Bergamo Alta - Piazza Vecchia - (Old Square - Upper town)
Piazza Vecchia is the symbol of the city. Built in ‘300, it reaches its actual
structure during the Venetian domination. On the southern side of the square faces the
Palazzo della Ragione, that is the symbol of the Communal Age; on the right side the
Civic Tower (XII-XV) rises, well known as Il Campanone, and here there is also the
antique Domus Suardorum (XIV-XV), that now it’s the seat of the University of
Bergamo. The northern side of the square is enclosed within a Palace of ‘600
with a facade of white marble. Built as seat of the Town Hall, today this structure
hosts the Public Library “A. Maj” that holds about 500.000 volumes and
preserves a precious “Tasso Collection”. The elegant Fountain, donated by
the Venetian “podesta'”, Alvise Contarini (XVIII), completes the spectacular
view of the square.
 Behind the Palazzo della Ragione, there is the Piazzetta del Duomo, where appear monuments
of great relevance. The Duomo, designed by Filarete, was modified many times during the
centuries. The decoration of the interiors was completed only at the end of ‘800.
Precious artistic pieces are the Chapel of the Crucifix, that preserves a crucifix of
‘500 and the apse, where seven great canvases, out of all the Martirio di S.Giovanni
Episcopo (S. Giovanni Episcopo’s Martyrdom), a work of G.B.Tiepolo can be found.
On Piazzetta Duomo, a marble polychrome porch with polychromatic lions by Giovanni da
Campione, signals the access to the Basilica di S.Maria Maggiore (XII). Inside, precious
tapestries, a baroque confessional by Andrea Fantoni, Gaetano Donizetti grave and his Master
Simone Mayr. Of great value are the iconostases in carved and inlaid wood executed in the XIV,
following Lorenzo Lotto drawings, by G.F. Capoferri and Giovanni Belli. Adjacent to the
Basilica, the Cappella Colleoni (XV). Realized on G.B Amadeo project, this Chapel is the
mausoleum of the famous condottiere Bartolomeo Colleoni.
The polychrome marble facade connects the porch of the Basilica and the rich decoration,
while it records the adventurous life of the “condottiero”, represents a
magnificent example of Lombardy Renaissance. Beside the Cappella Colleoni, a flight of
steps leads to the access of the Curia Vescovile. Once one crossed the Aula della Curia,
a room with splendid frescoes (XI-XII), there is a courtyard, where, in its center, one
finds the Tempietto di S.Croce (S.Croce Temple) built in XI and changed in ‘500.
The last building that decorates Piazzetta Duomo is the Baptistery. Built in 1340 by G.
da Campione as the baptismal basin for the Basilica, it was rebuilt, after various journeys
and manipulations, in the place where now it is placed. The interior presents interesting
high-relieves representing the life of Christ. The baptismal source and the S.Giovanni
sculpture were realized by G. da Campione.
BERGAMO ALTA:
PIAZZA VECCHIA - PIAZZA DEL DUOMO: Information
How to reach the upper town:
From Piazzale Marconi (Train/Coach/Bus Station) and from Porta Nuova
bus 1 + funicular
bus 1 Colle Aperto
by car following these directions: V.le Papa Giovanni XXIII -
V.le V. Emanuele - Porta S. Agostino - Viale delle mura - Colle aperto
Text and Photos © courtesy of Provincia di Bergamo – Settore
cultura, sport e turismo
Bergamo Alta: Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore | La Cappella Colleoni | Le mura venete
Bergamo accommodations | Getting in and around
Recommended restaurants (we visited them...):
- Ristorante Mimmo via Colleoni 17, Bergamo 035-218-535
One day trips from Milan without a car:
Milan on foot
Milan - Chiaravalle Abbey
Bergamo Alta
Bologna with the high speed train
Isola Comacina on Lake Como
Lecco and Bellagio by boat
Como and Bellagio by boat,
Isole Borromee on Lake Maggiore
Arona, Angera on Lake Maggiore
Arona, Rocca di Angera on Lake Maggiore
Villa Taranto on Lake Maggiore
Mottarone on Lake Maggiore
Lake Maggiore, Arona to Stresa by boat
Stresa - Locarno, a day boat trip
The Garda Lake - a day boat trip
Pavia, the city
Pavia, the Certosa
Portofino in winter
Vigevano
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