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After exploring Upper Town (Città Alta) in Bergamo, we decided to head up to San Vigilio, which is a hill above the city. At the top are fantastic views of Bergamo as well as a castle.

 

Porta Sant’Alessandro

To get there, we walked through Porta Sant’Alessandro, which is one of four gates accessing Città Alta. The gate was constructed in 1561 by the Republic of Venice, and it’s possible to see the Lion of St. Mark above the gate. The gate and the Venetian walls of the city are a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Porta Sant'Alessandro in Bergamo, Italy
Porta Sant’Alessandro
Porta Sant'Alessandro in Bergamo, Italy
Lion of Saint Mark above Porta Sant’Alessandro

Porta Sant’Alessandro was built on the site of a cathedral with the same name. The name was transferred to what is now the Cathedral of Sant’Alessandro (Cattedrale di Sant’Alessandro) on Piazza del Duomo.

Porta Sant'Alessandro in Bergamo, Italy
Porta Sant’Alessandro

 

Funicular

In front of the gate is the San Vigilio Funicular (Funicolare di San Vigilio). It opened in 1912, but was closed for 15 years between 1976 and 1991. The funicular line is 630m long and makes the journey in under three minutes.

Funicolare San Vigilio in Bergamo, Italy
San Vigilio Funicular
Funicolare San Vigilio in Bergamo, Italy
Inside the Funicular

Once at the top, we noticed a lively restaurant with outdoor seating just outside the funicular station. Also, from the funicular station, there were spectacular views of Bergamo.

Restaurant outside the funicular station in Bergamo, Italy
Restaurant outside the funicular station
View from the funicular station in Bergamo, Italy
View from the funicular station

 

Views of Bergamo

From there, we walked up the street towards the castle. Again, there were phenomenal views of the city and countryside.

The road up to the castle in Bergamo, Italy
The road up to the castle
View of Bergamo from the road in Bergamo, Italy
View of Bergamo from the road
View from the road up to the castle in Bergamo, Italy
View from the road up to the castle
Looking towards the funicular station in Bergamo, Italy
Looking towards the funicular station

 

San Vigilio Castle

After a few minutes, we reached the castle walls. San Vigilio Castle (Castello di San Vigilio) was the residence of Bergamo’s rulers for several centuries. It was first fortified in the 6th century by a Christian community. The Christians were ousted in 889 and it turned into a military outpost. By the end of the 19th century, it had turned into a tourist attraction. It now contains a luxury hotel and restaurant.

Castello di San Vigilio in Bergamo, Italy
San Vigilio Castle
Castello di San Vigilio in Bergamo, Italy
Walls of the castle
Castello di San Vigilio in Bergamo, Italy
San Vigilio Castle
Castello di San Vigilio in Bergamo, Italy
Tower

We wandered the grounds next to the castle walls for a bit and noticed a fountain and small park where we sat and rested for a few moments.

Fountain in Bergamo, Italy
Fountain
Park in Bergamo, Italy
Park

From there, we climbed a stairway in a damp and dark tunnel to get into the actual castle.

Entrance to the castle at Castello di San Vigilio in Bergamo, Italy
Entrance to the castle
Entrance to the castle at Castello di San Vigilio in Bergamo, Italy
Entrance to the castle
Castello di San Vigilio in Bergamo, Italy
Top of San Vigilio Castle

We were treated to even more incredible views of the countryside.

View from the castle at Castello di San Vigilio in Bergamo, Italy
View from the castle
View from the castle at Castello di San Vigilio in Bergamo, Italy
View from the castle
View from the castle at Castello di San Vigilio in Bergamo, Italy
Looking at the countryside from the castle

There were also great views of Bergamo and we could spot the fountain just outside the castle walls.

View of Bergamo from the castle at Castello di San Vigilio in Bergamo, Italy
View of Bergamo from the castle
View of the fountain from the castle at Castello di San Vigilio in Bergamo, Italy
View of the fountain from the castle

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Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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