Bergamo
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By Air
Bergamos Orio al Serio Airport is located about four miles to the south of the centre and has frequently scheduled flights from other Italian and European cities including Ryanair flights from London. There is a shuttle bus service from the airport into Bergamo every 30 minutes. Another alternative is Milan's Malpensa Airport, a major international gateway approximately 30 miles northwest of Bergamo.
By Rail
Both the train and the bus stations are located on Piazzale Marconi in the Lower Town (Citt Bassa). There is frequent rail service to Milan, from where you can transfer to international services. Trains arrive in Bergamo from Milan once every hour, with the trip taking about one hour. Trains from Rome also arrive every hour, but services to and from Naples and other southern cities are less frequent.
By Bus
The bus station is located on Piazzale Marconi. There is frequent bus service to other towns in the region including the lake district and Milan, at reasonable prices. The buses noted as autostradale are intercity buses. Services to and from Milan run every 30 minutes.
There is limited local bus service within Bergamo, while S.A.B. connects many locations outside the town of Bergamo, going to the mountains, valleys and as far as the sea. The S.A.B. station is just to the right of the train station in Bergamo.
By Car
It is an easy drive from Milan on the A4, the main motorway to Bergamo. The A4 also links Bergamo to Brescia in the east. There are also scenic state roads leading to the nearby mountains and lakes.
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Piazza Vecchia
The lovely Piazza Vecchia is the town square, an open space in the centre of the Upper Town, surrounded by medieval and Renaissance architecture. The main streets of the Citt Alta all lead to the piazza, which fills with locals and university students, who like to congregate around the famous Contarini Fountain, dating from 1780. There are a number of bars with tables here where you can sit and enjoy an aperitif, watch the people and revel in the beauty of the surroundings.
Torre Civica
There are great views from the top of the 12th century bell tower in Piazza Vecchia, known as Torre Civica. It is also called the Big Bell, or Campanone, and rings 100 times at 22:00, a custom left over from medieval times, when farmers were warned to come back inside the city walls before the gates were closed at night for protection.
Santa Maria Maggiore
Construction on the church of Santa Maria Maggiore began in the 12th century. It's a beautiful building and considered by many to be of more interest than the neighbouring cathedral, the Duomo. The churchs interior features an octagonal dome and traces of some of the original medieval frescoes, one of which is known as the Tree of Life, depicting the life of Christ. Many modifications were made to the churchs interior over the centuries including the addition of rich Flemish tapestries in the 16th century. A wooden confessional, carved by Andrea Fantoni in 1705, is one of the church's most splendid ornaments. It is extremely ornate and has been described as looking like an intricately sculpted chocolate. At the back of the church is the tomb of the composer Donizetti.
Cappella Colleoni
Facing the piazza next to the church of Santa Maria Maggiore is the ornate and colourful Colleoni Chapel (Cappella Colleoni). Bartolomeo Colleoni, a renowned soldier of fortune, originally from Bergamo, commissioned the building of the chapel for his tomb. It was finished in 1476 and is considered a masterpiece of Lombard art. There is a statue of Colleoni astride a golden horse on top of the two-tiered tomb.
The Rocca
The Rocca is a walled stronghold as well as being a great fort to explore. You can climb the tower and walk around the ramparts for commanding views of Citt Alta and the lower town. You can reach the Rocca by funicular; get off in the Upper Town at Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe and follow the signs and the narrow via Rocca. It houses a museum and outside, youll see an old Roman road with grooves worn into it.
Information not available
July - August -> 24(°C) - Summer
January - February -> 3(°C) - Winter
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