A remarkable new art installation has opened in one of Europe's most challenging landscapes, inviting only the most determined visitors on a six-hour pilgrimage through the Italian Alps.
The Journey to the Summit
To experience the Frattini Bivouac, adventurers must undertake a demanding six-to-eight hour ascent across treacherous terrain including loose scree, permanent snowfields, and dense moss. Perched at 2,300 metres above sea level along the Alta Via delle Orobie Bergamasche in Val Seriana, the shelter sits on an exposed ridge surrounded by jagged peaks and rocky slopes.
The installation forms part of Thinking Like a Mountain – The Orobie Biennial, a project exploring connections between art, territory, and both human and "more-than-human" communities. This collaborative effort between GAMeC – Galleria d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea di Bergamo and the Bergamo section of the Italian Alpine Club replaces earlier structures that fell victim to avalances and structural decay.
Inside the Mountain Refuge
Upon completing the arduous climb, visitors discover a surprisingly simple sanctuary. The shelter contains just nine foldable beds, a wooden bench, a skylight, and two panoramic portholes offering breathtaking mountain views.
There are no luxury amenities here - the bivouac operates without heating, running water, or telephone connection. Basic lighting and emergency power outlets rely entirely on solar roof panels, making it completely self-sufficient.
The shelter's distinctive red exterior, made from advanced technical fabric, withstands the Alps' harshest weather conditions. Cork lining provides both thermal and acoustic insulation, while its form deliberately echoes traditional expedition tents, "evoking the spirit of early high-mountain exploration".
More Than Just an Art Piece
The Frattini Bivouac serves multiple purposes beyond its artistic value. It functions as an unmanned emergency refuge along the Sentiero delle Orobie, overlooking the dramatic amphitheatre dominated by the Redorta, Scais and Coca peaks.
As Paolo Valoti, former president of CAI Bergamo, explained: "This innovative high-altitude bivouac preserves its essential function as a shelter and emergency refuge... helping to promote education and respect for our mountains."
Additionally, the installation will operate as a scientific outpost collecting real-time data on the surrounding alpine ecosystem, contributing valuable research about this fragile environment.
The shelter remains open throughout the year, accessible to anyone brave enough to make the journey. Prospective visitors are strongly advised to check weather and trail conditions with the Italian Alpine Club before attempting the climb to coordinates 46°02'27.60"N 9°55'14.90"E.
