Bergamo is one of the few cities in Italy where a walled historic center has been preserved. The city is divided into two major districts - La Citta Alta (Old Town) and La Citta' Bassa (New Town).
Detailed maps of Bergamo with sights can be found both on the global network and in numerous tourist brochures that can be obtained from tourist centers at the airport and in the city itself. Google interactive maps received the greatest number of favorable reviews from tourists.
The most visited place in the Old Town, which no guidebook overlooks, is Piazza Vecchia. Here, you'll find Palazzo della Ragione and the beautiful Contarini Fountain. Most of the famous photos of Bergamo's landmarks are taken in this square. It's worth noting that many of the city's most famous landmarks were built with the money of renowned citizens and gifted to the city. Such memorable places in Bergamo include the Angelo Mai Library, the Contarini Fountain, and the Colleoni Chapel.
A complete description of the attractions in La Citta Alta is incomplete without mentioning the numerous cathedrals that were built during different periods of Bergamo's history. The oldest ones among them are the cathedrals of Sant'Alessandro and San Vincenzo. In these cathedrals, you can admire magnificent frescoes created by talented Italian artists. The ensemble of the cathedral is beautifully complemented by the Colleoni Chapel, built in the traditional Lombard style of the Renaissance era.
Another unique monument of the Orthodox religion is the Baptistery, which is built in the shape of an octagon. At the center of the building, you'll find the famous baptismal font of Jesus Christ, depicted in marble reliefs.
The church of Santa Maria Maggiore stands out with its astonishing beauty, especially the world-renowned portal known as Porta della Fontana, designed by the architect Isabetta. It is here that one of Bergamo's most famous natives, the composer Gaetano Donizetti, is buried.
The itinerary of the attractions in the modern part of Bergamo, La Citta' Bassa, will also captivate you with its numerous discoveries. First and foremost, it is home to one of Italy's richest art galleries, the Accademia Carrara, founded in 1796 by Giacomo Carrara. Here you can admire masterpieces by Raphael, Botticelli, Tiepolo, and other artists. As of 2006, the gallery houses over 1,800 paintings in its halls and storerooms.
Several attractions in La Citta' Bassa bear the names of great Bergamo natives. One such memorable place is the Gaetano Donizetti Opera Theater. We also recommend visiting the Palazzo Frizzoni and the church of Santa Maria della Grazia.
