Bergamo. History of the stone streets of the Upper Town.
A medieval town on picturesque hills. Stunning views: the panorama of the snow-capped Alps, vineyards and silhouettes of ancient bell towers, the boundless Padana plain.
Walk through the narrow streets of the old town, look into the Renaissance courtyards, climb the 11th-century Communal Tower. Of course, visit one of Lombardy’s most important Renaissance masterpieces, the Colleoni Chapel. You will see the theatre that bears the name of the famous composer Gaetano Donizetti, a native of the area, and visit the Baroque church of St Bartholomew, which houses one of the most famous masterpieces of the great Venetian painter Lorenzo Lotto’s Madonna of Martinengo. Then you will ascend to the upper part of the city, this can be done by funicular railway. Here you will visit the magnificent church of Santa Maria Maggiore, which has no facade. See the mausoleum of the famous general Bartolomeo Colleoni, which from the outside appears to be a precious chest of colourful marble and is painted with frescoes by Tiepolo.
The nearby cathedral houses the relics of St Alexander, the city’s official patron saint. The Old Square, the heart of the city, is striking for its medieval architecture. You will see the 12th century City Council, on which the Venetian lion, the symbol of St Mark, proudly stands. If you wish, you can climb the ancient bell tower (entrance fee), from where you can enjoy a magnificent view of the city and its surroundings. The view is no less beautiful from the fortress, which also houses the memorial of all armed forces dedicated to the fallen. Not only children, but also adults will be interested to see the various combat vehicles from the Second World War.
You will descend into ancient crypts and visit ancient monasteries.
In addition, one of Italy’s most famous art galleries, the Carrara Gallery, is now open after a long restoration. Masterpieces by: Raphael, Mantegna, Titian. This is another reason to visit this city.
But the main charm of a walk through Bergamo is the city itself. Every street and every corner of the city seems like the past has come to life, and without any scenery you could easily make historical films here.
