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10 Top Things To Do In Bergamo, Italy

Authors
  • avatar
    Name
    Jonathan Chum
    Twitter
    @jchum

Introduction

Bergamo is a city in Lombardy, Italy. It's known for its historic center and Renaissance architecture.

Citta Alta

The old part of Bergamo is called Citta Alta and it's an old medieval town built between the 13th and 14th centuries. It is characterized by its medieval architecture, cobbled streets, squares, and fountains. Here you'll find many churches and palaces among them:

  • The Church of Santa Maria Maggiore (13th century)

  • The Duomo (16th century)

  • The Palazzo Della Ragione (1298- 1300) houses a museum dedicated to local history.

It's also known as Piazza Vecchia or Old Square because it's a pedestrian zone where you can enjoy typical Italian food at restaurants or buy typical products from vendors who sell their goods on the street.

Piazza Vecchia

Piazza Vecchia is the heart of Bergamo and a great place to sit and watch the people go by. It's also a great place to shop, eat, and visit.

Bergamo has a lot to offer, and at the top of that list is its food. The city is known for its panettone, a sweet bread made from raisins, candied fruit, and other ingredients. There are several shops in Bergamo where you can buy authentic local panettone.

Facing the old town square, you will find the Palazzo Della Ragione.

Facing the old town square, you will find the Palazzo Della Ragione. The building was built in 1354 and is now used as a courthouse. It is open to the public and has been renovated since then. It's a good example of medieval architecture

Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore

The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore is the main church in Bergamo, Italy. It was built between 1185 and 1250 and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The façade has a Gothic style that was added in 1350-1400. It has a Romanesque bell tower from 1180, which can be seen from afar when you drive into Bergamo through Piazza Vecchia.

If you visit this church, be sure to check out its many paintings! They have works by artists such as Lorenzo Lotto and Giovanni Bellini on display - they are very beautiful! The interior of this church also has some amazing frescos that were painted by Giambattista Moroni (1520-1606).

This basilica has been rebuilt several times over its long history: after it suffered damage during WWII bombings in 1943; again after suffering another bombing attack during WWII on April 24th, 1944; then again when it was damaged from an earthquake in May 2012; then finally yet again after another earthquake struck off the coast of Lazio region near Rome Italy on August 24th, 2016 which caused significant damage across central Italy including an estimated 5 billion euros worth (nearly USD 5 billion).

The Colleoni Chapel

The Colleoni Chapel is located in the Castelvecchio Museum, which also houses other historical buildings. The Colleoni Chapel is small and the interior is decorated with frescoes and sculptures. The chapel was built by Giovanni Colleoni, who was a Venetian mercenary during the 14th century and died in Bergamo after being imprisoned for his crimes. He left some of his riches to build this chapel as an act of repentance before he died.

If you are looking for something more modern than churches, then check out our article on what to do in Milan, Italy! We hope this guide helps you plan your trip to Europe!

The Bergamo Science Center

The Bergamo Science Center is a science museum in Bergamo, Italy. It was opened in 1988 and it is located in the Palazzo Pignano.

It's one of the most important science museums in Italy.

The museum has four floors, each one dedicated to a different theme. On the ground floor, visitors can find an exhibition about natural sciences and technology. The first floor is dedicated to evolution and biodiversity.

Piazza Lombardi

The Piazza Lombardi is a central square in Bergamo's Old Town. It was named after the former bishop and friend of the people, Giovanni Visconti. The square is a popular spot for shopping and dining and is home to the city's main market. Surrounded by historic buildings, including some beautiful palazzos, it makes for an interesting walk through history as well as an enjoyable place for people-watching.

Museo delle storie di Bergamo

Museo delle storie di Bergamo is a museum in Bergamo, Italy. It is located in the Palazzo Solari, in the city center. The museum was opened on October 4, 2017, by the Municipality of Bergamo and is dedicated to local history and culture. Its name evokes both its aim (to collect and display stories related to the city) and its space (which has been occupied since 1806 by a palace built at least several centuries before).

Sorrowful mother statue

The PietĂ  is a marble sculpture by Michelangelo Buonarroti, housed in St. Peter's Basilica, Rome. It was originally commissioned as one of two matching sculptures which were to flank the tomb of Pope Julius II in the Vatican Grottoes. The other statue was a standing figure of Julius' uncle, Pope Sixtus IV, and is now held in the Louvre Museum in Paris.

The work shows Mary holding Jesus after he has been removed from the Cross according to Christian tradition (John 19:38--42), with John the Apostle and Mary Magdalene standing on either side at the foot of it. The Virgin's head is slightly bowed and her eyes are closed in grief; she holds Christ across her lap with his head on her left shoulder and his torso leaning against her chest above her crossed hands which hold him close to herself as though she could not bear for him to leave again so soon. In this position, it can be seen that Christ does not fit into Mary's arms fully given that he would have been around 6ft tall when alive (Jesus would have measured about 5'10" according to most estimates).

Santa Maria Delle Grazie church

Santa Maria Delle Grazie church was built in the 16th century and has a beautiful facade. It's home to one of Leonardo da Vinci's most famous works, The Last Supper. The interior of the church is also beautiful and houses many other works of art, including paintings by Tintoretto and Veronese. The museum inside contains other significant works such as an altarpiece by Mantegna, who lived in Bergamo for much of his life.

Conclusion

If you're looking for a city in Italy that is full of history, culture, and natural beauty, Bergamo is the place to go. With its medieval buildings, beautiful churches, and amazing restaurants, there is plenty to do during your visit. If you get tired of exploring on foot (and trust me---you never will), consider booking an excursion with one of the many tour groups that offer guided tours around the city.