• Six years after the fire that destroyed it, the historic Rifugio Loa has been brought back to life in the Adamello Regional Park, embodying sustainability, accessibility and the enhancement of the local area.
• The project, worth more than €917.000, was completed by City Green Light in spring 2026 and last week the municipal administration officially entrusted the management of the facility to its new operator.

Berzo Demo (BS), May 29, 2026 – The reconstruction of Rifugio Loa, also known as the “To the Fallen of All Wars” Mountain Hut, has now been completed. Located at an altitude of 1.170 meters in the Valsaviore valley, within the municipality of Berzo Demo and the Adamello Regional Park, the refuge has finally returned to the community. Following the devastating fire of January 2020, which completely destroyed the roof and much of the first floor, irreparably compromising the building’s structural stability and rendering it unusable, local residents and mountain enthusiasts can now celebrate the rebirth of this symbolic landmark.

The demolition and reconstruction works, made possible through the collaboration between the Municipality of Berzo Demo, the contracting authority and the Comunità Montana di Valle Camonica, which managed the tender process, were officially completed in spring 2026. The entire contract was managed by City Green Light, which carried out the structural and architectural works, electrical and mechanical systems installation and finishing activities. Marking the final stage of this process, the municipal administration has formally assigned the management of the facility to its new operator, paving the way for its operational reopening.

The project further demonstrates City Green Light’s commitment to delivering works that are deeply integrated with their local context, with a strong focus on sustainability, energy-efficient systems and the enhancement of local heritage.

“Completing the reconstruction of Rifugio Loa means having contributed to restoring a place of profound significance for both the local area and the Valle Camonica community” said Roberto Dabeni, Business Unit Director of Construction Solutions at City Green Light. “It was a technically complex project, but above all one that combines sustainability, accessibility and respect for the alpine environment. Our goal was to return a modern facility that blends seamlessly into the landscape and we are proud to have achieved this result.”

A PROJECT IN HARMONY WITH THE ALPINE LANDSCAPE

After the abandonment of an ultra-modern design proposal that had sparked controversy in previous years, the new Rifugio Loa was developed through a vision shared with local stakeholders and approved by the relevant authorities, focusing on architecture fully integrated into the mountain environment.

“The completion of the works and the assignment of the management of the new Rifugio Loa represent a very important milestone for the entire community of Berzo Demo and the Valsaviore valley” said Giovan Battista Bernardi, Mayor of Berzo Demo. “After several challenging years and a long planning process, we are finally restoring a future to a place that is deeply connected to our history, our collective memory and our mountain traditions. The new refuge is a more modern, accessible facility that blends naturally into its surroundings and is designed to welcome hikers, families and visitors while enhancing the environmental and tourism value of the Adamello area”.

The new building was constructed using prefabricated XLAM timber systems across two levels, while partially reusing materials recovered from the demolition of the former structure. Particular attention was paid to the selection of materials, prioritizing wood and locally sourced stone to ensure continuity with the architectural and landscape characteristics of the alpine setting.

ACCESSIBILITY AND HOSPITALITY

Classified as a Hiking Refuge, the new Loa is a modern and inclusive facility. Accessibility has been ensured for people with disabilities through the removal of architectural barriers at the entrance and the installation of a stairlift providing access to the upper floor. The project also included a modest expansion of the areas dedicated to tourism services. The refuge now features a kitchen and public bar, a restaurant dining room with approximately fifty indoor seats and additional outdoor dining areas. The upper floor accommodates guest rooms with a capacity of 13 to 15 visitors. The refuge will operate on a seasonal basis, approximately from May to September. In addition, a bivouac shelter has been completed to provide accommodation for hikers and visitors outside the operating season.

A HUB FOR TOURISM AND HISTORICAL MEMORY

Rifugio Loa is also part of a network of tourist and scenic routes of significant historical and natural value, including the Path of Memory, a 5.5 kilometre trail that follows the routes used during the First World War, passing through trenches, tunnels, bunkers and artillery positions carved directly into the rock.4

MEDIA AGENCY – Eprcomunicazione – Filippo Nani, Francesca Magnanini 

magnanini@eprcomunicazione.it Mobile +39 338 691 0347