The Lombardy city of Bergamo lies some 40km north-east of Milan, but is much more of an Alpine town than its industrial giant of a neighbour. Bergamo is two towns - Bergamo Bassa (lower and more modern); Bergamo Alta (the old city, 1200 feet up above the plain). Close by is the international airport at Orio al Serio, while the Alps begin just north of the town. Sights in the Citta Alta, which sits safely within its 17th century defensive walls are many. We have the Piazza Vecchia (old square) on which sits the ornate Biblioteca Angelo Mai. The Palazzo dell Ragione was the administrative centre from the 12th century, was rebuilt in the 16th, and now houses exhibitions. The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore was constructed between 1137 and the 15th century; important sights include the tomb of Donizetti, and frescoes by Tiepolo. Next door we have the Cappella Colleoni, a superb example of Renaissance architecture.
We have the Rocca (or Castle) begun in 1331, with its 6200 metres of Venetian walls. The Citta Alta has two museums in the Museo Civico Archeologico (Archaeological Civic Museum) and the Museo di Scienze Naturali Enrico Caffi (Caffi Natural Science Museum).
Don't entirely dismiss the Citta Bassa. The lower (and largely 20th century) town is reached by that popular Italian device, the funicular railway (always a hit with the children). It has the Pinacoteca dell'Accademia Carrara (art gallery) and the Galleria d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea (modern art). Sports fans may care to know that the town has a Serie A football (soccer) team, Atalanta. Costantino Rocca, the only Italian golfer to play in the Ryder Cup, is from Bergamo (and there are a number of good courses nearby!).
To the left you'll find a selection of hotels, to get you in the mood
- see also our full listings of Bergamo hotels.
