“Worthy of the Unknown,” said one of the greatest architects of the 20th century, Le Corbusier, about Bergamo. And, indeed, in this city there are a huge number of architectural sights little studied by tourists. Perhaps this also has a share of the “guilt” of neighboring Milan, on the way to which travelers forget about everything except the Duomo, La Scala and shopping. BlogoItaliano decided to correct this injustice by presenting the TOP-5 attractions from those that you must see in Bergamo.
The city is conditionally and unconditionally divided into three large areas: Old Town (Citta Alta), New Town (Citta Basso) and Fortress (Citta Fortezza). Traditionally, all guidebooks, describing the sights of Bergamo, immediately begin the story of the architectural ensembles of Città Alta, located on a high hill or, in extreme cases, from the ramparts. But in Chitta Basso there is something to see in Bergamo, even if the TOP-5 framework does not imply a detailed narration of all significant monuments.
"Worthy of the Unknown" - so spoke of Bergamo Le Corbusier
5. Church of Santa Maria Immacolata delle Grazie
The emerald dome of the Church of the Immaculate Virgin Mary (Santa Maria Immacolata delle Grazie) rises almost in the center of the New Town, on what to see in Bergamo certainly worth it. Like the namesake in Milan, this temple has its own story, and its appearance and interiors are worth it to admire.
The Church of the Immaculate Virgin Mary is actually the first architectural ensemble that comes along the way for tourists who arrive at the station and want to see the sights of Bergamo as soon as possible. It arose on the site of the former Franciscan monastery of St. Bernardino of Siena, built in the XV century. But at the beginning of the XIX century. the monastery fell into decay. More precisely, only two courtyards remained, surrounded by galleries. During the restoration work, the courtyards were divided between the reconstructed monastery church and the bank of Bergamo.
The church of Santa Maria Maggiore was consecrated in Bergamo back in the 12th century.
Today the church is an impressive neoclassical building with a powerful portal supported by massive columns. The interiors of the temple “revive” the frescoes of the 17th-early 20th centuries. In the sacristy, church utensils are kept, the age of which is also estimated for centuries.
4. The ramparts of Bergamo
The view of a medieval city on a hill surrounded by powerful fortified walls is not the most familiar picture for Italy. In this respect, only the historical centers of Lucca, Ferrara, Padua and Grosseto can "argue" with Bergamo. In addition to the impressive fortress walls, the Old Town is “guarded” by other fortifications: the Rocca castle, the castle of San Vigilio, Fort San Marco, the Tower of Adalberto.
The total length of the walls of the fortress is 6,200 m. Its construction was completed in 1588 by the Venetians, in whose possession Bergamo was then. To erect these walls, it took to destroy 250 civil buildings and 7 temples. But by the time construction was completed, the fortress was able to have 14 bastions, 2 platforms, 32 watchtowers (only one has survived to this day), a hundred cannon embrasures.
To erect these walls, 250 buildings and 7 temples were destroyed
However, by the end of the XVI century. Venice's main interests were concentrated on the Mediterranean possessions and in the Balkans, where continuous war with the Turks was fought with varying success. Not a single shot was fired from Bergamo's fortress. In 1797, Napoleon’s troops entered the city without hindrance, in 1859, Giuseppe Garibaldi’s “Alpine Arrows” corps. By the way, one of the 4 gates leading to the Old Town, previously called the gates of San Lorenzo, was immediately renamed the gates of Garibaldi.
Others deserve special mention Bergamo Attractions - The oldest castle of San Vigilio IX-XII century. and the castle of Rocca ("Castle on the rock"), erected in the XIV century. by order of King John of Luxembourg. Today on its territory is a museum of Liberation and Resistance. On the open areas of the castle, from where the best view of the city and its surroundings opens, military equipment of the XIX-XX centuries is exhibited.
The first mention of the church in honor of St. Alexandra belongs to the IV century
3. Cathedral of St. Alexander of Bergamo
Like every self-respecting Italian city, Bergamo also has its own Duomo, the main cathedral in honor of the patron saint. The first mention of the church in honor of St. Alexander of Bergamo dates back to the IV century. In 585, by order of the king of the Lombards, who conquered the city and had just adopted Christianity, the first cathedral was built.
But the cathedral that tourists come to see today is a relatively new building, built in the XVII-XVIII centuries. instead demolished during the construction of the fortress walls. Its interior is decorated with the works of prominent masters of Italian mannerism and baroque transferred here: D. B. Moroni, F. Juvarra. D. B. Tiepolo.
The Chapelle Colleone was erected in Bergamo in the 1470s.
Another name for the temple is St. Alexander’s Cathedral at the Column. The column, rebuilt in the 15th century, has survived to the present day and has a symbolic meaning, designating the place where the saint was beheaded.
2. Church of Santa Maria Maggiore and Capella Colleone
The small cathedral square (or Duomo Square) also contains other sights of Bergamo: the baptistery of the 14th-19th centuries, the church of Santa Maria Maggiore and the Capella Colleone.
The church was consecrated back in the XII century. in the Romanesque style, but until the XV century. rebuilt and expanded. On what to see in Bergamo certainly worth it, without even entering the temple, it’s on the portals leading to the interior: the northern Portal of White Lions, which opens onto the adjacent Piazza Vecchia, and the southern portal of Red Lions.
However, the baroque interiors of Santa Maria Maggiore are also worth attention. On one of its walls are preserved murals of the XIV century. artist of the school of Giotto, the altar crucifix dates from the same century. In one of its chapels, the famous Bergamo native - composer Gaetano Donizetti is buried.
At 22:00, the bells on Torre Civic beat exactly 100 beats
Adjoining the church is the amazingly beautiful Capella Colleone, built in a mixed (Gothic and Renaissance) style in 1470-76. It owes its name to the customer, condottier Bartolomeo Colleone, who decided after the death of Medea’s only daughter to arrange for herself and her a magnificent mausoleum in the heart of the city. It is noteworthy that the condottiere, not wanting his grave to be looted (which was not uncommon in those days), secretly ordered to bury himself in the basement of Santa Maria Maggiore, and not in the lavishly decorated sarcophagus. His remains were discovered and identified only in the XX century.
1. Piazza Vecchia
The most important Bergamo Attractions are located on the Old Square - Piazza Vecchia. The most unusual building is the building of the 12th century Old Town Hall. (She is the Palazzo Ragione, she is the Palazzo Vecchio in Bergamo), considered the oldest municipal institution in Italy. There is also the New Town Hall, which now houses the Angelo Mai library. The facade of the Palazzo del Podesta of the XIV-XVI century, in the construction of which one of the founders of Renaissance architecture Donato Bramante took part in the square, also goes out.
At Piazza Vecchia are the most important sights of Bergamo
Torre Civica (Citizens Tower) of the 11th-12th centuries rises above the Piazza Vecchia, and the center of the square is decorated with a fountain with sphinxes built in the 18th century. by order of the Venetian governor Contarini. And, like hundreds of years ago, exactly at 22:00 local time, the bells on Torre Civic beat exactly 100 beats in memory of the curfew.
Excursions to Bergamo from Milan
Bergamo is connected to Milan by a railway line and getting from one city to another is very easy. Trains leave from Milan's Centrale main station, and the journey takes about an hour.
Bergamo also belongs to those Italian cities, which you should definitely visit with a guide as part of a group or individual tour. No wonder this trip is included in our makeshift TOP 5 BlogoItaliano of the most interesting excursions in Milan (and from Milan).
If you decide to visit Bergamo with a guide, we can recommend Oksana, a familiar guide in Milan with whom BlogoItaliano has been friends for several years. You can read a more detailed article about her, see our joint videos and reviews of travelers who contacted her on this page. You can write to Oksana by email email protected or through the feedback form below.
It’s only better to do this in advance: the season in Milan never ends and many days with guides can be scheduled several months in advance.
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