Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 035 24 87 72; Piazza del Duomo; adult/reduced €5/3; 9.30am-1pm & 2-6.30pm Tue-Sun)
Down the
steps right next to the Duomo, this glittering museum is filled with sacred art and
reliquary from the cathedral's collection, as well as displays on the cathedral's architectur-
al history.
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
BASILICA
(Piazza del Duomo; 9am-12.30pm & 2.30-6pm Apr-Oct, shorter hrs Nov-Mar)
Begun in 1137, the Ba-
silica di Santa Maria Maggiore is quite a mishmash of styles. To its whirl of Romanesque
apses (on which some external frescoes remain visible), Gothic additions were slapped on.
9am-12.30pm & 2-6.30pm Mar-Oct, 9am-12.30pm & 2-4.30pm Tue-Sun Nov-Feb)
, on the side facing the
Piazza del Duomo. Detached from the church is the octagonal
baptistry
MAP
Influences seem to come from afar, with dual-colour banding (black and white, and rose
and white) typical of Tuscany, and an interesting trompe l'œil pattern on part of the
facade.
The Cappella Colleoni, which was tacked on to the side facing the square between 1472
and 1476, was built as a magnificent mausoleum-cum-chapel for the Bergamese mercen-
ary commander Bartolomeo Colleoni (c 1400-75), who led Venice's armies in campaigns
across northern Italy. He lies buried inside in a magnificent tomb. Venetian rococo master
Giambattista Tiepolo (1696-1770) did some of the frescoes below the central dome.
The baptistry was built in 1340 but plonked in its present spot in 1898.
La Rocca
FORTRESS
(Piazzale Brigata Legnano; adult/child €3/free; 9.30am-1pm & 2.30-6pm Tue-Fri, 9.30am-7pm Sat & Sun Jun-Sep,
9.30am-1pm & 2.30-6pm Tue-Sun Oct-May)
This impressive fortress is dominated by a round tower
that dates from Bergamo's days as a Venetian outpost. La Rocca houses part of the city's
history museum
and is surrounded by a park with lovely views over lower Bergamo. The
views are even better from the tower's summit.
Torre di Gombito
TOWER
