Bergamo Key Attractions

Most of Bergamos most notable sights are found in the Upper Town (Citt Alta), which is the citys historic heart. Tourists can purchase an inexpensive ticket covering visits to an assortment of Bergamo's attractions. Youll find it to be good value and you arent required to visit all the sights on the same day. This is organised by the Fondazione Bergamo nella Storia and participating attractions display a yellow logo with the letters 'FBS'.

Piazza Vecchia

The lovely Piazza Vecchia is the town square, an open space in the centre of the Upper Town, surrounded by medieval and Renaissance architecture. The main streets of the Citt Alta all lead to the piazza, which fills with locals and university students, who like to congregate around the famous Contarini Fountain, dating from 1780. There are a number of bars with tables here where you can sit and enjoy an aperitif, watch the people and revel in the beauty of the surroundings.

Torre Civica

There are great views from the top of the 12th century bell tower in Piazza Vecchia, known as Torre Civica. It is also called the Big Bell, or Campanone, and rings 100 times at 22:00, a custom left over from medieval times, when farmers were warned to come back inside the city walls before the gates were closed at night for protection.

Palazzo della Ragione

The medieval Palazzo della Ragione is undoubtedly the most interesting of the palazzi facing Piazza Vecchia. Its portico dates to the 12th century and the palazzo connects Piazza Vecchia and the smaller Piazza del Duomo.

Piazza del Duomo

This piazza is surrounded by several lovely religious buildings including the Duomo, the Colleoni Chapel and baptistery, and the church of Santa Maria Maggiore.

The Church of Santa Maria Maggiore

Construction on the church of Santa Maria Maggiore began in the 12th century. It's a beautiful building and considered by many to be of more interest than the neighbouring cathedral, the Duomo. The churchs interior features an octagonal dome and traces of some of the original medieval frescoes, one of which is known as the Tree of Life, depicting the life of Christ. Many modifications were made to the churchs interior over the centuries including the addition of rich Flemish tapestries in the 16th century. A wooden confessional, carved by Andrea Fantoni in 1705, is one of the church's most splendid ornaments. It is extremely ornate and has been described as looking like an intricately sculpted chocolate. At the back of the church is the tomb of the composer Donizetti.

Cappella Colleoni

Facing the piazza next to the church of Santa Maria Maggiore is the ornate and colourful Colleoni Chapel (Cappella Colleoni). Bartolomeo Colleoni, a renowned soldier of fortune, originally from Bergamo, commissioned the building of the chapel for his tomb. It was finished in 1476 and is considered a masterpiece of Lombard art. There is a statue of Colleoni astride a golden horse on top of the two-tiered tomb.

The Rocca

The Rocca is a walled stronghold as well as being a great fort to explore. You can climb the tower and walk around the ramparts for commanding views of Citt Alta and the lower town. You can reach the Rocca by funicular; get off in the Upper Town at Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe and follow the signs and the narrow via Rocca. It houses a museum and outside, youll see an old Roman road with grooves worn into it.

Other Bergamo museums

There are several additional museums in Bergamo including the Science Museum (Museo Civico di Scienze) and the Archaeological Museum (Museo Archeologico). The cloistered Convento di San Francesco is home to Bergamos town museum, the Museo Storico. There is a photo exhibition and a restored biplane commemorating the aviator Antonio Locatelli in Piazza Cittadella. Music fans will be interested in the Donizetti Museum (Museo Donizettiano), located on via Arena. The composer Gaetano Donizetti was born in Bergamo in 1797 and is buried in the church of Santa Maria Maggiore. In the museum, there is a collection of musical instruments and memorabilia from Donizettis professional and private life. The main theatre in Bergamo is dedicated to the composer, and each year a series of performances of his music is held.