Bergamo

Bergamo is a beautiful city in the Lombardy region of Northern Italy, known for its distinct division into two parts: the historic hilltop district and the more modern lower town.

The Two Souls of Bergamo: Città Alta and Città Bassa

Bergamo is famously divided into two sections, connected by a funicular, roads, and walking paths:

• Città Alta (Upper Town): This is the heart of the historic city, perched on a hill and enclosed by the magnificent Venetian Walls (a UNESCO World Heritage site). It features a medieval charm with narrow cobblestone streets, ancient squares, and historical monuments. It was traditionally the political and religious center.
• Città Bassa (Lower Town): This is the more modern and commercial part of the city, extending onto the plain below. Developed largely from the 19th century onward, it is the hub for contemporary daily life, shopping, and business.

Key Attractions in Bergamo

Most of the major historical and artistic attractions are located in the Città Alta:

Città Alta (Upper Town) Highlights

• Venetian Walls (Mura Veneziane): These impressive 16th-century defensive walls stretch for over 6 kilometers and offer stunning panoramic views of the city and the surrounding Alps.
• Piazza Vecchia: Considered one of Italy’s most beautiful squares, it is the civic heart of the Upper Town. It is surrounded by elegant Renaissance buildings.
  • Palazzo della Ragione: A 12th-century municipal palace with historic frescoes.
  • Campanone (Torre Civica): The Civic Tower, which you can ascend by lift or stairs for breathtaking views. Its bell still tolls 100 times every night at 10:00 PM (the old curfew).
• Piazza del Duomo: Located just behind Piazza Vecchia.
  • Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore: A stunning Romanesque church founded in 1137, known for its intricate exterior, lavish gilded interior, and wooden inlays.
  • Cappella Colleoni: A Renaissance masterpiece attached to the Basilica. It is the ornate mausoleum of the military leader Bartolomeo Colleoni.
  • Battistero (Baptistry): An elegant octagonal building dating from 1340.
  • Bergamo Cathedral (Duomo di Sant’Alessandro): The city’s main Catholic church.

Città Bassa (Lower Town) Highlights

• Accademia Carrara: One of Italy’s most important art galleries, housing a vast collection of paintings from the Renaissance to the 19th century, with works by masters like Raphael, Botticelli, and Bellini. It is located between the upper and lower cities.
• GAMeC (Galleria d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea): A modern and contemporary art museum located near the Accademia Carrara.
• Teatro Donizetti: The prestigious theater named after Gaetano Donizetti, one of the world’s great opera composers who was born in Bergamo.

Local Cuisine

Bergamo is a great city for foodies, featuring hearty, traditional Lombard cuisine:

• Casoncelli: A traditional stuffed pasta, typically filled with seasoned pork and herbs, and served with a rich sauce of melted butter, sage, and cheese.
• Polenta e Osei: A famous local dessert, which is a polenta-domed cake decorated to look like little birds (osei), though it’s actually sweet and often made with sponge cake and marzipan.
• Stracciatella Gelato: The historic ice cream parlor La Marianna is credited with inventing this popular flavor.

Bergamo’s mix of profound history, art, and a striking two-level geography makes it a charming and less-crowded alternative to Italy’s more famous tourist hubs.