Stop 1: Piazza della Cittadella
The citadel is a defensive structure built by the Visconti family, who were responsible for the power of Bergamo in the years 1332-1428.
It is a square-shaped space enclosed by buildings, and is located in the Bergamo Alta. The present Piazza della Cittadella dates back to 1379.
It together with the Rocca citadel at the opposite end of the city formed was the city's defensive complex. Piazza Cittadella what was once
the court and the parade ground. The square is crossed by an old Roman road . The citadel consisting of several buildings has undergone many
changes, becoming the property of the city in the 20th century.
Torre della Campanella is a military structure built by Bernabo Visconti and was part of the Visconti citadel. Over the years, it was rebuilt
many times and its functions were changed. In 1797 it became the seat of the prefecture and the city became the owner of it. After 1955 it became
the property of the Museum of Natural Sciences. The tower required several renovations which in 2010 returned the clock to the automatic system,
restoring the sound of the bell that had been silent for about twenty years. Through this gate is the road from the center of Citta Alta to the San
Vigilio hill. It connects the main street of the upper town with the citadel.
Civic Museum of Natural Sciences - the collection includes an allosaurus skeleton, a Eudimorphodon skeleton (the oldest flying animal at 200 million year,)
and a number of other paleontological specimens. Interactive exhibitions help visitors understand the geological processes that have shaped the territory
Civic Archeological Museum - Here you can admire a number of artefacts of the populations that inhabited the region, from the Celts to the Lombards, and
discover the wonders of the Egyptian collection. You can also visit the Roman Walls and admire mosaics and statues.
Stop 2: Piazza Vecchia
This square is considered the "renaissance parlor" where all the medieval streets of the upper city join together. At the center of
the square is the Contarini Fountain, the main meeting place of locals and tourists alike. Major historical buildings stand on the square, such as the
Angelo Mai Civic Library hosted inside Palazzo Nuovo or Palazzo della Ragione, under which is an ancient sundial built in the 18th century. At noon sharp
(solar time) the ray of sun filtering through the hole in the shield hanging from the arches marks the date and zodiac sign. In Piazza Vecchia there is
also the “Campanone”, as the Civic Tower is nicknamed by the people of Bergamo. At 10 p.m. every night, with its 100 chimes, it announces the closing
of the gates to Bergamo Alta.
Cappella Colleoni - Colleoni Chapel is a chapel and mausoleum attached to the Basilica of St. Mary Major. Dedicated to the saints Bartholomew, Mark and John
the Baptist, it was built between 1472 and 1476 as the personal shrine for the condottiere Bartolomeo Colleoni, a member of one of the city’s most notable families,
and his daughter Medea. The site chosen was that of the church’s sacristy, which was demolished by Colleoni’s soldiers. Whether or not the demolition was authorized by
church administrators remains the subject of scholarly debate. The design was entrusted to Giovanni Antonio Amadeo, whose plan respected the style of the church, as can
be seen from the octagonal tambour of the dome and in the lantern cusp, as well as in the use of polychrome marbles. The façade is characterized by the use of inlaying
and polychrome marble decoration in white, red and black lozenges. Over the main portal is a rose window, flanked by two medallions portraying Julius Caesar and Trajan.
The upper part of the basement has nine plaques with reliefs of biblical stories, and four bas-reliefs depicting the labors of Hercules. The four pilasters of the windows
flanking the portal are surmounted by statues of the Virtues. The upper part of the façade has a loggia in Romanesque style. The interior includes a square hall and a
smaller room housing the high altar. The tomb of Bartolomeo Colleoni (who died on November 2, 1475) is on the wall facing the entrance. It is decorated with reliefs of
Episodes from the Life of Christ, statues, heads of lions, and an equestrian statue of the condottiere in gilded wood, finished by German masters from Nuremberg in 1501.
The whole complex is surrounded by a triumphal arch.
Cattedrale di Sant'Allesandro Martire (Duomo) - The most important church in Bergamo, Bergamo Cathedral and nearby Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore together
constitute the most famous and visited religious complex in upper Bergamo. Dedicated to Saint Alexander of Bergamo, the cathedral features an elegant neoclassical
façade of white Botticino marble. It houses treasures of inestimable value, including paintings by Andrea Previtali, Giovan Battista Moroni and Tiepolo. On the
high altar, an urn holds the remains of Saint Alexander, martyr and patron saint of Bergamo. But the most significant relic in the Cathedral is, without a doubt,
the Tiara of Pope John XXIII, made of gold by Attilio Nani and adorned with diamonds, pearls and precious stones. To retrace the history of the cathedral, we recommend
visiting the archaeological area beneath the church that dates back to the early Christian period.
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore - The rigorous Romanesque external profile contrasts with the baroque explosion you’ll find on the inside. Majestic, imposing: it’s
Bergamo’s most beloved church. According to the popular tradition, partially supported by documents, the church was built to comply with a vow made to the Virgin Mary in
1133 by the citizens of Bergamo to protect the city from the plague that was hitting northern Italy at that time. The inscription on the portal of the southern entrance
(known as entrance of the "White Lions") says that the church was founded in 1137 on the site of another church from the 8th century dedicated to St Mary, which had been
in turn erected over a Roman temple of the Clemence. The high altar was consecrated in 1185 and in 1187 the presbytery and the transept wings were completed. Due to
financial troubles, the works dragged for the whole 13th–14th centuries. The bell tower was built from 1436 (being completed around the end of the century), while in
1481–1491 a new sacristy added after the old one had been destroyed by Bartolomeo Colleoni to erect his personal mausoleum, the Colleoni Chapel.
Stop 4: Porta San Giacomo
This gate through the wall of the upper city gives access to the wall in both directions.
Stop 5: Rocca di Bergamo
Built during the 14th century, Rocca served as a defensive stronghold for the city and offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The fortress features a
network of walls, towers, and ramparts, including the imposing Torre del Gombito and the scenic Passeggiata delle Mura Venete. Visitors can explore the fortress
grounds, visit the Archaeological Museum, and enjoy leisurely walks along the fortified walls. Rocca di Bergamo is known for its historical significance, architectural
beauty, and scenic vistas, providing visitors with a captivating glimpse into Bergamo's medieval past.