An Explorer’s Guide to Bergamo for First-Time Visitors

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One of the best things about visiting Bergamo in Northern Italy is its authentic and well-preserved charm. Did you know it has never faced a siege? Its walls, landmarks, and many buildings—especially in the Città Alta—are still in their original state.

Exploring Bergamo is an unforgettable experience, especially if it’s your first time. To make it even more special, check out the unmissable attractions and experiences—the reasons why Bergamo is worth visiting—I’m going to share.

A Stunning Church: Basilica of St. Mary Major

Intricate tapestries inside Basilica of St. Mary Major, Bergamo, Italy — Beautiful tapestries inside Basilica of St. Mary Major

Spectacular interiors of Basilica of St. Mary Major, Bergamo, Italy — Spectacular interiors of Basilica of St. Mary Major

Intricate ceiling of Basilica of St. Mary Major, Bergamo, Italy — Intricate ceiling of Basilica of St. Mary Major

The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Bergamo is definitely the first thing worth mentioning to visitors, and for good reason. Many people, myself included, consider it one of the most beautiful churches they’ve ever seen!

The Basilica has a rich history dating back over 900 years. During that time, the people of Bergamo made a promise to the Virgin Mary and built this church as a symbol of their gratitude for her protection during a plague that was devastating northern Italy.

The Basilica of Saint Mary Major, located in Piazza Vecchia in the old town, is built on the site of an earlier church. The entrance from the old town square is small and almost unnoticeable, but once inside, it’s a visual feast. The walls and ceiling are covered with stunning tapestries, frescoes, and paintings, leaving no space untouched.

The artwork narrates biblical stories, from the Crossing of the Red Sea to Mary’s life and Jesus’ Crucifixion. You’ll also find depictions of the Last Supper and the Tree of Life. The frescoes, outlined in gold paint, create a divine experience for visitors.

For more information, please check the official website of Bergamo.

Marvelous Old-World Architecture: Colleoni Chapel

View of Colleoni Chapel from the colonnades, Bergamo, Italy — View of Colleoni Chapel from the colonnades

The facade of the picturesque Colleoni Chapel, Bergamo, Italy — The facade of the picturesque Colleoni Chapel

View of Colleoni Chapel from the streets, Bergamo, Italy — View of Colleoni Chapel from the streets

Another captivating attraction in Bergamo, right next to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Piazza Vecchia, is the Colleoni Chapel.

With its stunning facade, this chapel and mausoleum is truly a sight to see and a great spot for photography and exploring. It was built by Bartolomeo Colleoni, a significant figure in Bergamo’s mid-15th century history, and his daughter as a personal shrine dedicated to Saint Bartholomew, Saint John the Baptist, and Saint Mark.

Over time, the Colleoni Chapel has become much more than it was initially meant to be.

Now, it’s considered Bergamo’s most impressive structure and a major tourist attraction, showcasing the best of Italian Renaissance architecture. The facade is decorated with multicolored marbles in intricate patterns that are truly eye-catching. Don’t miss the rose window and the stone medallions of Julius Caesar and Trajan – they are features you just can’t overlook!

When you step inside, you’ll see Bartolomeo Colleoni’s tomb, a grand altar, various artworks depicting scenes from the life of Jesus Christ, and much more.

For visitor information, the official website of the Bergamo Tourism Office is the go-to place. If you want a guide to exploring the chapel, check out this audio guide with a script.

Breathtaking Scenic Views: Campanone

Spectacular sunset view of the city from Campanone, Bergamo, Italy — Spectacular sunset view of the city from Campanone

Best views from Campanone, Bergamo, Italy — Best views from Campanone

One of the best experiences in Bergamo is checking out the stunning view from Campanone, the town’s civic tower. You can climb up the tower for a fantastic view of the whole city, stretching from Italy’s northern central plains to the rolling hills and mountains of the Alps.

You’ll see other towers, church domes, and houses with tiled roofs. It feels like you’re in a movie or video game scene! The view from the top is incredible, especially on hazy days.

The coolest part? If you’re already in Piazza Vecchia, you won’t need to go far to reach Campanone—it’s right there in the same square! Just look for the tower in front of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major—it’s only a few steps away.

Campanone towers about 173 feet high. To reach the top, you can either climb 230 steps or take the elevator. But it’s not just the views that are amazing—up there, you’ll also find Lombardy’s largest bell. Even cooler, the bell is still in use! Every night at 10 PM, it rings a hundred times to remember when the city gates would close back in Bergamo’s Venetian days.

For more information and updates about Campanone, you can visit the official website Bergamo museums.

A UNESCO Heritage Site: Venetian Walls

Venetian Walls, Bergamo, Italy — Venetian Walls

View while wandering in the Venetian Walls, Bergamo, Italy — View while wandering in the Venetian Walls

A closer look at the preserved Venetian Wall, Bergamo, Italy — A closer look at the preserved Venetian Wall

For me, visiting UNESCO heritage sites is one of the highlights of exploring a new city or country. These sites are often stunning works of art or unique cultural landmarks that can really leave you in wonder. They have universal value that makes them totally worth your time and money.

In Bergamo, you’ll find a UNESCO-recognized heritage site—the Venetian walls that surround the old town. Stretching 3.7 miles (6 kilometers), these walls take you on a journey back to medieval times.

Bergamo’s Venetian walls are truly impressive, featuring two armories, four gates, fourteen bastions, a hundred canon embrasures, and a maze of underground passages and tunnels. If you’ve ever wanted to step into a medieval movie or TV show, Bergamo is the place to do it. Make sure to check out the casemates of San Giovanni and San Michele when you visit! Built in the late 16th century, Bergamo’s walls were designed to protect the city from potential invasions.

You might already know that Bergamo has been lucky to avoid any battles. Because of that, its walls have stayed mostly untouched for centuries, retaining their original state. Interestingly, the city remained safe even during World War Two, when bombs were flattening many other cities around the world.

From the top of these walls, you can enjoy stunning views of the lower town. It’s a perfect spot for watching the sunset and capturing time-lapse photos of the city from golden hour to dusk and into the evening. You’ll find benches along the walls, offering a cozy place to relax and savor that magical hour in Bergamo.

Time Transporting Gates: Porta San Giacomo

Path to Porta San Giacomo during the golden hour, Bergamo, Italy — Path to Porta San Giacomo during the golden hour

Evening view of Porta San Giacomo, Bergamo, Italy — Evening view of Porta San Giacomo

View of the city from Porta San Giacomo, Bergamo, Italy — View of the city from Porta San Giacomo

Porta San Giacomo, the most beautiful gate of the Venetian Wall, is definitely worth seeing and a key part of any visit to Bergamo. This gate serves as the main entry point to Città Alta and has been the preferred route for travelers from Milan for centuries. What makes Porta San Giacomo different from the rest of Bergamo’s Venetian Wall is the unique material used in its construction.

What sets Porta San Giacomo apart from the rest of Bergamo’s Venetian Wall is the unique material used in its construction. Unlike the wall built from ordinary stone, Porta San Giacomo is made with white marble from Zandobbio’s quarries located 15 kilometers east of Bergamo.

While its architecture is relatively simple, the white marble makes it a striking feature, particularly on a sunny day. Don’t miss the chance to see it glow golden during sunrise or sunset. At night, Porta San Giacomo comes alive with lights in diverse colors, effectively transforming the gate into a canvas of hues.

With a bit of luck, you could witness the projection of various images onto the gate, offering an incredible visual experience. This typically happens when there’s an event taking place in Bergamo.

The thing is, no matter the time of day, Porta San Giacomo is a picturesque highlight in Bergamo. Its high viewpoint gives a romantic charm as you look over the lower town. The stone bridge crossing the moat? It surely adds to the medieval and romantic vibe of exploring the area.

Unique Attraction: Museum Inside a Bastion (Rocca Museum)

Rocca Museum, Bergamo, Italy — Rocca Museum

Outside Rocca Museum, Bergamo, Italy — Outside Rocca Museum

A few exhibits inside Rocca Museum, Bergamo, Italy — A few exhibits inside Rocca Museum

Besides walls, bastions are key parts of a medieval city’s defense, and Bergamo has plenty.

But one bastion, called Rocca, really stands out. This 14th-century fortification is located just east of the Upper Town, or Citta Alta. At Rocca, you’ll find old cannons and tanks, walk through a bombardier’s house, and stroll along patrol paths where you can almost forget you’re living in the 21st century.

The unique thing about Rocca is that it has a museum inside the bastion. The Rocca Museum offers a look into Bergamo’s past and a major piece of Italian history – the unification of Italy. That’s why it’s also known as the Museum of the 19th Century.

Curious about how Bergamo shifted from an old rule to become part of a unified Italy? Dive into the 19th-century museum for all the answers. You’ll find exhibits that showcase everything from everyday items used by locals to artworks and old-fashioned rifles, giving you an intriguing peek into history and the Italian people’s patriotism.

While you’re there, make sure to explore the gardens and walls within the complex, climb the tower, and enjoy the breathtaking views. Compared to the busy town square, Rocca is much quieter. The area around the fortress is perfect for a peaceful walk and some quiet reflection after your museum visit.

Check Bergamo’s website for more information, updates, and announcements.

An Unexpected Twist: Museum of Natural History

Diorama of a Mammoth inside Museum of Natural History, Bergamo, Italy — Diorama of a Mammoth inside Museum of Natural History

Dioramas and bones of a dinosaur inside Museum of Natural History, Bergamo, Italy — Dioramas and bones of a dinosaur inside Museum of Natural History

Diorama of a dodo bird in Museum of Natural History, Bergamo, Italy — Diorama of a dodo bird in Museum of Natural History

More exhibits inside Museum of Natural History, Bergamo, Italy — More exhibits inside Museum of Natural History

What makes Bergamo so cool? Tucked away in its medieval streets, there’s this awesome museum all about prehistoric creatures. It’s a fun twist on your history trip and really gets you thinking. It’s called the Museum of Natural History, and you can find it at Piazza Cittadella.

The Enrico Caffi Civic Museum of Natural Science is packed with around 55,000 cool items. You’ve got fossils, animals, and plants preserved in wax—it’s like a trip back in time as well. The highlights? Definitely the dinosaur skeleton and this huge mammoth display. Oh, and there’s this one room filled with heads from various deer and alpine critters. It’s weird, but in a good way.

The Civic Museum of Natural Science in Bergamo might not match the city’s medieval vibe, but it’s definitely worth checking out, especially if you’re bringing kids along. They’ll love the exhibits. Just a heads up though, all the info signs are in Italian. So, if you want to understand what you’re looking at, having Google Translate on your phone is a smart move.

Visiting soon? Please check for announcements and exact opening hours from the museum’s website.

Local Cuisine: Polenta Taragna

Preparing Polenta in Bergamo, Italy — Preparing Polenta in Bergamo

Polenta, a special dish in Bergamo, Italy — Polenta, a special dish in Bergamo

A closer look at Polenta, Bergamo, Italy — A closer look at Polenta

Aside from all the cool stuff we’ve talked about in Bergamo, there’s one more awesome thing to do: dive into Northern Italian cuisine. Unlike the food you’d find in southern or central Italy, Bergamo’s dishes use ingredients that do well in colder weather. So, think more meat and dairy, less fish and olive oil.

You’ve gotta try some local favorites like Polenta Taragna, Casoncelli, and Scarpinocc. But Polenta Taragna is the real star here, basically Bergamo’s signature dish. It’s made from a mix of yellow cornmeal and buckwheat flour, which gives it this special taste and feel. Right before it hits your plate, they throw in some butter and cheese, making it super rich and comforting.

Polenta Taragna has a pretty bold taste. The buckwheat flour makes it darker and gives it a unique flavor, different from the usual yellow corn polenta. It’s usually the star of the meal, paired with salami or sausage.

In Bergamo, you can find Polenta Taragna at a bunch of local spots. “La Malga Osteria” on Via G.B. Rota, 1, and “Polentone Citta Alta”, famous for their polenta, are awesome places to try it. If you’re up for an event, check out “Sagra Della Polenta Taragna Di Stabello” at Centro 12, 24019 – Zogno. Just make sure to look up their opening times on their websites or give them a call for the latest info.

You can find different dining experiences in Bergamo here.

Photo Inspiration

Photo inspiration_ Romantic views to Porta San Giacomo, Bergamo, Italy

Photo inspiration_ intricate sculptures and facades in Bergamo, Italy

Photo inspiration_ golden hour appearance of Bergamo cityscape, Bergamo, Italy

Photo inspiration_ dramatic scenes from Bergamo, Italy

Photo inspiration_ another view of Bergamo, Italy

Getting there

Lastly, another great thing about Bergamo is how easy it is to get there. The city has its own airport, Caravaggio Orio al Serio International Airport, which is just a quick hop, less than 6 miles from downtown. To get to Bergamo’s upper town, Citta Alta, from the airport, just hop on bus #1. It’ll take you there in about 33 minutes. Bergamo is close to Milan too, and a lot of travelers actually prefer it over Milan.

If you’re heading there from Milan, here’s the plan: first, take a train to Caravaggio Orio al Serio International Airport. Then, catch bus #1 to Citta Alta. The whole trip should only take around an hour and a half.

Explore Beyond Bergamo

Northern Italy is one of the most beautiful regions in Europe, and Bergamo is just one of its stunning destinations. There’s so much more to see! Get started by checking out this bucket list of incredible destinations in Northern Italy.

Discover the ULTIMATE Bucket List Destinations in Northern Italy

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