It starts from the parking lot of the Italcementi Sports Center on Via dello Statuto until it reaches St. Vigilio Castle; families with small children are advised to equip themselves with backpacks or baby carriers instead of strollers to enjoy the experience to the fullest and in agility.
The cobbled streets, the typical stone steps that run alongthe slopes of the Hills and accompany you to vantage points among the greenery and ancient dwellings, arethe protagonists in the route.
Starting from the parking lot of the Italcementi Sports Center, the first staircase one encounters is the Scaletta delle More, which at first opens up as a cobbled street, then turns into a staircase of no less than 245 steps, surrounded by dry stone walls. The little staircase leads toward Borgo Canale. From here it is possible to admire one of the most striking views of this route. Beautiful villas with manicured gardens alternate with quiet streets and alleys far from the traffic and noise of the city. This place grants a perfect view of the plain, but also of Città Alta. Our itinerary continues by turning right and then left to take Via S. Martino where the Scorlazzino steps begin.
The Scaletta dello Scorlazzino climb consists of alternating steps and cobblestones surrounded by dry stone walls and vertical cypress trees.
Further on, one can see on the left, about a kilometer into the climb, the Temple of the Fallen, a necessary stage along with the Sudorno road to get to the Scorlazzone, brother and continuation of the Scorlazzino. On this climb there is an atmosphere of yesteryear accompanied by a quietness that is indispensable to fully enjoy the view above the entire plain. Scorlazzino and Scorlazzone are the most evocative stairways in Bergamo and the ones most loved by the Bergamasks: embraced by vegetable gardens, nature and historic homes, they provide wonderful views from different areas of the city.
Continuing the climb up the Scaletta Scorlazzone to kilometer 1.4 you are greeted by the San Vigilio church and just beyond it is the San Vigilio funicular. A stop on the terrace at the exit of the funicular is a must: it is the most beautiful vantage point in the entire city. Further on, still slightly uphill, you reach San Vigilio Castle, which instead offers a very wide view of the Orobie Bergamasche on one side and the plain and Milan on the other. At this point one can begin to descend in the direction of Porta S. Alessandro where, just before, on the right, one takes a short downward flight of steps that leads to the majestic Church of Santa Grata inside which one can observe the cycle of canvases, depicting scenes of living skeletons made by the 19th-century artist Bonomini. Continuing along the street you will come across the Birthplace of Gaetano Donizetti, one of Bergamo’s most famous composers, on the right and from which you turn right onto Via Tre Armi.
From Via Tre Armi, take a right onto Via degli Orti and, immediately to the left, take the last staircase of this route: the Fontanabrolo Staircase. Between a few changes of direction and the cobblestone ground, the Fontanabrolo quickly leads to the end point: it reaches a challenging gradient, as much as 30 percent. But this rapid descent takes you right back to where you started, to Via dello Statuto.
