Bergamo is the city that gave the world Truffaldino, Harlequin, Brigell. It is still guarded by medieval walls, and along the edges are powerful fortresses that allow the city to preserve the spirit of antiquity. The sights of Bergamo are compactly located, and it is very cozy. Therefore, if you plan the route correctly, the main architectural monuments can be examined in one to three days.
Where is
Bergamo is located in the densely populated area of Lombardy and is its administrative center. From Rome, the city is located at a distance of 478 km in a straight line to the northwest. On the geographical map of Bergamo can be found at the following coordinates: 45 ° 42 'north latitude, 9 ° 40' east longitude.
Bergamo is located in the Alps (Alpi), in the valley of the largest river in Italy - Po (Po). More than 116 thousand inhabitants live in the city, and its area is 39 km2.
Bergamo is usually divided into two parts: the upper (Citta Alt) and the new (Citta Bassa). The historical part of Bergamo is located at an altitude of 380 m above sea level. and connects to the Citta Bassa funicular. The medieval walls, houses, castles, temples and other attractions of Citta Alt will not leave tourists indifferent.
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- If you are staying in Milan, we recommend a sightseeing tour.
So, what can you try to have time to see on your own in one day in Bergamo?
Piazza vecchia
The main square of the city is Piazza Vecchia. She appeared in the second half of the XV century. after the demolition of old buildings. Here are the old and new Town Halls, and in the corner of the square rises the highest tower of the city. Her signal bell and now every night beats a hundred blows in memory of the times when the gate was closed at night. In the center of Piazza Vecchia there is a fountain with sphinxes.
Old town hall
The first building of the old town hall, Palazzo Vecchio o della Ragione appeared in the middle of the XII century. First, the main facade of the building overlooked the nearby Duomo Square and was opposite the Basilica di S. Maria Maggiore church. But after a hundred years, the building burned down, because of which it had to be restored.
The work dragged on and was completed in the middle of the XV century. Just at that time Piazza Vecchia was equipped, so the main facade of the town hall was made with access to this square. In 1513, the Spaniards attacked Bergamo, and the town hall was again damaged. Restoration work began in 1538, after which a building appeared that has survived to this day.
The town hall looks interesting due to the fact that there is no ground floor in it: instead, there are open high arches that give the impressive stone building a light and airy look. Passing them, you can get to the neighboring Duomo Square. A stone staircase leads to the second floor, which is located on Piazza Vecchia to the right of the building, if you stand facing it. The windows of the second floor are made in the Venetian style. Also, a balcony overlooks the square, from which heralds announced the decision. In the XVIII century. a sundial was installed on the Town Hall made by the mathematician and physicist Giovanni Albrizzi.
On the facade of the town hall you can see a large bas-relief depicting a winged lion, a symbol of Venice. Its appearance here is explained by the fact that Bergamo from 1428 until the end of the XVIII century, when Napoleon Bonaparte seized the city, was under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Venice (Serenissima Repubblica di Venezia).
Used the Palazzo della Ragione as the place to administer justice, while on the contrary a new town hall was built, where the city council met. Now it houses an exhibition of icons and paintings of the XIV-XVI centuries, which were brought here from monasteries, temples, civil buildings. You can get to the Old Town Hall only on certain days and hours (depends on the work of the expositions in the Sala delle Capriate hall).
New town hall
The New Town Hall (Palazzo Nuovo) is located opposite the Palazzo Vecchio o della Ragione. The construction of the landmark began in the XVII century. and was completed in the middle of the XX century. In 1928, the facade of the town hall was decorated with white marble, and in 1958 six sculptures were installed on it.
During this time, the structure was repeatedly remade, however, managed to maintain the features of the Baroque. This is a portal with Doric columns, a balustrade decorated with arch sculptures. Inside the town hall you can see the grotesque and allegorical frescoes of Pietro Baschenis.
Since 1928, Palazzo Nuovo houses one of the largest libraries in Italy - Angelo Mai. It stores 700 thousand volumes, 11 thousand newspapers and magazines, as well as 2 thousand books issued in Europe before 1501. In addition, there are books from the collection of Cardinal Alessandro Giuseppe Furietti (Giuseppe Alessandro Furietti), which he donated to Bergamo in 1768.
Civic tower
The Citizens Tower (La Torre Civica or La Torre Campanone) is located to the right of the Palazzo Vecchio o della Ragione, facing the old town hall.
This is the highest tower of the city. At first, the height of the structure was 37 m. Then the building was repeatedly redone, due to which it increased in size, and in the XVI century. reached a height of 57 m: the higher the building was, the higher the rank was its owner.
Built in the XI century. For some time the building was owned by the rich aristocratic clan Suardi-Colleoni (Suardi-Colleoni). Then the Suardi tower became owned by the city, and was renamed Torre Civica. The bells were placed upstairs, and in 1656 the largest of them appeared - the Campanone bell (diameter 2, 7 m, weight 5.6 tons), which gave the second name to the tower. Every day he reported the closure of all four gates that led to the city (in memory of those times, his ring at ten in the evening is still ringing). Campanone was also used to convene the townspeople for a meeting.
In the XIX century La Torre Civica was restored, and in 1960 an elevator was placed in it. Therefore, those who wish to explore the panorama of the city can choose: to climb on foot or by elevator.
Contarini Fountain
In the center of Piazza Vecchia is the Contarini Fountain (fontana Contarini). It was named after Alvise Contarini, who gave Bergamo a fountain in 1780. The purpose of the gift was not only to decorate the central square: drinking water could be drawn from the fountain even during a drought.
In 1885, fontana Contarini was dismantled to install the Giuseppe Garibaldi monument. Subsequently, the monument was decided to be installed in the lower part of the city. That is why at the beginning of XX century The Contarini Fountain was returned to its place in a restored form.
There is a Contarini fountain on a marble base, in the center of which is a large octagonal bowl. A small fountain is knocked out of it and fills the tank. Surrounding the cup are lions and snakes holding a chain in their mouths.. Near the fountain opposite each other are statues of sphinxes: one looks at the old town hall, the other at the new one. Pipes stick out of their mouth, from which water flows into the bowls below them. You can drink this water, which is important for tourists and townspeople on hot summer days.
Cathedral Square
If you walk through the gallery of the old town hall, which is located on Piazza Vecchia, you can get to piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square). Here are located the two main temples of the city - the Cathedral (cattedrale di Sant'Alessandro) and the church of Santa Maria Maggiore (Basilica di S. Maria Maggiore). Next to it is a masterpiece of the Renaissance, the Capella Colleoni. Nearby is an octagonal baptistery.
Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore
The construction of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore) began in the XII century. They built the temple slowly, work constantly stopped. In the XIV Art. the baptistery was completed, at the end of the XV century. erected a bell tower. At the same time, the Colleoni chapel appeared on the site of the disassembled northwestern apse. Fifty years later, the southwest portal was completed. After this, there were no special reconstructions, even though the attraction was restored several times.
If in many Catholic churches the main entrance is located opposite the presbytery, then the bishop's palace adjoins the basilica on this side. therefore there is no central entrance to it, and inside the temple you can get only through four side entrances, two of which are called the “Gate of the White Lions” (Porta dei Leoni bianchi) and the “Gate of the Pink Lions” (Porta dei Leoni rossi). The naming is due to the fact that the columns of the portals are on the sculptures of lions in white and pink.
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Above the portals are placed in two rows of sculptures and bas-reliefs with Jesus Christ, the Mother of God, various saints. In fact, the portal and sculptural compositions are one of the few decorations on the outer wall of the temple, where the “Gate of the Pink Lions” is located. But from the side of the portal, where the white lions are located, the facade looks more interesting.
The interior of the church of Santa Maria Maggiore is mostly Baroque. Tapestries of the 16th-17th centuries adorn walls and columns. with scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary. Also here you can see the bronze candlesticks of the XVI century, frescoes and a huge crucifix of the XIV century. The confession of their tree was carved by Andrea Fantoni in 1704.
In the XIII century the temple served not only as a place of worship for God, but also as a gathering place. But when the city fell under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Venice, the basilica was used only for its intended purpose.
Capella Colleoni
The Cappella Colleoni is a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture. Built a landmark in the XV century. and after that they did not alter (only restored), which is a rare case for Italy.
This unusually beautiful building, lined with colorful marble, was erected at the behest of Bartolomeo Colleoni at the site of the north-western apse of Santa Maria Maggiore. She was demolished by order of the soldiers.
The construction of the landmark was entrusted to the architect Giovanni Antonio Amadeo, who took into account the architectural features of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore when developing the project. As a result, the chapel turned out to be small, made in the shape of an octagon, and its ribbed dome crowned.
The facade of the sights is decorated with various decorative elements. It is also fully lined with multi-colored marble, the slabs of which form complex patterns. At the top of the facade and the upper drum are medallion windows.
Inside the chapel was designed in the style of the Renaissance: it is decorated with sculptures, paintings, murals, gilding. Opposite the front door there is a sarcophagus where Colleoni is buried. It is another masterpiece - made difficult, of carved marble, with a huge number of decorative elements. In the left wall is the grave of daughter Colleoni, who died five years earlier than her father (in 1470). It is decorated with a sculptural composition depicting the removal of Jesus from the cross.
Baptistery
The Baptistery (Battistero), which is located near the temple of Santa Maria Maggiore, is called nomadic. First, it was equipped in the western part of the central nave of the church in 1340. There the baptistery stayed there until 1661. Then it was dismantled and moved to another place. After that, the story repeated two more times, until at the end of the XIX century. he did not appear on the western side of Cathedral Square.
Currently, the baptistery is an octagonal neo-Gothic building. Facade made simply, partially lined with red marble, the dome in the corners is decorated with eight statues symbolizing human virtues. Under the statues you can see a gallery with columns.
Inside the baptistery, a font is installed where children are dipped at baptism. Behind it is an altar with a sculpture of John the Baptist. The walls of the building are decorated with bas-reliefs with scenes from the life of Jesus Christ, made in the XIV century. sculptor Giovanni da Campione.
Cathedral
The Bergamo Cathedral of St. Alexander (cattedrale di Sant'Alessandro) is right next to the back of the old town hall, whose main facade faces Piazza Vecchia. It was built by dismantling the church of St. Vincent, and the name was given due to the fact that it was decided to store the relics of St. Alexander in the church. Before that, they were in the church of St. Alexander (Chiesa di Sant'Alessandro), which they destroyed to build a fortress wall.
The construction of the cathedral began in the middle of the XV century, but at the end of the XVII century. the temple was rebuilt, increasing the dome, lengthening the apse. In the XIX century the facade, the bell tower, the interior decoration changed. The facade of the church is modestly decorated, inside it is spacious, cozy, bright. Inside you can see the works of Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, Giovanni Battista Moroni, Andrea Previtali.
In the basement of the cathedral is a treasury-museum (Cathedral Museum and Treasure). During restoration work, traces of prehistoric settlements, the earlier church of St. Vincent and other interesting finds that can be seen here were discovered. It also houses precious relics telling about the history of the church.
Defense facilities
Bergamo is one of the few cities in Italy where medieval walls, castles, and citadels have been preserved. And it is they who are the first to catch the eye when a person abides in the old city.
Venetian walls
The walls that surround the Upper City are 6,200 meters long. To build them, the Venetians, who owned the city for more than three centuries, demolished 250 houses and 7 churches. By the end of construction, Bergamo could boast:
- 32 watchtowers (only one has survived);
- Fourteen bastions;
- Two platforms;
- A huge number of guns.
The construction of the walls was completed at the end of the XVII century. But by this time, the interests of Venice had switched to other lands, so the Venetians did not have to fight for Bergamo. That is why almost all the premises that belonged to the city walls, the townspeople used as warehouses. At the end of the XVIII century. Napoleon Bonaparte troops entered the city without any problems, the transfer of Bergamo to Austria-Hungary also went peacefully.
In 1959, Giuseppe Garibaldi's troops entered the city through the gates of St. Lawrence. As a result, Bergamo was annexed to Piedmont, then it became part of a united Italy.
At the end of the last century, the walls were reconstructed, along them a walking road appeared, walking along which you can admire the panorama of the lower city. The main gate that leads to the historical center is the gate of St. Augustine (Porta San Agostino).
Rocca Castle
Rocca Castle (Rocca di Bergamo) in translation means "Rock". It is located near the funicular, on Via alla Rocca, which is located on the hill of Saint Euphemia (Sant'Eufemia).
This is a castle-fortress, the construction of which began in 1331 by order of King John of Luxembourg (Giovanni di Lussemburgo), king of Poland and Bohemia. He captured Lombardy this year. True, he did not last long, and two years later he was expelled. But the construction of the fortress continued, and although it was officially completed in 1336, the castle was constantly expanding and equipping. For example, in 1483 a round tower appeared near it, where the barracks were located.
Subsequently, Rocca di Bergamo became part of the defensive complex and was combined with fortified walls with two citadels. Thus, they enclosed the city in a triangle. When Bergamo came under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Venice, the "Venetian walls" appeared. But the castle of Rocca has not lost its defense significance.
Gunpowder was kept in a round tower for some time, and it successfully withstood two explosions of a powder warehouse. At the time of Risorgimento (national liberation movement), the fortress for some time became a prison where Italian patriots were imprisoned.
Now within the walls of the fortress is the Museum of Liberation and Resistance (Museo Civico del Risorgimento e della Resistenza). In the park broken around it, you can not only relax and enjoy the panorama of the Lower City, but also look at military monuments, cannons, a tank.
Citadel
The Citadel (Cittadella di Bergamo) was built in the second half of the XIV century. in the western part of the old city, on the hill of St. John. Exact address: Piazza della Cittadella. When the city was ruled by the Venetian Republic, the governor's residence was located here.
Now the complex is making a good impression. On the one hand - powerful arches, ancient walls, on the other - no signs of dilapidation, everywhere clean and tidy. Therefore, if a tourist finds himself in front of the city from this side, he immediately adjusts to the fact that beautiful Bergamo will open in front of him.
Adalberto Tower
Above the Citadel stands the square tower of Adalberto (Torre di Adalberto). This is the construction of the X-XIII century, in which the prison was previously located. The windows in the building are almost absent, and the entrance is difficult to access: they did this so that it was difficult to get into and leave the tower.Once there were prisoners of war who were trying to capture the city, as well as the townspeople for tax evasion, which is why it was called the "Tower of Hunger".
Churches
Most of the churches of Bergamo are outwardly inconspicuous, so a traveler may well pass them by without even noticing. But if he stopped and went inside, he would have been amazed at the richness and beauty of the interior design, tranquility and comfort.
Chapel of the Holy Cross
The chapel of the Holy Cross (tempietto di Santa Croce di Bergamo) is located on the Piazza Padre Reginaldo Giuliani. You can see it if you go around the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and go into the courtyard, which is located near the gate of the White Lions. You can also approach the chapel from the side of the baptistery.
The building is one of the oldest sights of Bergamo: the temple was built in the first half of the XI century, and it is a vivid example of Romanesque architecture. From the XII century. the chapel served as the personal temple of local bishops. Previously, it, the bishop's palace, and the basilica were part of a single complex. Now the temple is closed and not allowed inside even on holidays.
They built a chapel of brown sandstone. The lower part of the chapel is wider, the upper part is octagonal with rectangular windows. Inside the chapel has a rectangular plan, the walls are decorated with frescoes, bas-reliefs with saints and four bishops. The dome shows God the Father (work by Francesco Coghetti).
Church of St. Michael
The Church of St. Michael (Chiesa di San Michele al Pozzo Bianco) is located on Via Porta Dipinta. The first church appeared here in the VIII century, but after a while it was destroyed and restored in the XII-XIII centuries. From that time, masonry remained on the north side of the building, a crypt and frescoes decorating it.
Then the temple was restored several times. In the XV-XVI century. the interior of the nave was completely updated, the arches were modified. The temple was decorated with frescoes by Lorenzo Lotto, the chapel was painted by Giovan Battista Guarinoni d'Averara. Giacomo Scanardi worked on the vicar’s house near the church.
In the XX century. restoration work was carried out. As a result, the facade and the bell tower have changed significantly. Since the frescoes of the XIV-XV centuries. they wrote on top of earlier ones, in places they were shot, so that temple visitors can see Romanesque painting.
Church of Saints Bartholomew and Stephen
One of the main temples of the Lower City is the Church of Saints Bartholomew and Stephen (chiesa dei Santi Bartolomeo e Stefano). There is a tourist attraction on Via Sentierone, one of the streets that leads from the train station to the historical part of the city.
The church was built in the XVII century. on the site of a monastery of the thirteenth century. The baroque facade appeared in 1897. The temple was designed by artists Francesco Monti and Giuseppe Antonio Orelli. In the sacristy there is a statue of the Madonna della Rosa, created by Ardigino de Bustis in 1440.
The temple is famous for the fact that it contains the painting of Lorenzo Lotto (Lorenzo Lotto) "Madonna and Child" (Pala Martinengo). This is a huge painting painted by oil on wood by one of the most famous Venetian artists. It was drawn in 1513/16. for the altar of the temple of Santo Stefano and Domenico (chiesa di Santo Stefano e Domenico), which was destroyed half a century later for the construction of the Venetian walls. After some time, the picture was in the church of Saints Bartholomew and Stephen.
Church of the Immaculate Virgin Mary
The Basilica of the Immaculate Virgin Mary (Chiesa di Santa Maria Immacolata delle Grazie) is located in Citta Bassa, in the lower city. Exact address: Viale Papa Giovanni XXIII 13. This attraction is the first to come across in the way of tourists who come to the train station.
In the XV century. near the church was the monastery of St. Bernardino of Siena (Bernardino da Siena). At first, the XIX monastery was destroyed due to the construction of the railway. The church was not touched and even restored.
The facade of the temple is made in the neoclassical style. Attention is drawn to the portal, supported by the columns. In the temple above the left altar you can see a 17th-century painting by Gian Paolo Cavagna. It depicts the Virgin, on the lap of which is the little Jesus Christ, and in the background Bergamo is visible. Attention is also drawn to the fresco above the central altar, which depicts the expulsion of the first people from paradise. Above it is a picture with the Ascension of the Virgin. In the sacristy you can see church utensils, whose age is hundreds of years old.
Church of the Holy Spirit
The Church of the Holy Spirit (Chiesa di Santo Spirito) is located on Via Torquato Tasso 100, in the Lower City, near the Church of Saints Bartholomew and Stephen. Its facade is unusual - a rough, unfinished, rough stone, at the top of which there is a metal sculpture of the avant-garde style, reminiscent of a falling bird. This is the work of Francesco Somaini (Francesco Somaini), called the Descent of the Holy Spirit. She appeared on the facade in 1972.
The temple was built in the XVI century. monks of the monastery of the Holy Spirit. At first it was not large, but two hundred years later it was rebuilt and became much larger, and the walls were taller. The facade appeared in the XVIII century. It looks very ascetic and is made in the Renaissance style.
Inside the church are tall columns of sandstone, decorated with sculptural compositions. The temple is decorated with paintings by eminent masters, among them - the masterpiece of Lorenzo Lotto "Madonna on the Throne" (La Pala di Santo Spirito), as well as the painting by Andrea Previtali (Andrea previtali) "John the Baptist and other saints."
Museums
Bergamo is a historical city, so there are many museums here. To save money, you can buy a Bergamo Card. It gives the owner the right to visit museums and other attractions of the city and suburbs for free or at a discount. Also, the ticket holder may not pay for public transport, incl. funicular.
The Bergamo Card is valid for 48 and 72 hours from the moment of activation. Unfortunately, since the project has recently been launched, the card is not on sale periodically. But if a single ticket was purchased before it was no longer sold, the card is valid and can be used.
Archaeological Museum
The Archaeological Museum of Bergamo (Civico museo archeologico di Bergamo) is located in the Visconti Palace (Palazzo Visconteo) on Piazza Cittadella, 9. You can get here for free.
An exposition appeared in 1561 and for two hundred years was located in the old town hall. Then the exhibits were transferred several times. The collection appeared in the Visconti Palace in 1960, but in the future it is planned to move the museum to a more spacious premise.
The museum has a hall where exhibits of copper, bronze, iron period are presented. The Egyptian collection shows statuettes, jewelry, utensils, sarcophagi. In the Roman hall you can see lapidary plates, weapons, mosaics, antique figurines. There is also an exposition telling the history of Christianity and Lombardy.
City Museum of Natural Sciences
Museum of Natural Sciences Enrico Caffi (Museo Civico di Scienze naturali "Enrico Caffi") is located on Piazza Cittadella, 10, near the Archaeological Museum. The entrance is free.
He created the exposition in 1871, but the official opening took place half a century later - in 1918. More than a million exhibits are stored in the museum funds. Among the exhibits of the museum are the full-length dinosaur skeleton, the fossils of the oldest flying reptile, the remains of mammoths, insects, plants. Corals of the Paleozoic era are also interesting. Some objects can be touched, studied under an electron microscope.
Pinacoteca
The art gallery of the Academy of Carrara (Pinacoteca dell'Accademia Carrara) is located in the lower part of the city, at Piazza Carrara, 82 / a. A museum appeared thanks to the collection that in the XVIII century. Gave Bergamo Giacomo Carrara (Giacomo Carrara). It turned out to be so large that the authorities decided to build a separate building in the neoclassical style. The opening of the Pinakothek took place in 1810.
Pinakothek has ten exhibition halls that are located on three floors. Here you can see the paintings of masters of the XV-XX centuries., Among which are Sandro Botticelli, Sandra Botticelli, Raffaello Santi, Pisanello. In addition to paintings, engravings, drawings, figurines, medals, bronze and porcelain, furniture are stored here.
Previously, the house at the request of Giacomo Carrara housed a school of painting. Then she moved to a neighboring room, and in 1988 became the Academy of Fine Arts (Accademia di Belle Arti).
Gallery of Modern Art
The Gallery of Modern Art (Galleria d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea) is located opposite the Pinacoteca, and in 1991 it became part of it.
The permanent exhibition is located on three floors. Here are paintings, prints, drawings, photographs of masters of the XX century. Among them - the work of Umberto Boccioni (Umberto Boccioni), Giacomo Balla (Giacomo Balla), Giorgio Morandi (Giorgio Morandi). Also, temporary exhibitions of contemporary artists are often organized here.
Diocesan Museum of Adriano Bernareggi
The Diocesan Museum of Adriano Bernareggi (Museo Diocesano Adriano Bernareggi) is located in the palace of Bassi Rathgeb. It is located at Pignolo, 76, at the bottom of Bergamo. You can get here by choosing the hiking route in the direction of Citta Alt.
An exposition appeared in the thirties of the last century thanks to the local bishop Adriano Bernareggi. The exhibits tell the story of Christianity with the help of paintings, icons, church clothes and other religious objects.
Theater Donizetti
Teatro Gaetano Donizetti is located in the lower town, at Piazza Cavour, 15. He appeared here not by chance: in the XVIII century. on this square was the city market. Since there were always a lot of people here, nomadic theater groups staged performances in the square, constructing temporary wooden platforms that were dismantled at the end of the season.
As a result, the wealthy merchant Bortolo Riccardi decided to build the first theater in the city, the opening of which took place in 1791. Unfortunately, after six years, the Ricardi theater burned out due to arson. But it was quickly restored: the opening of a new building, built in the style of classicism, took place in 1800.
Since then, the theater has become the center of the cultural life of the city: it always worked, never once closing. In addition to the opera, ballet, drama performances, jazz and symphony concerts, festivals and charity performances are held here.
Tourists do not have to buy a ticket for the performance to see the interior of the theater: by prior arrangement, you can book a tour.
It will be interesting to look not only at the inside view of the building, but also at the exposition dedicated to Gaetano Donizetti, the famous opera composer who was born in Bergamo in 1797. In the year of his century, the Ricardi Theater was renamed in honor of the composer.
Parks and gardens
Bergamo boasts a natural park with an area of almost 5 thousand hectares, a botanical garden with rare plants. Fans of festivals are also not offended: in many parks of Bergamo, interesting events take place on weekends.
Park dei Collie
Natural Park dei Colli (Parco dei Colli di Bergamo) begins on the outskirts of the city. The main entrance is located on Via Maresana, 140. The park covers an area of 4700 hectares, and therefore covers not only the Bergamo district, but also Ponteranica, Sorisole, Villa d'Almè.
Most of the Parco dei Colli is covered with forests, and it is conditionally divided into four parts, in each of which you can find unique flora and fauna. Here live foxes, badgers, robin. There are plots with orchards, vineyards, meadows. The highest point of dei Collie Park is Mount Canto Alto, which is located near the town of Sorisole, 7 km from Bergamo. The height of the mountain is 1144 m.
Turani Redon Park
The main entrance to the Park of Turani Redona (Parco Turani Redona) is located on the outskirts of northwest Bergamo, on Via Radini Tedeschi. This place is good for a picnic on a hot summer day. There are many trees, cozy alleys. There is a pond where turtles, swans, ducks live. If you're lucky, you can see the owl.
For lovers of outdoor activities equipped with sports fields, treadmills. Parco Turani Redona often hosts various celebrations and festivals.
Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden (Orto Botanico di Bergamo "Lorenzo Rota") appeared in Citta Alt in 1972. It was named after the scientist Lorenzo Rota, who was the first to classify Lombardy plants. Herbarium, which he collected over the years of his work, exists to this day. Unfortunately, only biologists can see it.
There is a botanical garden on the hill of Scaletta di Colle Aperto, which offers beautiful views of the lower city and the surrounding area. The area of the garden does not exceed 1.5 thousand m2, and nine hundred species of flora grow on its territory.
In the eighties of the last century there was no one to take care of the garden, which led to desolation, and it had to be closed for a while to the public. In 1989, the city authorities decided to revive the garden, and added it to the city museum of natural sciences. After that, restoration work began, lasting about ten years.
After the garden was opened for visiting, a permanent staff was hired to monitor the plants. In 2004, the Botanical Garden became a municipal museum.
Entrance to the botanical garden is free, but those who wish to visit it must first clarify the work schedule. When there is no season, it is closed to visitors.
Fantabosco
It will be interesting for tourists with young children to look into the Fantabosco amusement park located at Via Luigi Tadini, 21. It should be noted that the park can be called very conditionally, since it actually is an indoor room with playgrounds, where swings, slides, interesting games for children. Adults are also not deprived of attention: there are places where you can relax, read, sit on the Internet, eat pizza.
This pastime is more relevant in rainy or winter cold weather, when you do not really want to wander the streets.
How to get there
Three kilometers from Bergamo is the Orio al Serio Caravaggio International Airport (Aeroporto di Bergamo-Orio al Serio or Aeroporto Internazionale Il Caravaggio). Nominally, the airport refers to Milan, from which it is located at a distance of 45 km.
It is Italy’s fifth largest airport: it serves more than eight million passengers annually. Airplanes from all European capitals come here, including from Moscow, as well as from resorts in Egypt, Algeria, and Morocco. You can get from the airport to the city by taxi or bus - see the instructions.
Bergamo Train Station (Stazione di Bergamo) is located in the lower town, at Piazzale Guglielmo Marconi, 4. Intercity trains and trains (mainly regional ones) come here. Many trains go in the direction of Milan, the journey takes about an hour. Tourists should be prepared for the fact that there are large lines at the box office. Therefore, it is better to take tickets in advance on the official Trenitalia website.
Bergamo Bus Station is located near the train station. Buses come from many parts of the country and Europe (more than 90 routes). The road to Rome takes about two hours in the absence of traffic jams.
Travelers can drive to Bergamo by the A4 Milano-Brescia highway. Upon arrival, it is best to leave the car in the lower city, and get to Citta Alt by public transport.
