Explorations of a city with gorgeous churches, multiple fortifications and view of the Alps.
Unfortunately, Bergamo was my last stop on a 7-week journey around Italy. Fortunately, I chose the perfect place to spend my last day. Bergamo is an easy journey from central Milan by train, but worlds apart. Milan is hustle and bustle, but Bergamo is a more chill, fun place to explore.
The city, like many other cities in Italy, has a Lower City and an Upper City (Città Alta). The Upper City is on a hill with fortifications surrounding it. I went straight there, catching a bus from the train station.
Jana Irving Porta San Giacomo, a very impressive main gate to the Upper City.
Jana Irving The fortified Upper City. In the 16th century, Bergamo was on the western edge of the territory of the Venetian Republic. Walls built during this time by the Venetians are considered part of a UNESCO world heritage site.
Jana Irving The Upper City has multiple terraced areas due to its steep slopes.
Jana Irving Possible old market turned bar.
Jana Irving Fontana di San Pancrazio and the Torre del Gombito.
Jana Irving One of the most unique things I found in Bergamo is the Lavatoio di via Lupa. Most houses didn’t have running water and this was built at the end of the 18oos to serve as a place to do laundry.
Jana Irving Neoclassical building near the cathedral. There were public fountains built into the building.
Jana Irving The Baptistery on the Piazza Duomo Bergamo Alta.
Jana Irving The 12th century Palazzo della Ragione.
Jana Irving The Cathedral of Bergamo next door. The neoclassical facade was only completed in 1889.
Jana Irving The Cathedral is actually the plainest church on this piazza.
Jana Irving Still fancy with all its Baroqueness.
Jana Irving Very fancy.
Jana Irving Back outside to the piazza. The Colleoni Chapel (right), a Renaissance era mausoleum in front of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (left).
Jana Irving Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore is absolutely ridiculous inside.
Jana Irving Originally built in the 12th century, the basilica outside is Romanesque and the interior is super Baroque.
Jana Irving This is what I meant about the Cathedral being the plain church.
Jana Irving That dome is stunning.
Jana Irving Some of the pre-Baroque frescos.
Jana Irving On the other side of the Palazzo della Ragione is the Piazza Vecchia.
Jana Irving Palazzo Nuovo, on Piazza Vecchia.
Jana Irving Moving on in my wander. Torre della Campanella is now part of the various civic museums of Bergamo.
Jana Irving The very cute Porta del Pantano Inferiore.
Jana Irving Piazza della Cittadella.
Jana Irving I’m heading up to an area outside of the city walls. Santa Grata Inter Vites.
Jana Irving The Upper City.
Jana Irving I got a bit adventurous and took a funicular up to a castle.
Jana Irving The views from up here are amazing.
Jana Irving Castello di San Vigilio isn’t the most impressive castle, but the views from it are spectacular.
Jana Irving Mountain views.
Jana Irving A few snowy mountains poking through in the distance.
Jana Irving The former Monastero di Astino as seen from above.
Jana Irving Last views before heading back down.
Jana Irving Oh, look another castle. Rocca di Bergamo, from the 14th century.
Jana Irving Great views from here as well.
Jana Irving I started to walk down to the Lower City in order to see San Michele Al Pozzo Bianco.
Jana Irving It’s a 8th century church rebuilt in the 14th century.
Jana Irving It has some interesting frescos.
Jana Irving The crypt.
Jana Irving Little chapel.
Jana Irving About to exit the Upper City.
Jana Irving A Venetian-built gate complete with a Venetian lion, the symbol of the Republic of Venice.
Bergamo was a fantastic end to a 7-week long journey. I visited so many places on that trip that it has taken several months to write about them all. By the time this post goes live in October, there is a good chance that I already bought the plane ticket to my next European destination. I already know where I’m going.
Check out my next update where I explore Congaree National Park!
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Start at the beginning of this adventure.
