Bergamo: A Visit to Lombardy’s Beautiful Hilltop Town

Into the Upper Town

Once you exit the Upper Town funicular station you will find yourself on the Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe (shoes market square) as this area was used to sell shoes since the early 15th century.

From here, a street called Via Gombito will take you right into the heart of the Upper Town.

The Upper Town is Bergamo’s historic old town centre and it’s a beautiful area to take a casual stroll.

The winding streets and small piazzas (public squares) in the Upper Town are highly picturesque.

Of course, you can’t travel to Italy without stopping for coffee and a pastry at one of the many local cafés, of which you will find plenty in the Upper Town of Bergamo.

I visited Pasticceria Cavour, where I enjoyed my espresso and pastry the Italian way: Standing at the bar.

Piazza Vecchia

Piazza Vecchia (Old Square) is the heart of the Upper Town of Bergamo.

This wonderful square is flanked by some of the most important buildings of the city such as the 12th century Palazzo della Ragione, a magnificent palace which served as town hall and courthouse throughout history.

Another landmark on this square is the Campanone, a 12th century tower.

For a small fee you can climb to the top of the Campanone from where you have some fine views over the Upper Town.

Bergamo churches

Directly behind the Palazzo della Ragione stands Bergamo’s Cathedral, which is dedicated to Saint Alexander (Sant’Alessandro).

Make sure you also take a look at the octagonal baptistery, which can be found across the square.

Right behind the cathedral you can find a church that is perhaps even more magnificent.

The Basilica of Saint Mary Major (Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore) was built in Lombard Romanesque style, although the interior of this church is baroque.

However, it’s the richly decorated Colleoni Chapel attached to the façade of this church that steals the show.

Citadel

At the far end of the Upper Town of Bergamo you can find the citadel, which is also well-worth a visit.

You enter the citadel through the Campanella Tower, after which you will find yourself on the Piazza della Cittadella (Citadel Square).

This courtyard with its Romanesque vaults dates back to 1379 and the surrounding buildings used to house the local military garrison.

The citadel nowadays houses two museums, the Archaeology Museum as well as the Science Museum.

San Vigilio Funicular

Although you can walk to the top of San Vigilio Hill, it’s much more fun to take the funicular.

You can find the lower funicular station just behind the Porta Sant’Alessandro.

Make sure you sit or stand at the left side of the funicular when going up for the best views over the surrounding area.

Of course, if you stand all the way towards the back you can enjoy some equally great views back over the track and the Upper Town.

Exploring San Vigilio

San Vigilio is a beautiful part of Bergamo to stroll around, especially so on a sunny day.

From San Vigilio Hill, you have some sprawling views over the entire city of Bergamo and the surrounding countryside.

The most interesting sights on San Vigilio Hill are the local church and the ruins of an old castle.

Parts of the fortifications of San Vigilio Castle such as some of its bastions and walls are still relatively intact and have been turned into a pleasant park.

You’ll also find a few appealing bars and restaurants on San Vigilio, making this area of Bergamo a great place for lunch or an Aperol Spritz or two.

Back downhill

After a nice time exploring San Vigilio I headed back towards the funicular station for the ride downhill.

This time I stood right behind the funicular driver, watching the beautiful views in front of us as we approached the Upper Town.

Bergamo walls

Back in Bergamo’s Upper Town there was still one major sight I had to visit.

The entire Upper Town of Bergamo is surrounded by 16th century Venetian walls, casemates and bastions.

They are rather more peaceful these days as the fortifications have been turned into a public park.

From the old bastions you have some formidable views over the Lower Town of Bergamo.

Porta San Giacomo

The most impressive part of the city walls of Bergamo is arguably the beautiful white marble gate called Porta San Giacomo.

San Giacomo Gate is adorned with the winged lion of Venice, which symbolises Saint Mark the Evangelist.

From this gate, its walkway and the surrounding bastions you have a stunning view over the Lower Town.

Right opposite San Giacomo Gate you can find the 18th century Medolago Albani Palace.

Restaurant

Although there are plenty of good quality restaurants to choose from in both the Upper and the Lower Town of Bergamo, my favourite restaurant to visit is Mimi La Casa dei Sapori.

Mimi’s buttered ravioli is absolutely divine and their desserts are equally amazing.

As the place is popular, you are well-advised to make a reservation when you visit Mimi at peak lunch or dinner time.

Bergamo speciality

A Bergamo speciality that you have try when you visit Bergamo on your travels through Italy is Polenta e Osèi.

Although it may look like a scoop of polenta, it’s actually a sweet sponge cake.

You can find the treat in cafés and pasticcerie all over the city.

Back to the station

After a great visit to Bergamo it was time to head back to the train station to continue my travels.

From Bergamo’s railway station you have great train connections to Brescia, Milan as well as Lake Como, where I would be heading next.

Conclusion

Make sure you also ride Bergamo’s famous funiculars when you visit the city.

These funiculars can bring you all the way up to San Vigilio Hill from where you have some fantastic views over Bergamo.

Trip report index

This article is part of the ‘Scenic Trains Around Switzerland and the Italian Lakes‘ trip report, which consists of the following chapters: