The sacred heart of the city owes its name to the imposing Cathedral that overlooks it, located opposite the Baptistery, Episcope and Curia.
Before the Serenissima built the present-day Piazza Vecchia, this was the city square, dedicated to St. Vincent. Here notices were issued, notarial acts were notarized, exchanges were held, and bargains were made. In the is the Cathedral of St. Alexander, dedicated to Bergamo’s patron saint. The present building, rich in art and history, dates from the 17th century, although the original church was founded much earlier. Opposite the cathedral is the Baptistery, a valuable Renaissance work of art, built by Giovanni da Campione in the 14th century and moved to Piazza Duomo in the 19th century. To the side of the cathedral stands the Palazzo della Ragione, once the political and administrative heart of the city. This building has a history dating back to the 12th century, and is one of the oldest municipal buildings in Italy. Next door is the magnificent Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, famous for its extraordinarily rich interior and complex architectural style that blends Romanesque and Baroque. In addition to the religious and historic buildings, cobblestone streets branch off from the square, and walking along them you can enjoy an authentic experience of life in the upper city.