Bergamo Alta - Piazza Vecchia - (Old Square - Upper town)
Piazza Vecchia is the symbol of the city. Built in ‘300, it reaches its actual structure during the Venetian domination. On the southern side of the square faces the Palazzo della Ragione, that is the symbol of the Communal Age; on the right side the Civic Tower (XII-XV) rises, well known as Il Campanone, and here there is also the antique Domus Suardorum (XIV-XV), that now it’s the seat of the University of Bergamo. The northern side of the square is enclosed within a Palace of ‘600 with a façade of white marble. Built as seat of the Town Hall, today this structure hosts the Public Library “A. Maj” that holds about 500.000 volumes and preserves a precious “Tasso Collection”. The elegant Fountain, donated by the Venetian “podestà”, Alvise Contarini (XVIII), completes the spectacular view of the square.
Behind the Palazzo della Ragione, there is the Piazzetta del Duomo, where appear monuments of great relevance. The Duomo, designed by Filarete, was modified many times during the centuries. The decoration of the interiors was completed only at the end of ‘800. Precious artistic pieces are the Chapel of the Crucifix, that preserves a crucifix of ‘500 and the apse, where seven great canvases, out of all the Martirio di S.Giovanni Episcopo (S. Giovanni Episcopo’s Martyrdom), a work of G.B.Tiepolo can be found. On Piazzetta Duomo, a marble polychrome porch with polychromatic lions by Giovanni da Campione, signals the access to the Basilica di S.Maria Maggiore (XII). Inside, precious tapestries, a baroque confessional by Andrea Fantoni, Gaetano Donizetti grave and his Master Simone Mayr. Of great value are the iconostases in carved and inlaid wood executed in the XIV, following Lorenzo Lotto drawings, by G.F. Capoferri and Giovanni Belli. Adjacent to the Basilica, the Cappella Colleoni (XV). Realized on G.B Amadeo project, this Chapel is the mausoleum of the famous condottiere Bartolomeo Colleoni.
The polychrome marble façade connects the porch of the Basilica and the rich decoration, while it records the adventurous life of the “condottiero”, represents a magnificent example of Lombardy Renaissance. Beside the Cappella Colleoni, a flight of steps leads to the access of the Curia Vescovile. Once one crossed the Aula della Curia, a room with splendid frescoes (XI-XII), there is a courtyard, where, in its center, one finds the Tempietto di S.Croce (S.Croce Temple) built in XI and changed in ‘500. The last building that decorates Piazzetta Duomo is the Baptistery. Built in 1340 by G. da Campione as the baptismal basin for the Basilica, it was rebuilt, after various journeys and manipulations, in the place where now it is placed. The interior presents interesting high-relieves representing the life of Christ. The baptismal source and the S.Giovanni sculpture were realized by G. da Campione.
BERGAMO ALTA:
PIAZZA VECCHIA - PIAZZA DEL DUOMO: Information
How to reach the upper town:
From Piazzale Marconi (Train/Coach/Bus Station) and from Porta Nuova
bus 1 + funicular
bus 1 Colle Aperto
by car following these directions: V.le Papa Giovanni XXIII -
V.le V. Emanuele - Porta S. Agostino - Viale delle mura - Colle aperto
Text and Photos © courtesy of Provincia di Bergamo – Settore cultura, sport e turismo
Bergamo Alta: Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
| La Cappella Colleoni |
Le mura venete
Bergamo accommodations |
Getting in and around
Recommended restaurants (we visited them...):
-
Ristorante Mimmo via Colleoni 17, Bergamo 035-218-535
© 1997-2010 Enrico Massetti
TangoItalia - Food, Wine, Travel, and... tango in Italy.
Bergamo:
- Piazza Vecchia
- Le mura Venete
- Basilica
-
Capp. Colleoni
Bergamo one day
Bergamo & Como
Brescia
- in one day
Cremona
Lake Como:
One day trip
Bellagio
Bellagio - Como
Lecco - Bellagio
Bellagio - Colico
Villa Carlotta
Menaggio
Varenna
Isola Comacina
Villa Balbianello
Garda Lake:
- a day boat trip
Salo
Desenzano
Gardone Riviera
Gargnano
Limone s/ Garda
Magasa
Sirmione
Sirmione Baths
Tignale
Tosc. Maderno
Tremosine
A quick tour
Lake Iseo:
Lake Maggiore:
St.Caterina Sasso
Angera
Angera Dolls
Angera Rocca
Mottarone
Isole Borromee
Villa Taranto
Milan Region
Milan food
Milan wine