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Bergamo is one of the most beautiful cities in northern Italy.
Introduction to Bergamo
Bergamo was first settled during the Iron Age by the Ligurian tribe of the Orobii. The city was conquered around 550 BC by the Cenomani, a Celtic tribe. It became a Roman municipality in 49 BC and was destroyed by Attila in the 5th century.
From the 6th through 11th century, Bergamo was a Lombard duchy followed by an independent commune. The city was controlled by the Republic of Venice from 1428 to 1797 until Napoleon’s army rolled into town, and was granted to the Austrian Empire in 1815. Bergamo was conquered by Giuseppe Garibaldi (1807-1882) in 1859 during the Second Italian War of Independence and incorporated into the Kingdom of Italy.
Bergamo consists of the walled Upper Town (Città Alta), which is the historic heart of the city, and the more modern Lower Town (Città Bassa). The Venetian defensive walls around Upper Town were named a UNESCO World Heritage site on July 9, 2017.
Getting to Bergamo
There are a few options on how to get to the city.
Milan Bergamo Airport
Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY), also known as Il Caravaggio and Orio al Serio International Airport, is just a few kilometers outside the city. The airport is also one of three airports serving Milan and is surprisingly the third busiest international airport in Italy.
You can take the Orioshuttle to get you from the airport to the city center, Milan, and Monza. A one-way trip to the city costs €6 and is free for riders under 2 (as of May 2025). A city bus, which is more frequent, can also take you to the railway and bus station in about 15 minutes. Taxis charge a very high amount for the short journey.
Bergamo Railway Station
The railway station opened in 1854 and is located at the southern edge of Lower Town. It’s about an hour from either Milan or Brescia. If you’re coming from or going to another destination, you’ll most likely change trains at one of those two cities.
Bus Station
The bus station is located across the street from the railway station and has regular service to nearby cities.
Getting Around Bergamo
When you’re in Lower Town or Upper Town, the city is small enough to get around on foot. Because of this, we never used the city bus system. We did use both funicular railways. The Upper Town Funicular (Funicolare Città Alta) opened in 1887. It runs between the Lower Town and Upper Town and makes the roughly 240-meter trip in 2 minutes.
The San Vigilio Funicular (Funicolare di San Vigilio) runs between the Upper Town and San Vigilio. It opened on August 27, 1912, but was closed for 15 years between 1976 and 1991. The funicular line is 630 meters (2,070 feet) long and makes the journey in under 3 minutes.
Where to Stay in Bergamo
We spent one night in the city.
Bergamo8 (Permanently Closed)
We stayed at Bergamo8, a small B&B located in a residential building in Lower Town. It was a little strange getting into the building for the first time, having to buzz in to wait for a security code for the keypad, then having to search for the lift to get up to the hotel. Once we got upstairs and checked in, it was fine.
Our room was very large and comfortable and had a nice bathroom. There was an outdoor terrace with a privacy wall, and a simple breakfast was included in the price. We enjoyed our stay there.
Where to Eat in Bergamo
We were very happy with our choices for food while in the city.
Caffè del Tasso
For a quick coffee break, we stopped at Caffè del Tasso on Piazza Vecchia in Upper Town. It dates back to 1476. Marisol had a very thick and sweet cioccolatta (hot chocolate) and I had a latte. It was a nice break from the cold weather. Apparently they also have great food but we didn’t try anything.
Il Fornaio
For lunch, we had pizza at Il Fornaio in Upper Town. They have delicious pizza with lots of different varieties. We got a couple slices and sat upstairs to enjoy them.
Il Coccio
For dinner, we ate at Il Coccio, which is a small place that serves different dishes daily. You go up to the counter where the host does an excellent job explaining every dish, then you choose a few portions and find a table. Everything is made fresh with ingredients that are in-season.
We wanted to try everything because it all looked amazing, but we settled on sharing about six different portions between the two of us. All of them were delicious, but a few stood out above the rest. The lasagne and cannelloni are both incredible and we really enjoyed the cipolline in agrodolce (sweet and sour baby onions). It was one of our favorite meals on our trip to Italy.
Sports in Bergamo
If you’re into sports, you can go see Atalanta, which are the local football team. They play at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia, which is a small stadium that opened in 1928. Unfortunately, there were no games on the night we stayed in Bergamo.
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Upper Town of Bergamo
The historic Upper Town (Città Alta) of Bergamo, surrounded Venetian defensive walls built between 1561 and 1588, is the historic part of the city. It’s full of interesting historic sites.
Piazza Vecchia
Piazza Vecchia is the main plaza in the historic Upper Town and was the political center of the city for many centuries. The square is located on the site of the old Roman forum and was originally called Platea Magna Nova. From the 11th century it was occupied by homes and slums, but in the 13th century, local officials began reclaiming the area and forming the square as the city center. It took the rectangular shape we see today in the 15th century. The red brick diamond flooring was introduced in the 18th century.
Swiss architect Le Corbusier (1887-1965) called Piazza Vecchia “the most beautiful square in Europe”. Cafés and restaurants occupy the ground floors of historic buildings, and they’re perfect for sitting and taking in the atmosphere.
Contarini Fountain
The Contarini Fountain (Fontana Contarini) is in the center of Piazza Vecchia. It was donated to Bergamo by the outgoing mayor of Venice Alvise Contarini in 1780. It was dismantled in 1885 to make way for a monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi (1807-1882). In the beginning of the 20th century, the monument was moved to Lower Town and the fountain was reassembled in its original location. The fountain features an octagonal basin in the center. It’s flanked by two sphinxes with water flowing from their mouths and is surrounded by ornamental statues.
Angelo Mai Civic Library
On the north end of the piazza is the Angelo Mai Civic Library (Biblioteca Civica Angelo Mai), which was founded in 1768 and is named for Cardinal Angelo Mai (1782-1854). It’s the oldest and most important library in the Bergamo library system and has over 700,000 volumes.
The building was designed by Vincenzo Scamozzi (1548-1616) as the Palazzo Nuovo, which was intended to be the new town hall. Construction started around 1600 but wasn’t completed until 1958. The façade was designed by Ernesto Pirovano (1866-1934). The library moved into the building in 1928.
Palazzo della Ragione
The Palazzo della Ragione (Palace of Reason) separates Piazza Vecchia and Piazza del Duomo. It was built as the town hall between 1182 and 1198 and is the second oldest municipal building in Italy. It has undergone several changes over the centuries, but the south and west sides date back to the original construction. The main façade faces Piazza Vecchia while the south and west façades face Piazza del Duomo. The portico underneath the building links the two squares.
When the Republic of Venice took over Bergamo in 1428, the building was converted to a courthouse. In 1464, a bas-relief of the Lion of St. Mark was added to the building. In 1550, Lucano da Imola and Gerolamo Colleoni (c. 1550-after 1555) decorated the interior with frescoes.
After the occupation by Napoleon in 1797, the building lost its function. It served as the Angelo Mai Civic Library from 1843 to 1928 and opened to the public in the 1980s. Today, the building is often open for special exhibitions. When it’s open, visitors can admire the beautiful frescoes inside, including many that have been moved there for safekeeping.
Palazzo del Podestà
A 15th century staircase attaches the Palazzo della Ragione to the Palazzo del Podestà. It was originally built in the late 12th century as a residence for the Suardi family. It became the residence of the podestà (local governor) in 1197. During the Venetian period, the building was enlarged. Donato Bramante (1444-1514) painted the frescoes on the façade in 1477, and the stone loggias and the courtyard were added in 1481. In the 16th century, Giacomo Scanardi (1450-1519) decorated the courtyard with frescoes while Giovan Battista Guarinoni d’Averara (c. 1548-1579) painted the Jurists’ Hall (Sala dei Giuristi).
In the 19th century, the Palazzo del Podestà lost its function and the rooms were used for different purposes including public housing. The building was restored between 2001 and 2011, revealing ancient elements from the Roman forum.
Admission to the Palazzo del Podestà is €7 for adults, €5 for students age 18-26, and free for kids under 12 (as of May 2025). Tickets include the and a visit to the Campanone. It’s open daily except Mondays. Visit the official website for more info.
Renaissance Museum
The Renaissance Museum (Museo del Cinquecento), which opened on January 28, 2012, is one of a series of city museums. It tells the story of the Renaissance and Venetian rule in Bergamo with fantastic multimedia displays and interactive exhibits using tablets and QR codes, allowing visitors to customize their path through the seven rooms of the museum.
The first section takes you around the Roman foundations discovered underneath the building during restoration. It continues with a look at original Renaissance frescoes that adorned the inner court of the Palazzo del Podestà.
Finally, visitors get to journey back in time to learn about the noble families, merchants, and leaders of Venice as well as food and other products popular in Bergamo during the Renaissance. You also get to see how the city looked before the Venetian walls were built in 1561 and the radical effect of the transformation.
Campanone
The Civic Tower (Torre Civica), commonly known as the Campanone, is the bell tower attached to the building. The Campanone can be climbed to the top for excellent views of the city. It was originally built between the 11th and 12th centuries as the tower of a home owned by the Suardi family and was used as a prison in the 14th century.
The original height was 37.7 meters (124 feet) but it was continuously modified until it reached its current height of 52.76 meters (173 feet) in 1550. The clock was added between the late 13th and early 14th centuries, and a lift was installed in the 1960s.
Bells of the Campanone
Once you reach the viewing platform, you’ll notice the three bells, which were first installed between the late 12th and early 13th centuries. The Campanone is the largest bell in Lombardy, at 2.13 meters (84 inches) in diameter, 2.2 meters (87 inches) in height, and weighing 5,500 kilograms (5.5 tons). It was cast on March 23, 1656. Every evening at 10pm, the bell chimes 100 times. The second largest was cast by Angelo Ottolina in 1949. It’s 1.15 meters in diameter and weighs is 915 kilograms. The smallest and oldest bell was cast in 1474 by Gasparino da Vicenza, measuring 93 centimeters and weighing about 480 kilograms.
Views from the Campanone
Interpretive panels point out important landmarks within view. In the immediate vicinity you can spot Piazza Vecchia, Piazza del Duomo, the Bergamo Cathedral, and Santa Maria Maggiore. Further away are San Vigilio and the Gombito Tower, which was built in the 12th century.
In the distance, it’s possible to see the surrounding settlements. On a clear day, you can see the skyline of Milan and the snow-capped Alps.
Piazza del Duomo
The Piazza del Duomo contains two of the most important churches in the city. Like Piazza Vecchia, it was once part of the Roman forum.
Bergamo Cathedral
The Bergamo Cathedral (Cattedrale di Bergamo), also known as the Duomo of Bergamo (Duomo di Bergamo) and the Cathedral of St. Alexander (Cattedrale di Sant’Alessandro), is the seat of the Bishop of Bergamo.
A 5th century cathedral dedicated St. Vincent was demolished in the 15th century to make way for the current Bergamo Cathedral. The first stone was laid on May 3, 1459. The cathedral was designed by Filarete (c. 1400-c. 1469) and was completed by Carlo Fontana (1634/38-1714) in 1693. Architect Vincenzo Scamozzi (1548-1616) also directed the work starting in 1611. The bell tower was added in 1690 and raised in 1850. It contains six bells.
There were originally two cathedrals in Bergamo – the Cathedral of St. Vincent, which is the current Bergamo Cathedral, and the Cathedral of St. Alexander, which stood at the site of Porta Sant’Alessandro. The latter was demolished by the Venetians in 1561 to build the city walls. On August 18, 1697, the canons of the two cathedrals were unified, and in 1704, the current cathedral officially changed its dedication from St. Vincent to St. Alexander.
Façade of the Bergamo Cathedral
Construction on the Neoclassical façade began in 1866 and it was inaugurated on August 26, 1889. The entrance is topped with a statue of St. Alexander by Paolo Sozzi (1862-1937). Medallions depicting Saints Peter and Paul, by Luigi Pagani (1837-1904), are on the archway below the statue. Pagani also completed the two statues of the Virtues of Faith and Hope on the domes above the side entrances.
Nave of the Bergamo Cathedral
The Bergamo Cathedral is on a Latin cross plan with a single nave lined by three chapels on each side. The counter-façade is decorated with paintings by Giambattista Gariboldi executed in 1766.
The high altar was built by Cesare Targoni in 1588 while architect Filippo Juvarra (1678-1736) designed the rest of the apse. The 44 wooden choir stalls were carved by Johann Karl Sanz between 1693 and 1698. Andrea Fantoni completed the episcopal throne in 1705. A silver urn made by Pietro Roberti contains the relics of St. Alexander. It was donated to the church by the city council in 1702. Felice Bossi built the organ on the left wall in 1842 while Pietro Corna built the organ on the right wall between 2009 and 2010.
Dome of the Bergamo Cathedral
The original design for the dome was made by Carlo Fontana in 1688 but was deemed too expensive. Many other projects followed but failed. The ninth design, by Giuseppe Berlendis (1795-1869) and two other architects, was finally executed between 1853 and 1855. The frescoes were painted by Francesco Coghetti (1801-1875).
Altars and Chapels
In the left transept is the Altar of the Blessed Virgin of Piety (Madonna della Pietà), which was designed by by Marco Alessandri and built by Andrea Fantoni (1659-1734). In the right transept is the Altar of Saints Firmus, Rusticus, and Proculus, which was built by Filippo Juvara in 1731.
Of the six chapels, I only have a photo of the Chapel of the Crucifix (Cappella del Crocifisso). It’s the second chapel on the left and is dedicated to the Crucifix. The 16th century crucifix from the Church of Santa Maria di Rosate, which is considered miraculous, was placed on the altar in 1810.
Relics of Pope John XXIII
A room to the right of the main altar contains items associated with Pope John XXIII (1881-1963), including a coffin that once held his body. John XXIII was born in Bergamo as Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli and served as pope from 1958 until his death in 1963. He was canonized by Pope Francis on April 27, 2014.
Cathedral Museum and Treasury
Finally, you can access the Cathedral Museum and Treasury under the portico of the Palazzo della Ragione. The museum and archaeological area contain the remains of Roman homes as well as the 5th century Cathedral of St. Vincent. They were excavated between 2004 and 2012. Admission is €5 for adults (as of May 2025). It’s open Friday through Sunday from 10am to 7pm.
Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore
The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore) is one of the most important churches in Bergamo. Admission is €5 for adults, €2 for visitors age 14-25 and seniors age 70+, and free for kids under 14 (as of May 2025). You can visit the treasury for an extra fee.
The basilica sits on the site of a church that existed in the 8th century, and before that, a Roman temple. Construction on the Romanesque structure began on August 15, 1137, to honor a vow made to the Virgin Mary in 1133 to protect the city from the plague. Although it wasn’t complete, the church was consecrated in 1185. The bell tower was built between 1436 and the end of the 15th century, and the interior took shape between 1576 and 1580.
Exterior
The basilica was originally on a Greek cross plan with seven apses but only three survive. It’s possible to see the remains of some original frescoes on one of those apses, but they’ve mostly faded away. The northwest apse was demolished by Bartolomeo Colleoni in 1472 to make way for his mausoleum, the Colleoni Chapel. The bell tower was built by Bertolasio Moroni da Albino between 1436 and 1459.
The Gate of the Red Lions (Porta dei Leoni Rossi), to the left of the Colleoni Chapel, is one of the entrances to the basilica. It was created by Giovanni da Campeone (c. 1320-c. 1375) in 1353 and is named for the red marble lions that support the columns. In the loggia is an equestrian statue of St. Alexander of Bergamo flanked by Saints Barnabas and Vincent of Saragossa. Above are three more statues of the Virgin and Child, St. Esther, and St. Grata made by Andreolo de’ Bianchi in 1398. It opens to the left transept.
Nave of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore
Once inside the church, you’ll immediately notice the extravagant Baroque artwork on the ceiling and arches. This dates back to the church’s restoration in the 17th century, with stuccoes completed by Giovanni Angelo Sala and his son Gerolamo.
A 14th century crucifix hangs above the presbytery. Giovan Francesco Capoferri (1497-1534) started building the choir in 1522. His sons Zinino and Alfonso completed the work in 1555. The organ on the side walls of the apse was built in 1915 by Carlo Vegezzi Bossi (1858-1927).
The walls and pillars are decorated with Florentine tapestries designed by Alessandro Allori and completed between 1583 and 1586 as well as some 16th and 17th century Flemish tapestries. They depict scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary. You’ll also find a stunning confessionary carved in 1704 by Andrea Fantoni (1659-1734).
In the left transept are frescoes dating back to 1347. They depict The Last Supper and the Stories of St. Aegidius (St. Giles) and were created by an unknown artist. On the south wall is another fresco of the Tree of Life, completed by the same artist between 1342 and 1347. More 14th century frescoes can be seen in the treasury, which opened to the public in September 2017. There are also a few chapels along the transepts.
Funerary Monuments
There are three funerary monuments in the church. On the right aisle is the tomb of Cardinal Guglielmo Longhi (1240/45-1319), which was carved by Ugo da Campione (c. 1280-c. 1353) around 1330. It originally stood in the Convent of San Francesco (Convento di San Francesco) but was dismantled after the church was suppressed in 1805. The monument was reassembled in its current location in 1839. The sarcophagus rests on two lions while figures of Atlas support the columns.
The other two belong to composer Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848) and his master, German composer Simon Mayr (1763-1845). They sit at the back of the nave. Donizetti’s tomb was carved between 1852 and 1855 by Swiss-Italian sculptor Vincenzo Vela (1820-1891) and stands 3 meters high. His remains weren’t placed inside until 1875. Mayr’s tomb was also completed in 1855.
Colleoni Chapel
Next to the entrance of the basilica is the Colleoni Chapel (Cappella Colleoni). This small chapel is the mausoleum of Bartolomeo Colleoni (1400-1475), an important captain-general for the Republic of Venice. It was built between 1472 and 1476 on the site of the sacristy of Santa Maria Maggiore. Colleoni’s soldiers demolished the sacristy to make way for the chapel, which is dedicated to Saints Bartholomew, Mark, and John the Baptist.
The chapel was designed by architect Giovanni Antonio Amadeo (c. 1447-1522). The façade features inlaid polychrome marble with white, red, and black lozenges. The rose window above the entrance is flanked by medallions of Julius Caesar and Trajan. On the upper part of the base are nine relief panels. The iron and bronze gate was made in 1912 by Gaetano Moretti (1860-1938) based on a design by Virginio Muzio (1864-1904).
The interior includes the tombs of Colleoni and his daughter, Medea (d. 1470), as well as a small presbytery. A gilded wood equestrian statue of Colleoni, made by Sisto and Siry of Nuremberg in 1501, stands atop his sarcophagus. It replaced a much heavier stone statue. The presbytery has a Baroque altar designed by Leopoldo Pollack (1751-1806). Giambattista Tiepolo (1696-1770) painted the frescoes between 1732 and 1733. Unfortunately, photography was forbidden inside at the time of our visit.
Baptistry
The Baptistry (Battistero) stands opposite the Colleoni Chapel. It was originally constructed in 1340 by Giovanni da Campeone (c. 1320-c. 1375) for the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore but was dismantled and put into storage in 1650. It was reassembled by Virginio Muzio in 1856 and moved to its present location in 1889.
Inside is a baptismal font made by Campeone in 1340, a statue of St. John the Baptist, and bas-reliefs of the life of Christ. The upper level features a colonnade topped by eight 14th-century statues representing the Virtues. The gate was locked and we weren’t able to enter, but the doors were open allowing us to peek inside.
Hall of the Episcopal Curia
Finally, down a small alley next to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, you can visit the Hall of the Episcopal Curia (Aula della Curia Vescovile). The hall dates back to at least 1225 and was built during the expansion of the basilica.
The hall is divided into two sections by an arch. Both are completely frescoed between the 12th and 14th centuries by unknown artists.
Via Gombito / Bartolomeo Colleoni
Via Gombito, which turns into Via Bartolomeo Colleoni, is the main street through Upper Town. It was the decumanus maximus of the Roman city, runs for about 500 meters. Via Gombito stretches from the funicular station to Piazza Vecchia while Via Bartolomeo Colleoni goes from Piazza Vecchia to Piazza Mascheroni.
The narrow street is pleasant to walk down, filled with shops, cafés, and some restaurants. We especially enjoyed looking at the window displays of the food shops. Homemade pasta, cheese, bread, and meat got our stomachs rumbling and we couldn’t wait for our next meal!
Church of St. Pancras
The Church of St. Pancras (Chiesa di San Pancrazio) sits along Via Gombito a block from the funicular station. It dates back to at least 888 and was significantly expanded and restored from 1625 through the 19th century. A fountain dated 1549 stands out front.
The entrance portal features a relief of the Virgin and Child, St. Pancras, and a blessing bishop. Above is a fresco of the Holy Trinity and Saints Sebastian and Bernard. The interior consists of a single nave with five chapels on each side, and several impressive works of art.
Gombito Tower
Next is the Gombito Tower, which was built in the 12th century. It stands 52 meters high but was originally 64 meters. A pair of workshops occupied the first floor of the tower from the 16th century through the 1990s. The tower was donated to the city in 1877. It’s possible to climb the 263 steps for some impressive views of Bergamo (currently unavailable as of May 2025).
Teatro Sociale
Just west of Piazza Vecchia is Teatro Sociale (Social Theatre), which was designed in 1803 by Leopoldo Pollack (1751-1806) and opened as the Teatro della Società on December 26, 1808. The theatre functioned until 1929 and the final shows took place in 1932. After falling into disrepair after decades of neglect, the city acquired the building in 1974. It was restored and started hosting art exhibitions in 1981. The theatre was restored again between 2006 and 2009 and returned to its original function in the spring of 2009. It has a capacity of 1,300 and 88 boxes.
Tours of Teatro Sociale are available. Basic audio tours are €6 for adults, €5 for kids age 6-10 and seniors age 65+, and free for kids under 6 (as of May 2025). Simple visits with audio tours on your cell phone are €4 for adults, €3 for kids age 6-10 and seniors age 65+, and free for kids under 6 (as of May 2025). They last roughly 40 minutes.
Church of St. Agatha
Near the west end of Via Bartolomeo Colleoni is the Church of St. Agatha (Chiesa di Sant’Agata nel Carmine), which was built in 1357 to replace an older 9th century church. It soon passed to the Carmelites, who enlarged it in 1450 and consecrated it in 1453. The church was finally completed and reconsecrated in 1489.
The simple façade gives no indication of the beautiful interior, which has a single nave with five chapels on each side. The chapels contain paintings by the best local artists of the 16th and 17th centuries.
Behind the church is the 14th century cloister and Carmelite convent, which was converted to a prison during the Napoleonic occupation in 1802 by architect Leopoldo Pollack (1751-1806). The prison closed in 1977 and the convent later reopened for tourism and exhibitions. Frescoes can still be seen on the walls.
Piazza Mascheroni
At the very end of Via Bartolomeo Colleoni is Piazza Mascheroni, which was originally called Piazza Nuova. It took its present shape in 1520 when it became the grain and hay market. It’s now named for mathematician Lorenzo Mascheroni (1750-1800).
What really caught our eye was the fruit market. There were a few stalls selling fruits, vegetables, cheese, and meat, so we stopped and filled up on some fresh fruits to snack on.
Palazzo Roncalli
Palazzo Roncalli is on the south end of the square. It was built in 1520 by the Roncalli, a wealthy merchant family. The building also functioned as a warehouse for merchandise that arrived from Venice and other cities. On the evening of March 12, 1797, the agreement for the withdrawal of Venice from Bergamo was signed there, resulting in the short-lived Republic of Bergamo. The façade features 16th century frescoes.
Visconti Citadel
The Visconti Citadel (Cittadella Viscontea), which sits on the northwest corner of Upper Town, was built by Bernabò Visconti (1323-1385) to defend the city from invaders. Construction started in 1355. During the Venetian period, the Citadel lost its original function. It was divided into 12 lots and auctioned to the public on September 22, 1550.
Parts of the building became the seat of the prefecture in 1797 followed by the seat of the Austrian delegation after 1814. In fact, the Habsburg coat of arms of the Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia can still be seen underneath the clock on the Torre della Campanella, which faces Piazza Mascheroni. Passing under the tower leads to the courtyard, Piazza della Cittadella, which is basically a parking lot.
The Citadel was restored starting in 1958 and 1960 and again from 1985 to 1988. Today, it hosts the Museum of Natural Sciences along with the Archaeological Museum of Bergamo. Admission to both on a single ticket is €3 for adults and free for kids under 18 (as of May 2025).
The Citadel originally featured 11 towers and a moat with drawbridges. Only three towers remain today, including the Adalberto Tower (Torre di Adalberto), which is also known as the Hunger Tower (Torre della Fame). The Adalberto Tower was built as part of a house in the 12th century and served as a prison during the Venetian period. The entrance is only accessible via a ladder. The passage next to the Adalberto Tower leads to an area with some nice views.
San Vigilio
San Vigilio, which is a hill above the Upper Town of Bergamo. It features a quiet neighborhood as well as a castle. You can ride the San Vigilio Funicular (Funicolare di San Vigilio) to get to the top of the hill.
Porta Sant’Alessandro
To get to San Vigilio, we walked through Porta Sant’Alessandro, which is one of four gates accessing the Upper Town. The gate was constructed in 1561 as part of the Venetian defensive walls and contains a relief of the Lion of St. Mark above the gate.
Porta Sant’Alessandro was built on the site of the Church of St. Alexander (Chiesa di Sant’Alessandro), one of the city’s two cathedrals at the time. It existed as early as 892 and was demolished to make way for the city walls. The dedication was transferred to the Bergamo Cathedral, officially the Cathedral of St. Alexander (Cattedrale di Sant’Alessandro), on Piazza del Duomo.
Views of Bergamo
Just outside the upper station, there’s a lively restaurant with outdoor seating as well as spectacular views of Bergamo.
From the funicular station, you can walk up the road to reach the castle. You’ll be treated to more great views of the city on the way up.
San Vigilio Castle
After walking for a few minutes, you’ll reach the castle walls. San Vigilio Castle (Castello di San Vigilio) was the residence of Bergamo’s rulers for several centuries. A lookout tower existed there during the Roman period but it was first fortified in the 6th century by a small Christian community that had settled there. They built a small chapel dedicated to Mary Magdalene. The community was ousted by Arnulf of Carinthia (c. 850-899) in 889, who had long wanted to turn it into a military outpost. I
In 1166, the city council decided to build a larger castle. It was further enlarged by the Visconti, who completed the project in 1335. The Venetians remodeled the castle in the 16th century, and coupled with the defensive walls, it became nearly impregnable.
With the arrival of Napoleon in 1797, the castle lost importance. French troops used it as a barracks, and by 1829 the Austrians had demolished the main military structures. The Soregaroli family purchased the entire castle at the end of the 19th century and opened a restaurant inside. With the opening of the funicular, it became a tourist attraction.
The City of Bergamo acquired the castle and made it entirely accessible to the public in 1962. It now contains Relais San Vigilio, a luxury hotel and restaurant. Le Nottole provides guided tours of the secret tunnels to Fort San Marco by appointment only. At the top, you’ll enjoy incredible views of the countryside. There are also great views of Bergamo.
Lower Town of Bergamo
Lower Town (Città Bassa) is the more modern part of Bergamo. It’s not as interesting as Upper Town but it still has some good attractions, especially for art lovers.
Because of time constraints and Marisol not feeling very well, I was only able to take a short walk through Lower Town. I have to admit my exploration is incomplete. Another problem is that I didn’t take my camera with me and my phone died unexpectedly just 15 minutes after I ventured into the streets, so I don’t have as many photos to share as I’d like.
Teatro Gaetano Donizetti
Teatro Gaetano Donizetti is one of the highlights of Lower Town. It was originally built in the 1780s by architect Giovanni Francesco Lucchini (1755-1826) and was inaugurated on August 24, 1791. Unfortunately, it burned down in 1797. Lucchini was commissioned to rebuild the theatre, which opened on June 30, 1800. The first name of the theatre was Teatro Riccardi, but it was changed in 1897 to honor Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848), a local composer, on the 100th anniversary of his birth. An extensive restoration took place between 2017 and 2020. It has a capacity of 1,154 and features three levels of boxes.
There are a few different options for touring the theatre. Prices are current as of May 2025:
- Interactive audio-guided tours in the presence of live performers cost €12 for adults, €10 for kids age 6-10 and seniors age 65+, and free for kids under 6. They last roughly 40 minutes.
- Standard interactive audio-guided tours cost €10 for adults, €8 for kids age 6-10 and seniors age 65+, and free for kids under 6. They last roughly 40 minutes.
- Basic audio tours are €6 for adults, €5 for kids age 6-10 and seniors age 65+, and free for kids under 6. They last roughly 55 minutes.
- Simple visits with audio tours on your cell phone are €4 for adults, €3 for kids age 6-10 and seniors age 65+, and free for kids under 6.
Memorial Tower
Across from the theatre along Viale Roma is the Memorial Tower (Torre dei Caduti), also known as the Tower of the Fallen. The tower is dedicated to Italians who lost their lives during World War I and was inaugurated by Benito Mussolini (1883-1945) on October 27, 1924. It’s 45 meters high and was designed by Marcello Piacentini (1881-1960). Inside, there’s a war memorial and exhibits on the history of Lower Town. It’s open Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is €5 for adults, €3 for students age 18-26, and free for kids under 18 (as of May 2025).
Christmas in Bergamo
If you’re in Bergamo during the Christmas season, you’ll have the chance to enjoy a great Christmas market at Piazza Dante Alighieri. There was also an ice skating rink set up at Piazza della Libertà during my visit.
