Things to Do in Bergamo

A zoo and amusement park in Valbrembo was created by Angelo Ferrucio Benedetti in 1981. It is spread over an area of 100,000 square metres. The park strives for preserving the endangered wildlife and has reconstructed the original environment for the animals. 1000 animals of around 120 different species are there in this park including mammals, birds and reptiles. The animals sheltered here live in enclosures carefully designed to reconstruct their original habitats as closely as possible. The site also boasts one of the largest aviaries in the country, covering an area of about 7,000 sq m. As you explore this sprawling wildlife sanctuary, keep an eye out for endangered snow leopards, white lions, and especially white tigers, which are now completely extinct in the wild. The site includes a restaurant, picnic areas, a children’s park, and several souvenir shops.

It is located in the heart of the old town and displays a mix of medieval and Renaissance architecture. Pizza Vecchia is the heart of the city and its beauty and balanced proportion of lines and volumes makes it unforgettable. The beautiful white marble Contarini fountain in the centre is the major draw card. A walk through this majestic square is something to cherish in the memory album of Bergamo and we know why!  

Its beauty and the balanced proportion of volumes and lines that make it unforgettable are not the result of the genius of some architect, but are due to its shaping by generations of Bergamask people, in a succession of art and history. Your eye is immediately drawn to the beautiful white marble Contarini fountain in the centre, and the alignment of the buildings along the two sides directs your sight towards Palazzo della Ragione (Palace of Reason) at the end of the square. The facade of this twelfth century building is dominated by the symbolic lion of Venice, a reminder of the centuries of historic, cultural and economic relations between the two cities. Standing tall in a corner is the Civic Tower, known also as the “Campanone”, or big bell, a landmark infused with civic meaning, as demonstrated by the 180 times the large bell tolls each evening to mark the ancient curfew. This square was the seat of political and administrative power until the nineteenth century, and is overlooked by Palazzo del Podestà, the residence of Venetian rulers, and the Town Hall, which can be identified by its impressive marble façade and which today houses the Civic Library.

With the construction beginning in early 12th century, this church is dedicated to St. Mary. It had been turn erected over a roman temple of Clemence and with repeated construction changes and modifications, the structure tool around 3 centuries to complete. The restoration continuously took place all over the years which makes the church a blend of many artists and styles.

Must observe landmarks of the church:

• Piazza Duomo: the main Façade
• Bishop’s palace
• Giovanni da Campione entrance and porch which has columns supported by lions in white marble
• Isabello's Porta della Fontana entrance and porch which has fresco of Mary’s nativity
• Main apse crowned by a loggia surmounted with geometrical patterns.
• Romanesque Greek interior.

The interior includes the art work of notable artists like Allesandro Allori, Luca Giordano, Ugo da Campione, Andrea Fantoni, Bernardo Zenale, Andrea Previtali.

Inside the Basilica are buried the composer Gaetano Donizetti and his teacher Simone Mayr.

Bergamo Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Bergamo, Italy, dedicated to Saint Alexander of Bergamo, patron saint of the city. It is the seat of the Bishop of Bergamo. The construction began in 15th century and is credited to Filarete. This cathedral stands on the foundation of the only surviving cathedral out of the two built in 9th century.

With repeated conservation and renovations, the cathedral is adorned by the works of famous artists like Giovan Battista Moroni, Giovanni Cariani, Giambettino Cignaroli, Sebastiano Ricci, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, Carlo Innocenzo Carloni, Filippo Juvarra, Giovanni da Campione and Johann Karl Sanz.

Conceived by Bartolomeo Colleoni in 1472, the chapel had several restorations over the course of time. The present structure has great blend of Romanesque, Medieval, Gothic and Renaissance style of architecture. Illuminated way in polychrome marble, the chapel is serene to observe!

Built by the venetians in the 16th century, these are the megalithic walls around the citadel of Bergamo. Offering wonderful view of the Citta bassa, the wall is surrounded with a beautiful patchwork of cultivated fields, gardens and orchards.

This educative endeavour offers an insight to the science and aims to teach the students and science enthusiasts through its various sections. The main focus is on earth sciences and biological science.

Sections include:

Geolab:

• The geological time 
• The reading of the territory 
• The treasures of the Earth: air, water, rocks, minerals and fossils.
• The conscious use of resources. 

Zoological 

• Museum to find out about and safeguard the animal world 
• Animals and environments (human fauna, fauna of the Bergamo) 
• The Ark of 2000 (the protection of fauna) 

The original structure of the San Micheal al Pozzo Bianco church dates back to the 8th century. It was rebuilt in the 12th, 13th and 15th century and the facade was added in the 20th century. The Frescos were added by Giacomo Scanardi.

The interior is a single nave with beams towering to raise pointed arches having frescos from the 15th century.  The left chapel depicts the scenes of the life of Mary by artist Lorenzo Lotto. The right chapel frescos are attributed to Giovan Battista Guarinoni of Averara, and the altarpiece Madonna and Child with Saints Peter and Paul) is done by Gian Paolo Lolmo.

There are many such notable frescos by several artists and the chapel is a must-visit for art lovers!

Opened in 1906, the museum displays the collective memorabilia owned by Baroness Giovanna Geneva Rota Basoni Scotti and the life and artistic activity of Gaetano Donizetti. Occupying two rooms of the palace owned by the Opera Pia Misericordia Maggiore (formerly Palazzo Colleoni, 1173), the structure itself was modified in the 17th century and the 19th century frescos adorn the walls.

Collection includes: Furniture, autographs, portraits, scores and musical instruments. 

A small octagonal Romanesque chapel in the upper city of Bergamo, Tempietto di Santa Croce dates way back to the 11th century. The first documentation of the structure was done somewhere around 1133. Its name literally means the small temple of the holy cross. Restored in 16th century, the FRESCO work done then is still visible.

It can be spotted through an iron gate next to the south portal of the church of Santa Maria Maggiore.

This fine art gallery in Bergamo is a collection of the belongings left behind by the Count Giacomo Carrara, who was a wealthy collector and patron of the arts. The gallery is built in neoclassical style of architecture and houses works of famous artists belonging to the 15th to 17th century. Paintings, sculptures and prints are for display along with some archetypal medals, porcelain and furniture.

The art gallery is spread over three floors and 10 ten halls displaying works of artists like Pisanello, Botticelli, Bellini, Carpaccio, Mantegna, Raphael, Moroni, Baschenis, Fra Galgario, Tiepolo, Canaletto and Piccio. It has a collection from foreign artists and also hosts painting and drawing courses.

The gallery has collections obtained from donations of various art lovers.

The restaurant is located in the residential area just a short walk from the city centre. They offer traditional Lombardy cuisine and is worth it for everyone who is tired of pizza and pasta meals and wants a taste of other Italian meals. It is a family-run business and quite popular amongst locals. Phone Number :- +39 035 242366

This building has very old origins and was erected in 1340. It hosts beautiful 14thcentury statues depicting the virtues that can be found in narrow niches of the octagonal building. It is open for baptisms. 

You cannot be in Italy and not visit one of the famous pizzerias. La Ciotola is an excellent restaurant or pizzeria, for excellent pizzas in the city. It is located in the cellar of a building and is famous for its tasty pizzas. Phone Number :- 39 035 238334

It takes about 30 minutes to admire the most unusual views of the city. The lift is made of glass, including the walls inside it. As you go up in the lift, you are treated to the most spectacular views of the city’s monuments. The Campanone –the bell still rings 180 times each night.