Introduction
City of the Thousand is what Bergamo is also known as. Located in the Lombardy region of Northern Italy, Bergamo is the fourth largest city in the region. Milan is the most prominent city, located only 40km from Bergamo, and Switzerland is located 30km from the city. Bergamo, alongside Brescia, is selected as the Italian Capital of Culture for 2023.
Bergamo has a varied history where the city changed hands several times, witnessing various kingdoms. The biggest influence was by the Venetian Republic which built formidable defensive walls in the 16th century. The walls surround the upper city and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since July 2017. Bergamo became part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1860 led by the efforts of Giuseppe Garibaldi. This is when Bergamo is known to have contributed a large number of troops in support of Garibaldi’s expedition, earning the city its moniker “Citta dei Mille” (City of the Thousand).
Bergamo is composed of two parts, “Citta Alta” (Upper City) and the “Citta Bassa” (Lower City). The upper city, also known as the old town is on a hilltop surrounded by the imposing Venetian walls and is the historic center of Bergamo. The lower city is the modern center of Bergamo and mainly consists of residential neighborhoods.
How to get to Bergamo
Bergamo is home to the Orio al Serio airport
(also known as the Caravaggio Airport), located 5km from the city. There are buses that connect the airport and the city which do not take more 15 minutes. Due to the city’s proximity to Milan, it is also well-connected to the Linate and Malpensa airports.
Flixbus
is Europe’s leading bus service provider that connects the airport and the city center. It is recommended to book the tickets online and well in advance to avoid long queues near the bus terminals.
The train is another convenient option to reach Bergamo. It is connected via regional trains to other major cities of Lombardy.
Trainline
is a popular and convenient option to get the best available prices, times, and book train tickets. Trainline makes trip planning simple and with early booking, you can save upto 51%.
By car, you can take the A4 motorway, which connects Turin and Trieste, to get to Bergamo.
How to get around Bergamo
Within the city, you can get around on foot to most places. The climb to Citta Alta is not the easiest and is uphill. Public transport in Bergamo is operated by ATB (Azienda Trasporti Bergamo). The daily ticket for tourists costs 4€, at the time of this writing, and is valid for use in all means of transport within Bergamo city. More details on the fares can be found here . An option to consider would be to take public transport on the way up to Citta Alta and take the stairs on the way down.
Things to do & see in Bergamo
Porta Nuova
Pair of 18th-century buildings that greet you into Bergamo. Built with neoclassical architecture, it gives you a stunning view of the Citta Alta in its backdrop. It forms the heart of the Lower town (Citta Bassa) and served as its old gateway.
Funicolare Citta Alta
If you continue walking up from Porta Nuova toward Citta Alta, it will lead you to the funicular station, Funicolare Citta Alta. In operation for more than 120 years, the funiculars connect the two parts of the city by crossing the walls. A fun and exciting mode of transport that gives unique views of the city along the way. As of this writing, it costs 1.5€ for the ticket and the lines are operated by the Bergamo public transport (ATB).
Piazza Vecchia
It is the heart of Bergamo’s medieval upper town. Completed in the 15th century, Piazza Vecchia has been the political power center for years. It is surrounded by beautiful architecture comprising the Palazzo Communale, Palazzo Nuovo, and overlooked by the Torre Civica (Campanone). The Contarini fountain lies in the middle of the square. It is a popular spot to spend time with family and friends in the restaurants on the sides and to soak in the atmosphere.
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore is a church in Bergamo’s Citta Alta. It was built to keep a vow made to Virgin Mary in the 12th century by the people of Bergamo for protecting them from the droughts and plague affecting them at the time. It has Romanesque architecture on the outside and Baroque architecture on the inside. The church is known for its truly breathtaking interior with vibrant frescoes, tapestries, and statues that are known to surprise most people. The entrance to the church costs 3€. A reduced price of 1€ for young adults (14-25 years of age) and senior citizens (above 70).
Campanone
It is the civic tower (Torre Civica) that is also known as Campanone . It stands tall at 52.76 meters, offering splendid views of the medieval hilltop city. The top is reachable either via stairs or by taking the lift. The ticket costs 5€ which grants access to the top and also to the museum Palazzo del Podesta. It has the largest bell in Lombardy which takes visitors at the top by surprise with its loudness. To this day, the bell rings 100 times at 10 PM every night, as a reminder of the gates closing along the city walls, like during the Venetian period.
Savour Straciatella
Bergamo is said to be the birthplace of the renowned straciatella flavor of ice cream. The origin of the recipe dates back to 1961 and for the uninitiated, straciatella consists of vanilla ice cream with irregular pieces of dark chocolate inside. ‘La Marianna ’ restaurant in Citta Alta is where it all began and can be found on the outskirts of the upper city.
Porta San Giacomo
It is one of the four entrances to the walled upper town, in particular, it was meant for those who came from Milan. It is made of white marble and has the symbol of the former Venice Republic, the winged Lion of St Mark, carved on it. This grand gateway is popular due to the cobblestoned path leading to it.
Mura Venete
Also known as the Venetian walls, it was originally built in the 16th century as a defensive measure. It stretches for 6 km encompassing Citta Alta and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It gives you the best chance to wander along the borders of the Citta Alta while offering spectacular views. It is definitely a must-experience in Bergamo.
Accademia Carrara
An art gallery established in 1796 that takes you through the history of Italian art. Accademia Carrara boasts a significant and varied collection of artworks that are based on bequests from its patrons. The time period of the paintings and sculptures ranges from the Renaissance era to the 19th century. Tickets to the museum cost 16€ and can be bought online.
Rocca di Bergamo
A 14th-century fortress placed on a hill with a captivating view of both the Citta Alta and Citta Bassa. Also known as La Rocca
, it is home to the History Museum of Bergamo (Museo Storico di Bergamo). Tickets to access the museum and the tower cost 5€. It is wrapped in greenery where an adjacent park has memorials for martyrs from the war.
Castello di San Vigilio
The San Vigilio Castle is located on a hill that is 495m tall. It is a short hike from Citta Alta or you can even take the funicular (Funicolare San Vigilio) to reach the castle. Due to its commanding position over the Citta Alta, it served a strategic role to keep out invaders. The castle has four towers equipped with gun ports and embrasures and is connected by the city wall. It is also known to have secret underground passages connecting parts of the castle.
The views from the top of the tower are simply breathtaking and time passes by in a jiffy while soaking in the landscape. The Orobie pre-alps, Brembana valley, Mount Bastia, and villages of the bygone Breno valley are seen from the top. Sunsets from the top make spectacular viewing. Entry is free and it also has a small garden next to it.
Monastero d’Astino
The former Monastery of Astino, also known as the Astino Abbey, is a former Roman Catholic monastery in the Astino valley. Founded in the 11th century at a time when the Catholic church’s position was being revived by clerics. Its ownership changed hands several times and has undergone a restoration in 2015. The path leading up to it is mesmerizing with the quaint glimpse of the countryside.
Eat Polenta e Osei
Polenta is an Italian dish made of corn flour and other cereals and has several variants throughout the country. ‘Polenta e osei’ (birds) is characteristic of Bergamo and is the traditional main course. There is also a delicious dessert variant that looks exactly the same but is made of cake and bird-shaped chocolate on top.
Conclusion
Bergamo takes you through its rich history, stunning landscapes, and delectable food. It has the third-busiest international airport in Italy and is well-connected through other modes of transport, making it easily accessible.
Often overlooked in favor of other popular destinations, Bergamo is bound to surprise you. No wonder why Bergamo is known as Italy’s best kept secret.
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