The first thing you will see of the Porta Nuova are a pair of colonnaded, neoclassical buildings dating from the 1830s. These were old customs houses by the city gate into the lower town of Bergamo.

Take the most impressive means of transport into the old city. The Lower Funicular has been connecting the centre of Bergamo with the Upper Town (“Città Alta”) for more than 120 years, more precisely with Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe, where many business activities used to be carried out. The square (whose name means “shoes market square”) was used as a shoes market since 1430, while the building overlooking the square used to be the headquarter of the shoemakers’ guild and it currently hosts the funicular station.

You used to be able to climb the 263 steps to the top of the 12th-century Gombito Tower, this is not possible for the foreseeable future.

Piazza Vecchia the core of Città Alta. As you enter it on your left is the Palazzo Nuovo or New Palace, which served as Bergamo’s Town Hall until 1873. Today it is the seat of the Angelo Mai Library. Its incredible collection includes ancient and precious books: incunabula, books from the 1500s, engravings, manuscripts and other inestimable artefacts making it one of the most outstanding libraries in Italy. Directly opposite this is the Palazzo della Ragione, the oldest municipal seat in Lombardy. In the northwest side of Piazza Vecchia, the fresco-dappled Palazzo del Podestà was traditionally home to Venice’s representative in Bergamo. Today, the medieval building houses a small imaginative museum with audiovisual and interactive displays that tell the story of Bergamo’s Venetian age. Admission also includes access to the Torre del Campanone, with superb views over Bergamo.

On your right you will see the octagonal Battistero di Bergamo, directly in front of you the Cappella Colleoni a 15th-century funerary chapel with its coloured marble exterior & frescoed ceiling inside. To the left and behind the Cappella Colleoni is the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore built in 1137  and to its right with its  neo-classical facade the Cathedral of Sant’Alessandro, built in 1459.

The Cappella Colleoni, situated on the north side of the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, stands as a splendid mausoleum and chapel that was constructed between 1472 and 1476. Its purpose was to honor the memory of Bartolomeo Colleoni (c. 1400–1475), a renowned Bergamese mercenary commander who led the armies of Venice in campaigns across northern Italy. Bartolomeo Colleoni now rests within this magnificent tomb.

Beneath the central dome of the chapel, Venetian rococo master Giambattista Tiepolo (1696–1770) adorned the interior with exquisite frescoes. The exterior of the chapel is adorned with a stunning display of red and white marble, showcasing an authentic Italian Renaissance masterpiece. Inside, you will encounter a captivating array of artworks, including the equestrian statue of Bartolomeo Colleoni, the marble sarcophagi, the exquisite tomb of his daughter Medea, and the intricately designed wooden desks.

The Baptistery of the Cathedral is not just a physical structure but a profound embodiment of history, art, and faith.

It is a place steeped in history, spanning centuries. Its origins trace back to 1340 when it was built by Giovanni da Campione. However, it carries the legacy of an ancient baptistery that had stood near the Cathedral since the early days of Christianity, dating back to the 5th century. The Baptistery’s connection to the Cathedral is longstanding. Initially situated within the confines of S. Maria Maggiore, which, until the 15th century, was part of the same cathedral complex as the ancient church of S. Vincenzo. When S. Maria became independent from the Cathedral, the Baptistery was dismantled in 1660 and relocated first to the cloister of the Rectory and later, in 1898, to its present location in front of the Cathedral.

As a place of art, the Baptistery holds significant artistic treasures. It houses two remarkable sculptural cycles crafted by Giovanni da Campione: eight panels depicting key events from the life of Jesus Christ (such as the Annunciation, Nativity, Adoration of the Magi, Presentation in the Temple, Baptism, Capture and Condemnation, Crucifixion, Deposition, and Resurrection) within its walls. On the external corners, statues representing the theological Virtues (Faith, Hope, Charity) and the Cardinal Virtues (Justice, Prudence, Fortitude, Temperance) are displayed, with the virtue of Patience completing the ensemble. These original Gothic architectural elements were complemented during the relocation process.

Above all, the Baptistery is a place of faith where Christians receive the sacrament of baptism and embark on their journey of bearing witness to their commitment to Christ. It is where they are baptized and symbolically participate in the death and resurrection of Christ, supported by the grace received in baptism and nurtured through the other sacraments. The Baptistery’s octagonal shape symbolizes the fullness of God’s gift, the resurrection of Christ, and the new creation that baptism signifies.

This sacred space serves as a powerful reminder of the Christian heritage of our city and civilization, connecting us to our deep spiritual roots.

In the center of Piazza Vecchia stands the Civic Tower, fondly referred to as the Campanone. This impressive structure soars to a height of 52.76 meters and grants visitors a truly awe-inspiring panoramic view of the historic old town.

At its summit, which can be reached either by ascending 230 steps on foot or more comfortably via an elevator, resides the largest bell in Lombardy. To this day, at the stroke of 10 pm each night, the Campanone tolls one hundred times, serving as an enduring reminder of a bygone era when the city gates along the walls were sealed during the rule of the Venetians.

Adjacent to the Palazzo della Ragione, symbolizing civil authority, and the Bishopric, representing religious authority, the Palazzo del Podestà stands as a commanding presence overseeing the two main squares that served as the epicenters of medieval Bergamo: Piazza Duomo and Piazza Vecchia.

Constructed towards the conclusion of the 12th century, this magnificent palace was commissioned by the influential Suardi-Colleoni family, who generously offered it to the city. Over time, it evolved into the official residence of the Podestà, a foreign governor appointed for a six-month term to govern the municipality. In times of necessity, the Podestà had access to the prisons situated beneath the Civic Tower.

During the extensive period of Venetian rule, which commenced in 1428, the building underwent significant expansion and structural modifications, transforming it into the central hub for the administration of justice within the city.

Parco Del Castello Di San Vigilio is clearly visible symbol of power, the Castle of San Vigilio has for centuries been the residence Bergamo rulers for centuries. It is located 496 meters above the sea level, on top of the hill that gives it its name, overlooking the Città Alta: that’s why it used to have a strategic role in case of attacks.

Bergamo’s magnificent Venetian Walls encircle a circuit spanning over six kilometers, making it the ideal locale for a romantic stroll and the perfect vantage point to savor breathtaking sunsets. These walls have safeguarded the splendors of the Upper Town for more than four centuries and are honored as a UNESCO World Heritage site, a testament to their invaluable artistic and cultural significance.

Their construction commenced in 1561 under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Venice, initiated as a defense against potential enemy incursions. Remarkably, history, perhaps entranced by their sheer beauty, spared these fortifications from ever experiencing a siege. Consequently, they have endured virtually unchanged to the present day.

Comprising 14 bastions, 2 platforms, 100 embrasures for cannons, 2 armories, and four gates, not to mention an intricate network of underground structures featuring sallies, passages, and tunnels, the Venetian Walls offer a wealth of exploration opportunities. Don’t miss the chance to venture within the walls and explore the casemates of San Michele and San Giovanni!

However, the construction of these walls necessitated the demolition of over 250 buildings, including 8 religious establishments like the Sant’Alessandro Cathedral and the Dominican convent of Santo Stefano. Consequently, eight excommunications were issued during the course of these works.

A multitude of workers, under the guidance of both Venetian and Bergamo architects, were engaged in raising these formidable defenses due to the sheer scale of the undertaking.

The UNESCO World Heritage designation integrates the Venetian Walls into a broader, transnational site titled “Venetian fortifications between XVI and XVII Century,” intended to highlight the collective defensive systems erected by the Republic of Venice during the 16th and 17th centuries.

It’s noteworthy that some sections of these walls can trace their origins back to the Roman era, with documentation dating as far back as the 8th century. Remnants of these ancient fortifications can still be observed in locations such as via Vagine, beneath the Santa Grata cloister, and on the left side of Viale delle Mura, to the west of the funicular layout (formerly via degli Anditi). Although these ruins were in dire disrepair by the early 16th century, they were nearly entirely replaced by the new Venetian Walls, resulting in a completely fresh defensive perimeter without any vestiges of the prior fortifications.

from here either take the Via S. Giacomo to the funicular, which yo catch to get to the bottom, or walk down the ramp and head left to catch the bus back to the station.