10. Funicular Railways Provide Superior Connectivity
9. Il Campanone – A Tower Bell That Has Conquered
Campanone means, big bell tower that has so conquered the hearts of the Italians, which gave rise to a new word, ‘campanilismo,’ meaning, exaggerated local patriotism. This 12th Century bell tower, 52 meters (170.6 feet) high, is visible for miles and was a landmark for travelers. In times of yore, this bell tolled a 100 times to call residents to safety behind Bergamo walls before the gates would close. The bell tolls even today.Piazza Vecchia, Bergamo
The Tower Bell8. Viale delle Mura – The Road of the Walls
Viale delle Mura (The Road of the Walls) is a ring road, built by the Venetians, that follows the walls that surround the city for over 4 kilometers (2.4 miles). This road leads you to Porta Sant’Alessandro , Donizetti Museum , Porta San Giacomo (Door of St. James), a majestic gate to the city, and onwards to the church of Sant’Agostino and Porta Sant’Agostino.
Bergamo
Viale delle Mura7. Accademia Carrara – A 28-Room Art Palace
Accademia Carrara is a magnificent 28-room palace contiguous to Città Alta. Built in the 18th Century, this palace has the richest private collections of art in Italy with over 600 major works spanning five centuries. This includes works by Venetian, Lombard and Tuscan masters of the Renaissance period, in addition to artists of a later date – Canaletto, Guardi, Tiepolo, Rubens, Moroni, Titan, Lotto and many more.
6. Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe
Torre di Gombito , a patrician tower-house. Nearby are the magnificent churches of San Michele al Pozzo Bianco and Sant’Andrea .
4. Cathedral of Sant’Alessandro
This cathedral, built in A.D. 1459, is dedicated to Sant’Alessandro, Bergamo’s patron saint. He was a devout Christian, who was martyred by the Romans since he refused to renounce his religion. The cathedral has distinctive neo-classical façades and a dome, an ornate Baroque choir-stall, paintings by Tiepolo and Previtali, and other masterpieces. Every year Sant’Alessandro is commemorated through religious and cultural events.
3. Cappella Colleoni (Colleoni Chapel)
One of the must-see chapels in Città Alta, this early Lombard Renaissance-style chapel has an elaborately decorated façade adorned with ornate multi-hued inlaid marble. The chapel was designed by Giovanni Amadeo, in the 1470s. The tomb inside the chapel was the final resting place of condottiere, Bartolomeo Colleoni , a mercenary commander, and his daughter Medea. In 1732, Giambattista Tiepolo made the chapel aesthetically magnificent by adding beautiful ceiling paintings.
Bergamo showcases Renaissance and Baroque styles of architecture that is certain to transport you back to the medieval times.
Also known as the ‘Shoe Market Square,’ Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe is a significant square in Città Alta. It is the converging point of the roads coming from Milan to the south and Venice to the east. Next to it is Via Gombito, a narrow stone-paved courtyard that is home to 5. Baptistery by Giovanni da Campione
This striking architectural marvel was initially constructed inside Santa Maria Maggiore in A.D. 1340 by, Giovanni da Campione. It was dismantled in 1659 and again reassembled in 1856, and located beside the Duomo. It was once again taken apart and put together in 1898 at its present site. The upper part displays eight 14th Century statues, representing the virtues, along with elegant marble pillars. A visit inside is by appointment only.4. Cathedral of Sant’Alessandro
This cathedral, built in A.D. 1459, is dedicated to Sant’Alessandro, Bergamo’s patron saint. He was a devout Christian, who was martyred by the Romans since he refused to renounce his religion. The cathedral has distinctive neo-classical façades and a dome, an ornate Baroque choir-stall, paintings by Tiepolo and Previtali, and other masterpieces. Every year Sant’Alessandro is commemorated through religious and cultural events.3. Cappella Colleoni (Colleoni Chapel)
One of the must-see chapels in Città Alta, this early Lombard Renaissance-style chapel has an elaborately decorated façade adorned with ornate multi-hued inlaid marble. The chapel was designed by Giovanni Amadeo, in the 1470s. The tomb inside the chapel was the final resting place of condottiere, Bartolomeo Colleoni , a mercenary commander, and his daughter Medea. In 1732, Giambattista Tiepolo made the chapel aesthetically magnificent by adding beautiful ceiling paintings. 2. Santa Maria Maggiore (Basilica of St. Mary Major)
This 12th Century architectural marvel at Piazza del Duomo is a masterpiece. Its richly adorned cupola, gothic canopies, intricate Flemish and Florentine tapestries, a stepped-back tower, doorways on both sides with lions guarding it, Baroque stucco work, elegant Renaissance choir stalls, decoratively carved wooden confessional and a wood carved altar give a majestic touch to this church. An ornate white marble monument of the famous composer Donizetti, a Bergamo resident, still attracts admirers.1. Piazza Vecchia
At the heart of Città Alta is a collection of striking Patrician houses together with the 12th Century Palazzo della Ragione or the ‘Palace of Reason.’ A covered staircase leads to the ‘salone superiore’ or the main top floor room, a popular venue for exhibitions and cultural events. The dominating structure of this square is il Campanone, the big bell tower. The Palazzo del Podesta Veneto (The Palace of the Mayor of Venice), is now the University of Bergamo’s Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literature. A fountain with marble lions adorns the center of the square.Città Alta, Bergamo
Piazza VecchiaRelated Blogs in-and-around Bergamo
Related Routes in-and-around Bergamo
Bergamo walk
Short and relaxing Bergamo upper city walk through the main areas of interest.
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