Surrounded by the embrace of the Venetian Walls and nestled in the 4700-hectare Parco dei Colli, a green area of 4700 hectares, Città Alta is the historic core of Bergamo.
Reach it on foot, starting from the modern Città Bassa, via romantic stone stairways that climb up the sides of the hill, or breach the walls with the funicular railway that has been going up and down with its carriages for more than 100 years. You’ll discover a medieval village with its ancient cobblestone streets, the architecture of its historic buildings, and squares. Picturesque glimpses of a timeless village.
You will find yourself walking along the Corsarola, the main street that runs through the entire Upper Town.
Along the way you will reach Piazza Vecchia, the central core of the borough, a perfect harmony of solids and voids.
In the center is the famous Contarini Fountain, with its sphinxes, one facing the neoclassical building of the Mai Library and the other the Palazzo della Ragione, representing reason and knowledge, man’s resources in the face of life’s challenges.
Towering above the Palazzo del Podesta is the Campanone, the civic tower, on which to climb for a breathtaking view.
Every evening, at 10 p.m., the ritual of 100 chimes marks the time when Bergamasks were called to re-enter through the 4 doors that open into the Venetian Walls, which were promptly closed.
A tip: At sunset, walk around the perimeter of the walls to enjoy a fantastic sunset.
The walls measure about 6 km and you can walk along them to discover picturesque corners and views of the surrounding area.
Past the arcades of the Palazzo della Ragione, you are in Piazza Duomo, where some of the old city’s gems stand: the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, the Capella Colleoni and the Duomo.
After discovering the iconic Piazza Vecchia, continuing along Corsarola, you will arrive at the Cittadella Viscontea, a fortified structure complementary to the Rocca that rises on the opposite side of the old city, to the east, together with which it forms the city’s defensive system.
Passing through the Citadel gate or near Adalbert’s Tower you will reach Colle Aperto, where a taste of Stracciatella is a must and where you will find, past St. Alexander’s Gate, the second funicular.
The one that leads to San Vigilio, the highest hill.
The view from up there is absolutely not to be missed.
Diametrically opposite, on the other side of the upper town, stands the Rocca with the beautiful Parco delle Rimembranze, houses the 19th-century museum inside.
An interesting street to follow downhill is Via Porta Dipinta, near which stands Palazzo Moroni with its gardens, you will arrive at the Fara and the monastery of Sant’Agostino, home of the University of Bergamo, surrounded by its beautiful park and Porta Sant’Agostino, which houses a museum dedicated to the walls.
