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Top 10 Outstanding Facts about Bergamo

Bergamo is one of the most beautiful, Italian cities located in alpine Lombardy region of northern Italy. It is an ancient city founded by the Celts and is known as the capital of the Province of Bergamo.  The city is close to the Bergamo Alps, at an elevation of roughly 249 meters 817 ft.

It is approximately 40 km (25 mi) northeast of Milan, and about 30 km (19 mi) from Switzerland, the alpine lakes Como and Iseo and 70 km (43 mi) from Garda and Maggiore. It later became a part of Venice from 1428 to 1797.

The Bergamo Alps (Alpi Orobie) begin immediately north of the city. Bergamo occupies the site of the ancient town of Bergomum, founded as a settlement of the Celtic tribe of Cenomani. Bergamo was merged into the Italian Kingdom in 1859 after it was ruled by the Visconti family in 1329.

1.Bergamo is the fourth-largest city in Lombardy

Bergamo seats at the Province of Bergamo, with a population of around 120,000, over 1,100,000 residents as of 2017. According to research, Bergamo metropolitan area is part of the broader Milan metropolitan area, home to over 8 million people. The metropolitan area extends beyond the administrative city limits, spanning over a densely urbanized area with slightly less than 500,000 inhabitants.

2.Bergamo was submerged underwater

Bergamo area was covered with water during the Norian period and Triassic period around 220 million years ago except for some islands that were above the water making it look like the modern day Bahamas. Most areas submerged had a warm climate.With the passage of time, the water level declined and fossils were found in the foothills of the mountains.

Sediments of organisms remained as the water dried on the ground. The greatest Norian fossils and deposits are found close to Bergamo in the Alpine foothills.  These fossils are now world-famous and of tremendous scientific value.  These fossils are found in the Natural Science Museum of Bergamo (Museo Civico Scienze Naturali)

3.Founded by the Celtic tribe of Cenomani

Bergamo was originally founded and settled by a Celtic tribe known as the Cenomani, an ancient tribe that occupied territory mostly north of the modern day Po River. Celtic tribe of the Cenomani was the first settlers who started living in the foothills of the Alps, different from Gallia Celtic Cenomani whom Julius Ceaser encountered. The city became a Roman municipality around the year 49 BC.

4.Santa Maria Maggiore Church

Santa Maria Maggiore Altar, photo by Mateus Campos Felipe on

The Santa Maria Maggiore Church the. This medieval European style church was built in 1137, and has a significant amount of circular arches, as is characteristic of the Romanesque Architectural style of the time. I did not find it surprising at all when I heard the church was used for well over 800 years in the teaching of music and singing.

Eight-hundred-years? Largest Romanesque church of Santa Maria Maggiore and 800 years of music. Santa Maria Maggiore The largest Romanesque church of Santa Maria Maggiore built in 1137 exhibits a unique blend of European and Romanesque architecture.

It is claimed that from the past 800 years the church has contributed to the teachings of music and singing. Many notable musicians born in this city include Alessandro Grandi, Tarquinio Merula, Gaetano Donizetti and Pietro Locatelli.

5. WWII had little effect on the city

Italy greatly suffered after World War II causing the destruction of most cities. Despite the damage most of the parts within Bergamo were not destroyed, it was spared from destruction. Most of the archaeological and historical sites in Bergamo are in good condition.

6.Bergamo is home to famous and notable people

Potrait of Giovanni Paolo Cavagna, photo byHampel Auctions.

Bergamo is home to famous painters, sculptors, engineers, professors and fashion designers. Among the famous people include Giovanni Paolo Cavagna, (1550 鈥� 1627) mostly known in Bergamo for painting the, 鈥淎ssumption of the Virgin,鈥� the 鈥淣ativity鈥� and 鈥淓sther and Ahasuerus,鈥� within the church of Santa Maria Maggiore.

Andrew Viberti, who was born in Bergamo before moving to the USA, an electrical engineer and Professor, invented the Viterbi algorithm. Giacomo Manzu was a sculptor who became famous in 1933 for his exhibition at the Triennale di Milano.

Mariuccia Mandelli became one of the very first female fashion designers to successfully create and launch a line of men鈥檚 wear and created a fashion house named Krizia. Other great painters include Enea Salmeggia and Francesco Zucco.

7.The City of Bergamo is divided into two parts

The upper city or Citt脿 Alta, Photo by Mattia Bericchia on

Bergamo is divided into two parts, the upper city or Citt脿 Alta which is the medieval town located at the hilltop encircled by the massive Venetian walls. The other is lower city or Citt脿 Bassa which is more modern and busier that upper city.

While the upper city features some prominent architectural marvels, the lower city is relatively modern and busier. The two parts are connected by funicular, roads, and footpaths. The upper city is surrounded by Venetian walls built in the 16th century, forms the historic center of Bergamo.

8.A UNESCO World Heritage site

The majestic defensive walls built around the upper city in the 16th century, Bergamo City, are famously known as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 9 July 2017. The upper town, Citt脿 Alta, is encircled by massive Venetian defensive systems. The walls are still in a very good shape as World War II didn鈥檛 cause much damage to this city of Bergamo.

9.It is the second most visited city in Lombardy

Cappella Colleoni, Bergamo, photo by Daniele Napolitan.

Right after Milan, Bergamo is the second most visited city in the Lombardy region. This is due to the amazing architecture, museums, artifacts and lip smacking food, Bergamo attracts hordes of tourists throughout the year.

Among the main attractions are the remarkable assembly of patrician houses and the Palazzo della Ragione frame this square at the heart of the old town, Piazza Vecchia is Piazza del Duomo and the Cappella Colleoni which is an early Lombard Renaissance style, with a lavishly decorated fa莽ade of multicolored inlaid marble.

10.Cable ride

The two parts of the city, the upper and lower part are connected by a cable railway. Tourists can take this fun ride while catching the amazing sites of the defensive walls, gardens and several monuments. The cable ride allows visitors to also glimpse of Po plain and the Apennines.

Bergamo is rich in amazing sights, historical buildings and artifacts. The Upper City (Citta Alta) is home to one of the most spectacular medieval towns and the Venetian walls that date back to the 16th Century. The Lower City (Citta Bassa) is the modern version of the city of Bergamo. The Citta Alta has a wealth of historical sites, locations, and buildings.