Travel

Bergamo. A Tale Of Two Cities

Bergamo is not a big city. And it's not very famous either, I mean, how many of you have heard about it before? When given the chance to visit Italy everybody crowds in ever famous Rome, Venice or Florence keeping it safely on the beaten path. But Italy has more to offer then only what makes it to the travel guides.

Bergamo is a hidden gem living it's day by day life in the shadow of Milan. Why? Because it's so close to it that most of the people landing at Orio al Serio International Airport or Milan Bergamo Airport, mostly used by the low cost airlines, head for Milan without ever knowing how beautiful Bergamo really is.

On our way back to the airport we decided to check out Bergamo too. We only had a couple of hours left as we spent more then expected in the Monumental Cemetery in Milan, but we figured it out that it was better than nothing. So we took the train from the Garibaldi Train Station and we arrived in Bergamo three quarters of an hour later. As the visitor gets out of Bergamo's small rail station a charming view locks the eye. A long avenue crosses the "Citta Bassa", the modern lower city, leading all the way up to the "Citta Alta", the old, medieval upper city. It is a glorious sight! The Tourist Information Office is at the right and you can get all the info and maps you need from there for free. As we didn't have much time we took the bus straight to the Citta Alta. A funicular is also available, linking Citta Bassa with Citta Alta and offering spectacular panoramic views of the Lower City. However, once you are inside the old town's walls it's like you stepped back in time.

Facade of Santa Maria Maggiore Church, Bergamo

Bergamo is situated at the foot of the Alps but it's charm comes along with its wealth of artistic treasures. Once in Citta Alta we headed for Piazza Vecchia (photo on top), the heart of the old town, displaying a mix of beautiful medieval and Renaissance architecture. And just behind it, in Piazza Duomo, are two of the most beautiful churches you will ever see: the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore and Bergamo's Cathedral.

The Church of Santa Maria Maggiore was founded in 1137 on the site of a previous religious edifice of the 7th century and the construction continued until the 15th century. The external Romanesque structure and the Greek cross plan with a nave and two aisles divided by pilasters and ending with an apse are a heritage from the original building. However the interior's rich decoration is largely from the 17th century's Baroque renovation. The walls are covered with Florentine tapestries and the dome has frescoes by Giovanbattista Tiepolo. It is impossible to grasp all the details of such heavily decorated church but one can at least marvel for a few minutes at how amazing the human imagination truly can be.

Ceiling of the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, Bergamo

The Cathedral of Bergamo or Duomo di Bergamo was built in the late 17th century and is dedicated to Sant'Alessandro, patron saint of the city. Though Bergamo's Cathedral is not as impressing as the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, the first chapel on the left as you enter the church is of surreal great beauty. Probably it is better to visit the Cathedral first for your experience not to get spoiled by the riches in Santa Maria Maggiore Church. The entrance is free for both churches.

Ceiling of the first chapel on the left as you enter Bergamo's Cathedral

Cathedral of Bergamo

Bergamo has other hidden gems. However, that's all we managed to see. I recommend spending at least a whole afternoon in Bergamo and explore by foot the cobbled streets of the medieval city and have some home made Italian gelato. Also I advise you pay great attention to what bus you take as they have a very strange numbering. For example there are bus 1A, bus 1B, bus 1C, or bus no 1 red, bus no 1 blue, etc. and each of them takes you to a different destination. Its like they ran out of numbers. I didn't manage to figure our the logic behind the public transportation system in Bergamo, but if anybody can enlighten me, please do!

So we took the bus to the airport and we had a nice flight back home. We arrived in Valencia 20 minutes before schedule. I never thought that was even possible. Well done RyanAir!

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