“Bergamo, miraculously beautiful city!” So wrote a 15th century Venetian traveller crossing through Lombardy. Years later this same beautiful town welcomes tourists just as it did during the 1500s. Bergamo, surrounded by ancient Walls, is often considered as a city rich in art and history, which is absolutely true, but not enough if you wish to get to know the city intimately and not only in terms of what its museums and monuments have to offer. So, let’s put aside the guidebooks (you may read them later) and try to get to know Bergamo by taking a pleasant walk.
Since Bergamo is divided into two (the town on the plain and town on the hill), I generally prefer to start the walk from home, which is in the “upper part” so that to admire “both” of them and the wonderful panoramas. There are numerous cobblestone lanes and steps that lead to the heart of the medieval town and once arrived in S. Vigilio, where the old Castle is, the panoramic view is extraordinary. On a clear day you can even see in the distance the skyscrapers of Milan and Monte Rosa.
The walk continues, skirting the beautiful Art Nouveau villas and the beautiful gardens of the Citadel, once fortified and which now house the Museum of Natural Sciences and the Archaeological Museum. Having crossed the gate of the Citadel, we can admire the Torre della Campanella which is located in the heart of the ancient city. Following the main road – Via Colleoni – also called the “Corsarola” we can admire the many small shops, bakeries, pastry shops with feature local specialities that make your mouth water…
Once we have passed by the Teatro Social, now close your eyes and imagine that you have stepped back in time: open your eyes and behold the magic of the the Piazza Vecchia (Old Square) an extraordinary space, rightly considered one of the most beautiful squares in Italy. Peeking into the 15th century Piazza Vecchia you see right away the beautifulimage 3Contarini fountain in the middle and then you take in magnificent palaces: to the right stands the Palazzo del Podesta and then there is the Palazzo della Ragione, with it’s majestic Venetian lion facade, that is closed in the back. In the corner is the to Tower of the City that every night at 10 pm rings 100 times to indicate the closure of the city gates: even if there no longer is a curfew the bell still rings.
Peeking into the 15th century Piazza Vecchia you see right away the beautifulimage 3Contarini fountain in the middle and then you take in magnificent palaces: to the right stands the Palazzo del Podesta and then there is the Palazzo della Ragione, with it’s majestic Venetian lion facade, that is closed in the back. In the corner is the to Tower of the City that every night at 10 pm rings 100 times to indicate the closure of the city gates: even if there no longer is a curfew the bell still rings.
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Beyond the portico under the Palazzo della Ragione, you can make out another space: the Piazza del Duomo. In this part of the square you will find the Cathedral dedicated to Saint Alexander, the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and the famous Colleoni Chapel, a masterpiece of the Lombard Renaissance as well as the 14thc Baptistry. I would say that our walk may end with a visit to the old laundry house, a place located on little known side street. In the summer there is an outdoor restaurant that offers specialities only known to Bergamo. It is a great place to stop after wandering through the town of Bergamo!
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