BERGAMO, ITALIA

PJ and I decided to do a day trip to Bergamo. The primary reason was to go to the mall near the airport so that I could go and get a pair of jeans from Guess. It is a hard store to come by in Veneto. We then we headed off to the city center with Reesey.

We didn't explore too much of Lower Bergamo, although it looked like a fun place to relax and spend some time. Once we found a place to park we headed to the funicolare to head to Citta Alta. Sadly, we were not allowed to ride the funicular to the top because they only allow small dogs on the lift. We found the stairs and trekked to the top. The steps themselves were not bad but the ice and snow on the steps was difficult. 

The steps terminate at the walls and the gate and there is a beautiful view over the Lower City. From there is was off to lunch at a cute Irish pub and then we were off to explore the city.

 

 

Citta Alta, or Upper City, is made up of most of the city's monumental and artistic sights. The ring of walls were built in the 1500s. Our first stop was the Gate St. Giacomo which faces Milan. The four gates correspond to the main roads leading to the territory and other cities. The walls were completed in 1588 and the gates were inserted not too long after that.

Piazza Vecchia held many of the city's political buildings. In 1477 Bramante frescoed the building that held the Venetian magistrate. The white marble Town Hall was constructed along the eastern side and is now home to the Municipal Library.  

Palazzo Della Ragione is considered one of the oldest Lombard communal buildings dating back to the 12th century. The palace consists of the 'hall of trusses' which rest on a base of porticoes. Originally it was used as a council room but has since changed multiple times until it turned into a present day library. 

The Civic Tower [Campanone] is 52 meters tall and is a symbol of the medieval city. It has a large bell that rings more than 100 times every evening at 10:00pm, which was the old night curfew [the gates were then closed for the night]. 

Piazza Vecchia

The Baptistery has stood in its current location since 1898 and is part of the Duomo square. Next to the baptistery is the Colleoni Chapel. The chapel was built for Bartolomeo Colleoni between 1470-1472. Its facade is decorated with polychromatic marble and bas-relief details. The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore is considered the greatest monument in the city. Construction for the Basilica began in 1137 and it was used for baptisms and a hall for civic assemblies. The northern entrance was commissioned in the 1300s. The Romanesque interior was transformed by Baroque decorations.

Across from the Baptistery and next to the Basilica is the Duomo. The current Duomo was built over the remains of 2 large churches in the late 1400s. It was completed at the end of the 1600s and dedicated to Saint Alexander. The cupola was added in the 19th century.

Duomo