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Imagine. You are living in a walled Medieval town.
It is 10 o’clock in the evening and one hundred tolls from the civic tower bell sound the closing of the gates along the city walls.
Another day has come to an end.
Nowadays there are no gates to be closed, yet you can still easily sense this intensity when visiting the city of Bergamo.
Bergamo is a city in northern Italy, about 25 miles from Milan, and is served by its own airport, Il Caravaggio International Airport also known as Orio al Serio, which has recently become the 4th busiest stopover in Italy. The advantage to having an airport so close has turned Bergamo into an easy destination for visitors to spend a couple of days or for a weekend stay.
Bergamo’s unique feature is that it has 2 city centres: the modern lower town (Città Bassa in Italian)and the superb upper town (Città Alta in Italian), a picturesque hilltop dating back, as mentioned earlier, to Medieval times and surrounded by the impressive defensive walls. Bergamo is one of the few Italian cities whose historic centre has remained almost unchanged by keeping its walls throughout the centuries.
While anyone arriving in Bergamo would be approaching the city from the lower part, it is the upper town that you will be easily spot first and grab your attention.
Getting there
The best way to reach the upper town is using the funicular from the lower town. Please bear in mind that if you are travelling with your dog, pets are not allowed to get on the funicular, unless they are of (very) small size and have a muzzle on them (so sad!). Tickets cost € 1,30 one way or you could purchase a day ticket for €3.50. Here are more details about the different ticket options.
If you are feeling particularly fit and would like a workout, you can alternatively walk up the hill climbing one of the several staircases linking the lower town to the upper part (they are called scorlazzini).
Otherwise, you can get there by bus.
No matter which option you eventually choose, once you reach the upper town, you will find yourself right within the city walls and ready to start your exploration of the narrow alleys of this fabulous historic town. To be honest, everywhere you look in Bergamo Alta, you can spot extraordinary artistic and architectural masterpieces. However, here are 5 places not to miss when visiting Bergamo Alta.
5 Sites to Visit in Bergamo Alta
1) Piazza Vecchia
No doubt, the heart of the Bergamo Alta, it is a large square enclosed by elegant palaces dating back to the time when Bergamo was part of the Serenissima Republic of Venice. You can still admire one of the typical Venetian Lions on the facade of Palazzo della Ragione, the building where civic meetings were held, still one of best-preserved in the city.
If you like to enjoy a beautiful (and totally free) view of Piazza Vecchia from above, just climb the flight of steps leading to the entrance of the building, stop at the terrace and get ready to be in awe.
Right in the centre of the square stands the famous Fontana Contarini, a symbol of Bergamo: the monument was offered to the local community by a Venetian podestà, Alvise Contarini, to provide them with a drinking water source right in the city centre.
Under the portico of Palazzo della Ragione, there is a splendid marble sundial carved on the pavement that in the past indicated the date and zodiac sign of corresponding day.
Between Palazzo della Ragione and Palazzo del Podestà, the so-called Campanone, the civic tower that still chimes 100 times at 10pm that in the past announced the gates’ closing.
2) Piazza Duomo
Passing by Palazzo della Ragione, you will get to Piazza Duomo, the religious centre of the city, where the Cathedral was erected in honour of the city patron, Saint Alessandro. Not many years ago, archaeologists uncovered the original foundations of the building dating back to the early Christian period.
A bit further, you will find the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, an absolute gem with its sublime Baroque decorations.
Next to it, the Colleoni Chapel, a splendid mausoleum with unique white marble decorations and red-black lozenges, and the octagonal Baptistery.
3) Walkings on the City’s Walls
If you are in Bergamo, you cannot fail to enjoy the walk around the entire span of the walls. To make the most of this experience, sit on one of the benches and take in one of the best views ever.
If you have to choose a section, I think the northern part of the walls offers the most beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.
4) The Castle
Just an easy climb on the hill of Sant’Eufemia and you will get to the city’s Rocca overlooking the lower town and the surrounding plain. The Castle, beautifully preserved, includes a garden too.
5) Sant’Agostino
Unfortunately it is not as famous, but definitely worth a visit. It used to be a convent and now is part of the University of Bergamo. Just enjoy the magnificent late Gothic façade and the beautiful cloisters dating back to the sixteenth century.
Additional Information
Accommodation
Whether you are a hotel traveller or prefer the freedom of an independent house, there are 2 main ways you can find a suitable accommodation in Bergamo.
For hotel fans: check prices and availability on the main booking sites like Booking.com, Expedia and Hotelsclick.com.
For apartment/house fans: You’ll certainly find something on Airbnb.com
Meals
I have recently tried this restaurant. I chose it because of its name, Lalimentari (in Italian the word alimentari is the place where you go for your food shopping!). Their choice of wines is endless and all of them are absolutely divine. The menu too is great with a good selection of local traditional dishes.
My favorite? Polenta taragna. Polenta is an ancient corn meal of Italian origin of which every region in Italy has its own version. Polenta taragna is typical of Bergamo area and it includes the use of buckwheat flour mixed with cheese: the result is delicious.
Have you been to Bergamo? Share your tips and experiences with us in the comments below.
Author’s Bio: Raffaella contributes to various travel-related blogs and enjoy writing articles about her travels.
