Bergamo - Do & See
- Nearby guides:
- Bergamo Ski Region
- Milan Ski Region
- Milan
- Brescia
- Parma
- Laax
- Klosters
- Verona
- Montafon (Vorarlberg)
- Genova
- Other guides in Italy:
- Breuil Cervinia
- Courmayeur
- Florence
- Olbia
- Parma
- Perugia
- Pescara
- Rimini
- Rome
- Sauze d’Oulx
- More
Bergamo is the perfect city to enjoy a nice weekend or a longer stay. Just walking around the city center and finding a nice café to enjoy a good cup of coffee is relaxing itself. If you however are interested in one of the many galleries, then Galleria d´Arte Moderna e Contemporanea and Accademia Carrara is worth paying a visit to. If you love culture, you have come to the right city!
Piazza Vecchia
This Renaissance Square – the most beautiful in Europe, according to Le Corbusier - is the heart of Bergamo. It is overlooked by the Palazzo della Ragione, the Campanone and the massive façade of the ancient Town Hall.
Viale delle Mura
From this avenue along the walls, you can admire the panorama of the city. See Porta S.Giacomo and Porta Sant’Agostino.
At San Giovanni and San Michele bastions the Embrasures of the same name are open for visits from April to September.
City Centre - Lower Town
Leave time for a walk in the modern centre – the large area around piazza Vittorio Veneto – which was planned during the early 20th century, by the architect Marcello Piacentini, and is a very interesting example of town planning.
Basilica Of Santa Maria Maggiore and Colleoni Chapel
The Basilica (built in 1137) is the most remarkable religious building in the city. It also hosts the Donizetti’s grave. The Colleoni Chapel is a masterpiece of the Lombard Renaissance.
Accademia Carrara
This gallery hosts one of the richest collections in Italy with around 2,000 paintings from the 15th to the 18th century. The Accademia Carrara will remain closed for renovation work until the end of 2014, but a selection of the works are on display in the Palazzo della Ragione building in Upper town.
Cittadella
This is also a fortified building which hosts the Natural Sciences Museum and the Archeological Museum. Each museum offers guided tours and educational activities.
+39 035 286 011 (Natural Sciences)
Tel: +39 035 242 839 (Archeological)
Civic Tower (Campanone - Big Bell) and Palazzo del Podestà
A symbol of the medieval city, the 52-metre high Civic Tower offers splendid views over Upper and Lower Bergamo. The Civic Tower bell sounds over 100 times at 10 pm every evening to signal the old curfew when the gates of the city were closed.
Originally the residence of the Suardi-Colleoni families, the Palazzo del Podestà was the seat of the Podestà (Chief magistrate or Governor) from the 12th to the 15th century. Today it hosts the History Museum of Veneto Age.
Duomo
The Cathedral (started in 1459) is dedicated to Saint Alessandro, the Patron of the city. See also the Baptistery.
Galleria d´Arte Moderna e Contemporanea (GAMeC)
he Galleria d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea was opened in 1991 as an enlargement of the Accademia Carrara. The setting provides great visibility for the modern and contemporary works.
Rocca
Fortified building which hosts the Museum of History IX century.
You can buy a museum card which includes the visit at Museo Donizettiano, Museum of history XVII century (Rocca), Historical Museum (former S. Francesco cloister), Campanone and Museum of the Veneto Age (Palazzo del Podestà).
Donizetti Theatre
The Donizetti Theatre was dedicated to the Bergamask composer Gaetano Donizetti. The Theatre (built at the end of the XVIII) has always been regarded for its opera productions.
Historical Museum And Ex S.Francesco Cloister
Bergamo Historical Museum is settled in the fascinating ex San Francesco cloister. The exhibition includes reconstructions of settings, multimedia stations and movable explanatory sheets.
San Vigilio
The castle of San Vigilio, once part of the ancient fortification, offers one of the most suggestive views of the old town. Take the funicular to get to the Castle and enjoy the striking panorama.
Teatro Sociale
After exemplary restoration work was carried out, the Teatro Sociale reopened to the public in the spring of 2009 – two century after its inauguration in 1808 – with a rich calendar of shows.
Gaetano Donizetti’s birthplace
The famous composer Donizetti was born in Bergamo, and lived there from 1806 to 1815.
Donizetti’s Museum
This is a museum set up in honour of opera composer Gaetano Donizetti. The archive at the museum stores, among many things, original printed editions of books, valuable iconographic collection and various relics.
Crespi d'Adda
Crespi d'Adda is a unique example of industrial architecture that has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The village consisted of a factory (a cotton mill), the castle of the owner, worker's houses, a cemetery, a wash house and a church: it is a XIX century village, built by the Crespi family of industrialists.
San Pellegrino
One of the most famous thermal resort in the world, here springs the well-known San Pellegrino Water. The Village is just 18 km far from Bergamo and it is a small jewel with its well-conserved Art Noveau buildings.
Orobie Prealps
It’s just 45 km to reach the Bergamo ski resorts with 300 km of ski slopes. The main Valleys Brembana and Seriana offer relaxation and sport activities both for winter and summer.
Iseo and Endine Lakes
Two quite unknown lakes where nature and history have created an amazing variety of natural beauties. They offer plenty of chances for fan of water sports. There are also interesting villages that are worth a visit like Lovere or Sarnico. In close proximity, you’ll find the Val Calepio where is produced the ValCalepio wine. Approximately 30 km from Bergamo.
