{"id":27807,"date":"2022-06-03T00:02:29","date_gmt":"2022-06-02T22:02:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/checkinblog.it\/?p=27807"},"modified":"2022-06-03T00:02:29","modified_gmt":"2022-06-02T22:02:29","slug":"5-things-to-do-and-see-in-bergamo-italy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/checkinblog.it\/en\/5-things-to-do-and-see-in-bergamo-italy\/","title":{"rendered":"Bergamo (northern Italy): how to arrive, where to stay near the Airport and the 5 top things to do and see in one or more days"},"content":{"rendered":"

Located in the centre of Lombardy<\/strong> and around 50 Km far from Milan<\/strong>, Bergamo <\/strong>is a city that surprise every visitor for the beauty of its \u201ctwo centres<\/strong>\u201d: the Citt\u00e0 Alta<\/em> and the Citt\u00e0 Bassa<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Bergamo is the second most visited city in Lombardy after Milan<\/strong> and since July 2017 it also features a UNESCO World Heritage Site<\/strong>. Gaetano Donizetti<\/strong>, considered as one of the most important composers of all time<\/strong>, was born in Bergamo<\/strong> in 1797<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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How to get to Bergamo and where to stay<\/span><\/h2>\n

Getting to Bergamo is very easy as it is well connected t<\/strong>o other cities such as Milan<\/strong>, Turin<\/strong> and Venice<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

You can reach Bergamo by motorway A4<\/strong> or by public transport<\/strong>. The Bergamo Railway Station<\/strong> is directly linked to Milan, Lecco and Brescia (with further connections for Lake Garda, Verona, and Venice). Bus services<\/strong> from Milan are also available.<\/p>\n

Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport<\/strong> is the third busiest international airport in Italy and it is mainly known for being Ryanair\u2019s third top base<\/strong> (behind Dublin and London Stansted) serving around 80 destinations across Europe.<\/p>\n

There is a bus shuttle service<\/strong> linking Orio al Serio Airport to Bergamo city centre<\/strong>. All information are available here<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Having said that, the accommodation in Bergamo<\/strong> I can recommend to you is \u201cResidenza Il Fiore<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/a>\u201d. This was the perfect starting point for my city tour as it is situated in a strategic position close to Bergamo Orio al Serio airport<\/strong> and just 10 minutes on foot to the historic centre<\/strong> and the train station<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

For all details and online booking check this page<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n

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Venetian Walls overlooking Bergamo lower town<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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5 things to do and see in Bergamo: exploring the \u201cSentierone\u201d<\/span><\/h2>\n

My itinerary begins in Bergamo Bassa<\/strong>, which is the modern city centre<\/strong> built since the end of the 19th century<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The so-called \u201cSentierone<\/strong>\u201d is a tree-lined avenue featuring an elegant arcade adorned with marble decorations<\/strong> and full of shops and cafes. The theatre dedicated to Gaetano Donizetti<\/strong> stands on the other side of the road whilst at the eastern end of the street you can admire the monumental fa\u00e7ade of the Church of Saints Bartolomeo and Stefano<\/strong> which dates back to the first half of the 17th century.<\/p>\n

The Sentierone<\/strong> is one of the main places of interest included in the private tour of the Lower Town<\/strong>. For all details and to book this activity please click here<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Via XX Settembre – Bergamo lower town, Lombardy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Via XX Settembre<\/strong> is a pedestrian street stretching on the left side of the Sentierone up to Piazza Pontida<\/strong> and it is locally known as \u201cBergamo\u2019s Via Montenapoleone<\/strong>\u201d for its luxury shops<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

My personal tip<\/em>. To get a nice urban sight of Bergamo <\/strong>\u201clower city<\/strong>\u201d and the Sentierone just go to Piazza Vittorio Veneto<\/strong>, a beautiful square with two neoclassical buildings from where you can also spot the \u201cupper town<\/strong>\u201d standing on the top of the hill in the background.<\/p>\n

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Piazza Pontida – Bergamo lower town<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Piazza Vittorio Veneto – Bergamo lower town<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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5 things to do and see in Bergamo: have a walk along the Venetian Walls<\/span><\/h2>\n

The \u201cupper town<\/strong>\u201d (Citt\u00e0 Alta<\/em>) is the Bergamo old town<\/strong> and it\u2019s entirely surrounded by a defensive system<\/strong> erected by the Republic of Venice during the 16 century and remained almost intact through the ages.<\/p>\n

The Venetian Walls<\/strong> are over 6 Km long<\/strong> and are made of 14 bastions, 2 platforms, 100 embrasures for cannons, 2 armouries and 4 gates. UNESCO<\/strong> recognized them as a World Heritage Site<\/strong> on 9 July 2017<\/strong>. The Gate of San Giacomo<\/strong>, with the Lion of San Marco on its fa\u00e7ade, is the perfect spot where to have a gorgeous panorama of the Lower Bergamo<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

There are private walking tours in english<\/strong> that allow tourists to have a walk along these walls<\/strong> and then visit the<\/strong> upper town of Bergamo<\/strong>. For all information take a look at this page<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Nature landscape from Venetian Walls in Bergamo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Panoramic view from San Giacomo Gate – Bergamo’s Venetian Walls<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You can get to Citt\u00e0 Alta<\/strong> by the Funicular<\/strong> leaving from Viale Vittorio Emanuele II, 62<\/em> and arriving to Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe<\/strong>, the local shoes market square since 1430.<\/p>\n

Otherwise, a lovely<\/strong> and easy walk<\/strong> starts from Via Pignolo<\/em> up to Sant\u2019Agostino gate<\/strong>. Once there enjoy a panoramic view<\/strong> from the former monastery <\/strong>and the ex Church of Sant\u2019Agostino<\/strong> which today house a branch of Bergamo University and a Lecture Hall.<\/p>\n

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Monastery and ex Church of Sant Agostino – Bergamo upper town<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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5 things to do and see in Bergamo: walk up to San Vigilio castle<\/span><\/h2>\n

From the ex Church of Sant\u2019Agostino the itinerary continues up to Colle<\/strong> San Vigilio<\/strong> (496 m a.s.l.), a panoramic hill overlooking the Citt\u00e0 Alta and dominated by the Castle of San Vigilio<\/strong>. This used to be the residence of Bergamo\u2019s numerous rulers<\/strong> for centuries and for this reason it\u2019s located in a strategic position in case of attacks.<\/p>\n

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Panoramic view over Bergamo Upper town – San Viglio Castle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You can arrive to San Vigilio also by taking the funicular from Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe<\/strong> in the \u201cUpper town<\/strong>\u201d. Before or after reaching the fortress I suggest you to take a detour towards Via Borgo Canale 14<\/strong>, where you can see Gaetano Donizetti\u2019s birthplace<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

His family\u2019s first house was in the basement of a five-storey building dating back to<\/strong> medieval times<\/strong>. It was purchased by the Municipality of Bergamo in 1925 and it was declared a National Monument <\/strong>one year later.<\/p>\n

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\u201cHowever, my birth was more secret, as I was born (sic) underground in Borgo Canale. You had to go down along a cellar staircase, where no light had ever entered. And I took flight, just like an owl\u2026<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

– Gaetano Donizetti<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

For more information about opening times and prices check this website<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

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5 things to do and see in Bergamo: visit of the Fortress<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Rocca<\/strong> is one of the Bergamasco people\u2019s favourite places<\/strong> where to go to enjoy 360\u00b0 stunning views<\/strong> over the Upper town, the Orobie Prealps, the entire plain as well as Milan\u2019s skyline in case of clear sky.<\/p>\n

The fortress was erected during the 14th century and traces of its military function are still visible today. The bomber\u2019s house hosts the \u201cnineteenth century Museum<\/strong>\u201d dedicated to the history of Bergamo between the old regime and the Italian unification<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Entrance to the Rocca – Bergamo old town, Lombardy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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5 things to do and see in Bergamo: fall in love with Piazza Vecchia and Piazza del Duomo<\/span><\/h2>\n
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\u201cYou can\u2019t move a single stone, it would be a crime.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

– Le Corbusier<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Full of history, since Ancient Rome to nowadays, Piazza Vecchia<\/strong> is the heart of the Upper Town<\/strong> (Citt\u00e0 Alta<\/em>). It used to be the symbol of political power for centurie<\/strong>s and today is one of inhabitants\u2019 favourite places where to meet up and spend some time together.<\/p>\n

Look around you to admire:<\/p>\n