Tourist information - Bergamo
Bergamo was founded on a hill by the first very old settlement in the protohistoric age, which brought it the settings that still characterizes it: the oldest area of the town, confined within walls, lies up on the hill while the modern centre has developed on the plain. Celts, Goths, Romans, Lombards succeeded on the hill, however little can now be seen of them: several of the most important monuments date back to the Middle Ages. The four centuries under the Venetian domination are the most important period, when Venice and Bergamo were very close, both coming from an historical and a cultural point of view. Piazza Vecchia, the center of the old town, is enriched by such outstanding historical monuments such as the Palazzo del Comune or Palazzo Della Ragione, the Commune Tower, the Venetian Major's House and also the Library Angelo May, formerly the town hall. All over the Cathedral Square, a very religious area, are the Cathedral, St Maria Maggiore, the Colleoni Chapel and also the Baptistery. Created by Giovanni Antonio Amadeo by order of the famous condottiero Bartolomeo Colleoni, the Colleoni Chapel is among the most significant examples of the lombard Renaissance. The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore was created to the glory of God by the people of the town in '200. The upper town gathers churches and monasteries which represent the most amazing traces of the past for example Sant'Agostino and San Francesco. The church of S. Michele al Pozzo Bianco with its important collection of frescos dated '200 and '500 is one of the most enchanting places of upper Bergamo, where also Lorenzo Lotto worked in 1525. Developing for over five kilometres, the still well-preserved town walls that encircle Bergamo on the hill are among the most important evidence of bulwarks of the fifth century. Venice began their building in 1516 thus making Bergamo a fortress on the boundary with the State of Milan. The grand ring created with four gateways offers a charming and very frequented promenade with foreshortened views on the modern town, the plain and the mountain. After being amazed at the charming skyline of towers and bell towers, those who want to reach the upper town need to pass through the imposing town- walls. The Castle of S. Vigilio, once part of the ancient fortification, offers you one of the most suggestive views of the old town. Two different cable railways take people from downtown either to the Castle or to the upper town.. The earlier town lays among the greenery, to the benefit of the scenery. This strip of rich vegetation connects the historical town with the hill region extending westward. The territory, within the regional park "Parco dei Colli" of Bergamo, is full of villas, farmhouses, vegetable gardens, gardens, woods and is filled with many important historical and architectonic elements, such as th former monastery of Astino. The Accademia Carrara, the Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art, the Natural Science Museum and the Archeological Museum, the Library May are some of the most important cultural centres of Bergamo. However don't forget Donizetti Theatre, with its "Festival Donizetti and its time", and the International Festival for Piano plays also dominant role. The characteristic alleys, old urban centres, with their shops and handicrafts are usually full of people. The new centre, joining the East to the West part of the lower town, is crossed by the Sentierone, a conventional meeting point and shopping area for those living in Bergamo. Ljao/jan/1v21