Bergamo

Bergamo, a city in northern Italy's Lombardy region, sits at the foothills of the Alps. The city is divided into two parts: the historic Città Alta on a hill and the modern Città Bassa below, connected by funicular railways. In Città Alta, you can walk along the 16th-century Venetian walls, explore the Piazza Vecchia with its 12th-century Civic Tower, and visit the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. The lower town hosts museums like Accademia Carrara and GAMeC. Bergamo is also known for its culinary specialties, including stracciatella gelato, which was invented here in 1961.

Exploring Città Alta

Enter Città Alta through Porta Sant'Alessandro, one of the four gates in the 16th-century Venetian walls. These walls stretch for 6 km and became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2017. As you walk the cobblestone streets, you'll find small shops selling local products and cafes where you can enjoy an espresso.

Heart of the Old Town: Piazza Vecchia

Piazza Vecchia serves as the main square of Città Alta. Here, you can climb the 12th-century Torre del Campanone (Civic Tower) for views of the city and surrounding countryside. The square is home to important buildings like Palazzo della Ragione, the oldest municipal building in Italy, and Palazzo Nuovo, which houses the Angelo Mai library. In the center, you'll see the Contarini Fountain, decorated with white marble lions.

Bergamo's Religious Buildings

Near Piazza Vecchia, you'll find several significant religious buildings. The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore's interior features tapestries, frescoes, and intricate stucco work. Next door, the Cappella Colleoni, a 15th-century mausoleum, has a colorful marble facade and detailed sculptures. The adjacent Bergamo Cathedral contains beautiful artwork inside, despite its simpler exterior.

Connecting the Two Cities

Travel between Città Alta and the lower town on one of Bergamo's funicular railways. The lower funicular, operating since 1887, connects the two parts of the city in a few minutes. For more extensive views, continue up to San Vigilio on the second funicular line. From here, you can see the Alps on clear days and get a view of Città Alta's rooftops.

Art and Culture in Bergamo

Visit the Accademia Carrara, one of Italy's main art galleries, to see works by Renaissance artists like Botticelli, Raphael, and Bellini. For modern and contemporary art, go to GAMeC (Galleria d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea). Bergamo celebrates its musical heritage, particularly that of opera composer Gaetano Donizetti who was born here. You can visit his birthplace museum or attend a performance at the Teatro Donizetti during the annual Donizetti Opera festival in November.

Bergamo's Culinary Delights

Try casoncelli, a local pasta filled with meat, cheese, and amaretti cookies, usually served with sage butter. Polenta is another common dish, often served with meat or cheese. For dessert, taste stracciatella gelato at Gelateria La Marianna in the lower town, where it was invented in 1961. You can pair your meal with wine from the nearby Valcalepio region.

Getting There and Around

You can reach Bergamo through its international airport, Orio al Serio. From the airport, a bus takes about 20 minutes to the city center. Within Bergamo, you can use the bus network, but it's best to explore much of Città Alta on foot. For day trips, trains connect Bergamo to Milan in about an hour, and buses run to nearby Lake Iseo and other surrounding areas.