A TALE OF TWO CITIES - BERGAMO
by Cristiana Setaro, translator
Rich in art and with close to 1,000 years of history, Bergamo is a city where old and new lie together on two levels. The upper part, the Città Alta, is an ancient medieval town, surrounded by ancient walls and gentle hills. The lower part, the Città Bassa, is a modern world where life runs at a much faster pace. Both have their own character and architectural identity.
For fans of a more traditional style of architecture, the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore and the Colleoni Chapel, both close to Piazza Vecchia in the medieval town, are two destinations that should not be missed.
Art enthusiasts will appreciate the elaborate Accademia Carrara gallery, which includes paintings by Lotto, Raphael and Mantegna. First stop for 20th century art lovers should be GAMEC, the Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art, displaying works by artists such as Boccioni, Balla, Morandi, De Chirico, Kandinsky, Sutherland and Manzù. Meanwhile, the historic Donizetti Theatre offers a full programme of 
Bergamo, nestling in the
Alps’ foothills
Image: Alamy
cultural artistic shows.
If you get weary of the art world, there’s always the local cuisine to explore. Don’t forget to try the famous polenta desserts, or Bergamo polenta flavoured with local game, as well as casonsei: ravioli stuffed with Bergamese meat.
Also known as “the city of the thousand”, after the many Bergamese soldiers who supported Garibaldi in the unification of Italy in 1861, Bergamo is surrounded by lakes and mountains which offer fantastic skiing opportunities, especially in the Brembana and Seriana valleys.
www.turismo.bergamo.it
www.gaetano-donizetti.com
www.accademiacarrara.bergamo.it