Bergamo through the centuries

What to expect

The Magnificence of the Upper Town
Bergamo is divided into two parts - Upper and Lower Town, connected by a funicular for about 120 years. Our walk will take place in the Upper Town - a unique medieval area surrounded by Venetian stone walls. Strolling through narrow picturesque streets, you will immerse yourself in the mysterious atmosphere of the Middle Ages and learn about the history and architectural features of the "city on the hill". You will visit places where: the holy warrior-martyr Alexander of Bergamo, the Venetian condottiere Bartolomeo Colleoni, the opera composer Gaetano Donizetti, John XXIII, architect Giacomo Quarenghi and other famous citizens of Bergamo have been. I will show you both well-known and hidden unique places and attractions. You will also enjoy the magnificent panorama of Bergamo from a bird's eye view and take excellent photos to remember. So, the excursion includes:

• Piazza della Cittadella Viscontea - one of the most characteristic squares of Upper Bergamo, which preserves various evidence of its eventful past. I will reveal the secrets of its purpose and construction.
• San Vigilio Castle - a defensive structure from the 12th century on top of the hill. From here, you will enjoy enchanting views of the province of Bergamo in the foothills of the Alps. Then you will relax in a charming café at the gates of Saint Alexander, where the ice cream "stracciatella" was first made.
• Old Square - the authentic heart of the political and administrative life of Bergamo, where you will find Palazzo del Podesta, the City Hall, and the Campanone bell tower, from where, if desired, you can overlook the surrounding splendor from a height of 52 meters. I will explain how, thanks to a subtle architectural technique, the square appears larger than it is.
• New Palace - you will enter the city library named after Angelo Mai, where there are ancient parchments, first printed books, and many other priceless treasures in its archives.
• Cathedral Square - an amazing jewel that houses the main treasures of Upper Bergamo: the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore with wooden choirs in intarsia technique based on drawings by Lorenzo Lotto, the Colleoni Chapel - an outstanding architectural masterpiece of the Renaissance era, built for the mighty condottiere in the 15th century, and, finally, the Duomo, where you will see paintings by Tiepolo and Gian Battista Moroni. You will also be amazed by the unpredictable arrangement of buildings from different eras in the square.
• Church of San Michele al Pozzo Bianco - one of the oldest churches in Bergamo, known for delightful frescoes from the 13th-15th centuries. I will reveal the origin of the name "Pozzo Bianco", tell about the work of the great Venetian painter Lorenzo Lotto, and answer why he is considered the patron saint of Bergamo.
• Rocca Castle - you will walk through hidden old courtyards of the residence to the former defensive point, where the city's history museum is located with exhibits from the Risorgimento era and offering an unexpected panorama of Lower Bergamo and the valleys. I will tell you about the contribution of the locals to the struggles of the Risorgimento era and why Bergamo is called the "city of a thousand".

Walk through the Lower Town
Passing through the gates of St. Giacomo, you will descend into the center of "Citta Bassa" created by Marcello Piacentini. You will learn about the architectural features of the buildings in Lower Bergamo and take a photo at Porta Nuova, a place offering the best view of the Upper Town

After the tour, I will be happy to answer all your questions and help you organize your further travels in the most beautiful city in Europe.