Walking Through the Historic Heart of Bergamo Alta
Our walking tour takes you deep into the heart of medieval Bergamo Alta, winding through atmospheric alleys, ancient towers, and charming squares clustered around Piazza Vecchia, the city's historic core.
Over the centuries, buildings, streets, and squares have been restored and reshaped, yet the refined and timeless charm of the Upper City has remained wonderfully intact.
During the tour, you will discover some of Bergamo's most iconic landmarks:
Piazza Vecchia, the elegant "living room" of the city, adorned with the precious Contarini Fountain, a perfect symbol of Renaissance harmony.
Palazzo Nuovo, today home to the historic Angelo Mai Library, guardian of rare manuscripts and centuries of knowledge.
Palazzo della Ragione, one of the oldest municipal buildings in Italy, featuring its intriguing and mysterious solar clock.
The Civic Tower, known locally as the Campanone, a true symbol of Bergamo, still marking the evening with its traditional bell tolling.
The magnificent Colleoni Chapel, a jewel of the Renaissance and the mausoleum of the famous Bergamo-born condottiere Bartolomeo Colleoni.
The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, richly decorated and home to Gaetano Donizetti's funerary monument, exquisite 15th-century wooden inlays designed by Lorenzo Lotto, and precious Florentine and Flemish tapestries.
The Cathedral of Sant'Alessandro, dedicated to Bergamo's patron saint, standing proudly beside the 14th-century marble baptistery.
Leaving the monumental heart of the city, we will continue through narrow medieval lanes lined with artisan workshops, traditional osterias, antique shops, and tempting pastry shops offering local specialties. This lively stretch follows Via Gombito and Via Colleoni, the ancient Roman decumanus maximus, which has preserved its commercial vocation for over two thousand years.
If time allows, we will reach the 16th-century Porta San Giacomo, where breathtaking views open over the Lower City and the imposing Venetian Walls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2017, offering one of the most spectacular panoramas in Bergamo.
