Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Lombard pre-Alps between the Brembo and Serio river valleys and was no doubt appreci-
ated not only as a trade centre but as a handy lookout position over the vast Lombard
plains to the south. As was typical in Roman settlements, the main roads were the inter-
secting
decumanus
(east-west road; Via Gombito) and
cardo
(north-south road; today Via
Lupo and Via San Lorenzo).
Although Milan's skyscrapers to the southwest are visible on a clear day, historically
Bergamo was more closely associated with Venice, which controlled the city for 350 years
until Napoleon arrived. Medieval Bergamo was an industrious (textiles and metals) town
that was incorporated into the Venetian empire in 1428, remaining under the domination
of the Serenissima (Venetian Republic) until the latter's fall to Napoleon in 1797.
BERGAMO CARD
The
Bergamo Card
(
www.turismo-bergamo.it
; 24-/48-/72-hour card €10/15/20) is a worthwhile investment to
save a few euros. In addition to free funicular and bus transport (including the airport bus), the card entitles you to
free entry to 21 museums, among them La Rocca, Torre del Campanone, Galleria d'Arte Moderna e Contempor-
anea and Museo e Tesoro Della Cattedrale. Cards can be bought at the airport, bus station, funicular station, parti-
cipating museums and some hotels.
Sights
The best way to explore Bergamo's old town is to simply wander without haste. Via Bar-
tolomeo Colleoni and Via Gombito are lined with all sorts of curious shops and eateries.
Wander along the perimeter streets of the old town too, for rewarding panoramas from the
city's Venetian-era defensive walls.
Piazza Vecchia
PIAZZA
(Old Square)
The Upper Town's beating heart is the cafe-clad Piazza Vecchia, lined by eleg-
ant architecture that is a testament in stone and brick to Bergamo's long and colourful his-
tory. Its highlights include the Palazzo Nuovo, Palazzo del Podestà , Palazzo della Ragione
and the Torre del Campanone. Tucked in behind the secular buildings of Piazza Vecchia,
Piazza del Duomo
is the core of Bergamo's spiritual life
Le Corbusier apparently described Piazza Vecchia as the 'most beautiful square in
Europe ' - good thing they didn't let him try out any of his ideas on it. Had he done so,
