Unique Points Bergamo is a beautiful city, with a medieval hilltop old town. ?It's simply reached by Ryanair flights from Glasgow, London, Paris, Girona, Brussels, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Stockholm, making it an ideal short break destination. ?The airport is near the city and can be reached by regular buses, costing around 1 euro. The walled old town, reached by funicular, is well preserved. ?The Academia Carrera is said to be 1 of the best collections of art in Italy. ? The surrounding countryside is extremely beautiful; there are churches in many microscopic villages with medival frescoes and paintings. ?Nearby is Lake Iseo, which has the largest lake island in Europe. ?The famous Valpolcia and Franciacorta wines are produced locally. Northerly of the city are the Pre Alps and the Valle Bremabana.
History of Bergamo Bergamo is a real life tale of both cities: Bergamo Alta, the beautiful walled hilltop medieval city, and Bergamo Bassa, the lower city, built mainly at the beginning of the 20th century. Bergamo has long been acknowledged as a beautiful city. The 14th century Italian scholar, poet and humanist, Francesco Petrarca remarked, "I shall always remember the image of Bergamo, Italy's alpine town." This is praise indeed as Petrarch is regarded as 1 of Italy's outstanding scholars and a leading contributor the in the development of the Renaissance.
Bargamo, originally known as Barra, is said to have founded by Cydno, the boy of the founder of the Liguri family. ?The Etruscans turned the city into a fortress in the sixth century BC. Its location mass produced it ideal as they may see right above the plains beneath and spot any advancing enemy. Later that century the city was taken above per Cenomani Gauls, who renamed it Berghem ('city on the mountain'). ?The spread of the Roman Empire caused a slight change in moniker to Bergomum and it was when you took this cycle that the 1st walls were built around the city. ?The city was dominated per Longobaords and Franks prior to becoming a free town in the 12th century. Nevertheless for many centuries from 1428 the Venetians dominated Bergamo. ?This was an extended time period of social, political and cultural wealth. ?The walls were rebuilt in the 16th century by the Republic of Venice. When you took the French Revolution Bergamo was portion of the French Cisapine Republic. ?After the Congress of Vienna the Austrians ruled until the unification of Italy in 1859.
The heart of the old town is 15th century Piazza Vecchia.? The main entrance is the Sant'Agostoa gate, the walls extend for even more than 5 kilometres and there are 4 gates. ?The portico of the Palazzo della Ragione, which sits in Piazza Vecchia, dates from the 12th century. ?The potico leads in to the Piazza del Duomo. Right here is the church of Santa Maria as well dating from the 12th century. The church has an octagonal dome. ?There are however traces of the first frescoes depicting the "tree of life". ?The wooden confessional was produced in 1705 by Andrea Fontani. ?Bergamo's favourite musical boy Donizetti's tomb is at the back of the church. Gaetnao Donizetti was born in 1797 just outside the city walls, at the run of Borge Canale. ?He produced even more then 70 compositions "Elisir d'Amore" (1832) "Lucia di Lammermoor" (1835). ?It's said that he was always emotionally bonded to Bergamo.? The Donizetti Theatre, known as in his honour, hosts an international piano festival.
Colleoni Chapel is an additional fine pattern of Rennaisance architecture. Bartolomeo Colleoni, born in Bergamo, commissioned this as his tomb. ?The building was completed in 1476. ?Colleoni is portrayed on a golden horse. He's usually known as a "soldier of fortune", a less harsh description than mercenary. This can be because he was regarded as fairly respectable, as although he changed sides, he never committed any treacherous acts or even rape and executions in the defeated territories. ?His father was attacked and murdered when Bartolomeo was young, per Duke of Milan. ?He spent many years as a young human serving in various armies. ?At the age of thirty two he joined the army of the Venetian Republic. ?He was also known for his act on agricultural improvements mass-produced to the land on the estates given to him as reward per Venetians.
The Venetian Lorenzo Lotto worked just here in 1525. ?Lotto's operate encompassed the act of Bramante, Raffaello and Leonardi. ?Lorenzo Lotto spent twelve years working in Bergamo. ?Even though originally from Venice, he considered Bergamo to be his spiritual home, appreciating its down to earth approach to religion and faith. ?In 1525 he worked on the Episode from the life of Mary in the Church San Michele al Pozzo Bianca. ?Many churches in Bergamo are adorned with his altarpieces. ?Itineraries on a Lotto theme can be discovered right here.
Accademia Carrara is 1 of the first galleries in Italy. It was founded in 1796 by Count Carrara. ?It at present houses even more than 18000 pieces, including pieces by Botticelli, Raffaello,Bellini and Donatella. There are also works by foreign artists like Rubens and Clouet.
The Accademia ?is as well the Bergamo Museum. ?There are paintings depicting the town from the 15th ?to the 19th century. ?The Gallery of Modern Art is nearby.
The Gruppo Guide Citta di Bergamo, tel 035 249553, offer half day and full day tours. They've English, German, Spanish and French guides.
Each Sunday from 25th April 2004, you are able to take a guided tour of historic homes in Bergamo, the Tour Dimore Storiche.? A ticket for all 5 residences cost sixteen euros, for 3 residences the cost is twelve euros.
Accommodation in Bergamo
Hotel Capello d'Oro This 4 star hotel is in the centre of the lower town, a couple minutes hike from the funicular railway higher to the old town and the railway station. The rooms are especially comfortable with tea and coffee making facilities. ?Prices begin from 150 euros per nighttime for a double room and buffet breakfast. Home Giva This renovated traditional apartment block is found around 500 metres from the centre of Bergamo and around 1 kilometre from the medieval portion of the city. Bergamo is an ideal base from which to visit the Lakes, Verona and Milan. There are frequent trains to virtually all destinations or even if you like to tour by car, parking is available close to the home. The apartments are elegantly furnished. An apartment for 2 costs one-hundred euros per nighttime or even 500 euros per week. Castello di Grumello, near Bergamo The rooms within the castle cost eighty-two euros per host per nighttime, including breakfast. ?If you stay in a room in the grounds, in a 19th century building fifty metres from the castle with see of the vineyards, the cost is sixty euros per host per nighttime.?
Where can i eat in Bergamo Da Vittorio, Viale Giovanni XX111 twenty one, tel: 035 218060. This is an extended established restaurant in the old town. ?A couple of their specialties are oxtail tureen, pumpkin flowers in sauce as well as great seafood. ?It's an unpretentious family run concern.
Lio Pellegrini, Via San Tommaso forty-seven, tel 035 247813. This restaurant is situated in a 16th century sacristy, close to Accademia Carrara in the lower town, it's a lovely garden for summer dining. They help many varieties of pasta and a select few really tempting desserts.
Ol Giopi east la Margi, Via Borgo Palazzo twenty seven, tel 035 242366 This popular restaurant is decorated in average country style and waiting staff have on traditional costume.? They havea wonderful option of menus , a business lunch, a traditional meal and 3 gastronomic menus.? The menus change each season. The restaurant is closed on Sunday evening and Mondays.
Osteria San Rocco, Via South Rocco, eleven Rancia, tel 035 510067 This restaurant is situated in the hills, 5 kilometres from Bergamo.? You are able to learn from the menu on their website.
Day trips from Bergamo
Crespi d'Adda
This factory and village was built in the late 19th century by the Crespi family as an industrial utopia. ?The life of the workers, their families and the community were planned in order and harmony. In theory ensuring that the workers would be productive and content and the factory owners may produce a sound profits with a clear conscience. The experiment ended in the 1920s however the village, today listed on the UNESCO Globe Heritage List, is however inhabited, predominantly per descendents of the first village. The factory is however operational, producing cotton textiles. The village is around a half hour drive from Bergamo. It can be reached by public transport, you take the Autostrade bus direction Milan, you get off at the Capriate bus prevent and then it's a 20 microscopic hike to the village. You are able to read even more about the village on their website.
Castello di Grumello
This castle overlooks the village of Grumello del Monte and the surrounding vineyards. ?The parish church in the village dates form the 7th century. It's in the heart of the Valcalepio vicinity. The castle has an extended and bloody history. All the same in the 18th century the castle was transformed in to a noble home. ?The tower, the back gate, the Knights Hall and the cellar however remain from the primary medieval fortress. ?
If you call ahead, tel 035 442 0817, you are able to arrange a visit to the wine cellar and the castle. They will explain how the wine is mass produced and tasting of the various wines. This costs 8 euros per host. ?There exists as well a pleasant hike through the vineyards to the crest of the "Colle Calvario".
Lake Iseo
The lesser known, smaller Lake Iseo is ideal for a day hike from Bergamo. You are able to read even more about the lake in our guide.
If you have a hire car you are able to drive around the Lake in a day. ?You are able to reach Iseo town by bus from Bergamo. On specific Sundays in 2004, the 5th, 9th and 19th, there exists a hike from Bergamo to Lake Iseo. ?You travel by regular train from Bergamo to Palazzo, where you pick higher the Treno Blu to Sarnico. ?There are 4 choices available when you arrive at the Lake, including a visit camping island, Monte Isola.
Valle Brembana
The valley consists of many smaller valleys.
The Val San Pellegrino Terme: San Pellegrino is best known for its sparkling water. ?At the end of the 19th century San Pellegrino was the virtually all visited spa town in northern Italy. ?There were art nouveau hotels and a casino designed by Romolo Squadrelli. ?The casino is today a conference and exhibition centre. The Val Serina has an unusual landscape for the Orobic Prealps with jagged white peaks. ?Bracca mineral water springs from the Bracca ravine. ?At the top of this gorge the valley widens and there are a few uncommon untamed flowers. ?The Gromo castle overlooks the River Serio has an intact 13th century tower. ?To visit you must telephone the Posta Castle Restaurant, tel 0346 41002.
Cornello dei Tasso is a well-preserved medieval village. ?It was an inn station along the main trading route. In the lower portion of the village is the market square with its arches and merchants' lodgings, a few however bearing the coat of arms of the Tasso family. The village was home to the Tasso family who are said to be the inventors of the postal service. ?At 1st mail was carried by foot, later the service began to utilize horses with despatch riders and then mail coaches. ?A personal company was formed, the Campagnia dei Corrieri, which won contracts to shoulder mail in the Republic of Venice and later in the 15th century, contracts in the Papal States and the Hapsburg Empire. Val Taleggio east Brembilla is nicknamed the Cheese Valley, as traditional cheeses are produced just here. ?Formai de Mut is a rich, half cooked paste cheese with a delicate scented flavour. ?When you took the summer it's mass-produced in alpine huts, near the high grazing pastures. ?Taleggio cheese is a rich soft paste cheese mass-produced with whole cows' milk.? 1 of the characteristic dishes of the area is Polenta Taranga, where the cheese is melted with butter in the maize porridge.
Val Fondra is on the eastern side of high share of the Bremba Valley, traditionally the location of ancient mines and forges. The ski resort of San Simone and Foppolo are in this valley.
The Museum of Christmas Cribs, Museo del Presepio, in Brembo di Dalmine, is unique with above 800 cribs on display.? There exists even an electronic crib covering eighty square metres, with a 17 microscopic spectacle. ?In December and January it's open on Sundays and public holidays form nine.00 - twelve.00 and fourteen.00 - nineteen.00. ?The rest of the year it's only open on a Sunday fourteen.00 - eighteen.00. The museum is around 10 kilometres from Bergamo.
Useful Information
Bergamo Tourist Office, Viale Vittorio Emanuele, (the main road from the station higher to the old town), tel 035 230 184.
Karen is a travel writer and consultant specialising in planning tailor manufactured travel to undiscovered Europe. Her site is http://www.europealacarte.co.uk
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