STORES
LOWER TOWN
Itinerary
START OF
BICYCLE TRACK
GREENWAY
PER
VIA BAIONI
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The Routes of Time
STORES
Travel Diary
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11
8
EN
G
LI
SH
In collaboration with
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UPPER TOWN
FUNICULAR
LOWER STATION
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7
6
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GALLERIA
CONCA
D’ORO
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Bergamo Hills
STORES
Bergamo
APERTO TUTTE LE DOMENICHE / ALWAYS OPEN ON SUNDAY
Bergamo
Bergamo
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14 15
2
1
Orio al Serio
Orioal
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Serio
Orio
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STATION
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Urban Center - Tourist office I.A.T. Lower Town
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3 Church of Santi Bartolomeo and Stefano
4 Church of Santo Spirito
5 Church of San Bernardino
6 Adriano Bernareggi Museum of Sacred Art
7 Dolphin fountain
8 GAMeC
(Modern and Contemporary Art Gallery)
9 Accademia Carrara
VeVneenzezi Ven
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Orio al Serio
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1 Porta Nuova
2 Donizetti Theatre
Bergamo
BUS
STATION
Venezi
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10 Former Convent of Sant’Agostino
11 San Michele Embrasure
12 Venetian Walls and gates
Upper Town
STORES
13 Piazza Pontida
14 Cloister of Santa Marta
15 Piacentiniano Centre
16 Museum of Matris Domini
Funicular of Upper Town
A story you’ll want to share.
Lower Town
Funicular building Upper Town
UPPER TOWN
Itinerary
17 Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe
18 Rocca (Fortress)
The Routes of History
19 Former Convent of San Francesco
20 Gombito Tower
Tourist office I.A.T. Bergamo Alta
31
Piazza Duomo
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26
27
28
BERGAMO HILLS
Itinerary
Baptistery
Colleoni Chapel
Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore
Duomo - Cathedral Museum and Tresure
The Routes of Nature
29 Donizetti Museum
30 San Giovanni Embrasure
21 Piazza Vecchia
31 “Lorenzo Rota” Botanical Garden
22 Palazzo Nuovo (Angelo Mai Library)
32 Archaeological Museum
23 Palazzo della Ragione
33 Enrico Caffi Museum
24 Campanone (Civic Tower) - Historical Museum
of the Venetian Age - The interactive 16th century
34 Teatro Sociale
of Natural Sciences
FUNICULAR
OF SAINT VIGILIO
LOWER STATION
32
33
35
19
FUNICULAR
OF SAINT VIGILIO
UPPER STATION
36
34
30
24 23
29
22
18
21
20
39
38
40
FUNICULAR
OF SAINT VIGILIO
LOWER STATION
17
UPPER TOWN
FUNICULAR
UPPER STATION
37
Funicular of San Vigilio
35 Castle of San Vigilio
UPPER TOWN
FUNICULAR
LOWER STATION
36 Church of San Vigilio
37 Tempio dei Caduti
38 Former Monasetery of Astino
39 Church of San Grata Inter Vites
40 Gaetano Donizetti Birthplace
B ergamo. A story you’ll want to share.
Before you get lost in the blue of the Alps that fade into the sky, your gaze will meet
a wonderful and impressive terrace overlooking the plains and the mountains,
which have surrounded artistic and cultural treasures on the hill for centuries.
Bergamo greets visitors with its Venetian Walls. Surrounded by rivers and lush,
verdant valleys, crossed by paths that widen to Parco dei Colli, the area’s largest
park, the city looks like a lounge filled with art, culture and nature, with a
fascinating and complex history just waiting to be shared with others.
Also known as the “Città dei Mille”, or City of the Thousand, in honour of those
180 Bergamo youths (young men) who departed from here in 1860 to participate
in the expedition “of the thousand” led by Garibaldi that resulted in the unification
of Italy, Bergamo’s streets bear signs of its ancient history, a story that’s still in the
making. Among museums, works of art and splendid natural surroundings, cobbled
streets and buildings with beautiful facades, religious and contemporary artistic
treasures and masterpieces of taste and wine, events that are held throughout
the year: the “upper and lower” city reveals a mixture of pleasant surprises and
unexpected encounters, such as those with Gaetano Donizetti, the great composer
of international renown, Bartolomeo Colleoni, the Bergamo leader who served
under the Republic of Venice and Lorenzo Lotto, among the most famous Italian
Renaissance artists who lived and worked in Bergamo for over a decade. His altar
pieces in the Lower Town, the treasures of the Duomo in Upper Bergamo and
the monastery of Val d’Astino are just some of the wonders to be discovered by
following the three routes that wind through the hills and plains:
… a journey into a treasure trove of art and history,
surrounded by the Walls.
” … a path through the villages, shopping streets,
scenic routes and jewels of the Accademia Carrara.
… ”… a walk that leads to a discovery
of Bergamo’s most exciting and fascinating sites, including former monasteries,
forests, country villas and ancient gunpowder storehouses.
“The Routes of History”
“The Routes of Time”
“The Routes of Nature”
Buon viaggio!
P iazza Vecchia – Upper Town
1
By car. The Begamo exit is on the A4 MilanVenice motorway. It is advisable to park your car
in Lower Bergamo and take the local ATB public
transportation services to reach the downtown
areas of both Lower and Upper Bergamo.
Free unguarded parking is available in the
Malpensata (except on Monday, market day)
and via Statuto area. From here you can take one
of the many medieval steps or go through the
Conca d’Oro tunnel and take the funicular to the
old town.
Helpful information
Bergamo, located in central
Lombardy, in the heart of Northern
Italy, is a convenient gateway
to cities such as Milan, (50 km),
Brescia (45 km) and Venice (220 km),
in addition to the lakes Iseo,
Garda and Como.
GETTING AROUND BERGAMO
Public transportation. In addition to the
characteristic funiculars that connect the Upper
Town with the Lower Town and the Upper Town
with San Vigilio hill, ATB manages the city’s
entire public transport network, including bus
line 1 Stazione – Città Alta - Aeroporto. Tickets
are available at the ATB Point (largo Porta
Nuova), newsstands, bus and train stations and
vending machines at the stops of TEB Bergamo
- Albino in Valle Seriana. Free transportation for
tourists with the Bergamo Card.
Info ATB Point
Largo Porta Nuova
www.atb.bergamo.it
ph.+39 035 236026
HOW TO REACH BERGAMO
By plane. “Il Caravaggio” international airport
of Orio al Serio is conveniently located just 5
km from Bergamo and it is connected to many
Italian, European and international destinations
with its numerous airlines, including various lowcost carriers. Transfers to Bergamo are available
through the Airport Bus service that reaches the
city centre in just 20 minutes with stops at the
train station, Porta Nuova, the funicular station
(lower station) and the Upper Town. The ATB
(Bergamo’s public transportation company) also
offers bus service on line 1. Car hire service is
available at the airport.
The Bergamo airport also offers bus transfer
service to Milan (Central Train Station, Lambrate,
Rho Fiera), Brescia and the airports of MilanLinate, Milan-Malpensa and Turin.
Info www.orioaeroporto.it
ph.+39 035 326323 (call centre)
Car. Lower Bergamo’s shopping district is
located in an area closed to traffic, a restriction
that applies to almost the entire old city in
Upper Bergamo. On Sundays and public
holidays Upper Bergamo is closed to traffic
(10am-12pm and 2pm-7pm). In the spring and
summer months this restriction is also enforced
on Fridays and Saturdays (9pm-1am).
By train. The railway station is directly connected
to Milan, Brescia, and Lecco, with connections to
the area’s lakes.
To reach Upper Bergamo take ATB bus line 1
direction Funicolare/Colle Aperto with departures
every 10 minutes from the large square in front of
the station (tickets available from local merchants
or automatic ticket machines).
A combination train+bicycle ticket is also available.
Info www.trenitalia.it
ph. 89 20 21 (call centre)
Taxi. Radio Taxi
Info www.radiotaxibergamo.it
ph. +39 035 4519090
Train Station ph+39 035 244505
Sentierone ph +39 035 242000
Airport ph +39 035 4519090
Car hire with driver: Tour Car Service
Info www.tourcarservice.com
By bus. Two bus services are available from Milan,
Autostradale and NET Nord Est Trasporti, with
departures from the Cadorna and Lampugnano
stations. The journey takes 1 hour (up to 2 hours
during rush hour or with heavy traffic on the
highway). Bergamo is accessible from surrounding
towns by bus and high-speed trams.
Info Bergamo Trasporti
www.bergamotrasporti.it
ph. 800 139392
ph.+39 349 5972196
Bicycle. Bike hire service available at
Ciclostazione 42 at the exit of the Train Station
Info www.pedalopolis.org
ph.+39 389 5137313 or from Ecorent in
Piazzale Marconi, 4 for pedal-assisted bicycles,
scooters, microcars and electric cars.
Info www.eco-rent.it
ph.+39 035 529 3888
2
RESTAURANT HOURS
Lunch 12pm-2:30pm. Dinner 7pm-10:30pm
(approximate).
FIND YOUR WAY ONLINE
Bergamo’s tourism website is www.turismo.
bergamo.it, featuring plenty of information,
insights and contacts to get the most out of
your stay in the city. Also be sure to visit
www.comune.bergamo.it
HOW TO CALL BERGAMO
Dial Italy’s country code +39 before Bergamo’s
area code (035).
TOURIST SERVICES
Available 7 days a week
Turismo Bergamo - Airport
Info ph. +39 035 320402 (h. 8am-9pm)
[email protected]
I.A.T. Tourist Office Lower Bergamo
Urban Center, Viale Papa Giovanni XXIII, 57
Info +39 035 210204 (h.9am-12.30pm
2pm-5.30pm) [email protected]
I.A.T. Tourist Office Upper Bergamo
Torre di Gombito, via Gombito, 13
Info ph.+39 035 242226
(h. 9am-5.30pm) [email protected]
HELPFUL NUMBERS
General emergency phone number 112
(Carabinieri, Police, Fire Department, Medical
Emergencies)
Roadside assistance 803116
Municipal Police – Upper Town,
Propilei Porta Nuova
+39 035 399559
Municipal Police – Upper Town,
Piazza R. Giuliani, 3 +39 035 3830113
Poison Control Centre 800.883.300
Ospedale Papa Giovanni XXIII (Hospital)
Emergency Room
Piazza Organizzazione Mondiale
della Sanità, 1 Bergamo
Info www.hpg23.it ph.+39 035 2674040
Guardia Medica (Emergency Medical Service)
via Croce Rossa, 2 Bergamo
Info ph. +39 035 4555111
DISCOVER BERGAMO
WITH LICENSED TOUR GUIDES
Thematic guided tours are offered in various
languages from tour companies operating in
the area: “Città di Bergamo” Bergamo City
Guides, Agiat Tour Guides, “Bergamo
Su & Giù” Tour Guides and numerous
independent guides.
Info www.turismo.bergamo.it
WEATHER
Min-max temperatures: winter -2°-5°, spring 6.5°17°, summer 15°-27°, autumn 8°-17°.
Fog is common in winter with humid conditions
in summer.
LUGGAGE STORAGE
Bergamo. A luggage storage service is located
50 metres from the station at the Urban Center.
Luggage check hours Monday to Saturday
7am-7pm, Sunday 9am-7pm. Pick-up service
available 24hrs. a day.
Info www.depositobagagli.it
Airport. At the entrance of the parking lot
terminal luggage service 6am-1am.
Info www.orioaeroporto.it
ph.+39 035 362363
Luggage office and lost and found.
Info ph.+39 035 326297
GUEST TAX
The city imposes a guest tax that varies
depending on the type of accommodation:
from € 1 for hostels and 1-star hotels to € 3.50
for 4-star hotels or more exclusive categories.
Exemption for the disabled and children under 16.
The tax is payable directly at the hotel.
BG CARD
A convenient pass for visiting Bergamo. Includes
transportation on the Airport Bus from the airport
to the city centre and unlimited rides on buses,
trams and funiculars. Free admission to a number
of museums in the city and province, reduced admission for temporary exhibitions and discounts
from participating merchants.
Info www.turismo.bergamo.it
STORE HOURS
Most stores are open from Monday to Saturday
from 9:30am to 12:30pm and from 3:30pm to
7:30pm (approximate), while others do not
close for lunch. In summer, stores also remain
open in the evening in the Upper Town with
special “white night” shopping events in the
Lower Town. On Sunday, shops are open in
the Upper Town, along with megastores in the
Lower Town and shopping centres throughout
the city and province.
Edition updated in March 2014
3
Top Ten reasons to fall in love with Bergamo
A city of art and nature in the hills and the plains, where you can enjoy
relaxation and fun. A treasure chest to discover along three different routes:
along the Routes of History in the heart of Lower Bergamo, venturing through
the streets of the Upper Town by following the Routes of Time or being
fascinated by the scenic landscapes along the Routes of Nature.
1.
1.
BERGAMO
AMIDST ART AND NATURE
2.
TWO TOWNS IN ONE
A CITY OF FESTIVALS
8.
A CUISINE FULL OF SURPRISES
9.
AN UNDERGROUND CITY
Have you ever tasted casonséi? What about
“polenta taragna”? Bergamo’s cuisine is full
of surprises, with ingredients that are best
showcased in simple and hearty dishes,
even in the city’s starred and award-winning
restaurants...
THE VENETIAN WALLS
An impeccably preserved, indestructible
fortress, one of the most important examples
of military architecture from sixteenth century
Italy. Offering spectacular views.
Bergamo has a mysterious side, for curious
spirits and lovers of the unusual. It’s what
lurks beneath the Walls of the Upper Town,
between tunnels and old armouries.
HER MAJESTY
THE ACCADEMIA CARRARA
Walk past paintings by Raphael, Titian,
Botticelli, Canaletto, Tiepolo, Bellini, Lotto and
Moroni. The history of art in one of the Italy’s
most important art galleries.
5.
4.
7.
Science, classical music, jazz, folklore, cinema.
There is always a festival for those who love
culture, knowledge and fun.
Discover three thousand years of history
along a walk in the Upper Town and Lower
Town. Towers, domes and bell towers that tell
the story of a community, from the Celts to
Art Nouveau, through the Renaissance and
the Baroque.
4.
4.
FUNICULARS AND STEPS
Unusual passageways and secrets. Views
that open up to the sky, cities and plains as
far as the eye can see. On clear days, you
can even see the Madonnina of the Duomo
of Milan.
The city’s beautiful monuments and works of
art exist alongside the splendour of nature, to
be discovered along the paths of Parco dei
Colli and the Botanical Gardens, a garden of
wonders nestled in the Upper Town.
3.
6.
10. RECORD-BREAKING SHOPPING
If you love fashion, you’re in the right place.
From the shopping streets, in the city’s
elegant villages, to the largest shopping
centre in Italy.
GAETANO DONIZETTI, A WORLD
FAMOUS COMPOSER
A master of music, his work, his memory.
A tradition kept alive through international
events, museums and shows in the city centre
Porta San Giacomo - Upper Town
Travel diary
4
B ergamo Tour, the Itineraries
Three routes specifically designed for tourists visiting the city, leading them
on a discovery of Bergamo’s three sides - ancient, modern and green - and all
the unique features that make them special. A simple way to fully experience
Bergamo and its surroundings, ranging from villages to the defence walls,
from shopping streets to the monumental town centre, along with the
extraordinary Parco dei Colli.
The Routes of History
An itinerary to discover the treasures hidden behind the Venetian Walls, in the heart of the Upper
Town. The route winds through the narrow streets of the old town to reveal the squares, palaces
and landmark buildings, museums, with traditional and innovative exhibits and towers offering
breath-taking views.
The Routes of Time
A path that runs through the two main
districts of Lower Bergamo: Borgo Pignolo
and Borgo San Leonardo, which contain
the historic streets of the Lower Town, now
bustling with businesses and exclusive shops,
lined with noble residences and churches
housing works of great value such as those by
Lorenzo Lotto and Giovan Battista Moroni.
The itinerary also includes the Accademia
Carrara, the GAMeC art gallery and a scenic
stretch of the Venetian Walls.
The Routes of Nature
An itinerary featuring the wonders nestled in
Parco dei Colli, the park that surrounds the
city. This verdant paradise is home to paths
dotted with historic villas and ancient rural
settlements. An itinerary that takes visitors to
panoramic sites including the Castle of San
Vigilio, or leads to paths and steps through the
beautiful valley that the former Monastery of Astino calls home.
For each itinerary, be sure to check the opening days and times of the specific site,
attraction, church or museum you wish to visit.
Bergamo City Tour.
An app for experiencing the city
Today you can discover Bergamo from the palm of your
hand. Venture through the city with your eyes turned
upward, captivated by the city’s artistic and natural beauty! Simply download the Bergamo City Tour app, a map
with sites, travel times, distances, tips, trivia and information
that unfolds in three itineraries between the Lower Town,
Upper Town and the Parco dei Colli.
5
B ergamo – The City of Art
Embraced by the crown of the Orobie Pre-Alps, with the Alps in the
background, the Upper Town with its skyline of towers, domes and ancient
buildings enclosed behind the impressive Venetian Walls dating back to the
late sixteenth century, is a feast for the eyes. If you leave behind the green,
panoramic terraces of the walls, nearly 6 km long, and venture out through
the narrow streets of Bergamo on the hill, a kaleidoscope of art, landscape,
culture, history and tradition will open up before you. The origins of the city
date back to the sixth and fifth centuries BC, while its medieval urban centre
was built over settlements of the Celts, Gauls, Etruscans, Romans, Lombards
and Franks (traces of which can still be seen in the stratification of the village).
The Routes of History
THE UPPER TOWN,
AN OPEN AIR MUSEUM
By selecting this itinerary, in just a few minutes
you’ll leave modern Bergamo behind and
enter another dimension, filled with narrow
cobbled streets and beautiful views. After
a short and scenic funicular ride you’ll find
yourself in Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe (17),
from which it is easy to reach both the Fortress
(18), an imposing fortification dating from
the fourteenth century surrounded by Parco
delle Rimembranze, and Piazza Mercato del
Fieno, where the former Convent of San
Francesco (19) stands, which houses one of
the seats of the History Museum.
From Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe
you can take the main roadway
in the Upper Town, via Gombito,
which together with via Bartolomeo
Colleoni retraces the path of the
ancient Roman decuman and
connect the two ends of the historic
village perched on the hill: here
you will find the Torre di Gombito
(20) and Piazza Vecchia (21), with
the spectacular Piazza Duomo
(*) located slightly further back,
embroidered with polychrome
marble lions and chiselled gates.
Via Arena is an intimate and quiet
street, with frescoed facades and the
intimate presence of the Benedictine
monastic community. From the
bastion of S. Giovanni in Colle Aperto looms
the ancient Visconti Citadel, seat of the Civic
Archeological Museum (32) and the Civic
Science Natural Museum “E. Caffi” (33),
which leads back to the main road: paved in the
same way in the past but teeming with trendy
bars and restaurants, as well as small businesses,
it is the road pervaded by an ancient flavour,
thanks to the medieval architecture in which
portals, doors and vaulted rooms are set.
6
PIAZZA VECCHIA, THE ANCIENT CIVIC ART
16th century Venetian Era. The square is
dominated by the 52.76-metre high Civic
Tower known as the Campanone (23), or Big
Bell. Every night at 10pm the giant bell tolls
100 times, which centuries ago signalled the
beginning of the curfew and the nightly closing
of the gates of the walled city. Palazzo della
Ragione, the façade of which is decorated
with refined Renaissance elements and with
the lion of St. Mark to commemorate three
centuries of Venetian rule, borders the square.
The building’s portico is embellished by the
sundial of the abbot Albrici built in 1798.
Piazza Vecchia is also the gateway to the
Upper Town’s artistic and spiritual heart, Piazza
Duomo (*).
Piazza Vecchia is the heart of Upper Bergamo
and the ideal starting point for discovering
the wonders of a city that was the bulwark of
the Republic of Venice: its artistic treasures
are conserved in the natural setting of the hills
and the town as a whole is a veritable open-air
museum.
From the centre of the square, where you will
find the Contarini Fountain (1780) (21), you
can admire the white marbles of the Angelo
Mai Library, a neoclassical Palladian-style
building designed by the architect Andrea
Scamozzi (22), Palazzo della Ragione (23),
the oldest municipal building in Lombardy,
and Palazzo del Podestà (24), which houses
the Interactive Historic Museum of the
Piazza Duomo,
THE SPLENDOR OF THE SACRED
Bergamo’s monumental heart is revealed in
just a few metres: the Cathedral (28) and
its treasures, the Basilica of Santa Maria
Maggiore (27), the Bartolomeo Colleoni
Chapel (26), the Baptistery (25), Aula picta of
the Curia and the Bishop’s Palace.
The Cathedral, dating from the fifth century
and completed only in the nineteenth century,
has been dedicated to the patron saint of
Bergamo, St. Alexander, since 1689 and houses
paintings by artists such as Tiepolo, Moroni,
Previtali and Ricci. Recent archaeological
excavations have brought to light the early
Christian and Romanesque structures of the
cathedral, formerly dedicated to S. Vincenzo,
and various remains from the Roman era,
which are now displayed in the Cathedral
Museum and Collection (28). The
Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, built
starting in 1137. The beautiful remarkable
Lombard-Romanesque architecture,
also houses Gothic frescoes, wooden
inlays designed by Lorenzo Lotto,
Flemish tapestries, the Baroque
confessional by Andrea Fantoni and
the tomb of the composer Gaetano
Donizetti, while contemporary art
exhibitions are regularly held in
the Romanesque galleries. The
Colleoni Chapel, a monumental
mausoleum of the famous commander
Bartolomeo Colleoni of Bergamo (1395-1475),
was designed in 1472 by Giovanni Antonio
Amadeo, in accordance with his client’s specific
indications: the chapel is the resting place of
the captain and his daughter Medea, while
the dome is adorned with frescoes by Tiepolo.
Near the chapel is the entrance to the Aula
picta of the Curia and the Episcopate and
the Baptistery, built in 1340 by Giovanni da
Campione for the Basilica of Santa Maria
Maggiore and later moved to various locations,
positioned in its current location in the
late nineteenth
century.
7
the Lantro Fountain, used for domestic and
civilian purposes before the new aqueduct
was built, are some of the jewels of Bergamo’s
underground reaches. Behind the austere
gates you can discover the city’s precious
historic homes, such as Palazzo Moroni and
Palazzo Terzi in the Upper Town and Palazzo
Agliardi and Villa Grismondi Finardi in the
lower Town; which open their doors to the
public a few weekends in the summer.
Beyond the square and on the way to via Arena
you will find the Tempietto di Santa Croce
dating back to the Pre-Romanesque era and
along the way you will reach the Donizetti
Museum (29), dedicated to the internationally
renowned Bergamo composer Gaetano
Donizetti (1797-1848).
The Embrasures of San Michele (11) and
San Giovanni (30), located along the route
of the Venetian Walls, were formerly used
as artillery and ammunition storehouses and
Accademia Carrara - Lower Town
Bergamo and its museums of art, history and nature
Let yourself be enchanted by the traditional and interactive exhibitions of Bergamo’s museums. A journey
through the protagonists of art of every age and their works, including historical and religious artefacts that
reconstruct the history of the city and its inhabitants, even in the field of nature and natural science.
LOWER TOWN
• Accademia Carrara (9), prestigious collection of artwork featuring magnificent masterpiece paintings by
Pisanello, Botticelli, Raphael, Lotto, Titian and Moroni.
• GAMeC (8), Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art, with permanent collections and a dynamic series of
temporary exhibits.
• Adriano Bernareggi Diocesan Museum (6), the local museum of sacred art with a rich collection of paintings,
furnishings and vestments.
• Museum of the Monastery of Matris Domini (16), with thirteenth-century frescoes.
UPPER TOWN
• Enrico Caffi Civic Natural Science Museum (33), rich collection of artefacts of zoology, entomology
and paleontology, as well as a collection of butterflies and minerals.
• Lorenzo Rota Botanical Gardens (31), the secret garden of the Upper Town with breath-taking views
overlooking the city’s two faces: the hill and the plains.
• Civic Archaeological Museum (32), with artefacts from the Egyptian, Celtic, Roman and Lombard eras.
• Cathedral Museum and Collection (28), scenic tour of the medieval foundations of
the city’s cathedral and the remains of its ancient pictorial decorations.
• Interactive Historic Museum of the 16th century Venetian Era (24), a journey along
the ancient trade routes and information about Bergamo’s Renaissance society from a modern standpoint.
• Twentieth Century Section of the History Museum (18), collection dedicated to the “Short Century” housed
in the former convent of San Francesco where temporary exhibits are also held.
• Nineteenth Century Section of the History Museum (19), collection dedicated to local history from 1796
to 1870 displayed inside the fortress.
• Birthplace of Gaetano Donizetti (40), where the composer was born and spent his childhood.
• Donizetti Museum (29), the biography of the master told through documents, paintings, clothing and personal
items, including his beloved piano and the bed in which he died.
8
Travel diary
A tribute
to Gaetano Donizetti
L’Elisir d’Amore, Lucia di Lammermoor and
Don Pasquale are the most famous works of the
Bergamo composer (1797-1848) known throughout
the world, whose traces can be followed starting
from the Upper Town, his birthplace. From the
Birthplace Museum in Borgo Canale to the
Donizetti Museum on via Arena, from Casa
Rota-Basoni-Scotti on via Donizetti, where the
composer died, to his tomb in the Basilica of
Santa Maria Maggiore. Sentierone boulevard in
the Lower Town is home to the Donizetti Theatre
and a monument dedicated to the composer
designed by Francesco Jerace.
Lantro Fountain - Upper Town
9
The Routes of Time
AN EXCITING JOURNEY
INTO THE HEART OF BERGAMO
Lower Bergamo was built in the nineteenth
century at the foot of the Walls, the heart
of which is Porta Nuova (1), with its two
neoclassical Porticos dating back to the
nineteenth century: this is the starting
point for “The Routes of Time” itinerary
that winds through the city centre, running
along the villages and overlooking the
magnificent terrace constituted by
sixteenth century Walls (12). The heart
and soul of Bergamo is the Sentierone,
the boulevard that runs along the historic
area of the Fiera di Sant’Alessandro and
connects the historic district of S. Antonio/
Pignolo and S. Leonardo: this tree-lined
promenade is overlooked by the Church
of Saints Bartolomeo and Stefano (3),
with the beautiful altarpiece by Lorenzo
Lotto positioned over
the sixteenth century
inlaid choir, the Donizetti
Architecture and art, keyword:
Theatre (2) flanked by a
monument dedicated to
ultra-contemporary
the Bergamo composer and
The Tiraboschi Library on via San Bernardino 74 was designed by
the entire Piacentiniano
Mario Botta. A few kilometres from Bergamo, along the highway in
Centre (15), consisting
the direction of Milan, the Kilometro Rosso rises up, home of the
of various buildings with
science and technology park, designed by Jean Nouvel, in addition
to Italcementi’s iLab designed by Richard Meier.
arcades, on which the Torre
Bergamo is also known for its contemporary art. The city’s GAMeC
dei Caduti stands, designed
(Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art) is internationally
and built in the first decades
recognised, but there are also many art galleries that happily invade
of the twentieth century
the city. In the cloister of Santa Marta, in the heart of Lower Town,
by the Roman architect
there is a beautiful sculpture by Anish Kapoor.
Marcello Piacentini.
In addition to Via XX
Sentierone and the Church
of San Bartolomeo
Lower Town
10
(11). A pleasant walk along the Venetian
Walls (12), offering views that sweep down
to the plains, will take you to Porta San
Giacomo, from where you can reach the
Lower Town. Continue along the scenic via
Sant’Alessandro road to catch a glimpse
of the Monastery of San Benedetto, the
former Church of Maddalena and the
Church of Sant’Alessandro in Colonna.
Then you will reach the delightful Piazza
Pontida (13), bustling with local eateries
and restaurants. The itinerary comes to an
end along the main shopping street, Via XX
Settembre, with its characteristic side streets.
The gate of San Giacomo offers an
alternative route: near the tiny church of
Madonna del Giglio, which is at the end
of the scenic lookout on the Lower Town,
Settembre, via Torquato Tasso is an elegant
shopping street, overlooked by the Palazzo
della Provincia, with a garden dotted with
sculptures, including those by the Bergamo
artist Giacomo Manzù, The Church of
Santo Spirito (4) situated at the entrance
of Borgo Pignolo, houses works by Lorenzo
Lotto, Andrea Previtali and Bergognone.
Not far from the district, on the way to the
Upper Town, is the third church in the Lower
Town, which houses an altarpiece by Lorenzo
Lotto, the Church of San Bernardino
(5). Slightly further ahead, along Borgo
Pignolo district, rich with splendid palaces,
is the Adriano Bernareggi Museum (6),
which houses the Renaissance painter’s work
entitled “The Trinity”. In addition to a rich
collection of sacred art works, the Diocesan
Museum has an exhibition space, the
Oratory of San Lupo, for temporary
exhibitions on via San Tomaso: this street
represents the city’s largest arts centre,
for its presence of antique shops and
art galleries, but mostly because the
Accademia Carrara (9) and GAMeC (8)
museums are found there.
Medieval alleys and stairways allow easy
access to Porta Sant’Agostino, one of
the beloved entrances to the Upper Town,
located near the former convent and the
deconsecrated church of Sant’Agostino
(10), used as a university building today,
and the Church of San Michele al
Pozzo Bianco with frescoes by Lorenzo
Lotto and the San Michele Embrasure
Lorenzo Lotto, Bergamo’s master of Renaissance art
Between 1513 and 1525 Lorenzo Lotto lived and worked in Bergamo, where he created a series of altarpieces that can be seen in the churches of the city and the province, such as those in the Lower Town of
San Bartolomeo (predellas dismantled and housed in the Accademia Carrara), Santo Spirito and San
Bernardino and inside the Adriano Bernareggi Civic Museum, as well as the painting of the Pietà in the
sacristy of the church of Sant’Alessandro in Colonna. In the Upper Town his works can be found in San
Michele al Pozzo Bianco and in Santa Maria Maggiore, where the painter, one of the leading protagonists
of Bergamo’s Renaissance, created frescoes and designed subjects and episodes for the precious wood
inlays of the choir of the Basilica. Lotto’s not-to-be-missed works found outside the city:
• the Oratory of Villa Suardi in Trescore Balneario (Val Cavallina)
• the Polyptych of Ponteranica, housed in the church of Santi Vincenzo e Alessandro (Valle Brembana)
• the Madonna with Saints in the church of San Giacomo in Sedrina (Valle Brembana)
• the “Assumption of the Virgin Mary” altarpiece in the church of Santa Maria Assunta in Celana (Caprino
Bergamasco – Valle San Martino).
• the cycle of frescoes in the church of San Giorgio in Credaro (Val Calepio).
11
Crespi, a UNESCO heritage site: a nineteenth-century industrial village
The Village of Crespi d’Adda, located 16 km from Bergamo, is home to a complex built between the late
nineteenth and early twentieth century to house workers employed in the cotton enterprise of the Crespi
family, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site as an example of an impeccably preserved industrial archaeology. A town built to host factory employees and their families from the cradle to the grave. In addition to
tailor-made houses for the workers, housing for administrative workers, villas for executives and the eclectic
castle manor, the village also included community facilities such as a church, school, playgrounds, recreational
club, fire station, wash houses, clinics, a hospital and even a majestic cemetery.
Poste e dei Telegrafi (1932) rises up, which
houses two paintings by the Milanese artist
Mario Sironi (1885-1961). This deviation
allows you to reconnect to the Piacentini
Centre, crossing Piazza della Libertà,
where Casa della Libertà (former Casa
Littoria) rises up and Piazza Dante is
overlooked by the Courthouse (1927),
Chamber of Commerce (1924) and the
Quadriportico of the Sentierone (1923).
you can go down the steps and reach
the lower station of the funicular. The
temporal contrasts along the opposite via
Locatelli have plenty of surprises in store:
the road begins with the Museum of the
Monastery of Matris Domini (16), which
offers a scenic route amid Romanesque
architecture, stained glass windows and
frescoes of the thirteenth and fourteenth
century, while at the end the Palazzo delle
Travel Diary
The Fortress - Upper Town
12
The Routes of Nature
A CITY
IN THE HEART OF A PARK
Nature and culture are inseparable for
Bergamo, whose medieval heart, enclosed
within the Venetian Walls (12), is
surrounded by greenery. Woods, gardens,
streams, slopes, hills and fields make up
the landscape of Parco dei Colli, over
4700 acres of nature to explore while
walking, running or biking. The park
embraces vast areas of the piedmont
the third suggested itinerary “The Routes
of Nature”. Both from the Castle (35)
and the Church of San Vigilio (36) the
plains and the hills unfold before your
eyes: take one of the many flights of
steps that run along the hills, amid dry
stone walls and sunny terraces, the view is
amazing. By choosing the Scorlazzone, for
example, you can reach the Tempio dei
province and stretches to the city, in an
area that is home to 400 species of plants,
40 species of mammals, 160 of birds and
31 species of reptiles, amphibians and
fishes.
Caduti (37), to delight the eyes with the
magnificent sight of Val d’Astino, where
a former eleventh-century monastery
(38) rises up. Going back up Ripa
Pasqualina and then Borgo Canale you
will encounter the Church of Santa Grata
Inter Vites (39), with its spectacular
staircase and Donizetti’s Birthplace (33).
From Colle Aperto this nature trail
continues towards the area of Castagneta:
while the prestigious buildings of the
Upper Town are now behind us, rural
In the heart of this green space, it is
situated the Upper Town and above
it there is the hill of San Vigilio. It can
be reached with the Funicular of San
Vigilio, located just a few steps from
Colle Aperto. It is the starting point of
13
Bergamo, with its farms and terraced
gardens, becomes the protagonist of the
landscape. Along the way you will encounter
panoramic sites, small peasant villages, the
aqueduct and a bird snare, a structure used
to hunt birds. Immersed in the verdant
landscape is the former Benedictine
Monastery of Valmarina (twelfth century),
today’s headquarters of the Parco dei Colli.
Next to the natural wonders, such as
the views that open up as you walk in
Castagneta, along the Quisa Torrent or
the Sentiero dei Vasi trail, the Parco dei
Colli also offers a pleasant bicycle trail,
the Greenway, that winds along the river
Morla, accessible from the centre of the
Lower Town from via Baioni 17. The city
offers numerous parks, some of which are
historic and equipped with play areas, ideal
for a walk or enjoying some quiet time.
Sports above and below the walls
Bergamo offers sports lovers a wide array of activities: from jogging in the city and the large ring-shaped
path of the Parco della Trucca, to road and downhill biking, to horse riding, golf (with some of the
most beautiful areas of Italy a short distance away), along with hiking and snowshoeing on Bergamo’s
Orobie Mountains, alpine skiing, cross country skiing and snowboarding in the nearby ski resorts. The
area is a wonderful site for climbing on ice or in the summer season, canyoning and other adventure sports. On the lake Endine you can rent pedal boats, on the lakes of Iseo and Garda (in Brescia and Verona)
you can practice sailing, water skiing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, wakeboarding and boating, popular
sports along with fishing on the river Brembo in Brembana Valley and the river Adda which borders the
province of Milan. The municipal sports facilities offer football, basketball, volleyball and tennis courts
(reservations required) and skateboard, skating and bmx parks open to the public.
The steps
Upper Town – B egamo Hills
14
Travel Diary
At the court
of the great leaders
Two opposing factions clashed in
Bergamo, Milan and Brescia in the fifteenth century: that of Bartolomeo
Colleoni, warlord of the Republic of
Venice and that of the Visconti Duchy of Milan. The residences and defense outposts of the Colleoni can still
be seen in the Lower Bergamo province today, from the Solza Castle,
where the leader was born, to those
of Malpaga, Martinengo, Romano
and Urgnano. The Visconti outposts
include the castles of Pumenengo
and Pagazzano.
15
B ergamo, a 365-day festival
Art, literature, music, film, theatre and folklore make Bergamo a vibrant
and active city on a national and international level, with a rich selection
of festivals and events throughout the year.
Orobie Film Festival (January).
International festival dedicated to the
mountains.
Wooden cars compete in a contest of
speed on the spectacular obstacle course
along Viale delle Mura.
BAF. Bergamo Art Fair (January).
Contemporary art fair.
Summer Dance Festival (May-June).
The avant-garde of contemporary
international dance.
Bergamo Antiques (January).
Market-exhibit of fine antiques.
Bergamo Summer (June-September).
This festival includes hundreds of events
and initiatives dedicated to adults, teens and
children.
International Tennis Tournament
Bergamo ATP Challenger (February).
Tennis challenge of international renown.
Cinelatino (June).
Festival featuring Latin American cinema.
Mid-Lent Parade and “Rogo della
Vecchia” festival (March).
Allegorical floats parade through the centre
of the Lower Town, which ends with an ancient
ritual in which a large effigy of an old woman
is cut in two and then burned.
Bergamo Historic Grand Prix (June).
Champions of speed in a challenge of
vintage cars.
Donizetti Walks (July-August). Explore
the places where Gaetano Donizetti was
born and grew up.
Bergamo Jazz (March). The stars of
international jazz perform in the city.
Bergamo Film Meeting (March).
International exhibition of art-house
cinema.
Feast of the Apparition
In Borgo S. Caterina (August).
Fireworks, religious celebrations
and events in the village.
Lilliput, the creative village (March).
Children’s fair.
St. Alexander: the patron saint of
Bergamo (August). Re-enactment in the
streets of the Lower Town that concludes
with a festival in the Upper Town.
Creattiva (March). Fair of the manual arts
(spring edition).
International Piano Festival of Brescia
and Bergamo (April-June).
Festival showcasing the talents of worldrenowned piano masters.
International Festival of Folklore
(August). Review of local, national and
international folk groups.
International Culture Festival (April).
Review of film, dance, photography,
philosophy, music, theatre and visual arts.
Bergamo’s Gaetano Donizetti Music
Festival (September - December).
The most prestigious international event
dedicated to the Bergamo composer.
Booksellers Fair (April).
The oldest book fair in Italy.
Nights of Light (September). Evenings of
music, dance and words with illuminated
Soap Box Rally (April).
16
Mercatanti in Fiera (October).
Characteristic products and handicrafts
from all over Europe displayed
on Sentierone boulevard.
installations in beautiful locations in the
lower city.
Houses & Design Discover the historical
buildings of the city with tours and design
events.
Creattiva (October).
Manual arts fair (autumn edition).
The Masters of the Landscape
(September). International meeting
of landscaping that transforms Piazza
Vecchia into a garden.
Alfredo Piatti International Cello Festival
(November). Concerts and musical spaces
dedicated to this Bergamo cellist.
“City of Bergamo”
International Organ Festival
(September-October). Organ concerts in
the city’s ancient churches.
Pianeta Gourmarte (December).
Lombardy’s culinary excellence.
No Frills (September).
One of the most important Businessto-Business fairs dedicated to tourism.
Feast of Saint Lucia (December).
Market on Sentierone boulevard
celebrating the Saint that brings gifts
and sweets to children.
BergamoScience (October). A major
science festival hosting
Nobel laureates, high-profile scholars and
scientists of international renown.
Christmas Village (December).
Piazzale Alpini and Piazza Dante fill up
with market stalls where you can find
the perfect gift to put under the tree.
17
Donizetti Theatre – Lower Town
B ergamo by night
Opera, drama and experimentation, along with paths on the big screen,
thematic reviews, festivals and encounters with art-house cinema,
constitute one of the jewels of the city, while offering music that ranges
from jazz, pop and the classics on stage of the Donizetti Theatre and in
Sala Piatti in the Upper Town. On summer evenings, the city is transformed
into an outdoor lounge, while numerous shows in theatres, auditoriums and
small clubs warm up the winter months.
UP WITH THE CURTAIN!
which hosts the prestigious Bergamo Film
Meeting, the art-house cinema festival of
international renown.
Donizetti Theatre, Bergamo’s historic
eighteenth-century stage overlooking the
Sentierone, hosting the majority of the city’s
theatrical and music events.
Sociale Theatre, originally known as the
Teatro della Società, it opened its doors
in the Upper Town during the Carnival
season of 1809.
Bergamo’s Creberg Theatre, tent theatre
that hosts musicals, plays and concerts.
Teatresco, stage open to experimentation,
dance and emerging theatre. Auditorium
housed in the former Carmelite Monastery
in the Upper Town (home to the historic
Tascabile Theatre) where theatre and film
club events are held.
Auditorium of Piazza della Libertà
GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER,
IN BERGAMO.
Piazza Pontida, the streets of
Sant’Orsola, Sant’Alessandro and viale
Papa Giovanni XXIII, are the perfect
places to enjoy drinks, cocktails, happy hour
or dinner. Another popular site is Borgo
Santa Caterina.
In the Upper Town, in the summer evenings,
clubs and shops are open late, while in the
winter months numerous restaurants, cafes,
wine bars and pubs are the ideal place
to enjoy a break after a walk along the
Corsarola (via Colleoni and via Gombito).
Upper Town, a dream
that lasts all summer long
With the warm season Upper Bergamo is transformed into a summer terrace overlooking a
sea of lights. Walking along the walls it just
takes a moment to find just the right cafe you
were looking for: Parco Sant’Agostino and the
battlements of the walls become outdoor clubs
offering music, dancing and lots of fun. In the
narrow streets of the Upper Town be sure to
visit the former Convent of San Francesco
where cocktail hours, exhibitions and concerts are hosted on the weekend. This stunning
lookout offers a spectacular surprise for those
who reach the top of San Vigilio, where the
gaze gets lost on the horizon, amid the city’s
endless lights.
18
I love shopping
After a journey through the history, natural wonders and artistic beauty
of Bergamo, be sure to sample the city’s sense of style, taste and design,
amidst the shop windows of the Upper and Lower Town.
Workshops, design stores and chic
boutiques offer even the most demanding
shopping enthusiasts the widest range
of choices against a charming backdrop:
the arcades of Piazza Pontida and Largo
Rezzara, via Sant’Alessandro with its
small shops and via XX Settembre with its
megastores.
A pleasant journey to experience on foot,
which also includes via Sant’Orsola, via
San Bernardino alta and via Zambonate.
Other major shopping streets branch
out from the porticos of Porta Nuova,
including viale Papa Giovanni XXIII, via
Tiraboschi, via Spaventa and Sentierone
boulevard with its luxury concept stores
and the elegant roads of via Tasso and
via Petrarca. Along the Corsarola, in the
Upper Town, old workshops have been
converted into stores offering clothing,
accessories, giftware and gourmet
products.
The ancient “borghi” (districts) of today
The historic “borghi” of Bergamo, located off the traditional tourist path, are well worth a visit. Old “borghi”
where the charm of small-town life continues even today, despite their location in the heart of the city.
With their friendly atmosphere and humane lifestyle, neighbourhood shops and historic workshops, these
districts offer a relaxed look at the daily lives of their inhabitants. From Borgo San Leonardo, in the heart of
Lower Bergamo, with the quiet outdoor cafes in Piazza Pontida, to Borgo di Pignolo, which from Piazzetta
Santo Spirito reaches the Upper Town, crossing through Borgo San Tomaso near the Delfino Fountain.
Borgo Santa Caterina, also known as Borgo d’Oro, is the ideal place for taking a stroll around the shops
and stopping in a coffee house or pastry shop for a cup of tea. Borgo Canale, in the Upper Town, is a long
cobblestone street that gently slopes down into the verdant surroundings of the Parco dei Colli.
San Leonardo District – Lower Town
19
A taste of B ergamo
Bergamo’s cuisine includes a rich array of food and wine. During the
warmer months, the area’s characteristic dishes, artisan beers and local
wines are served up at numerous fairs. The quality and origin of Bergamo’s
products is guaranteed by the trademark “Bergamo, città dei Mille...sapori”,
while restaurants participating in the “Ristoranti dei Mille...sapori”
initiative offer menus and dishes that showcase the city’s traditional and
guaranteed high gastronomic standards.
BREAD, FLOUR AND IMMAGINATION
Bergamo’s main dish is polenta with its
numerous varieties of native corn flour.
Even the Garibalda di Casnigo bread,
made with a blend of four different flours,
is well worth a taste.
BERGAMO’S TRADITIONAL RAVIOLI
Be sure to try both the Scarpinocc di Parre
and the Casonsèi: the former are tasty
ravioli stuffed with a “lean” mixture of egg,
spices and cheese, while the latter equally
tasty ravioli are stuffed with meat, salami,
macaroons, raisins, eggs, spices and pears.
CURED MEATS AND CHEESES FROM
THE MOUNAINS, VALLEYS AND PLAINS
San Pellegrino. What’s more, the ice cream
flavour stracciatella was invented by a
Bergamo confectioner.
The province boasts an extremely rich
dairy production, with 8 DOP certified
cheeses (protected designation of
origin): Strachìtunt, Agrì Valtorta, Branzi,
Stracchino Bronzone, Taleggio, Formai de
Mut, Formagella della Val di Scalve and
Bergamo’s goat milk cheeses. When Branzi
and butter come together, they give life
to the delectable Taragna polenta. Among
the meats, be sure to taste the bacon,
lard, salami, cured ham, sausages such
as cotechino and loanghìna, a long porkmeat sausage.
GLASSES AND BUBBLES
Bergamo is home to numerous fine wines,
from Moscato di Scanzo to Valcalepio,
and an impressive thirteen mineral waters,
including San Pellegrino, the sparkling
water served on the tables of the world’s
finest restaurants.
Bergamo’s award-winning
gourmet cuisine
BERGAMO AND ITS DELICIOUS
SWEETS
Ten restaurants in Bergamo have
been awarded by the prestigious
Michelin Red Guide, the gourmand’s
bible, for their high quality food and
wine. The Da Vittorio restaurant once
again received a three-star rating in
the 2014 edition of the guide.
The city’s most famous desserts include
Polenta e Osèi, a dessert covered with
yellow almond paste with little birds made
of chocolate and marzipan, Donizetti
Cake, Saint Alexander Cake and Treviglio
Cake. Be sure to taste the biscuits known
as the Biscotti di Clusone and Biscotti di
20
Off the beaten path
Beyond the walls and the treasures of Bergamo, just a few kilometres
from the city, there are places of art, culture and spirituality just waiting
to be discovered. All it takes is an additional afternoon to make
an already incredible stay even more unforgettable.
ROMANICO DEGLI
ALMENNO PARK
the Pontiff such as the Romanesque abbey
of S. Egidio, in the village of Fontanella and
the Cornabusa sanctuary in the Imagna
Valley, set in a cave.
A journey through nature and ancient
Romanesque churches just a few kilometres
from Bergamo. The heart of the itinerary is
the fascinating round church of San Tomè
with the former nunnery near the seat of
the “Antenna del Romanico” European
Romanesque research centre.
CARAVAGGIO SANCTUARY
A Place of worship and pilgrimage
destination dedicated to the saint known
as Santa Maria del Fonte in the heart of
the lower Bergamo plain.
San Pellegrino Terme
Architectural masterpieces in Art
Nouveau style, such as the Casino and
the Grand Hotel, overlooking the river
Brembo, in the heart of its valley.
GROMO AND LOVERE
Medieval villages included on the list of
“The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy”.
Gromo also waves the orange flag of the
Italian Touring Club.
CORNELLO DEI TASSO
AND ONETA OF S. GIOVANNI BIANCO
LAKES
Situated in the midst of the Brembana
Valley, a stone’s throw from the cycle path,
the first is counted among the “Most
Beautiful Villages in Italy” and was the
birthplace of the founders of the postal
service, the Tasso family, while the second
is the birthplace of Harlequin.
Next to the small lake Endine, rich in bird
life and closed off to motor boats, a few
kilometres from Bergamo, is Lake Iseo, with
Montisola, the largest lake island in Europe.
Continuing on beyond Brescia you will
encounter Lake Garda.
WINE ROAD
Clusone AND Alzano Lombardo
A wine route for discovering the areas of
Val Calepio and Moscato di Scanzo and in
Franciacorta (province of Brescia), amidst
historic wineries and beautiful pristine scenery.
The historic centre of Clusone, an Orange
Flag site of the Italian Touring Club, is
worth a visit, as well as the sacristies of the
Basilica of San Martino and its museum of
sacred art in Alzano Lombardo.
ROCK ART IN VAL CAMONICA
A Unesco site devoted to the prehistoric
incisions in Capodimonte in the province of
Brescia.
ON THE TRAIL OF
POPE JOHN XXIII
Sotto il Monte is the hometown of the
“Good Pope”, where you can follow a route
that winds between the birthplace of the
Pope, the baptismal church, Ca ‘Maitino,
the Garden of Peace and the House of the
Pilgrim. Be sure to visit other sites dear to
CITIES OF ART IN LOMBARDY AND
NORTHERN ITALY
Milan (50km), Brescia (45km), Cremona
(100km), Verona (100km), Mantova
(140km), Turin (180km), Venice (220km).
21
Bergamo FOR CHILDREN
A kid-friendly city, Bergamo offers plenty of attractions to enjoy with the
family. What could be better than taking your children on an imaginative
and exciting adventure to discover the Upper Town? Imagine being a
16th Century Venetian as he arrived in the walled city, lived in castles
and discovered the secret of its walls! Children will be happy to take long
hikes in the hills, on foot or by bike, in the woods or along the Greenway,
to admire the scenery, ancient monasteries and pristine natural
surroundings. Be sure your tour includes a ride on the two funiculars. A
city of art and nature, to experience and share with others.
Once upon a time…
in Bergamo
Bergamo with its defensive
walls, high towers and hidden
dungeons is the perfect place
to imagine being a handsome
prince or lovely princess. A fairy
tale place to share with friends, on
a discovery of the city’s treasures.
Armed with a sceptre and crown
you enter the historic city through
one of its four gates, but watch out
for the curfew! In the past, the city
remained open until 10:00pm when
the bells in the bell tower tolled for the
one-hundredth time. Climb up to the
fortress and imagine a time when the
guards waited to spot the invaders, alerted
the troops and prepared to attack the
enemy with stones and boiling water, until
the invention of guns and tanks! Continue
on to the 52-metre high Torre di Gombito.
The tourist office located on the ground
floor of the tower offers information on the
city’s treasures. During the summer you can
also climb the 263 steps and, with a camera
in hand, capture the landscape from above.
The walk continues to the nearby Piazza
Vecchia where the imposing Palazzo della
Ragione rises up, where you can imagine
knights and rich elegant bridesmaids
walking about. Be sure to
take the funicular up to another site that
was strategic in the past: the castle of
San Vigilio that stands on top of the hill
in a public park, where you can rest and
admire the beautiful scenery. This was
the outermost fortification of the city,
where the guards could spot enemies and
look out for signals of impending danger
(with light or smoke). To return to the
old town take the Scorlazzone steps to
Porta Sant’Alessandro and indulge in a
delicious break by enjoying, in summer,
stracciatella ice cream, a flavour invented in
Bergamo by Marianna and, in winter, a hot
chocolate.
22
Become a city
explorer. Play the game
available on our APP!
tours to discover the city through the
eyes of children.
Nature events and activities
A treasure hunt for discovering the city
with the kids: attentive eyes and healthy
curiosity for capturing the peculiarities
of the city’s attractions along our three
routes, a great game that will involve
the entire family. Download the APP
(Bergamo Kids) with a simple click and
let the games begin!
The tourist office provides information
about upcoming children’s events, such
as plays or puppet shows, tours, fairs,
festivals, sporting events, flea markets and
traditional celebrations. In the summer,
Bergamo offers even more ways for families
to discover the city with lots of activities.
What’s more, children can play in the parks
or participate in workshops, enjoy the local
play areas or game rooms. Activities to
enjoy and share with others!
Your next experience
just one step away
Bergamo’s incredible array of kidfriendly attractions make it the perfect
destination for mini tourists. Activities
of variable duration, to be experienced
along with families, exploring the natural
surroundings and venturing through the
narrow streets of the city, looking for
clues and uncovering its secrets.
Plenty of ways to actively discover
Bergamo’s wonders. A few examples?
Search for the winged lions in the
Upper Town, venture through the city’s
underground reaches like little mice,
enjoy a delicious stracciatella ice cream
and find your favourite flower in the
Botanical Gardens.
Bergamo’s surrounding area
Visitors who have the opportunity to extend
their stay must be sure to explore the
province: for daring children the area offers
adventure parks, caves and mines; animal
lovers can visit the animal parks, while art
and history buffs can explore the castles
or the park with miniature Italian wonders.
The area also offers plenty of sporting
activities in both the mountains and in the
plains, for learning about nature and its
inhabitants, thanks to the protected areas,
eco-museums and educational farms.
Museums
From the reconstruction of a mammoth
at the Museum of Natural Science to the
multimedia installations at the Museum
of the Sixteenth Century, from abstract
paintings at the GAMeC to a discovery
of the world of transportation at the ATB
museum, Bergamo offers something
for everyone. The city’s museums
sponsor a rich variety of workshops and
educational projects for children, with
free or discounted admission. Even the
tour guides offer a wide variety of guided
Visit the website for a full listing of
adventures and things to do
www.comune.bergamo.it/turismo
23
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