Bergamo hotels

Hotels in Bergamo

An Italian treasure is easily the best way to describe Bergamo, situated in eastern Lombardy, around 30 miles from Milan in Northern Italy. It is a real-life tale of two cities, stretching from Città Bassa, the busy and more modern lower city, to Città Alta, the upper city with its rich heritage of art and Renaissance history. Here, Baroque architecture is set among a tangle of tiny medieval streets and is embraced by five kilometres of Venetian walls.

Historic Sights

Those wishing to see and learn more about Italy's rich history should visit Cittá Alta and the café-clad Piazza Vecchia, the heart of the old town. Lined by a mixture of medieval and Renaissance architecture, Pizza Vecchia boasts beautiful fountains and busy bars.

The Cappella Colleoni, at the side of the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, was built as a magnificent mausoleum for the Bergamese mercenary commander Bartolomeo Colleoni (c 1400–1475). Colleoni led Venice's armies in campaigns across northern Italy, and lies buried inside in a magnificent tomb.

Bergamo hotels all lie within reach of San Vigilio - a small hilltop village that can be reached on foot or by funicolare (cable car) from Città Alta. It offers walks with spectacular views and a ruined castle, entry into which is free. Also part of a public park, it is well worth the climb all the way to the top of the castle for some more stunningly beautiful views.

Art

Just east of the old city walls visitors can find one of Italy's great art repositories and fine arts academy, Accademia Carrara. Founded in 1780, it contains an exceptional range of Italian masterpieces, with Raphael's San Sebastiano being a particular highlight. Other great artists represented include Botticelli, Canaletto, Mantegna and Titian.

Music

Music fans will delight in the Museo Donizettiano (Donizetti Museum), located at Via Arena. It chronicles the life of composer Gaetano Donizetti, who was born in the city in 1797, and now lies at rest in the church of Santa Maria Maggiore. In the museum nearby, musical instruments and artefacts from the professional and private life of Donizetti are displayed. Bergamo's main theatre is dedicated to Donizetti and once every year, a popular opera season is held celebrating Donizetti and his contemporaries.

Food

Italy boasts some of the best dining experiences in the world and Bergamo is no exception. Giopi e Margi in the Via Borgo Palazzo is one of Bergamo's best kept secrets. A family run traditional restaurant serving Lombardy cuisine, it is well worth a visit by anyone wishing to enjoy a good, traditional Italian meal.

Those with a taste for fantastic Italian ice cream should try La Siesta Via Sant'Alessandro, while La Bruschetta, just off Porta Nuova, is a great value restaurant with a pizzeria built into the cellar.

For tasty Italian delights, sophisticated arts and culture, Bergamo will give you a trip to remember.