Bergamo, Italy brings up the pictures of both the modern city and the medieval Bergamo Alta. Bergamo Basso is a well-balanced blend of the medieval city with the modern planned town of the 20th century.
Much of Bergamo’s atmosphere dates back to the time of the Venetians who ruled the city for close to 400 years. Samples of the ornate building fascia decorated with the symbolic Venetian lions and the walls remain. Some of the best examples are found in the paths near the church of Santa Maria Maggiore and Piazza Vecchia dating from the 12th century.
The small town of Bergamo, in Lombardy close to the Alps began as a town built on the top of hills in a defensive location. This upper town, also called Citta Alta, is the location of the historic sites. It is easily reached by walking. The more modern party of Bergamo, Citta Bassa, was designed in the twentieth century and is connected to the older city by the cable car.
Bergamo, which is about an hour by train or car northeast of Milan, is in the hills of the Orobie Alps. Those who visit Bergamo will appreciate the art exhibits, the varied architecture, and the cuisine.
Begin the visit to Bergamo at the Piazza Vecchia that is the center of Citta Alta, the medieval section of the town placed on a hill above the remainder of the town. Beginning in the early 1400s, and for almost 400 years, Bergamo was ruled by the Venetians who constructed the stone walls around the medieval town.
When taking a walking tour around Citta Atla, visitors will find history from all centuries. The Pallazo Della Ragione, Romanesque in design, was built in the 1100s, and it is supposed to be one of the older town halls still surviving in northern Italy. Palazzo Terzi is one of the palaces that go back to the 17th and 18th century.
A cable car joins the lower and upper towns. The Citta Bassa, or lower part, dates from the early 1900s. Visitors will find the art, particularly examples of Renaissance and Baroque art, in museums, churches and homes. View tapestries of Florentine and Flemish era and Baroque stuccos at Santa Maria Maggiore. Art of Bellini, Raphael, and Botticelli are displayed at Palazzo della Ragione.
Bergamo is easily reached by air, train, and bus. The Orio al Serio International Airport features lower-priced flights. Travelers can reach Milan by train in approximately 30 plus minutes from the train station that is in the city plus the cities of Venice, Verona, Lecco and Brescia. Additionally, buses travel to Milan from the bus stop near the train station.
Bergamo is a small town and can be viewed by walking tours, a cable car, or by bus routes. The hike from the train station to the Citta Alta cable car is about 30 minutes.
