Bergamo – Splendid Medieval Orobic Jewel

 

Today, with a program that I drew up and planned years ago at Tour Operator programming level, I would like to introduce you a visit, although in this case "virtuaL" of the beautiful Bergamo.

This charming and fascinating city of Lombardy linked to centuries-old historical-cultural traditions since the times of the ancient Orobic Celts and the Empire Roman, subsequently experiencing other relevant stages of a long and fascinating history (sometimes struggling) under Lombard, Frankish, Venetian and for a short period Austrian hegemony.

These dominations have left indelible imprints that are highly visible in the rich architectural and monumental heritage that the Orobic center boasts, recognized internationally for its extraordinary beauty, especially in its upper part, “Bergamo Alta” a splendid medieval jewel of enormous artistic and architectural importance.

This Lombard center which has experienced centuries of intense history with numerous governors of different cultures and origins but always with cycles of development in an ascending phase, especially artistically.

Bergamo especially in the Middle Ages, was a destination for illustrious painters, sculptors, architects and decorators who arrived in the Orobic land to beautify a place that today bears witness to everything magnificently with indelible traces left on its city soil.

We can start to get to know the wonderful "Berghem" as it is called in the Bergamasco dialect from Piazza Mercato della Scarpa, a wide square which is a meeting point for many locals in the lower pa eiart of the city.

We will walk towards the Funicular which will lead us to the marvelous "Bergamo Alta" be considered without any hesitation a superlative masterpiece of medieval art.

This area boasts a magnificent monumental nucleus surrounded by a high perimeter of imponent walls which served as defensive bastions defendinga sort of romantic and captivating village in which picturesque alleys and suggestive cobblestone paths intertwine as if by magic around a large square.

You can walk on the iconic axis traced in the Middle Ages called "La Corsarola" which includes the attractive Via Colleoni arriving in a few minutes to the wonderful "Piazza Vecchia", the old square, monumental epicenter of this stupendous medieval enclave.

In this superb "urban living room" of other times you can visit the beautiful Cathedral of Sant'Alessandro dating back to the 15th century.

It is a magnificent example of medieval structure modified by refined neoclassical lines which have not defaced or even ruined the original architectural schemes.

Inside you can admire a splendid Baroque interior highlighted by extraordinary frescoes painted by the great Venetian master Giambattista Tiepolo and the significant dome developed in correspondence with the large apse.

Subsequently don not miss the adjacent Colleoni Chapel, a superb work of art created between 1472 and 1476. It is a structure that serves as a Mausoleum containing within it the remains of the famous leader Bartolomeo Colleoni and which boastsan extraordinary octagonal drum.

 

The third structure of the complex is the Baptistery which owes its magnificent construction dated 1340 thanks to the immense talent of Giovanni da Campione, one of the architects with great vision and creative sense of that era in the entire Italian peninsula.

Absolutely stunning in this extraordinary structure are the sculptural cycles created by the same master depicting the life of Jesus Christ in eight formidable panels.

Next to this magnificent complex if you want to experience a unique emotion, you can climb the long staircase that leads to the top of the "Campanone" or "Campanun" as it is called by the locals this big berll but which is officially called the Civic Tower.

Once you reach its summit at 53.0 meters of height, the effort will not have been in vain for the unique, wonderful, breathtaking views of the entire city, the picturesque Bergamo valleys and the Orobic Alps.

Subsequently you can stop in front of the magnificent Palazzo della Ragione situated on the opposite side of the square.

It is a majestic building erected in the 13th century, a superb, medieval masterpiece with very marked lines in its upper section where refined trusses stand out harmoniously inserted into the layout of this stylish building.

In the inmediate surrounding there are some excellent restaurants which serve delicious food strictly linked to the local culinary soul will be served. Do not miss renowned Casoncelli stuffed with meat or alternatively Polenta Taragna with melted cheeses from the valleys and rye crostini, Chicken with Urgnano Onions or Cotechino with Savoy Cabbage. Excellent are also the superb D.O.C. wines as Valcalepio Bianco and Rosso.

After a great lunch enjoy a pleasant walk through a suggestive passage formed by a series of alleys that lead to the legendary Venetian Walls

These high defensive bastions were erected by the Doges of Venice in 1400 built as defensive bulwarks hermetically surrounding the village.

From there continue towards the beautiful park “Parco Parco delle Rimembranze” where the famous Rocca stands.It is another structure built for city protection purposes connected to the core of the exhibitions with the Natural Science and Archaeological Museums located in correspondence with what was the Citadel of Bergamo in the Middle Ages.

The visit could be said to be completed, I hope that it was useful to have this virtual tour and in some way my hints were useful to visit a city that of course will remain inside you for its beauty and charm.for ever.

 

Link : https://www.visitbergamo.net/en/