At 10 p.m., the Campanone in the heart of Piazza Vecchia still rings more than a hundred times. The 52.76-metre-high tower offers panoramic views of the old town. It was built from the mid-12th century onwards by the Suardi-Colleoni family, for defensive purposes and as a display of political and military prestige. Past and present meet here in a single building: the tower tells of its early functions while also shaping the evening soundscape of the piazza.
Piazza Vecchia and the medieval cityscape
Piazza Vecchia is the heart of Bergamo Alta. The Fontana Contarini, Palazzo del Podestà , Biblioteca Angelo Mai, Palazzo della Ragione and Campanone each define the square in a different way. Città Alta sits on seven hills and has the feel of a medieval village, with cobbled lanes, historic palaces and squares. If you are interested in architectural history, the area offers more than a single standout sight: use the square as a landmark and discover the city’s many historic forms.
The Venetian Walls offer an impressive continuation of this story. The fortifications stretch for more than six kilometres and are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Republic of Venice had them built in 1561 as an example of Renaissance military architecture. You can explore the walls on foot or by bike; the views extend across the plain, the Orobie Prealps and the city. A two-hour Wall Walk along the fortifications explores the secrets of the Venetian fortress, is suitable for all age groups and can be taken at any time of year. The gun galleries of San Giovanni can be visited during events and as part of guided tours.
Fortresses, towers and views
The Rocca di Bergamo also tells the story of the city’s defence: it is a 14th-century fortification on Colle di Sant’Eufemia. From the Rocca’s Venetian tower, views extend over Città Alta, the Orobie Prealps, the Bergamo plain and as far as Milan. The different vantage points reveal how the historic city, foothills and plain come together in the landscape.
The Torre dei Caduti offers another perspective on the city’s history. It houses an exhibition on the development of Bergamo’s Piacentinian centre and modern city, and has a viewing terrace at the top. At the Convento di San Francesco, historic spaces combine with scenic views: cloisters and a chapter house with fresco cycles dating from the 14th to the 17th century are complemented by a viewing terrace overlooking the confluence of the Brembana and Seriana valleys.
Museums and collections
The Museo Donizettiano is dedicated to the life of Gaetano Donizetti and displays an extensive collection of scores, letters, portraits and personal belongings. When it reopened in 2015 after a short restoration closure, it was equipped with audio and interactive stations where visitors can listen to Donizetti’s works. The Accademia Carrara presents art spanning a broader historical period: its collection includes more than 300 paintings and sculptures from five centuries of Italian art, from the Renaissance to the 19th century.
The museums also offer different ways to explore natural history and prehistory. The Museo Civico di Scienze Naturali Enrico Caffi brings together mineralogical, geological, palaeontological, zoological and ethnographic collections. Along the visitor route, there are fun and educational activities; individual offerings may change. The Museo Archeologico di Bergamo organises its displays into sections on prehistory and early history, the Egyptian collection, the Gauls and Romans, the lapidarium and the Early Middle Ages. This lets you explore the city and its surroundings from a range of specialist perspectives.
Green spaces and local cuisine
The Parco dei Colli di Bergamo encompasses the municipality of Bergamo and the medieval core of CittĂ Alta. Its green hills stretch for 40 kilometres from CittĂ Alta towards Canto Alto. The Orto Botanico di Bergamo Lorenzo Rota adds a specific focus on nature conservation: the garden preserves endangered plants and supports projects to reintroduce threatened species into the wild. The Astino area, known as Valle della BiodiversitĂ , can be reached on foot from CittĂ Alta in about 25 minutes; walking time may vary depending on the route. Private tours are available for a fee and with a reservation made a few days in advance, including in other languages. Check availability before your trip.
Cuisine is also part of discovering Bergamo. Typical dishes include Polenta Taragna, Brasato, Casoncelli, Creste Scalvine, Stracciatella and Torta Donizetti. You can try traditional dishes in restaurants and traditional eateries; traditional cuisine is also available in historic shops and at local food markets. Bergamo is described as a major European cheese-making centre, with 30 traditional specialities, nine DOP cheeses and three Slow Food Presidia—a further facet of the city alongside its walls, towers and collections.
Discover more destinations: Grumello Del Monte, Costa Valle Imagna, Valbondione, Villa Dʼalmè, Stezzano, Stalettì, Selvino, Sarnico, San Pellegrino Terme, Predore, Orio Al Serio, Olda, Nembro, Medolago, Lovere, Leffe, Lallio, Cologno Al Serio, Clanezzo, Cavaglià , Castione Della Presolana, Bonate Sopra, Bergamo, Almenno San Bartolomeo, Fuipiano Valle Imagna, Rota D'imagna, Bagnatica, San Paolo D'argon, Ponteranica, Presezzo, Bossico, Osio Sotto, Treviolo, Cavernago, Roncola, Boltiere, Brusaporto, Fino Del Monte, Mozzo, Scanzorosciate, Brembate, Montello, Verdellino, Dalmine, Castro, Trescore Balneario, Palazzago, Terno D'isola, Zanica, Valtorta, Grassobbio, Urgnano, Riva Di Solto, Cisano Bergamasco, Treviglio, Villa Di Serio, Costa Volpino, Bianzano, Piazzatorre, Foppolo, Fonteno, Almenno San Salvatore, Camerata Cornello, Romano Di Lombardia, Telgate, Zandobbio, Branzi, Mapello, Serina, Azzano San Paolo, Pontida, Sorisole, Seriate, Solto Collina, Gromlongo, Cene, Oltre Il Colle, Cenate Sopra, Bagnella, Sotto Il Monte Giovanni Xxiii, Canonica D'adda, Alzano Lombardo, Fara Gera D'adda, Villongo, Ponte San Pietro, Carona, Costa Di Mezzate, Borgo Di Terzo, Gazzaniga, Paladina, Foresto Sparso, Zogno, Vigano San Martino, Aviatico, Misano Di Gera D'adda, Colere, Valleve, Schilpario, Clusone, Calcinate, Comun Nuovo, Brembilla, Tavernola Bergamasca, Endine, Selino Basso, Vall'alta, Scano Al Brembo, Chiuduno, Fontanella, Grignano, Colognola, Cassiglio, Palosco, Bottanuco, Carvico, Ghisalba, Arcene, Parzanica, Antegnate, Calusco D'adda, Martinengo, Gromo, Ornica, Mozzanica, Monasterolo del Castello, Pumenengo, San Pantaleone, Vigolo, Oneta, Villassio, Ambria-spino, Barzana, Torre Boldone, Capriate San Gervasio, Spinone Al Lago, Locate Bergamasco, Albino, Rovetta, Bracca, Marne, Verdello, Gandosso, Bonate Sotto, Adrara San Rocco, Carobbio, Mezzoldo, Colla-muggiasca, Piazza Brembana, Bordogna, Brumano, Entratico, Roncobello, Fiumenero, Sant'Erasmo, Bariano, Averara, Malpaga.
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