Bergamo
Visite turistiche
Piazza Vecchia is the heart of Bergamo Alta, it is considered one of the most beautiful squares in Europe.
In the center of the square is the Contarini Fountain with its sphinxes and all around the Palazzo della Ragione, the Campanone, the Palazzo del Podestà and the Angelo Mai Library with its 600 ancient volumes.
The fountain was donated by the Podestà of Venice, Alvise Contarini, when in 1780 he left his post in Bergamo.
It was meant to embellish the square, but above all, to bring water to the center of the Upper Town and make it available to everyone.
The sphinxes with the fountains have four lions on the sides, the symbol of Venice.
Since the architect and urban planner Le Corbusier complained about the presence of cars in the upper town in 1949, the mayor at the time banned parking and then all his successors extended the ban to the entire upper town.
For this reason, even today, the square and its surroundings are a place of beauty and quiet.
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Piazza Vecchia en Bergamo Città Alta
12 Piazza VecchiaPiazza Vecchia is the heart of Bergamo Alta, it is considered one of the most beautiful squares in Europe.
In the center of the square is the Contarini Fountain with its sphinxes and all around the Palazzo della Ragione, the Campanone, the Palazzo del Podestà and the Angelo Mai Library with its 600 ancient volumes.
The fountain was donated by the Podestà of Venice, Alvise Contarini, when in 1780 he left his post in Bergamo.
It was meant to embellish the square, but above all, to bring water to the center of the Upper Town and make it available to everyone.
The sphinxes with the fountains have four lions on the sides, the symbol of Venice.
Since the architect and urban planner Le Corbusier complained about the presence of cars in the upper town in 1949, the mayor at the time banned parking and then all his successors extended the ban to the entire upper town.
For this reason, even today, the square and its surroundings are a place of beauty and quiet.
The Palazzo della Ragione in Bergamo is the oldest municipal building in Italy.
It was built after the Peace of Constance, when the Italian municipalities approached autonomy and began to equip themselves with their own administrative structures.
With the arrival of the Venetians it was transformed into a court.
Destroyed and rebuilt several times, it owes its current shape to the changes made around 1540, the portico on which it is built acts as a "small square" that divides Piazza Vecchia from the adjacent Piazza del Duomo.
On the floor, the 1798 sundial by Abbot Giovanni Albrici, the sun, passing through a perforated disk placed at a height of 7 meters, illuminates the slabs placed on the porch floor indicating the solar noon and the zodiacal sign in which we find ourselves, to observe the phenomenon we recommend going to the Palazzo della Ragione at midday.
On the first floor of the building there is the splendid Sala delle Capriate with the windows and balcony looking on Piazza Vecchia, here is the Fresco Museum which houses about 100 frescoes recovered from the city and the province of Bergamo.
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Palazzo Della Ragione
8A Piazza VecchiaThe Palazzo della Ragione in Bergamo is the oldest municipal building in Italy.
It was built after the Peace of Constance, when the Italian municipalities approached autonomy and began to equip themselves with their own administrative structures.
With the arrival of the Venetians it was transformed into a court.
Destroyed and rebuilt several times, it owes its current shape to the changes made around 1540, the portico on which it is built acts as a "small square" that divides Piazza Vecchia from the adjacent Piazza del Duomo.
On the floor, the 1798 sundial by Abbot Giovanni Albrici, the sun, passing through a perforated disk placed at a height of 7 meters, illuminates the slabs placed on the porch floor indicating the solar noon and the zodiacal sign in which we find ourselves, to observe the phenomenon we recommend going to the Palazzo della Ragione at midday.
On the first floor of the building there is the splendid Sala delle Capriate with the windows and balcony looking on Piazza Vecchia, here is the Fresco Museum which houses about 100 frescoes recovered from the city and the province of Bergamo.
Passing the portico of the Palazzo della Ragione you reach Piazza Duomo, the other important square in Bergamo, if Piazza Vecchia has always been the symbol of administrative power, this is the square of religious power.
The Church of Santa Maria Maggiore is the most important building in the square.
It was built in 1137 and is characterized by the lack of an entrance door on the central facade, however compensated by four splendid side doors.
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Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
1 Piazza DuomoPassing the portico of the Palazzo della Ragione you reach Piazza Duomo, the other important square in Bergamo, if Piazza Vecchia has always been the symbol of administrative power, this is the square of religious power.
The Church of Santa Maria Maggiore is the most important building in the square.
It was built in 1137 and is characterized by the lack of an entrance door on the central facade, however compensated by four splendid side doors.
To the right of the facade of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore is the Colleoni Chapel, built between 1470 and 1476, this is one of the finest examples of the Renaissance in Italy.
An entrance staircase bordered by a wrought iron gate protects a triumph of red and white marble columns with biblical symbols and stories around them.
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Cappella Colleoni
5 Piazza DuomoTo the right of the facade of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore is the Colleoni Chapel, built between 1470 and 1476, this is one of the finest examples of the Renaissance in Italy.
An entrance staircase bordered by a wrought iron gate protects a triumph of red and white marble columns with biblical symbols and stories around them.
The Carrara Academy is one of the most beautiful Italian museums, located in Lower Bergamo, in an area rich in history.
It collects 1793 paintings from the Venetian, Lombard and Tuscan schools from the Renaissance to the end of the 1800s.
The whole collection of paintings deserves several hours to visit, together with that of sculptures with works by Bernini and prints with works by Mantegna, Dürer, Piranesi and Canaletto.
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Academia Carrara
82 Piazza Giacomo CarraraThe Carrara Academy is one of the most beautiful Italian museums, located in Lower Bergamo, in an area rich in history.
It collects 1793 paintings from the Venetian, Lombard and Tuscan schools from the Renaissance to the end of the 1800s.
The whole collection of paintings deserves several hours to visit, together with that of sculptures with works by Bernini and prints with works by Mantegna, Dürer, Piranesi and Canaletto.
The Venetian walls are an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The 6 km that go around the Upper Town represent an extraordinary defense system built by the Venetians in 1561 (on ancient Roman walls) to defend against external attacks. Having never undergone any siege, they are perfectly preserved.
Although a little tiring, they are an itinerary not to be missed during a visit to Bergamo.
Along the walls there are 4 entrance doors to the Upper Town and there are 14 bulwarks, 2 platforms, 100 openings for guns.
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Ciudad fortificada de Bergamo
Viale delle MuraThe Venetian walls are an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The 6 km that go around the Upper Town represent an extraordinary defense system built by the Venetians in 1561 (on ancient Roman walls) to defend against external attacks. Having never undergone any siege, they are perfectly preserved.
Although a little tiring, they are an itinerary not to be missed during a visit to Bergamo.
Along the walls there are 4 entrance doors to the Upper Town and there are 14 bulwarks, 2 platforms, 100 openings for guns.
It is really worth taking a small detour and going towards the industrial village of Crespi D’Adda, 20 minutes by car from Bergamo.
Built starting in 1878, it is protected by UNESCO as the best preserved example of a workers' village in the world.
In 1878 Cristoforo Benigno Crespi bought 85 hectares of land from the municipalities of Capriate San Gervasio and Canonica d'Adda to build his textile factory, but he did not limit himself to this, he decided to build a real city around the factory that could offer workers, employees and managers all the services they needed.
The naturalistic context of the village should not be overlooked: at the confluence of the Adda and Brembo rivers, it is a protected area, ideal for long walks.
Villa Industrial de Crespi D'Adda, sitio de la UNESCO
18 Corso Alessandro ManzoniIt is really worth taking a small detour and going towards the industrial village of Crespi D’Adda, 20 minutes by car from Bergamo.
Built starting in 1878, it is protected by UNESCO as the best preserved example of a workers' village in the world.
In 1878 Cristoforo Benigno Crespi bought 85 hectares of land from the municipalities of Capriate San Gervasio and Canonica d'Adda to build his textile factory, but he did not limit himself to this, he decided to build a real city around the factory that could offer workers, employees and managers all the services they needed.
The naturalistic context of the village should not be overlooked: at the confluence of the Adda and Brembo rivers, it is a protected area, ideal for long walks.
GAMeC, the Modern and Contemporary Art Gallery located right in front of the Carrara Academy. The ideal museum for fans of contemporary art. It is located within a complex that dates back to 1400, originally used as a monastery.
In an environment of about 1,500 square meters, contemporary art is present in all its forms, with group exhibitions of international artists and temporary personal exhibitions.
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GAMeC
53 Via San TomasoGAMeC, the Modern and Contemporary Art Gallery located right in front of the Carrara Academy. The ideal museum for fans of contemporary art. It is located within a complex that dates back to 1400, originally used as a monastery.
In an environment of about 1,500 square meters, contemporary art is present in all its forms, with group exhibitions of international artists and temporary personal exhibitions.
The other main character of Piazza Vecchia is the "Campanone" (literally big bell), which is actually called the Civic Tower.
With its 53 meters of height it is one of the highest in Europe, as well as a symbol of Bergamo.
Every evening at 10 pm the bells of the tower carry out their centuries-old function: ringing 100 strokes to warn of the closing of the doors of the Upper Town, even if now the doors do not close anymore the tradition is still alive and is not to be missed.
From up there the view of Bergamo is beautiful and to get there you have two choices: 230 steps on foot or a comfortable lift.
Next to the tower is the Palazzo del Podestà, which has suffered fires, devastation and looting over the centuries, often changing use, now houses a multimedia museum on the history of the city.
On the facade of the building overlooking Piazza Vecchia, Bramante painted his 7 philosophers, of which only the fragments preserved in the Sala delle Capriate in the Palazzo della Ragione remain.
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Campanone
8A Piazza VecchiaThe other main character of Piazza Vecchia is the "Campanone" (literally big bell), which is actually called the Civic Tower.
With its 53 meters of height it is one of the highest in Europe, as well as a symbol of Bergamo.
Every evening at 10 pm the bells of the tower carry out their centuries-old function: ringing 100 strokes to warn of the closing of the doors of the Upper Town, even if now the doors do not close anymore the tradition is still alive and is not to be missed.
From up there the view of Bergamo is beautiful and to get there you have two choices: 230 steps on foot or a comfortable lift.
Next to the tower is the Palazzo del Podestà, which has suffered fires, devastation and looting over the centuries, often changing use, now houses a multimedia museum on the history of the city.
On the facade of the building overlooking Piazza Vecchia, Bramante painted his 7 philosophers, of which only the fragments preserved in the Sala delle Capriate in the Palazzo della Ragione remain.
Le Guide ai Quartieri
The "Bergamo shopping triangle" consisting of via XX Settembre, Via Sant'Alessandro and Via Sant'Orsola. The starting point of what used to be the main access to the city, is symbolized by Porta Nuova, easily distinguishable because it is characterized by the Propilei: two neoclassical colonnades. Leaving the Propilei behind, you can cross the Sentierone.
Sentierone
SentieroneThe "Bergamo shopping triangle" consisting of via XX Settembre, Via Sant'Alessandro and Via Sant'Orsola. The starting point of what used to be the main access to the city, is symbolized by Porta Nuova, easily distinguishable because it is characterized by the Propilei: two neoclassical colonnades. Leaving the Propilei behind, you can cross the Sentierone.
This square dominated by a fascist-era palace and an oval fountain in the center, has a particular charm and a very modern spirit. It is located in lower Bergamo and it is worth taking a detour and passing through here, while proceeding towards the hill of the upper city. Area very full of shops, restaurants and other services.
Piazza della Libertà
Piazza della LibertàThis square dominated by a fascist-era palace and an oval fountain in the center, has a particular charm and a very modern spirit. It is located in lower Bergamo and it is worth taking a detour and passing through here, while proceeding towards the hill of the upper city. Area very full of shops, restaurants and other services.
Funicolare
The best way to reach the upper town. An experience to try.
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Funicolare Bergamo Alta
64 V.le V. Emanuele IIThe best way to reach the upper town. An experience to try.
Funicolare San Vigilio
Funicolare San VigilioThe best way to reach San Vigilio. An experience to try
Punti di riferimento
Aeropuerto Internacional de Orio al Serio
49 Via AeroportoBergamo FS station