrast common to many Italian destinations. On one side is huge tourist demand, fuelled by social media. On the other are infrastructure and services that have stayed small, by choice or by inertia.

The letter speaks of a nearly austere authenticity, exposed stone and no luxury boutiques. The full article is in the newspaper issue on sale since 6 November.

If you plan to visit Riva di Solto, think of a calm, unhurried day. The village is small, and the lake remains the main reason to go.