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Bergamo
Bergamo is much more than just an airport favored by low-cost airlines eastwards from Milan. The Città alta (Old town, or Upper town) in Bergamo is a real treasure trove for history buffs thanks to its medieval architecture.
The best way to visit Città alta is by funicular. You can take a bus either from the aiport or from the train station to get to the funicular station at Viale Vittorio Emanuele II. The funicular will drop you at Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe which is exactly at the intersection of Via Gombito and Via Porta Dipinta. From there you can either follow Via Gombito to get to Piazza Vecchia and the cathedrals, or take Via Porta Dipinta to walk down to Città bassa (Lower town).
Piazza San Pancrazio bears two monuments to be visited: a medieval church rebuilt in Baroque style and a 16th-century fountain in front of it.
Following Via Gombito from the funicular station to the Piazza Vecchia, you shouldn't miss Il Lavatorio, the former public wash tub of the city.
Piazza Vecchia surrounded by Gothic and Renaissance buildings is probably the most picturesque square of Bergamo.
The Cathedral dedicated to Saint Alexander of Bergamo is a beautiful Baroque church is its present form. History of the saint goes however back to much further, to the persecution of Christians.
The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore is the most magnificent church in entire Bergamo, overwhelming even the cathedral. It has a rather mixed architecture: the external appearance has largely maintained its Lombard-Romanesque origin while the interior decoration is mostly from the 17th century Baroque renovation.
It is a tiny round church, considered to be the finest example of 11th century Romanesque architecture in Bergamo.
Aula della Curia 360° virtual tour
Episcopal Audience and Judgment Hall
This is a seldom visited and totally unique sight in Bergamo, a 12th century judgment hall of the bishop containing interesting medieval frescoes. Since the 10th century the bishop had the right to administer all justice, criminal and civil within the walls of the city.
Cappella Colleoni 360° virtual tour
Colleoni Chapel
This is a private family burial chapel, belonging to one of the most spectacular sights of the city. Its elaborately carved facade became a symbol of the entire oldtown. The rarely photographed interior contains interesting Renaissance tombs and frescoes painted by Giambattista Tiepolo.
To the right of the entrance of Cappella Colleoni stands the octagonal baptistery of Santa Maria Maggiore, constructed in 1340 by Giovanni da Campione.
Donizetti Museum and Santa Grata in 360°
Museo Donizettiano
The museum housed in a Renaissance palace commemorates Gaetano Donizetti, a famous opera composer born in Bergamo in 1797.
Sant'Agata nel Carmine church 360° virtual tour
Chiesa di Sant’Agata nel Carmine
Citadel 360° virtual tour
Cittadella
The former military heart of the city is now occupied by two museums that could both be visited free of charge.
San Francesco monastery – History museum in 360°
Museo Storico della Città
Built in the late 13th and early 16th century, the former Convent of San Francesco is a fine example of medieval monastic architecture.
Set off Via Porta Dipinta at a tiny square is this 8th century church which was rebuilt multiple times throughout the centuries. Compared to the facade from the early 1900s, its the interior is much more authentic with a multitude of Gothic and Renaissance frescoes.
This Gothic monastery could become an icon of the city if it would be properly restored after hundreds of years of disrepair.
Museo Adriano Bernareggi 360° virtual tour
Museo Diocesano
The Diocesan Museum "Adriano Bernareggi" displays objects of religious and liturgical worship, mostly works from the territory of Bergamo.
Santo Spirito church 360° virtual tour
Church of the Holy Spirit
The Celestine convent of Santo Spirito was built in the first half of the 14th century together with a Gothic church and a small hospital. Celestines are a Roman Catholic monastic order, a branch of the Benedictines, founded in 1244.
San Bartolomeo church 360° virtual tour
Church of St. Bartholomew
The church of St. Bartholomew was built in the early 17th century and is famous for a large altarpiece by Lorenzo Lotto.
Teatro Donizetti in 360°
Donizetti Theatre
Donizetti Theatre is named after the great composer of Bergamo. It is famous for the opera, drama, operetta and ballet seasons, the Festival Bergamo Jazz, concerts of modern singers, symphonic concerts and the prestigious Festival Pianistico Internazionale.