The region of Lombardy is the pride of Italy, as unique architectural monuments in combination with other objects of the country's cultural heritage are concentrated on its territory. Tourists often go to the miniature town of Bergamo to see the local attractions.
Holiday season in Bergamo
Spending time in this amazing city is comfortable in any season. Those who prefer warm weather should go to Bergamo between May and September. The air in the summer months warms up to + 28-30 degrees, and in autumn the average temperature is about +18 degrees.
Starting in November, the weather changes, and the thermometer drops 5-10 degrees lower. At the end of the last autumn month, the daytime air temperature is kept at around + 8-10 degrees. Cold snaps up to + 4-2 degrees are possible at night.
In winter, the weather is stable and cool. The most severe month is January, when the temperature drops to + 1-2 degrees. From mid-February, a warm front displaces cold air currents and a real spring comes, bringing rains and gusty winds.
TOP 15 interesting places in Bergamo
Main square
The central square called Piazza Vecchia is recognized as the symbol of the city. The history of its appearance goes back to the 15th century, when two town halls and a tower were erected on the site of the old buildings.
The square was designed in accordance with the architectural traditions of the Renaissance, as evidenced by the graceful decor elements.
Piazza Vecchia attracts tourists not only due to the presence of many attractions, but also the opportunity to feel the atmosphere of the old city. Walking along the winding streets, peeking into a souvenir shop is the minimum that you should definitely do when visiting the square.
Old town hall
During its long history, the building was completely destroyed more than once, and then it was reconstructed. The first mentions of the construction of the town hall date back to the 12th century. In the 13th century, the buildings were burnt down.
The restoration of the town hall lasted almost 100 years and was completed in 1453. However, during the invasion of Italy by Spanish troops (1513), the building was again burnt down. Renowned architect Pietro Isabello took over the restoration. After 18 years, the reconstruction ended and a new town hall crowned with tall columns and a statue of a winged lion was presented to the judgment of the inhabitants of Bergamo.
Inside the building, there is a unique collection of paintings "Philosophers" created by the great Donato Bramante during the High Renaissance.
Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore
The site for the construction of the sights was chosen in the 12th century, Cathedral Square, where an ancient temple had previously been located. The initiators of the construction were the residents of the city, who believed that the basilica would help them get rid of the exhausting heat and drought.
The craftsmen decided to design the main building in the form of a Greek cross, decorated with five apses. The first work on the creation of the temple dates back to 1157. Further, the shrine was completed and supplemented with new architectural compositions. The interior was made in the Baroque style.
City wall
In the 16th century, around Bergamo, work began on the construction of a defensive structure stretching for 6 kilometers. More than five thousand ordinary workers and the Italian military participated in the construction, completing a large-scale project 20 years later.
In the wall, by order of Count Sforza Pallavicino, 120 loopholes and 13 bastions were equipped. For greater protection of the city, special guardhouses were erected, allowing to control the borders of Bergamo around the clock.
Despite its direct function, the structure was never used for its intended purpose. For example, the French and Austro-Hungarian armies entered the city without hindrance.
Church of the Immaculate Virgin Mary
The lower town of Bergamo is famous for its 15th century masterpiece, famous for its amazing frescoes with inscriptions in the ancient dialect. The building stands out among others with its majestic columns, deep gray color, high bell tower and emerald dome.
Before the construction of the temple, there was a monastery in its place, which fell into decay in the 19th century. During the construction of the building, the courtyard was divided into two parts, one of which went to the territory of the bank.
The church is an example of the neoclassical style. The sacristy contains relics, especially revered by the Catholics of Italy.
Carrara Academy
The attraction has gained popularity all over the world thanks to its rare collection of paintings. The idea of creating the academy belongs to the patron of art Giacomo Carrar, who left Bergamo a legacy of a unique collection of paintings. Carr's work was continued by his followers, and in 2006 the main exhibition consisted of more than 1,880 masterpieces. In addition to painting, in the halls of the academy you can see antique furniture, bronze and porcelain products, engravings, sculptures.
On the basis of the academy, an educational institution was opened, which is considered one of the best in Italy.
Botanical Garden
On the picturesque hill of Scaletta di Colle Aperto, in 1972, a garden was opened for mass visits in honor of the Italian scientist and breeder Lorenzo Rota. The territory of the garden is more than one and a half thousand square meters, which are divided according to the thematic principle. In each of the blocks, there are specific samples of flora, which make up 920 species.
After the 80s, the garden fell into disrepair. At the beginning of the 2000s, the city authorities allocated a large sum for its reconstruction. Visitors to the garden are invited to get acquainted with the collection of plants, take a walk in a relaxed atmosphere and visit the museum.
Chapel of the Holy Cross
The attraction is recognized as the oldest in the city and is located near the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica. In historical documents, the beginning of the construction is attributed to the XI century. For two centuries, the chapel served as the main church for the bishops of Bergamo.
The building was built in the Romanesque style: wide octagonal base and dome, rectangular windows with strict lines. The interior of the chapel is modest, and frescoes on the walls and bas-reliefs depicting bishops have survived to this day.
Today it is impossible to get into the temple, as it is closed to visitors. The chapel can only be viewed from the outside.
Baptistery
The building served as a temple extension, where the sacrament of baptism was performed. Several times (1340, 1661) the building was rebuilt and moved, until it ended up in the western part of Cathedral Square.
The neo-Gothic style of the baptistery is reflected in the straight lines of the facade, the semicircular shape of the window openings and unusual railings. There are eight statues on the roof that represent human virtues.
Inside you can see a beautiful baptismal font, and behind it is the altar, where the sculpture of John the Baptist is located.
Gombito tower
In the 12th century, a square defensive structure was erected in the area of the “upper city”. Due to the fact that the building is made of stone with the addition of adhesion mixtures, the tower has been preserved in its original form.
Gombito was considered the tallest building in the city (65 meters) until it was shortened to 52 meters in the 19th century.
In the 20th century, a travel agency was opened on the ground floor of Gombito. To get to the observation deck, where 264 steps lead, you must first agree with the staff.
Colleoni Chapel
The Renaissance building of amazing beauty was erected in the 15th century. The rights to the chapel belonged to the condottiere Bartolomeo Colleoni.
The building attracts attention with its original facade made of multi-colored marble with white inserts. The window of the chapel is made in the shape of a rose, and the sides of the opening are decorated with medallions with figures of Caesar and Trajan.
The upper part of the chapel is crowned with tiles, which skillfully depict miniatures of biblical themes. At the very top of the building is a loggia designed by Giovanni Antonio Amadeo.
Fountain Contarini
The Piazza Vecchia center is decorated with a fountain presented as a gift to the residents of Bergamo, Alvise Contarini. This event took place in 1780 and was included in the historical chronicles of the city, since the fountain not only complemented the architectural appearance of the square, but also served as a source of clean water during the drought.
A deep bowl is installed on a white marble base. It is surrounded by statues of lions and snakes, which hold a massive chain in their mouths. The composition is complemented by sculptures of sphinxes looking at each other.
Gate of San Giacomo
In 1592, a large-scale construction of defensive structures was carried out in Bergamo, part of which was the gate of San Giacomo. The architects note the uniqueness of the structure, created from white marble.
The gate was designed by the Italian master Lorini. When construction was completed, the gate began to function as the main entrance to the city for those arriving from Milan.
For four centuries, the gates were closed after ten o'clock in the evening to ensure the safety of the townspeople. This law was later abolished and San Giacomo became a local landmark.
Torre Civica Tower
This powerful building is located in the center of old Bergamo. From the moment of its construction at the turn of the 11th and 12th centuries, the tower was considered residential, and the rights to it belonged to the Suardi dynasty. The height of the tower at the beginning of construction was 38 meters, but already in the Middle Ages, Torre Civica was lengthened to 56 meters. In the 17th century, the building housed the personal residence of the head of the city.
Torre Civica still pleases tourists with the opportunity to climb to its observation deck and enjoy the opening view of the old part of Bergamo.
Dam Gleno
Not far from the city (65 km) you can see the dam, the construction of which is associated with very tragic events. In 1920, the Bergamo authorities approved a project to build a dam capable of regulating river flows in the vicinity of the city.
In 1921, the facility was put into operation, but two years later the dam burst, and a catastrophe occurred, wiping out two villages. As the investigation later established, the dam could not withstand the colossal load due to the fact that it was built of low-quality materials.
Nowadays, tourists can see the ruins of the dam, where a small lake was formed. At the foot of the landmark, there is a monument to the memory of the victims of those sad days.
