Description of the attraction
Piazza Vecchia - Old Square, located in the so-called Upper Bergamo, is a recognized symbol of the city. It was created at the beginning of the 14th century, and acquired its present form during the rule of the Venetian Republic. In the southern part of the square are the Palazzo della Rajone, erected during the existence of the independent commune of Bergamo, the City Tower, built in the 12-15th centuries and also known as Campanone - "The Great Bell", and the ancient Domus Suardorum (14-15th centuries), now owned by the University of Bergamo. From the north, the square is covered by a 17th century building with a white marble facade. It was built for the city's municipality and today houses the Angelo Mai City Library, which houses over half a million volumes of books. The elegant ensemble of Piazza Vecchia is completed by a fountain donated in the 18th century by the Venetian podestà to Alvise Contarini and bearing his name.
Just behind Piazza Vecchia is another, no less important city square - Piazza Duomo with its many architectural monuments. So, here you can see the Cathedral of Bergamo, built by the architect Filarete and rebuilt several times. The decorations for its interior were completed only at the end of the 19th century. The main attraction of the cathedral is the chapel of the Crucifixion with a crucifix from the 16th century and the apse with seven canvases by Tiepolo.
In the same place, on the Piazza Duomo, there is the splendid Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore with the famous lion gates - Porta dei leoni bianchi and Porta dei leoni rossi. Next to the basilica is the Colleone Chapel, built in the 15th century by the architect Amadeo. The Chapel is the mausoleum of the famous Condottiere Bartolomeo Colleone and his daughter. A staircase leading to the entrance to the Bishop's Office is visible to the side of the Chapel. Passing through the richly frescoed Administration Hall - Aula della Curia (11th-12th century), one can enter a small courtyard with a small temple in the center, built in the 11th century. Finally, the baptistery building deserves attention. It was built in 1340 by the architect Giovanni da Campione as part of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. However, later it was converted into a separate standing building. The interior of the baptistery is decorated with high reliefs depicting Christ.
