If you love panoramic, breathtaking, 360-degree views … Bergamo is for you! Packed with must-see stops, it will take you from the urban to the natural environment in an itinerary that spans history, art and the spectrum of the most beautiful emotions-all strictly at height.
Following this route you will visit landmarks of the city, from the Torre dei Caduti to the magnificent Venetian walls of the 1500s, from the 14th-century Rocca to the thousand-year-old Torre del Gombito, to the legendary Campanone in Piazza Vecchia to end on a high note on the hill of San Vigilio, which towers over all of Bergamo and the green Parco dei Colli.
Leaving the Propilei of Porta Nuova behind and proceeding in the direction of Viale Roma, you’ll reach Piazza Vittorio Veneto, the heart of the modern city, in a matter of minutes, overlooked by the Cloister of Santa Marta, the Piacentiniano Center and some of Bergamo’s most iconic venues. After a coffee and an exploratory stop at the beautiful arcades, enter the Torre dei Caduti: the six floors of stairs – on foot or by elevator – will be repaid by the breathtaking view of the Lower Town from the terrace at the top.
Looking southeast you’ll see the Donizetti Theater, to the east the Quadriportico del Sentierone with the Centro Piacentiniano, to the west Palazzo Frizzoni (seat of the City Hall) and, of course, to the north-northwest the magnificent skyline of Città Alta.
Once off the Tower it is time to reach Bergamo Alta, and you can do so while keeping the skyline of the city on the hill always in front of you.
Continue along Viale Roma and walk the entire length of Viale Vittorio Emanuele II, until you come to the Lower Station of the Funicular Railway. Take a seat in one of its carriages and experience the thrill of going up the hill thanks to the tracks that have linked the two Bergamo for over a hundred years, passing between villas and gardens. The Upper Station enjoys a wide view of the lower town and gives access to Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe; turn left and walk down Via S. Giacomo. Flanking ancient aristocratic palaces, you will thus reach Porta San Giacomo and enjoy a long walk downhill on the ramparts of the Venetian walls. From here your gaze sweeps over a new, splendid panorama of Bergamo, its province, the Alps and, on clear days, even the plain as far as Milan.
Leaving Viale delle Mura near Porta S. Agostino, when you find the former Church of S. Agostino on your right turn left and take Via Porta Dipinta.
Among ancient signs and buildings of great historical value such as S. Michele al Pozzo Bianco, you will return to Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe, the funicular railway square.
Take Via alla Rocca, the first on the right, and in five minutes you will reach the Rocca di Bergamo, surrounded by the magnificent Parco delle Rimembranze.
Here, too, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding area, both from the ramparts and from the tower.
The walk through history also continues in the garden, dotted with numerous relics from the two world wars.
Back in Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe, it is time to delve into the heart of the village.
Leaving Via alla Rocca, turn right and continue along Via del Gombito, among stores and typical establishments.
After about 5 minutes, past the Church of S. Pancrazio, on your left you will find the Torre del Gombito, behind which is the Antico Lavatoio di Via Mario Lupo, now restored and once again full of water.
The entrance to the tower is also the tourist information office of Città Alta.
Book your visit here, climb to the top and enjoy a 360-degree view of all of Bergamo Alta – 263 steps for a truly privileged lookout!
The tower is a must-see: it exudes its millennial charm even from the outside, tall and stern, still guarding the intersection of what in ancient Roman times were the cardo and decumanus, the two arteries of the town.
After a tasty lunch break of Bergamo specialties, the Civic Tower, Bergamo’s beloved “Campanone,” located at the corner of Palazzo della Ragione and Palazzo del Podestà, awaits you in Piazza Vecchia.
By elevator – or on foot if you want to dispose – you can reach the top of the tower that once struck one hundred chimes as the gates of Città Alta closed, and enjoy unexpected views of Piazza Duomo, Città Alta and the Orobic mountains.
The perfect location for unforgettable photos!
But the grand finale awaits you at the ancient castle that towers over the entire city. Leaving Piazza Vecchia, turn left and take Via Colleoni, pass Piazza Mascheroni and Piazza della Cittadella, until you find yourself at Largo Colle Aperto. Beyond the traffic circle you will see a monumental arch: it is one of the four 16th-century gates of Città Alta, Porta S. Alessandro. Go through it and, on the right, you will find the S. Vigilio Funicular – a three-minute dizzying ascent to the top of the hill, between city, sky and terraced vegetable gardens, where you can feel on top of the world.
For an even more special ending, reach S. Vigilio Castle, in whose garden there is a table-meridian that will point out the names of the mountains over which to sweep your gaze. After that, if you wish, you can take one of the roads or stairways that descend from the hill and discover the views offered by the city’s trekking in the Park of the Hills.
