- Bergamo landmarks
- Old square
- On a date with Raphael
- Note to shopaholics
- Delicious points on the map
The mention of Bergamo among theater lovers most often evokes associations with Truffaldino - the famous character of the Italian comedy of masks. He is better known to us as the Harlequin - a cheerful and slightly naive glutton and lazy person, according to legend, who was born in the administrative center of Lombardy. When choosing where to go in Bergamo, pay attention to the theatrical repertoire: the local opera brings together famous performers and musicians from different continents in the summer.
The history of Bergamo began long before the onset of a new era, and many masterpieces of medieval architecture have been preserved on its streets. During a city tour you will also come across symbols of Venetian power: the winged lion of San Marco recalls the past domination of the Venetian Republic, which declared its rule over Bergamo in the 15th century.
Bergamo landmarks
The upper town in Bergamo is the historic quarters of Città Alta, which lie on a hill and are connected to the other part, Bergamo Basso, by a funicular. You will find city sights everywhere, but the historical area is especially interesting for lovers of ancient architecture.
The list of objects worth visiting during an excursion usually includes:
- The castle on the Roca rock, the construction of which was started by John of Bohemia in the middle of the XIV century. The site was chosen where in the era of the Romans the Capitol and the Sanctuary of Jupiter stood. A century later, the Venetians significantly strengthened and rebuilt the fortress, later the Austrians made their changes to the project. Now in the castle of Roca, a museum is open, the exposition of which is dedicated to the First and Second World Wars. The museum displays weapons and original documents of those years.
- One of the most beautiful buildings in Bergamo, where you should go on an excursion, is the mausoleum of the Condottiere Colleoni. The chapel was built by the commander himself, who donated a large amount of gold to Bergamo. Work began in 1472 by the architect Giovanni Antonio Amadeo. The chapel facade is decorated with rhombic inlays of multi-colored marble slabs, the bas-reliefs decorating the basement remind of the exploits of Hercules and some biblical scenes, and the rose-shaped window above the portal is framed by medallions with portraits of Roman emperors. Frescoes and sculptural compositions dating from the 15th-18th centuries have been preserved in the chapel halls.
- The Cathedral of Bergamo is also worthy of attention on Cathedral Square. In contrast to the luxurious Colleoni mausoleum, the duomo looks much more modest: in its external appearance, architectural techniques of neoclassicism are clearly guessed, although the interiors are decorated richer - in the Baroque tradition. The first church dedicated to St. Alexander of Bergam appeared in the middle of the 15th century, then it was rebuilt and refined many times. As a result of the work of many architects, a cathedral has appeared in the world, the interior of which is decorated with the works of Giovanni Batista Moroni, the great artist of the late Renaissance period.
- Near the cathedral, your attention will be attracted by another religious building, known in Bergamo from the first half of the XIV century. The Baptistery was designed by Giovanni di Campione and was part of the architectural ensemble of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. A baptismal font, carved by Campione from marble and dated 1340, has survived. The baptistery's colonnade is crowned with sculptures of the same period depicting virtues.
Old square
In the second half of the 15th century, some of the old buildings in the city center were demolished, and the Piazza Vecchia appeared - the center of public life of Bergamo residents. People began to come to the square for various reasons: to meetings, holidays, to buy food on market day and to church services.
It is the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in the Old Square that is considered the most significant city temple. It was built over many centuries by various architects. Began work in the middle of the XII century. Master Fredo, two centuries later the temple was rebuilt in accordance with the Gothic trends in architecture, and the bell tower was completely finished only at the end of the 16th century. Fragments of paintings from the Trecento era and frescoes by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, named after his death as the greatest Italian Rococo master of the 18th century, have survived in the interiors of the basilica.
Another historical building on Piazza Vecchia is a watchtower, which soars into the sky above Bergamo at 54 m. All lovers of historical monuments should go here. The construction of the Civil Tower began in the 11th century. the Suardi family - a powerful Italian family of that era. Gradually, the Old Square became the center of city life, and the bell of the watchtower marked the passage of time. Its ringing announced in the evenings the impending curfew, when the gates for the entrance to Bergamo were tightly closed. This tradition is still alive today. The Civil Tower gives a signal for the evening at 22:00 daily. The largest of the bells installed on it was cast in 1656 and is considered the oldest in Lombardy.
At the end of the 16th century, the construction of the Palazzo Nuovo began on the square. The mansion was used as a meeting place for the city council and later as a library. It was in the New Palace that the most valuable copy of Dante's Divine Comedy, published at the beginning of the 15th century, was kept.
On the facade of the Palazzo della Ragione you will find the symbol of the Venetian Republic, and its interiors are decorated with frescoes by masters of the 14th-15th centuries, among which is Bramante's priceless masterpiece depicting philosophers.
On a date with Raphael
The Municipal Pinakothek in Bergamo was founded in the 18th century, and the honor of its creation belongs to the patron of the arts, Giacomo Carrara. In honor of the count, the gallery was named, which initially presented the viewer with fifteen hundred pictorial masterpieces bequeathed to him as a gift to the city.
Today, the Carrara Academy has about 1,800 paintings. Among them are the works of the great Raphael Santi. Other authors who have decorated the gallery with their work include Botticelli, Canaletto and Piccio.
Count Carrara bequeathed to open painting courses at the gallery. At the end of the last century, they were reorganized into the Academy of Fine Arts. The works of its graduates are also presented in that part of the Pinakothek, which is called the gallery of modern art.
Note to shopaholics
The closest neighbor of Milan, Bergamo is ready to compete with the center of world fashion in terms of shopping. Its shopping malls and outlets offer customers a decent selection of clothing and accessories. If you make a guess and fly to Bergamo during the sales season, the first thing you need to do is buy a couple of extra suitcases.
Souvenirs, handicrafts and unusual crafts as gifts for family and friends should be looked for in the historical part of the city. Upper Bergamo has many small antique shops where you should go for jewelry, accessories and trinkets of the last century.
If you've just arrived in Bergamo, check out the Orio shopping center near the city's airport. However, it will not be possible to go in for a short time, and it is worth taking a whole day for shopping in Orio. You will find hundreds of shops and boutiques in the mall, with the world's most famous fashion names on display. The center is open around the clock and for the convenience of customers there are cafes and restaurants.
On the shopping streets of Bergamo Bass, you can find designer boutiques, jewelry stores and art salons selling one-of-a-kind items and handicrafts. Such shops coexist quite well with outlets, because the lower town of Bergamo is a very democratic place for buyers of any income and preferences. The most popular outlet in the new part of Bergamo is called OVS.
Icam and Franciacorta Outlet Village offer a huge selection of goods. In these outlets in Bergamo you will find a variety of products with discounts, reaching 90% during the sales season.
Delicious points on the map
The huge variety of culinary and gastronomic establishments in the administrative center of Lombardy guarantees a well-fed and enjoyable journey. If you are a solo tourist in Bergamo and are looking for where to go for lunch, be guided by the restaurants preferred by the Italians themselves. In such places, the quality of food is guaranteed to be high, and the prices are pleasantly moderate:
- Da Mimmo's staff are proud of their pasta. Here it is prepared in accordance with Italian traditions and served with seafood, cheese, meat and vegetable sauces. The sommelier will help you choose the wine, and the cultural and entertainment program will make your evening unforgettable.
- Trattoria Parietti attracts visitors with its varied assortment of traditional Lombardy dishes. On the menu you will find casoncelli ravioli with original toppings, Polenta e Osèi with marzipan and hazelnut cream, and a variety of cheeses.
- Trattoria Camozzi knows all the secrets of seafood cooking. In the restaurant, you can order classic pasta with sea creatures, oysters, and mussels baked over the fire, and exotic oriental dishes from seafood. Trattoria Camozzi's own cellar with a huge selection of wines will come in handy for guests of the establishment.
- Music evenings and exhibitions of works by artists from Lombardy are a welcome addition to the delicious cuisine of Sarmassa in Bergamo Bassa. The institution is located in a cellar of the 11th century, and the paintings decorating its walls date from the 13th century. The menu is dominated by fish, meat and salads, but fans of Italian cuisine can always get traditional pasta here.
If you decide to go for a walk and have coffee, be sure to order the classic desserts invented in Bergamo - torta donizetti, dedicated to the great composer Gaetano Donizetti, who was born here, and stracciatella ice cream.
