Bergamo: Walls, Museums and Old Town Views

An evening landmark high above the city is one of Bergamo’s distinctive sights: the Campanone rises 52.76 metres above Piazza Vecchia, offering panoramic views of the old town. Even today, the bell rings more than a hundred times every evening at 10 pm. Piazza Vecchia is the heart of Bergamo Alta; the Fontana Contarini, Palazzo del Podestà, Biblioteca Angelo Mai, Palazzo della Ragione and Campanone together define the square. Construction of the tower began in the mid-12th century by the Suardi-Colleoni family, both for defensive purposes and as a symbol of political and military prestige.

Città Alta: Walls and Viewpoints

Città Alta sits on seven hills and is a medieval village of cobbled lanes, historic palaces and squares. The Venetian Walls, more than six kilometres long, are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Republic of Venice had them built in 1561 as an example of Renaissance military architecture. You can explore the walls on foot or by bike; along the way, views open up over the plain, the Orobie Pre-Alps and the city. A two-hour walk along the walls is considered suitable for all age groups and can be enjoyed at any time of year.

The Rocca di Bergamo, a 14th-century fortification, stands on Colle di Sant’Eufemia. From the Venetian tower, views stretch over Città Alta and the Orobie Pre-Alps, across the Bergamo plain and as far as Milan. The gun galleries of San Giovanni also offer a glimpse inside the fortress: visits are possible during events and as part of guided tours.

Art, History and Collections

Bergamo’s museums focus on a range of subjects. The Accademia Carrara displays more than 300 paintings and sculptures spanning five centuries of Italian art, from the Renaissance to the 19th century. At the Museo Donizettiano, scores, letters, portraits and personal belongings tell the story of Gaetano Donizetti. After a short closure for restoration, the museum reopened in 2015 with sound and interactive stations where visitors can listen to his works; the facilities may change over time.

The Museo Archeologico di Bergamo takes visitors through galleries devoted to prehistory and early history, the Egyptian collection, the Gauls and Romans, the lapidarium and the Early Middle Ages. The Museo Civico di Scienze Naturali Enrico Caffi brings together mineralogical, geological, palaeontological, zoological and ethnographic collections. Along the visitor route, there are playful and educational activities; individual offerings may change. A tour of the Torre dei Caduti explains the development of the Piacentini district and the modern city of Bergamo. At the top is a viewing terrace.

The Convento di San Francesco preserves its cloisters and a chapter house with fresco cycles dating from the 14th to the 17th century. A viewing terrace looks out over the confluence of the Brembana and Seriana valleys. These historic spaces bring art and architecture together with a direct view of the landscape.

Green Spaces and Local Cuisine

The Parco dei Colli di Bergamo includes the municipality of Bergamo and the medieval centre of Città Alta. In the surrounding landscape, the wider Parco dei Colli stretches for 40 kilometres across green hills, from Città Alta towards Canto Alto. The Orto Botanico di Bergamo Lorenzo Rota is dedicated to preserving endangered plants and supports projects to reintroduce threatened species into the wild. Its Astino area, known as Valle della Biodiversità, is a 25-minute walk from Città Alta; this walking time is a guide and may vary depending on the route. Private tours are available for a fee and with a reservation made a few days in advance, including in other languages. Check what is available before your trip.

Bergamo’s traditional cuisine includes polenta taragna, brasato, casoncelli, creste scalvine, stracciatella and torta Donizetti. You can sample traditional dishes in restaurants and traditional eateries; historic shops and local food markets offer further opportunities to buy local products. Bergamo is considered one of Europe’s leading cheese capitals, with 30 traditional specialities, nine DOP-protected cheeses and three Slow Food Presidia. For a food-focused trip, this offers a distinct way to experience the character of the city alongside its art and history.

Discover More Destinations

Costa Di Mezzate, Borgo Di Terzo, Valbondione, Villa Dʼalmè, Stezzano, Stalettì, Selvino, Sarnico, San Pellegrino Terme, Predore, Grassobbio, Urgnano, Riva Di Solto, Cisano Bergamasco, Treviglio, Villa Di Serio, Costa Volpino, Bianzano, Piazzatorre, Foppolo, Fonteno, Tavernola Bergamasca, Endine, Selino Basso, Calusco D'adda, Martinengo, Gromo, Ornica, Mozzanica, Monasterolo del Castello, Pumenengo, San Pantaleone, Vigolo, Oneta, Misano Di Gera D'adda, Colere, Valleve, Schilpario, Clusone, Calcinate, Comun Nuovo, Brembilla, Dalmine, Castro, Trescore Balneario, Palazzago, Terno D'isola, Zanica, Valtorta, Clanezzo, Cavaglià, Castione Della Presolana, Cologno Al Serio, Verdellino, Grumello Del Monte, Costa Valle Imagna, Antegnate, Vall'alta, Medolago, Lovere, Bagnella, Sotto Il Monte Giovanni Xxiii, Canonica D'adda, Alzano Lombardo, Fara Gera D'adda, Villongo, Ponte San Pietro, Carona, Almenno San Salvatore, Camerata Cornello, Romano Di Lombardia, Telgate, Zandobbio, Branzi, Mapello, Serina, Azzano San Paolo, Pontida, Sorisole, Seriate, Paladina, Bonate Sopra, Bergamo, Almenno San Bartolomeo, Fuipiano Valle Imagna, Rota D'imagna, Bagnatica, San Paolo D'argon, Ponteranica, Presezzo, Bossico, Osio Sotto, Treviolo, Cavernago, Roncola, Boltiere, Brusaporto, Fino Del Monte, Mozzo, Scanzorosciate, Brembate, Montello, Leffe, Lallio, Aviatico, Villassio, Ambria-spino, Barzana, Torre Boldone, Capriate San Gervasio, Spinone Al Lago, Locate Bergamasco, Albino, Rovetta, Bracca, Marne, Verdello, Gandosso, Bonate Sotto, Adrara San Rocco, Carobbio, Mezzoldo, Colla-muggiasca, Piazza Brembana, Bordogna, Brumano, Entratico, Roncobello, Fiumenero, Sant'Erasmo, Bariano, Foresto Sparso, Zogno, Vigano San Martino, Averara, Malpaga, Gazzaniga, Scano Al Brembo, Chiuduno, Fontanella, Grignano, Colognola, Cassiglio, Palosco, Bottanuco, Carvico, Ghisalba, Arcene, Parzanica, Solto Collina, Gromlongo, Cene, Oltre Il Colle, Orio Al Serio, Olda, Nembro, Cenate Sopra

For the regional travel overview: Lombardy.