Location: Bergamo
Top Things to do in Bergamo
The 10 Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in Bergamo, Lombardy
Bergamo is a northern Italy treasure. Dating from 49 BC, Bergamo has two centers: the Alta (upper) city and the Bassa (lower) city, connected by a funicular and walking trails. For historic sites, go to Alta for the Piazza Vecchia,the Cattedrale di Bergamo e Battistero, and the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore Baptistry, as well as the quirky mausoleum of Rastelli, the world famous juggler. Bassa is more modern and residential, and boasts Via 20 Settembre - the shopping district.
Restaurants in Bergamo
1. Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,500 reviews
Reviewed By Margo7850p
The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore is a church located in Bergamo Alta, in Piazza del Duomo, right next to the Cathedral. The church was built as a vote of gratitude by the inhabitants of Bergamo for defending the city against drought, hunger and plague that hit the city and the surrounding area in 1133. The temple was built in the second half of the 12th century in the Romanesque style on a Greek cross plan with three naves. The interior makes a gigantic impression. The interior of the basilica was rebuilt in the 17th century, the dome's interior was also changed during this period. The original Romanesque layout on the Greek cross plan has been preserved, but the decor is baroque. It is worth paying attention to the crucifix from the fourteenth century. The basilica lacks a central entrance. All four existing entrances are side entrances. The Portal of the Red Lions with a portico by Giovanni da Campione opens on Piazza del Duomo. From the south, the Portal of the White Lions overlooks Piazza Rosate, and to the left of it the Portal of the Fountain by Pietro Isabello. Beautiful place. You have to see them.
2. Cappella Colleoni
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 784 reviews
Reviewed By Margo7850p
A true jewel of Renaissance architecture in Bergamo , an example of everlasting beauty. The chapel was built as a funeral chapel for the great captain Ventura of Bergamo, Bartolomeo Colleoni of Amadeo. Here is located a tomb with a beautiful golden sarcophagus and a monument. The chapel adjoins the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. However, there is a separate entrance from the outside. No photography allowed inside. A real masterpiece that I highly recommendto visit.
3. Accademia Carrara
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 640 reviews
The picture gallery of the Accademia Carrara, founded in 1796 by Giacomo Carrara, is considered to be the fruit of Italian collecting and one of the finest European art museum. Over six hundred artworks are on display in the museum, arranged in 28 rooms over two floors. They include masterpieces by Pisanello, Mantegna, Bellini, Botticelli, Raphael, Titian, Lotto, Moroni and other leading Italian painters, offering a journey through five centuries of Italian art history, from the beginning of the fifteenth to the end of the nineteenth century.
Reviewed By ParoleAnima - Milan, Italy
The Pinacoteca Accademia Carrara contains an astonishing collection of paintings from the 14th to the 18th centuries, among the important in Italy, and includes masterpieces from Mantegna, Bellini, Raffaello, and Canaletto. Some of the more modern works reflect the macchiaioli, such as those of Giuseppe Pillizza da Volpeda. The Accademia has almost 1,800 paintings in all, plus 134 sculptures, almost 3,000 drawings, 7,500 prints, and about 1,200 coins and medals from ancient Greece to the 18th century. They are housed in a handsome 18th century edifice built as an art school with a pinacoteca (museum) on the upper floor. When the latter grew too big, the school moved out and the whole building became a museum. It was thoughtfully renovated some years ago and re-opened in 2015 as a well-organized, well-lit, well-maintained museum, with collections arranged chronologically and divided by schools of art. Too bad for the museum that almost nobody comes, but that works to the great advantage of art lovers who do.
4. Cattedrale (Duomo) di Bergamo e Battistero
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 991 reviews
Reviewed By canadianeagle2015
Very beautiful cathedral. I would rank it higher than the "Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore". They are right next to each other and should visit both.
5. Chiesa di San Michele al Pozzo Bianco
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 121 reviews
Reviewed By Margo7850p
A small church that is hardly noticed from the outside. You cross the threshold and immerse yourself in the spirituality of the Middle Ages. A 15th-century church with one nave decorated with numerous frescoes and "Scenes of Mary's life" and "Annunciation" by Lorenzo Lotto. Also visit the crypt, which is the oldest in the Bergamo area. The Church of San Michele Al Pozzo Bianco is the jewel of Bergamo's Citta Alta. A timeless place. For those who love the raw simplicity of the art of this period, it is an unforgettable experience. Admission free.
6. Teatro Donizetti
7. Social Theater of Bergamo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 80 reviews
Storico teatro della Città Alta, ristrutturato recentemente, bell'esempio dell'architettura neoclassica che ha avuto in Bergamo l'architetto Pollak come rappresentante.
Reviewed By 487ALISONH - Harrogate, United Kingdom
This theatre , a perfect 18/19th century gem , has close connections with Donizetti , who was born in and received his early musical education here . Appropriate that the Donizetti Festival that started only a few years ago , should be based here . We were lucky enough to get seats here for both performances of this year's featured operas , the seldom performed Enrico de Borgogna , and Il Castello di Kenilworth , which features our own Elizabeth the First ( who appears in 3 other Donizetti operas , none which are very historically accurate !) . In both operas international singers of considerable talent and reputation appeared and gave impressive performances , notwithstanding the rather odd production of the first-named opera . At the other performance the atmosphere was really Italian as one imagines it . The house rang to cries of brava , bravo and bravi in appreciation of the wonderful singing . For the best view of the stage the stalls are to be recommended ; in the boxes , depending on their relationship to the stage , you may have to sit at an odd angle to see the action completely .
8. Museo di Scienze Naturali "E. Caffi"
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 403 reviews
Reviewed By elmila - Stuttgart, Germany
We were here in Science Week. That means we were allowed to visit the museum for free. It was a lot of fun and we learned a lot!
9. Meridiana Monumentale del Palazzo della Ragione
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 218 reviews
Reviewed By alessandrofL127YD - Milan, Italy
The sun enters the portico and give you the time, fantastic. Once you understand how it works, it’s great to spend a few minutes looking at how the sun, so far away, is dedicated to drawing the floor so close to gold. To think how easy it is to forget that there is nothing in the course of our days that can happen without the rest of the universe moving to allow us who are here to enjoy the light and the shadow, to observe the drawings generated by a small hole.
10. Palazzo Terzi
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