bergamo - Weagoo
Transcription
bergamo - Weagoo
How to print the guide why? A print the guide on A4 paper horizontally, print actual size B old each sheet in half, with the printed side on the outside C when? who? GUIDE OF BERGAMO download many other guides on www.weagoo.com what? where? lay the folded sheets one on top of the other, in order of the page numbers and bind them together with a stapler or spiral ABOUT US WeAGoo is a company specialized in gathering and processing brief tourist information regarding places of historical, artistic, cultural, natural and architectural interest. By researching and reviewing websites, WeAGoo is creating a capillary “map” of Italy, including lesser-known places still important for their history, with 24,000 points of interest, 110 provinces 1,400 municipalities and all the main Italian art cities inserted so far. And the map is growing all the time… Our aim is to create the largest database for local tourist information given in brief format, designed to provide tourists with essential information, useful both before and during their visit to a particular town or city. WeAGoo is different from most other websites already found on the Internet. In our portal, people look for and find information. What we provide in all our descriptions of the points of interest are not subjective opinions, useful and at times amusing as these may be, but objective, historical information taken from official sources. We follow highly precise criteria, among which geo-referencing is a basic and inseparable part. The principle activity of WeAGoo is to insert this information in its portal weagoo.com, enabling points of interest to be searched with immediate results. From the portal, visitors can create, generate, rearrange and print their own tourist itineraries, with the places, maps, images, notes and useful information for each town or city. Users who register free of charge can also take advantage of other functions, such as saving their itinerary in a personal “user profile” folder, creating multi-city travel plans and some social features too. All the information and functions in this portal are provided to visitors free of charge. The portal is funded by the production of personalized guides, by contributions, sponsoring and advertising. Visit the section “Become a Sponsor” for more information. WeaGoo is an internationally registered trademark and controls and uses a portfolio of sub-brands, each conceived and used according to its specific nature. BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! AREA RILEGATURA: GRAFFETTA QUI I FOGLI A4 STAMPATI, SEGUENDO LE ISTRUZIONI A PAG 2, OTTERRAI UNA COMODA GUIDA DA PORTARE CON TE! FREE! © Hozinja county zoom view BERGAMO Lying at the foot of the mountains, where the high plain gives way to the last hills of the Bergamo Pre-Alps, Bergamo is a highly important stop on the tourist trail. Indeed, all the main international tourist operators now include it in their recommended tours, presenting the city as a fascinating place to discover. It is a unique spot in Lombardy and among the most interesting in Italy, especially for its intriguing combination of human ingenuity, historical and artistic heritage and natural beauty. Founded in the Pre-Roman period by the Ligurians or Etruscans, the ancient city of Bergomum was occupied first by the Gauls, the Cenomani and the Senones, and later annexed to the expanding Roman Republic, becoming a Roman Municipality. Following the fall of the Empire, Bergomum was repeatedly plundered, until the Longobards arrived in 569, and established a Duchy there. This was the period when the powerful Longobard families, like the Suardi, Colleoni, Crotti, Rivola, Mozzi and Martinengo, thrived. From 1098, Bergamo was a Free Comune. After a couple of wars with Brescia, it joined the Lombard League against Emperor Frederick II and, from the 13th century, during the struggles between Guelphs and Ghibellines, the city fell under the influence of the Visconti family of Milan, which strengthened the nation zoom view 3 4 Citadella. Peace and prosperity came in 1428 under the dominion of the Republic of Venice. The Venetians rebuilt the old city, erecting strong defensive walls around it. Venetian rule continued until the Napoleonic era, which was followed by a brief period as the Republic of Bergamo, then the Cisalpine Republic, and subsequently part of the Kingdom of Italy. After the Restoration, Bergamo came under Austrian influence as part of the Kingdom of Lombardy and Veneto. The Austrians began the process of industrialization in the region, setting up a textile manufacturing plant. After taking part in the Resurgence, providing a large part of men for the historic Expedition of the Thousand, from 1860 Bergamo became part of the Italian Kingdom and, later, of the Italian Republic. In the 20th century the city grew, expanding outwards in a semi-circle to fill the entire plain at the foot of the hill. Modern urban expansion has spread both around the old towns, and the areas along the roads connecting Bergamo to the most important Lombard towns, cities and valleys. During the First World War, a great many young men from Bergamo and its province took part in unforgettable episodes of humble heroism. Towards the end of Italy’s twenty years of Fascism, Bergamo also organized its own Re- BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! city zoom view LATHE CITTÀCITY ABOUT BERGAMO Apart from the city itself, the Bergamo area offers countless interesting things to do, for nature lovers and sports enthusiasts, for history and art lovers and for the religious: excursions to the mountains and lakes, itineraries on the trail of old castles and picturesque old towns, visits to the many sanctuaries dotted around the area… Finally, the local cuisine is rich and wholesome. Polenta, preserved meats, cheeses and wines form the basis of dishes that have become extremely refined over time. Today they can be eaten both in typical eating houses and in smart restaurants. GETTING ABOUT IN BERGAMO BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT ATB runs the city lines and the cable railways between Low Bergamo and High Bergamo and between High Bergamo and San Vigilio. Line 1 leaves from the railway station and goes to the high part of the city. There are tickets and fairs specially designed for tourists. To reach the high city you can also take the cable railway. Within a few minutes, passing through a tunnel dug into the Venetian city walls, you find yourself in the heart of the old city, in Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe. If you want to proceed further up to Colle San Vigilio, you can take the panoramic cable railway, which leaves from St. Alexander’s Gate. ATB ATB Point Largo Porta nuova Tel. +39 035 236026 www.atb.bergamo.it TAXI Radio Taxi Tel. +39 035 4519090 P.le Marconi-Stazione Tel. +39 035244505 Via Sentierone Tel +39 035 242000 Car rental with driver: Aclass Tel. + 39 035 3844411 www.aclass.it Airport Car Service Tel. +39 035 3844411 www.aircarservice.com Piazza Vecchia © baswallet 5 BY BICYCLE There are many scenic routes for bicycle lovers in the city and the province. BiGi is an innovative automatic bicycle hire service that has changed people’s way of moving around Bergamo. It offers an excellent alternative to cars and a convenient means of transport for shopping, work, tourism and study. There are 15 pick up and return points around the city; the facility to return the bicycle in a different point from where it was picked up allows excellent integration with other modes of transport in the city. 6 For information: www.atb.bergamo.it www.bicincitta.com Freephone 00 910 658 Bicycles can also be hired from: Ciclostazione dei colli Ciclostazione 42 www.pedalopolis.org Cycle lanes: www.comune.bergamo.it infomobility page. A.RI.BI: www.aribi.it ON FOOT A walking tour through the high part of the city is sure to leave you gazing in wonder. For most of the city’s beautiful historical and architectural heritage is concentrated here. There are also numerous excursions in the surrounding area, in the hills of Bergamo, for example: a splendid protected area, dotted with magnificent mansions set in natural surroundings, with excellent places for a pleasant stroll or a more energetic walk. GETTING AROUND HIGH BERGAMO Private vehicles without proper authorization cannot enter the High City and the Hills on Sundays and holidays, from 10.00 to 12.00 and from 14.00 to 19.00. This provision is suspended on the morning of 1 January and of 1 May, and for the whole day on 25 December every year. The ATB lines that reach the High City are 1, 3 and the High City – Low City cable railway. TO/FROM THE AIRPORT The international airport of Orio al Serio is just 5 kilometres from Bergamo and 45 km from Milan. It has flights to many destinations in Italy and Europe, and a particularly high number of low-cost airlines operate from here. An airport Bus runs direct to and from the airport every 30 minutes. The journey takes about 20 minutes. Bergamo Airport/Orio al Serio Via aeroporto 13, Orio al Serio Tel. +39 035 326323 www.orioaeroporto.it BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! A distinctive feature of Bergamo is its division on two levels, “Low Bergamo” and the more famous “High Bergamo”. The former is the more modern part, where most of the city’s entertainments and other activities are concentrated. The “Sentierone”, a regular meeting place for Bergamo citizens, is a, wide, attractive, tree-lined avenue, with a theatre dedicated to the composer Gaetano Donizetti and many porticos. In Via Tasso, there are public buildings built in the 19th century. Among these is the Palazzo della Provincia (where numerous works by the Bergamo sculptor Giacomo Manzù are exhibited), the Palazzo della Prefettura, and the Church of the Holy Spirit, with paintings by Lotto and Borgognone. The “High City”, whose borders are marked by the walls that Venice built in the 16th century, is where most of the important monuments and artistic heritage is. Piazza Vecchia is the most natural start- ing point, as it was the political and administrative heart of Bergamo for centuries. Via Gombito-Via Colleoni, the main road crossing the city from East to West, is typically Mediaeval. The cable railway leaving from Low Bergamo goes right up into the high city, making access easier for visitors. From the other side, a few metres outside St. Alexander’s Gate, you can catch the cable railway going up to Colle San Vigilio, from where you can enjoy a wonderful view. TRANSPORTS BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! sistance movement. After Liberation and the advent of the Italian Republic, the democratic life of the political parties resumed with enthusiasm, and the commune, or city council, was founded on the values of freedom and democracy once again. ABOUT THE CITY BERGAMO USEFUL INFORMATION THE CITY’S OFFICIAL WEBSITES For general information, see: www.comune.bergamo.it www.turismo.bergamo.it www.apt.bergamo.it TOURIST INFORMATION OFFICE Turismo Bergamo V.le Papa Giovanni XXIII, 57 c/o Urban Center Tel +39 035 230640 Fax +39 035 230960 info@turismo.bergamo.it www.turismo.bergamo.it Ufficio I.A.T. Bergamo – Low Bergamo V.le Papa Giovanni XXIII, 57 c/o Urban Center Tel. +39 035 210204 Fax +39 035 230184 turismo1@comune.bg.it www.comune.bergamo.it Ufficio I.A.T. Bergamo – High Bergamo Torre del Gombito, Via Gombito, 13 Tel. +39 035 242226 Fax +39 035 242994 turismo@comune.bg.it www.comune.bergamo.it Bergamo Card 48 hours: valid for 48 hours from stamping of the card and ATB ticket. € 15,00 Bergamo Card 72 hours: valid for 72 hours from stamping of the card and ATB ticket. € 20,00 The card is valid for 1 adult and 1 child up to 11 years old. For further information, see: www.bergamocard.it CLIMATE Bergamo has a typically temperate climate of average latitudes, rainy or generally humid in all seasons and very hot in summer. Its proximity to the mountains means there is no fog in winter and no heat haze in summer, unlike nearby Milan, for instance. The main rainfall is concentrated especially between March and May and between October and November. Winter is from November to the end of March and has very low rainfall compared to the average in Italy. USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS Military Police (Carabinieri)….......................112 State Police (Polizia)…………...................…113 Fire Brigade…………………….....................115 Ambulance Service……………....................118 Travel Information (CCISS)…………....…..1518 Road Assistance………...........…………803116 Road Police……………...........……035 276300 Local Police…………...........………035 399559 CITY PASS Bergamo Card is a single pass that will make your visit easier and more flexible, as it combines a series of different services that can be used in a set period. These include ATB and TEB public transport services, free access or reductions on admission charges to museums and monuments, as well as numerous special offers in shops and accommodation facilities in Bergamo and its province. 7 8 © Bovero Gerino BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! INFORMATION BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! TRANSPORTS BERGAMO 1 Cathedral 2 Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore 3 Colleoni Chapel 4 Baptistry Piazza Duomo, 2 - Bergamo Built on top of other churches, whose perimeter is traced by the present-day structure, the cathedral was begun in the 15th century and finished in the 17th century, when it was dedicated to St. Alexander. The dome and the present-day façade were added later, in the 19th century. Inside are works by Gian Battista Tiepolo, Giovan Battista Moroni, Sebastiano Ricci and Andrea Previtali. The cathedral also houses the Chapel of the Crucifix, where a 16th-century crucifix is preserved. Piazza Duomo, 2 - Bergamo The basilica is the most important monument in Bergamo. It was built in 1137 to fulfil a promise during an epidemic of the plague, on a spot where the little church of St. Mary already stood. Used for baptisms, the church also served as a hall for civic meetings. The northern door is particularly interesting, likewise the Colleoni chapel, the Donizetti tomb, a series of Baroque tarsias and decorations, Florentine and Flemish tapestries and a wooden crucifix. POINTS OF INTEREST TiP (tourist informations in pills) Piazza Duomo, 2 - Bergamo Built around 1470-1476 by Giovanni Antonio Amadeo, the chapel was instigated by Bartolomeo Colleoni, as a mausoleum for himself and his daughter Medea. Inside is a sarcophagus decorated with scenes of Christ’s crucifixion, and a second sarcophagus with bas-reliefs depicting scenes of the Annunciation, of Christ’s nativity and of the adoration of the Magi. Above both is the equestrian statue of the condottiere himself in gilded wood, by Sisto and Siry of Nuremburg. churches.........................................pag10 buildings.........................................pag12 squares/streets - museums............pag16 structures........................................pag20 castles - theatres............................pag24 various............................................pag26 chiese...................................................pag1 palazzi..................................................pag5 musei....................................................pag9 monumenti e strutture..........................pag13 teatri.....................................................pag21 varie......................................................pag23 Piazza Duomo, 4-8 - Bergamo The Baptistry was placed where it stands today in 1898. Initially it was built by Giovanni da Campione in the church of Santa Maria Maggiore, in Piazza Vecchia. Later, it was considered too cumbersome and useless and, in 1660, it was dismantled and left in a courtyard until 1856. In the upper section, there are narrow aedicules at the sides of the octagon containing 14th-century statues of the Virtues. © Davide “Dodo” Oliva 9 10 BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! CHURCHES BERGAMO 1 Palazzo Frizzoni 2 Palazzo della Provincia 3 Palazzo delle Poste e dei Telegrafi 4 Palazzo Agliardi Piazza Giacomo Matteotti 29 - Bergamo This majestic neoclassical building is the home of Bergamo City Council today; it is the heart and symbol of the city’s political and administrative life. It was built by Rodolfo Vantini between 1836 and 1840 at the wish of Antonio Frizzoni – a merchant from Engadina. The Council Hall is worth a special visit; its walls are occupied by 12 of the most illustrious figures in Bergamo’s history. There is also a statue of St. Alexander, patron saint of the city. Via Torquato Tasso, 8 - Bergamo Built between 1864 and 1871, it was the first public work undertaken in Bergamo after the city’s annexation to the Kingdom of Italy. Besides the large number of delightful sculptures by Giacomo Manzù in the courtyard and along the entrance stairway, you can also see the Province of Bergamo’s art collection, arranged in the large spaces made available after the palace was carefully restored. The façade bears five high reliefs in concrete depicting Colleoni and a few of the city’s events. Via Antonio Locatelli 16 - Bergamo The Palazzo delle Poste was inaugurated in 1932, to the design of Angiolo Mazzoni, and has kept the same function since its inauguration. Designed for the purpose for which it was built, it was criticized for its elaborate decoration. However, it was applauded for its high tower and its modern architectural shape, typical of the Fascist period. Inside are two important paintings by Mario Sironi. Via Pignolo, 57-85 - Bergamo Dating from the 16th century, the palace was rebuilt in 1741 to the design of the architect Canina, at the wish of the Mosconi family. The interior has a large, light central hall, accessible from a hanging garden, while the rooms are decorated with frescoes by Carlo Innocenzo Carloni and Federico Ferrario. The large, interior courtyard is definitely worth a look. Only a few remnants remain of the original building. 11 12 BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! PALACES BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! CHURCHES BERGAMO 6 Palazzo Medolago Albani 7 Palazzo Terzi 8 The Archpriest’s House Via Porta Dipinta, 12 - Bergamo Considered one of the most authentic expressions of Bergamo Baroque architecture, the palace was built in the 17th century by the nobleman Francesco Moroni. Although the façade is very sober, inside the halls are richly furnished with furniture and works of art, and the walls bear frescoes by artists such as Gianbattista Moroni, Bernardino Luini, Fra’ Galgario and Evaristo Baschenis. The interior courtyard is worth a look for a statue of Neptune by Lorenzo Redi, set in a niche. 9 Palazzo del Podestà 10 Palazzo della Ragione 11 Palazzo Nuovo 12 Ex-Convent of St. Francis Piazza Duomo 2 - Bergamo Built upon Roman buildings, it was originally the home of the Suardi and Colleoni families. It was only from the 12th to the mid 15th century that it was home to the Bergamo Podestà (a sort of Chief Magistrate, or administrator of the city). It is linked to the adjacent palace, Palazzo della Ragione, by a bridge. It has been used for different purposes over the years, none of which did justice to its importance. It is only in the last decades, after a long period of restoration, that the City Council has made this building important again. Via San Giacomo 73 - Bergamo This marvellous grand building, built between 1783 and 1791 by the architect Cantoni, is situated near St. James’ Gate. The interior is highly decorated and has several very beautiful rooms. Constructed in the Neoclassical style, the palace is one of the most elegant in the city and a typical example of a late 18th century bourgeois residence in Bergamo. It has hosted illustrious guests such as the Emperor of Austria, Franz Joseph and the King of Italy, Vittorio Emanuele II. Piazza Vecchia 1 - Bergamo This historic building is situated in the magnificent square named Piazza Vecchia, in the heart of High Bergamo. Initially called Palazzo Vecchio, or Old Palace, it is the oldest town hall in Italy. It was built at the end of the 12th century, between 1183 and 1198, with the opposite orientation from the present one. It has the typical features of Italian town halls, with a wide open portico on the ground floor and the hall for council meetings on the first floor. Piazza Terzi, 4 - Bergamo Built in the 16th century, the palace is the most important Baroque building in Bergamo. It was altered several times over the years, including in the 18th century by Caniana, at the instigation of Luigi and Gerolamo Terzi. The façade has a doorway with free columns supporting a balcony and a central niche, adorned with a statue representing Architecture. Inside, the rooms are decorated with 17th-century frescoes and sober furnishings. Piazza Vecchia, 7-13 - Bergamo Built between 1600 and 1958 to the design of Vincenzo Scamozzi and initially intended to be the town hall, today the palace houses the Biblioteca Angelo Mai, one of the most important historical libraries in Italy and is well worth a visit. The white marble façade by Zandobbio is adorned with 6 statues by Tobia Vescovi. In the foyer is the Camozzi Column, a bookrest in the shape of a tree with the crests of Bergamo and Brescia. Via Gaetano Donizetti, 18 - Bergamo Built in 1520 to a design by Pietro Isabello and donated to the archpriests of the Cathedral Chapter in 1840, the house is a real gem of Renaissance civil architecture. The façade, covered in polychrome grey marble, has round arches, pilaster strips and a beautiful central window on the ground floor. The elegant, Renaissance-style courtyard is decorated with the remains of frescoes ascribed to Giovanni Busi, known as Cariani. Piazza Mercato del Fieno, 6 - Bergamo Begun in the 13th century, in the form of a monastery on an area donated by the Bonghi family, it was completed with changes and additions in the 16th century. A typical example of mediaeval architecture, it extends from the Chiostro delle Arche, or greater cloister, to the Chiostro del Pozzo, or lesser cloister. The complex is particularly important for the fragments of 14th-century frescoes that have survived through the centuries. 13 14 BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! Palazzo Moroni PALACES BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! 5 PALACES BERGAMO 1 Piazza della Cittadella 2 Piazza Vecchia 3 Piazza Duomo 4 High Bergamo Piazza della Cittadella - Bergamo Today Piazza della Cittadella is famous especially as the site of the “Enrico Caffi” Museum of Natural Sciences and the Civic Archeological Museum. Both museums are housed inside the Visconteo palace, restored between 1958 and 1960. This characteristic place is situated in High Bergamo, about 5 minutes’ walk away from Piazza Vecchia. The historic Adalberto Tower, from the 12th century, is also here. Piazza Vecchia - Bergamo The heart of political and administrative life in Bergamo. When the period of domination by Venice began, this central area, the seat of the Veneto podestà in the 15th century, acquired Renaissance forms and sizes. The Lion of St. Mark above the central balcony was the symbol of Venetian domination for 350 years. It was destroyed when the French arrived, and the present one is a copy of 1933. Also in this square are the fountain, the library, the Palazzo della Ragione and the Basilica of S. M. Maggiore. Piazza Duomo - Bergamo The most important monuments in High Bergamo are centred here, within a very small space. The square contains the Cathedral, the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore with the Colleoni Chapel and the small Baptistry. Piazza Duomo, 2 - Bergamo Accessible on foot through the stairways, by car, by cable railway or by bus, High Bergamo is a mediaeval city completely surrounded by 16th-century walls, which have preserved their original appearance almost intact over the centuries. The historic centre, with narrow lanes and small squares, has typical tall, narrow mediaeval houses and the most important monuments of the city. 15 16 BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! SQUARES/STREETS BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! PALACES BERGAMO 6 Sentierone 7 Piazza Vittorio Veneto Piazza San Pancrazio - Bergamo This small square, surrounded by buildings of mediaeval origin, is the site of the 16th-century Church of St. Pancras, the white marble fountain by Leonardo Isabello and a tower by Gombito. Via Sentierone - Bergamo This wide, tree-lined avenue, built by the merchants of Bergamo in 1620, runs parallel to Piazza Matteotti. In the 20th century, it became the favourite place in the city for a stroll. One side of the avenue has porticos. Along the Sentierone are various points of interest, such as: the theatre named after the great composer Gaetano Donizetti, the Monument to the Partisans by Giacomo Manzù and the Church of St. Bartholomew, which preserves the very famous Martinengo altar piece. Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art 10 Carrara Academy 11 Museum of Natural Sciences Via San Tomaso, 51 - Bergamo Set up in a former convent of the Servite and Dimesse religious orders, the museum is divided into 4 main sections: the Manzù Collection, the Spajani Collection, the Stucchi Collection and the Kaleidoscope Hall. Inside are sculptures, paintings and drawings by Italian and foreign artists of the 20th century, several etchings by Trento Longaretti, engravings by Giovanni Fattori and Carlo Carrà, 2 futuristic settings by Joe Colombo and a collection of 623 photographs. Piazza Giacomo Carrara - Bergamo Founded in 1796 thanks to Count Giacomo Carrara’s donation, it currently owns 1,800 paintings from the 15th to the 19th century, by artists such as Pisanello, Botticelli, Giovanni Bellini, Mantegna, Raffaello, Moroni, Baschenis, Fra Galgario, Tiepolo, Canaletto and Piccio. Closed for restoration for the whole of 2011, a selection of the works is on view at the Palazzo della Ragione in High Bergamo. Piazza Vittorio Veneto - Bergamo The commercial life of Low Bergamo extends mainly around this square and the adjacent Piazza Matteotti. Designed and built by Marcello Piacentini at the beginning of the 20th century, it lies at the crossroads between via Roma and the Sentierone. The building of the Banca Popolare and the imposing Tower of the Fallen, inaugurated by Mussolini, are also here. On the left of the square stands the obelisk, erected by the rector Nicolò Corner and subsequently dedicated to Napoleon. 8 9 Piazza della Cittadella, 9-10 - Bergamo Established in 1871, the museum contains various collections, including the Lepidoptera collection of Antonio Curò (about 12,000 specimens), the ornithological collection of Gabriele Camozzi Vertova, and the Malacological collection of Giovanni Piccinelli. Among the various specimens preserved here is a life-size skeleton cast of an allosaurus; corals of the Palaeozoic Era; fossils of the most ancient flying reptile; and the Italophlebia gervasuttii dragonfly. Tuesday-Sunday: April-September 9.00-12.30 and 14.3018.00 (Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 9.00-19.00); October-March 9.00-12.30 and 14.30-17.30 Admission free. Piazza Matteotti 12 Piazza Matteotti - Bergamo Piazza Matteotti is one of the most important squares in Bergamo. Besides the Town Hall, it also contains the monument dedicated to Cavour and the monument to the Partisan dedicated to the city by the artist Manzù. The Palazzo Frizzoni, the current town hall, is a majestic Neoclassical building erected between 1836 and 1840. Civic Archaeological Museum Piazza della Cittadella, 9 - Bergamo Founded in 1561, the museum is composed of different sections: Prehistoric, Egyptian, Roman, Early Christian and Longobard. Inside are axes of polished stone found in Mozzanica; a small statue from the 10th century BC; the sarcophagus of Ankhekhonsu; epigraphs that can be dated to between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD; a gold leaf cross of Longobard origin; an iron sword, a large knife and a shield boss from Fornovo San Giovanni… Tuesday-Sunday: October-March 9.00-12.30 and 14.30-17.30; April-September 9.0012.30 and 14.30-18.00 (Saturday-Sunday 9.00-19.00). Admission free. 17 18 BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! Piazza San Pancrazio MUSEUMS BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! 5 SQUARES/STREETS BERGAMO 1 Tower of the Fallen 2 St. Augustine’s Gate and the Walls 3 High Bergamo Cable Railway 4 St. James’ Gate and the Walls Piazza Vittorio Veneto 8 - Bergamo Situated in the lower part of the city in Piazza Vittorio Veneto, today the great tower is both a symbol of the city and a fitting tribute to the sacrifice of its men. It is one of the most emblematic monuments of Bergamo, built on the wave of patriotic rhetoric that followed the First World War, to exalt and consolidate nationalism in support of Italian unification. The monument has a square plan of 45 metres and was designed by Marcello Piacentini and built from 1922. Porta Sant’Agostino - Bergamo Erected in 1561 and completed in 1588, the walls form a ring around the city of High Bergamo. The four gates of the city were positioned in the 6-kilometre-long wall: St. Augustine’s Gate, St. James’ Gate, St. Alexander’s Gate and St. Lawrence’s Gate. To make room for these surrounding ramparts, almost a third of the houses had to be knocked down, one of the most prestigious monasteries - the San Domenico monastery - had to be demolished, and a whole district, the San Lorenzo district, was razed to the ground. Viale Vittorio Emanuele II 47 - Bergamo This characteristic mode of transport, which connects the low part of the city to the high part, is one of two cable railway structures in the city. The upper station is situated in Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe in High Bergamo. Built in 1887, the cable railway first ran in September 1888. Although over 100 years have passed since its inauguration, it has never lost its role as the main mode of public transport in Bergamo. Via San Giacomo, 73 - Bergamo Erected in 1561 and completed in 1588, the walls form a ring around the city of High Bergamo. The four gates of the city were positioned in the 6-kilometre-long wall: St. Augustine’s Gate, St. James’ Gate, St. Alexander’s Gate and St. Lawrence’s Gate. To make room for these ramparts, almost a third of the houses had to be knocked down, one of the most prestigious monasteries - the San Domenico monastery - had to be demolished, and a whole district, the San Lorenzo district, was razed to the ground. 19 20 BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! STRUCTURES BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! SQUARES/MUSEUMS BERGAMO 6 Gombito Tower 7 Contarini Fountain 8 Civic Tower Via Gombito, 15 - Bergamo Built around the mid-16th century to the design of Leonardo Isabello, this white marble fountain by Zandobbio consists of a stele decorated with foliage, subtended by a circular pool, with fantastical animals supporting a smaller pool above. 9 St. Lawrence’s Gate and the Walls 10 Adalberto Tower 11 St. Alexander’s Gate and the Walls 12 Bergamo Cable Railway – San Vigilio Via Giovanni da Ponte Maironi - Bergamo Erected in 1561 and completed in 1588, the walls form a ring around the city of High Bergamo. The four gates of the city were positioned in the 6-kilometre-long wall: St. Augustine’s Gate, St. James’ Gate, St. Alexander’s Gate and St. Lawrence’s Gate. To make room for these surrounding ramparts, almost a third of the houses had to be knocked down, one of the most prestigious monasteries - the San Domenico monastery - had to be demolished, and a whole district, the San Lorenzo district, was razed to the ground. Via Gombito, 10 - Bergamo The tower was built in the 12th century in blocks of stone. It dominates the city with its height and is still an authoritative landmark in the skyline of High Bergamo today. In 1206 it was the scene of a fire. In 1263 it became the property of Bartolomeo del Zoppo. In 1848 the tower was used by the Italian patriots, who rebelled against Austrian rule. The city council came into possession of the tower in 1877, through a free handover, and it has maintained the structure ever since. Passaggio della Torre di Adalberto - Bergamo The attractive square named Piazza della Cittadella contains the historic Adalberto Tower, built in the 12th century. Unfortunately, very little is known about the tower. The square is also famous for the Palazzo Visconteo, which houses the Archeological Museum and the Enrico Caffi Museum of Natural Sciences. Piazza Vecchia, 1-3 - Bergamo The fountain was a gift from the Veneto Podestà Alvise Contarini to the city of Bergamo when he left the city in 1780. Contarini’s intention was that, as well as embellishing the famous square of High Bergamo, the fountain should also alleviate difficulties for the city’s residents during droughts. Originally, the fountain was formed by a basin surrounded by lions, but it was entirely rebuilt around the mid-19th century. Largo di Porta Sant’Alessandro 1 - Bergamo Erected in 1561 and completed in 1588, the walls form a ring around the city of High Bergamo. The four gates of the city were positioned in the 6-kilometre-long wall: St. Augustine’s Gate, St. James’ Gate, St. Alexander’s Gate and St. Lawrence’s Gate. To make room for these surrounding ramparts, almost a third of the houses had to be knocked down, one of the most prestigious monasteries - the San Domenico monastery - had to be demolished, and a whole district, the San Lorenzo district, was razed to the ground. Piazza Vecchia 5 - Bergamo A symbol of the mediaeval city, the Tower is 52 metres high. The top, which can be reached by a highly modern lift, provides splendid views over the rooftops and the historic centre. Also known as Torre del Campanone, because of its big bell, which not only announces meetings of the city council, but also strikes 100 chimes at 10 o’clock every evening, to signal the old curfew, or the closing of the city gates in the past. Largo di Porta Sant’Alessandro 1 - Bergamo This is the second cable railway in the city and was built to connect High Bergamo with Colle S. Vigilio, so as to encourage its urban development. The structure was completed in 1912. However, the hoped-for development of the hill never happened. In 1976 the cable railway was closed, in 1987 renovation work began. and in 1991 it was reopened. Today it is used almost exclusively for tourist purposes. 21 22 BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! St. Pancras’Fountain STRUCTURES BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! 5 STRUCTURES BERGAMO 1 Cittadella 2 Social Theatre 3 La Rocca 4 Donizetti Theatre Piazza della Cittadella, 2-4 - Bergamo The Citadella is what remains of a fortification that once presided over the city and that the Viscontis had built when they imposed their lordship on Bergamo. It was still used for military purposes, but the building steadily declined. The restoration carried out between 1958 and 1960 returned the building to its original state and the Civic Museum and the Enrico Caffi Museum of Natural Sciences were established inside it. Don’t miss the deer discovered in 2001 in Val Borlezza, which was preserved for 700,000 years. Via Bartolomeo Colleoni, 4 - Bergamo Inaugurated in 1808 to the design of Leopoldo Pollack, a pupil of Piermarini, famous also for building the Arch of Peace in Milan and the Villa Reale in Monza, it was reopened in the first half of 2009 after significant restoration. The new theatre, with capacity for 1300 people, 88 boxes arranged in three rows and a gallery, hosts important artistic events. Via alla Rocca, 12-14 - Bergamo Built between 1331 and 1336, it stands on the high ground known as Santa Eufemia. The fortress was transformed into an arsenal, and the first gunpowder factory was set up there. Partially handed over as an exclusive residence by the French, under the Austrians it housed a barracks and then a prison. When the City Council managed to buy the complex in 1927-28, it had radical salvage work carried out. In 1960 the current Risorgimento Museum was established in it. Piazza Camillo Benso Conte di Cavour, 12 - Bergamo Initially called Teatro Riccardi, after its tenacious builder, it had a plastered façade preceded by a small portico, very different from the monumental façade of today. Built at the end of the 18th century, it has always been well known for its opera productions, and is listed among a restricted group of traditional opera theatres. It is the first theatre in brickwork of the city and one of the first in all Italy (except for la Scala), the others being made of wood. 23 24 BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! CASTLES/THEATRES BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! STRUCTURES BERGAMO 1 Birthplace of Gaetano Donizetti 2 San Vigilio Castle 3 Colle San Vigilio 4 Astino Monastery Via Borgo Canale, 14 - Bergamo A national monument owned by Bergamo City Council, the house where the Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti was born on 29 November 1797 is divided into 2 areas. On the right are the rooms containing the well and the ice house; on the left are 2 rooms where the family lived their daily lives. Inside, there is a marble plaque bearing the composer’s words and a permanent exhibition dedicated to him. Via al Castello San Vigilio, 10 - Bergamo The building has an irregular plan, due to the successive changes made to it. The most important alterations were made at the time of the Viscontis and during domination by Venice. In the two centuries after that, the central tower was demolished and the lord’s manor and the soldiers living quarters were added. The old structure, which can be reached by cable railway, still preserves the remains of the last Venetian alterations. Its alteration and renovation was finished in 2004. Via al Castello San Vigilio 2 - Bergamo The top of this hill can be reached on foot from the upper station of the “colle aperto – San Vigilio” cable railway line. Reopened in 1991, the line starts from Bergamo Alta, near St. Alexander’s Gate. Once at the top of the hill, at a height of 497 metres, you can admire San Vigilio Castle, the defensive fortress with an irregular plan. From this point there is a fantastic view. Via Astino 13 - Bergamo This is a very old monastery no longer in use and now in a state of severe deterioration. It was founded in 1070 by the Vallumbrosans. The Vallumbrosan order is a community of Benedictine monks named after Vallumbrosa, a place in the province of Florence. In 2008, a plan was drawn up for urgent measures to render the structure safe. Inside the monastery is the Chuch of the Holy Sepulchre. 25 26 BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! VARIOUS BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! CASTLES/THEATRES BERGAMO WANT TO BE IN OUR GUIDES? These guides, our website weagoo.com and the promotion of the city are free servic3 4 es available to thousands of tourists. Weagoo is claimed through private finance and economic contributions of small sponsorship. With the aim to provide ‘user’s guide with a better service, WeAGoo reserves the right to select the presence in their guides, activity in the following categories: accommodation: hotels, bed and breakfasts, camping etc.. food: restaurants, trattorias, pizzerias, bars, pubs etc.. If you have a business in this city and believe that your services may be useful to tourists and the quality offered by the online guide, write to: inguide@weagoo.com, you may be one of the few and selected sponsors. services: pharmacies, shops, shops in general, insurance THE CITY SPONSOR With the initiative named “TheCitySponsor” we will offer you the presence exclusive or privileged in our touristic portal regarding your city and the guides printed when a user will create a Roadbook. Moreover we will provide a window sticker that identifies the network and the exclusive membership and the manteinance on our servers for a year. 27 28 BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! VARIOUS BERGAMO chiese...................................................pag1 palazzi..................................................pag5 musei....................................................pag9 monumenti e strutture..........................pag13 teatri.....................................................pag21 varie......................................................pag23 Cappella Colleoni 29 CASTLES AND OLD TOWNS Due to its natural environment and position, the Bergamo area has always had great strategic importance over the centuries. Many examples of fortifications, old feudal castles, walled villages and stately homes still bear witness to the numerous invasions and dominations the region has undergone. Although many of these structures have been converted for civil use, their special atmosphere has been preserved intact. The most famous is undoubtedly Bergamo Fortress, but equally interesting buildings and places can be found in the area immediately around Bergamo, in the Seriana and Brembana valleys, in Valcalepio and Valcavallina. Below are some of them: the Castle was converted into a stately home of simple and austere style. A private chapel was added with many stuccoes and stained glass windows. Since then, it has been owned by various noble families, the Suardi counts, the Del Carretto marquises, and the Gonzaga di Vescovado princes. Since 1953 it has belonged to the Reschigna Kettlitz family of Milan, which has regenerated the local winemaking tradition by producing high-quality wines, which can be tasted and bought at the end of a visit. Today, the castle belongs to the Association of Castles and Villas Open in Lombardy, and its cellars are members of the Tourism Movement for Lombard Wine. GRUMELLO DEL MONTE CASTLE In the heart of the Valcalepio, between Bergamo and Lake Iseo, dominating the old town of the same name and its vineyards, the castle was probably built around the year 1000 as a military fortress. For the whole of the Middle Ages (when it was owned by the Grumello community, led by the town’s Consuls), it was used for observation, defence and shelter for the townspeople. The parts still remaining from this period are the tower with Guelph battlements, the guardhouse room, with cross vault, the prisons and the large cellars with vaulted ceiling, today used by the winemakers Tenuta Castello di Grumello, for maturing wines. In the early 14th century, the castle was handed over by the town’s Consuls to Cardinal Guglielmo Longo, who bought it through his procurer and man of arms Ceccone di Sassoferrato. In the second half of the same century, following the decline of the communes and the rise of the seigniory, Grumello lived through a period of endless struggles between the inhabitants of the town and the Ghibellines of Lake Iseo. In the 15th century the castle became the stage of battles between the Duchy of Milan and the Republic of Venice. Initially, it was a conquered territory of Pandolfo Malatesta by investiture of the Duke of Milan, Gian Galeazzo Visconti. Afterwards, like the rest of the Bergamo area, it came under the Republic of Venice and, in 1442, became the possession of the condottiero Bartolomeo Colleoni. From the 18th century, Grumello castle is 21 km from Bergamo. Guided tours are given by reservation every day of the week and Sunday afternoons. info@castellodigrumello.it www.castellodigrumello.it 30 MALPAGA CASTLE Located in Cavernago, Malpaga Castle is definitely one of the most typical constructions in Lombardy, for its architectural interest and for its link with a great figure of the 15th century, the Bergamo condottiero Bartolomeo Colleoni, who bought it in 1465. Colleoni had his home built on the ruins of the old fort. It was completed in 1458, although its decoration continued for another decade. No one knows who the architect was that supervised the alterations, however, Colleoni certainly played host to famous literati here, with feasts, banquets and tournaments. On his death, in 1475, the castle and the other possessions went to his sons. Walking through the rooms and the porticos you can still feel the atmosphere of grandeur and magnificence that animated it long ago. The walls of the interior courtyard, marked by strong, wide arches, are beautifully painted with battle and hunting scenes celebrating the deeds of the great Bergamo condottiero. In the magnificent hall on the ground floor, too, you can admire the frescoes immortalizing the visit of King Christian of Denmark, and the great banquet organized in his honour. BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! TRIP ADVICE DAYTRIP BERGAMO Colleoni Castle 24030 Solza (Bg) Tel. 035 4948138 Fax 035 901020 www.castellocolleoni.it nfo@castellocolleoni.it Also worth a visit are the castles of Marne, Martinengo, Pagazzano, Pumenengo, Urgnano in the Bergamo plain, the old towns of Gromo, Cornelio dei Tasso and Cazzano Sant’Andrea in Valle Brembana and Val Seriana, the castles of Bianzano, Castelli Calepio, Costa di Mezzate and Trescore Balneario in Valcavallina and Valcalepio, and Cisano Bergamasco Castle in Val San Martino. www.turismo.provincia.bergamo.it Marne Castle © Cruccone 31 THE SPAS There are several spas in Bergamo offering treatment in ideal surroundings for relaxation. Located in beautiful nature spots, these spas offer plenty of opportunities in between treatments for lighthearted amusement, cultural or sports pursuits or organized visits to discover the fascinating old towns and villages nearby and their typical produce. SANT’OMOBONO SPA Situated just 25 kilometres from Bergamo and at an altitude of 500 metres in the picturesque valley named Valle Imagna, Sant’Omobono is a particularly good place to stay in the summer. The valley provides beautiful and interesting walks for nature lovers, and there are plenty of opportunities for pot-holing enthusiasts. And that is not all; the parish church of Cepino, dedicated to St. Bernardino, preserves 17th-century paintings by unknown artists, an 18th-century pieta by Gaetano Peverada and sixteen small paintings with macabre scenes. In the parish church of Mazzoleni, dedicated to St. Homobonus (Sant’Omobono), you can admire several important paintings, including an altarpiece by G. G. Lolmo. The 18th-century parish church of Selino, on the other hand, conserves paintings of the 17th and 18th centuries, a depiction of the Virgin Mary attributed to Cignaroli and one of the Slaughter of the Innocents by Quarenghi. Sant’Omobono is also the site of the Sanctuary of Cornabusa, the dearest to the people of the Valle Imagna and the most well known even outside the Bergamo area. The sanctuary was made in a cave dedicated to the Virgin Mary holding Christ’s body. The properties of the sulphureous thermal waters were first mentioned in a monograph of 1772 and considered among the best that were known in the 19th century. The revival of the spas and their properties is due to the redevelopment of a late 19th-century stately home in the vicinity. With its wellness centre, it now draws guests in search of relaxation and health. The following treatments are given on the national health service at Sant’Omobono Spa: inhalation therapies (for vasomotor rhinopathy, chronic pharyngo laryngitis and chronic sinusitis), integrated cycles of lung 32 ventilation for treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis-bronchial syndromes, therapies for the treatment of rhinogenous deafness and of peripheral vasculophathy caused by after-effects of chronic phlebopathy, baths for dermatological illnesses (psoriasis, eczema and atopic dermatitis, recurring seborrhoeic dermatitis), hydropinic therapies for gastroenteric or biliary dyspepsia or irritable bowel syndrome. In addition, the following treatments are offered privately: thermal water or mud baths for osteoarthritis and osteoarticular rheumatism, vaginal irrigation (for painful sclerosis of pelvic tissue), massage, hydromassage, beauty treatments, baths in a swimming pool, motor rehabilitation cycles and gym. Sant’Omobono spa Viale alle Fonti, 117 - 24038 Sant’Omobono Imagna (BG) Tel. 035 851114 – 852242 Fax 035 851148 info@villaortensie.com http://www.villaortensie.com SAN PELLEGRINO SPA Just 25 kilometres from Bergamo and in the centre of the mountainous scenery of Val Brembana, San Pellegrino is definitely one of the most beautiful places in the Bergamo area. It was already highly frequented in the unrepeatable era of the Belle Epoque by artists from all over Europe, politicians, great entrepreneurs, as well as princes and other descendants of the various reigning royal houses. The names on the guest register of the Grand Hotel include Queen Margherita of Savoy and Queen Elena, together with Prince Umberto and Princess Maria; the pretext of the medical treatments enabled them to enjoy the high life, the amusements and games tables of the Casino, the parties, theatre performances, operettas, concerts and walks among the natural scenery. The Casino building (today the venue of important cultural events) dates from 1904. It is the most interesting example of art deco style in Europe with its dramatic entrance, monumental stairway and beautiful halls, including the Feasting Hall. Situated next to the spa, amid natural surroundings, with halls and porticos BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! COLLEONI DI SOLZA CASTLE Known as the place where Bartolomeo Colleoni was born in 1395, today the castle is the result of numerous alterations and overlays. Tradition has it that the man who became one of the most famous condottieri of the 15th century left his home at the age of 14 or 15, when he was just a boy. Today the complex appears modest in its small 14th-century structure with a square-shaped plan. It stands on a slight slope facing the flood plain of the River Adda and is surrounded by the buildings of the old town (from which it is detached). It is made up of the remains of a tower and of a surrounding wall, which encloses a courtyard onto which several buildings open. The scarp wall and several borings suggest there was once a defensive moat along the whole perimeter. The surrounding wall, on the other hand, has kept its original construction, except for the West front and part of the North and South fronts. On the top of the surrounding wall is a series of merlons, which were added after the first structure, and were partly filled in when it was converted into a stately home. Access to the castle is from the West side, via a sloping ramp obtained from the embankment of the sediment of the moat. The interior courtyard can be reached through a doorway in squared stone, which still has the seats in the interior doorposts for fitting the drawbridge. DAYTRIP BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! Malpaga Castle Via del Castello di Malpaga – 24050 Cavernago (Bg) Tel. +39 035 84 00 03 Fax +39 035 84 06 64 www.castellomalpaga.it info@castellomalpaga.it DAYTRIP BERGAMO geon shooting. There is an exercise trail and numerous walks for visitors to Pizzo Cerro, Sant’Antonio Abbandonato, Monte Sornadello, Monte Gioco and Monte Zucco, all at heights of between 1000 and 1600 metres. numerous castles, most converted into homes. The Suardi Chapel, with frescoes painted by Lorenzo Lotto in 1524, makes an extremely interesting visit for history and art lovers. There are four mediaeval fortresses in the area, which belonged to the Ghibelline families Suardi and Lanzi. The fortresses are Mnella, Alle Stanze, Alla Torre and Niardo (the latter is the best preserved, with a 13th-century tower dominating the courtyard inside the fortification). The place has long had close ties with spa treatments, which have been practiced for centuries in Trescore. Even the ancient Romans and later the Gauls resorted to its precious sulphureous waters. The latter have always been considered among the richest in Italy for hydrogen sulphide, and their efficiency has also been demonstrated in more recent history, when the spa was frequented by Bartolomeo Colleoni and even Giuseppe Garibaldi. Today, beside the valuable remains from Colleoni’s era, stands a modern, well equipped treatment centre, perfectly integrated with the surround- ing natural scenery in the centre of a vast park. At Trescore Spa, the following treatments are given on the national health service: inhalation therapies (for vasomotor rhinopathy, chronic pharyngo laryngitis and chronic sinusitis), integrated cycles of lung ventilation for treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis-bronchial syndromes, therapies for the treatment of rhinogenous deafness, thermal water and mud baths (for osteoarthritis and for the treatment of extraarticular rheumatism), baths for dermatological illnesses (psoriasis, eczema and atopic dermatitis, recurring seborrhoeic dermatitis). In addition, the following treatments are available privately: treatment for peripheral vasculophathy caused by after-effects of chronic phlebopathy, massage, hydromassage, beauty treatments, motor rehabilitation cycles and gym. Trescore Balneario spa Via Gramsci, s.n. – 24069 Trescore Balneario (Bg) Tel. 035/4255511 Fax 035/941.050 info@termeditrescore.it www.termeditrescore.it San Pellegrino spa Via Taramelli 2 - 24016 San Pellegrino Terme (Bg) Tel. 0345-22455 Fax 0345-23497 TRESCORE SPA Just 15 kilometres from Bergamo, Trescore is the main locality in the low part of Valle Cavallina. A very ancient town, today it still boasts Grand Hotel - San Pellegrino © Marco Milesi 33 Villa Terzi - Trescore © Paginazero 34 BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! San Pellegrino © reinholdbehringer DAYTRIP BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! containing marbles, mosaics and beautiful stained glass windows, it also offered the latest health services and equipment. Lower down, with its 128-metre façade running alongside the Brembo river, is the vast Grand Hotel, built in 1905. The San Pellegrino springs are excellent for kidney and gall stones, liver diseases and diseases of the digestive system. They were already well known in the Middle Ages, but it was only in the 18th century that their therapeutic properties began to be exploited, and only in the 19th century did the place become a first class spa. Today, the following treatments are given on the national health service: inhalation therapies (for vasomotor rhinopathy, chronic pharyngo laryngitis and chronic sinusitis), integrated cycles of lung ventilation for treatment of sinusitis and bronchitis, thermal water and mud baths for osteoarthritis and for the treatment of extra-articular rheumatism), vaginal irrigation (for painful sclerosis of pelvic tissue, persistent leucorrhoea caused by non-specific and dystrophic chronic vaginitis), hydropinic therapies for stones in the urinary tract, for gastroenteric or biliary dyspepsia or irritable bowel syndrome. In addition, the following treatments are offered privately: therapies for the treatment of rhinogenous deafness, peripheral vasculopathy caused by after-effects of chronic phlebopathy, massage, hydromassage, beauty treatments, baths in a swimming pool and gym. Besides the thermal treatments, there are numerous recreational activities: minigolf, skiing on grass, tennis, swimming and clay pi- DAYTRIP BERGAMO SOTTO IL MONTE GIOVANNI XXIII Just 18 kilometres from Bergamo, the little town of Sotto il Monte Giovanni XXIII (literally, “Beneath Mount John XXIII”) is still devoted to the “good pope”, elected in 1958. Arriving from the plain, the tower of St. John is immediately visible. Originally it was supposed to be a small fort linked to the early formation of the commune. Today it is a valuable example of Romanesque art. The places where Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli spent his childhood are still visited today by a great many pilgrims. The most popular destinations are the Palace - the little farmhouse where he was born - and Ca’ Maitino, the summer residence where he stayed as bishop and cardinal. The Palace, where Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli was born on 25 November 1881, is entrusted to the Missionary Fathers of the Foreign Missions Pontifical Institute (PIME), and has remained intact in all its rustic simplicity. Ca’ Maitino, Roncalli’s summer residence as a bishop and then cardinal, is run by the Sisters of the Poor, who keep mementos, personal effects and some of the gifts that were given to the Pope there. Lastly, the Abbey of Sant’Egidio, surrounded by woods and vineyards in Fontanella, is one of the places in Sotto il Monte that were dearest to Pope John. Sotto il Monte Giovanni XXIII © Luigi Chiesa CARAVAGGIO SANCTUARY The third most visited sanctuary in Italy, it is dedicated to St. Mary of the Spring, who, according to tradition, appeared to the young peasant woman Giannetta dè Vacchi in this place on 26 May 1432, while she was busy picking grass in a meadow, called Mazzolengo, far from the town. As a sign of the apparition, a spring gushed from the meadow and, during the course of time, was beneficial to many people. Following the numerous miraculous events that occurred here, it was decided to erect a small chapel with a hospital beside it on the spot. From 1575, these were replaced with the present-day temple to St. Mary, which the archbishop of Milan, Charles Borromeo, was very keen to have built. Phases of building alternated with long intervals, and construction continued into the first decades of the 18th century, with numerous changes from the original design by the architect Pellegrino Tibaldi (known as Pellegrini). The temple stands in the centre of a vast area of level ground surrounded by symmetrical porticos on all four sides. In the square in front of the road leading to the centre of the town, a tall marble obelisk with bronze putti commemorates the various miracles traditionally attributed to Our Lady of Caravaggio. Just beyond the obelisk is a large fountain, from where water passes underneath the church, gathering the water from the Holy Spring and collecting it in a pool where the infirm can submerge their diseased limbs. 35 The interior of the temple appears divided into two separate parts. The larger Western part houses four chapels, elaborately decorated on each side, the choir stalls and the main entrance. The smaller Eastern part provides access to the crypt below. The part containing the most important works of art is the sacristy, decorated with wonderful frescoes illustrating episodes in the life of Mary. The two parts are separated by the majestic high altar, definitely the most sumptuous and elaborate feature. Today, apart from being an important place of prayer, the complex also houses a Centre for Pilgrims and for the Sick, a Marriage and Family Guidance Centre and a Spirituality Centre. SANCTUARY OF OUR LADY OF THE GRACES, ARDESIO One of the best known and popular places in the whole diocese of Bergamo (and not only) for devotion to Mary, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Graces of Ardesio was built on the site of an apparition of Mary believed to have occurred on 23 June 1607. ON that day, two sisters, Mary and Caterina Salera, took refuge in a room of their humble home to pray for protection against a violent storm. Suddenly the room lit up and the Virgin Mary with the Holy Child appeared, seated on a golden throne. Immediately after the apparition, the sky became clear again. The decision to build the church was taken on 13 January 1608, while the first stone was laid on 24 June of the same year. Construction of the bell tower began later, in 1645. Today the sanctuary has a large number of visitors, who also come to see the beautiful decorations inside. In Valle Imagna there is the Sanctuary of Cornabusa, made out of a natural cave. Going back up the valleys, in Clusone there is one of the most important religious buildings in the Bergamo area, the Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption, built in the late 17th century and, next to it, the 15th-century Church of the Disciplines, with frescoes depicting the life of Christ. Descending towards the plain, on the road linking Bergamo to Lecco, is the Monastery of Pontida, a picturesque spot and a place of pilgrimage, now inhabited by a community of Benedictine monks. In Bergamo itself, the high part of the city contains the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, with the Colleoni Chapel alongside it, a mausoleum that the Bergamo condottiero wished to have for himself and his daughter Medea. More singular examples can be found in the sanctuary of Our Lady of the Tears in Ponte Nossa, where an embalmed crocodile hangs inside like an offering; and the sanctuary of Sombreno, on the hills of Bergamo, preserves the rib of a mammoth found in the surrounding clay soil, initially venerated as a relic. Caravaggio Sanctuary © Artemisi 36 BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! A deeply religious land, Bergamo and its province is scattered with churches and places of worship; there are no less than 106 sanctuaries dedicated to the Virgin Mary alone, some very well-known, like that of Our Lady of the Fountain in Caravaggio, where pilgrims arrive from all over Italy and Europe. Others are well known in the region, like that of Cornabusa, in Cepino, in Valle Imagna, or that of the Blessed Virgin of the Graces in Ardesio, in Val Seriana. Others still are well known simply in the province or local area. Founded mostly centuries ago, Bergamo’s sanctuaries are the focus of old and affirmed traditions, and the expression of a deep and true faith. Let us also not forget that John XXIII, elected Pope in 1958, came from this area, and he often returned here from the Vatican to his land, his people and his traditions. DAYTRIP BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! ITINERARIES OF RELIGIOUS INTEREST DAYTRIP BERGAMO Another internationally famous native of Bergamo is Michelangelo Merisi, better known as Caravaggio, the author of incredible paintings that revolutionized the history of art. Unfortunately none of his works are kept in his native land, nor is there any trace of the early years of his life. Recently the few bones found in Port Ercoli, where he died, were brought here (but they have already been returned). On the other hand, there is plenty of evidence of the life of Gaetano Donizetti, the famous composer and great musician. An “ideal” trail can be followed through the city on the hill to learn about his life. The Donizetti Museum is in Via Arena, and his tomb can be visited in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. Not far away, in via Donizetti, is the palace where he stayed for the last days of his life. Down below, in Low Bergamo, along the wide avenue called the Sentierone, is the magnificent theatre named after him. Evidence of Bartolomeo Colleoni, the condottiero who was also commander of the Venetian armies, is equally abundant. The castle where he was born, and Malpaga Castle, which he converted into a powerful bulwark to control the border of the State of Milan, along the River Adda, and then into a beautiful residence after he gave up arms, both in Solza, are situated in the Bergamo plain. And his tomb, better known as the Colleoni Chapel, where he was buried according to his wishes alongside his daughter Medea, is in the heart of High Bergamo. From the city’s relations with Venice arose its connection with the painter Lorenzo Lotto, who stayed in Bergamo for ten years and left numerous masterpieces behind in the area. You can still follow a “Lotto trail” today through the whole city, starting from the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and stopping at the church of St. Michael at Pozzo Bianco, where he frescoed the chapel of the Virgin Mary, the Church of St. Alexander of the Cross, where a small painting depicting the Trinity is kept, and the churches of San Bernardino, of the Holy Spirit and of St. Bartholomew. To discover Bergamo’s close tie with the sculptor Giacomo Manzù, you need to follow the Sentierone, via Torquato Tasso, Borgo Sant’Alessandro and Via San Tommaso, where you will find some of his works. The area is also the birthplace of numerous generations of artists. The famous Baschenis family of painters, the most notable being Evaristo Baschenis, author of still lifes, has its roots in Valle Brembana. The architect Giacomo Quarenghi, summoned by Catherine the Great of Russia to build the splendid palaces in St. Petersburg that are now world heritage sites, was born in the nearby Valle Imagna. The most important names from Valle Seriana are Giovan Battista Moroni, Albino, the great portrait artist whose paintings are in the most important museums in the world, and the Fantoni family, particularly Andrea, author of the masterpiece of the sacristies of the Basilica of Alzano Lombardo, among others. Vittore Ghislandi, born in Bergamo in 1655, was a lay monk in the Bergamo monastery of Galgario and one of the most expressive portrait artists in Europe of the 18th century. Antonio Locatelli, born in Bergamo in 1895, was a hero of the pioneering period of aviation and built his legend upon a series of actions along enemy lines in Austria and Germany. With Gabriele D’Annunzio, he took part in the famous distribution of pamphlets by air over Vienna; after the war, he led an expedition across the Andes by air in 1920, and became podestà (a sort of Chief Magistrate or administrator) of Bergamo in 1933. Today he is still the only Italian to be awarded three gold medals for military bravery. Lastly, Bergamo also boasts a Nobel prize winner, the scientist Andrea Viterbi. 37 SPORT It is certainly difficult to get bored in and around Bergamo. Both in the city and outside, in the province, you can find ample amusements and relaxation in any season. Both in summer and winter, the mountains of Bergamo provide endless opportunities to be enjoyed, with itineraries over the Bergamo Alps, hill walks in Maresana and Canto Alto, excursions by mountain bike along the paths and among the woods and hills of the mountains, or along the delightful cycle lanes of the Seriana and Brembana valleys. To make your nature trail more comfortable, the Sentiero delle Orobie, or Bergamo Alpine Path (divided into the Western and Eastern Bergamo Alps), passes the most important alpine huts in the area. There are also plenty of traditional fairs and opportunities to buy or try local produce, especially the excellent and famous cheeses. As far as winter sports are concerned, the advantage of the ski resorts here is that almost all are no more than an hour’s drive from Bergamo. Most of the 130 downhill skiing slopes are concentrated in Val Brembana and Val Seriana. There are others in Valle di Scalve, a little further away, which nonetheless offers the opportunity to ski in the Dolomites, dominated by beautiful mountains of pure limestone. The Bergamo Alps, which stretch for over 80 kilometres from Lecco Lake to Valle Camonica, face north, offering skiers plenty of hours of daylight and sun. There is a very wide and varied choice of where to ski, with almost 400 kilometres of snow to amuse yourself on in any way. 45 km are easy, while 64 are classed as averagely difficult. There are 21 more difficult routes for expert skiers to practice on. There are about seventy ski lifts, but don’t forget that good facilities and services can be found everywhere, together with cross-country slopes, sledging, bobsleighing, skating and highly modern snow parks: in short, everything you need to spend a day practising sport and having a wonderful time. The most famous ski resort, in history too, is undoubtedly Foppolo, in Valle Brembana. It 38 Foppolo © AleBoSS rose up just after the war on the wave of the “economic miracle, when the people of Bergamo and Milan began to ski. It is very well known among skiers in the rest of Europe, too. Other skiing resorts, all in the high valley, are Carona, San Simone, Piazzatorre, Valtorta Piani di Bobbio and Oltre il Colle Zambia. In Valle Seriana the most important resort is Monte Pora, which has developed in recent decades. In Lizzola, amid sharp peaks, the Spiazzi di Gromo and Presolana pass are “historic” places of Lombard skiing. At the beginning of the last century, the first descents on skis were made, to the astonishment of the local inhabitants. In the Valle di Scalve, there are the Schilpario and Colere slopes, winding below the northern wall of the Presolana mountains, whose rocky heights are a skiers’ paradise. Excursions to the lakes are bound to be just as unforgettable. Lake Iseo is a continuous series of unique places, picturesque landscapes and opportunities to practice sport and other outdoor activities. Sarnico and Lovere are the two main localities on the Bergamo shore. The coast is rocky and wild, but fascinating. The tract known as Bogn, from Riva di Solto to Castro, is of breathtaking beauty, with the creek, the rocks plunging straight into the lake and the crystal-clear blue water lapping on the pebble beach. Lake Endine too, in the heart of Val Cavallina, is highly picturesque with the mountains and landscape reflected on the water. For the less demanding tourist, it is a peaceful and relaxing BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! Bergamo and its province is not just history, art, religion and nature…it is also a land of great people. The most well known (judging by the continuous flow of visitors to his birthplace) is definitely Pope John XXIII. In Sotto il Monte, visitors can still see the house he was born in, the church where he was baptized and a museum dedicated to him. It is also worth discovering some of the places he loved best, such as the abbey of Fontanella, which can be reached via a short walk through fields and vineyards. SPORT BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! CURIOUS FACTS CURIOUS FACTS BERGAMO A few useful numbers: UFFICIO I.A.T. BASSO SEBINO Via Lantieri, 6 - 24067 Sarnico (BG) Tel. +39 035 910900 Fax +39 035 4261334 info@prolocosarnico.it UFFICIO I.A.T. ALTO SEBINO Piazza XIII Martiri - 24065 Lovere (BG) Tel. +39 035 962178 Fax +39 035 962525 iat.altosebino@tiscali.it www.comune.lovere.bg.it UFFICIO I.A.T. VAL CAVALLINA Via Suardi, 20 - 24069 Trescore Balneario (BG) Tel. +39 035 944777 Fax +39 035 8364548 info@prolocotrescore.it www.prolocotrescore.it UFFICIO I.A.T. VALLE BREMBANA Via Roma - 24010 Sedrina (BG) Tel. - Fax +39 0345 23344 ufficioturistico@vallebrembana.bg.it www.vallebrembana.bg.it UFFICIO TURISTICO ALTA VALLE SERIANA E VALLE DI SCALVE Via Europa 111/c – 24028 Ponte Nossa (BG) Tel. +39 035 704063 Fax +39 035 704063 info@valseriana.bg.it www.valseriana.bg.it BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! Lastly, there are the rivers: the Adda and its banks offer ideal excursions on foot, by bicycle or on horseback; the Brembo, especially the mountain and torrent sections, is considered one of the best rivers for canoeing. On a number of fixed days in summer, the big Barbellino Dike, upstream along the river Serio, is opened, allowing the public to watch the mass of water falling 315 metres. www.prolocosarnico.it SHOPPING BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! place, for sports enthusiasts, it is a real openair gym (with sailing, wind-surfing, canoeing and rowing) and a famous place for fishing. In winter, when the water in the lake freezes over, it is really a unique sight at these heights. The beauty of the lake can be enjoyed by walking along the old mule paths that lead from Endine and the right-hand shore up to Ranzanico and then on to Bianzano. The little towns and villages along the shore are dotted with small churches with beautiful works of art and numerous mediaeval castles. SPORT BERGAMO SHOPPING Bergamo is a rich city in every sense; as well as offering interesting cultural and nature trails, there are also plenty of shops and amusements. Most of the shopping streets are in Low Bergamo: Via XX Settembre, Largo Belotti, Bia Sant’Alessandro or Largo Rezzara. The historic centre of the high part of the city is animated by a lively nightlife, with many bars, restaurants and clubs. IL SENTIERONE In the heart of the city, parallel to Piazza Matteotti, the Sentierone is an attractive, tree-lined avenue and a regular meeting place for Bergamo’s residents. Built in 1620, for centuries it was the place where contracts were stipulated during the Fair of St. Alexander. In the 20th century it became residents’ favourite place for a stroll. Today, the city seems to give its best in this very spot, with the double rows of horse chestnut trees, the theatre dedicated to Gaetano Donizetti and the monument representing the great musician, the symmetric pattern of the porticos and, high above it all, the wonderful view of High Begamo. FIERA DI BERGAMO Fiera di Bergamo is an avant-garde district for fairs and exhibitions built recently on the model of the most modern European trade fair and exhibition centres. The structure containing the pavilions of the fair was designed to accommodate many different types of events, from trade fairs to conferences, from lectures to cultural and artistic events. The complex is composed of four distinct parts, which intersect each other forming a large, upside down T. It covers an area of almost 200,000 sq.m. There are 2 exhibition pavilions of medium size, a multi-functional centre, a conference centre, two large warehouses, three bars and a restaurant. Fiera Bergamo Via Lunga 24125 Bergamo Tel. +39 035 32 30 911 F Fax +39 035 32 30 910 www.bergamofiera.it Iseo Lake 39 Sentierone © Seaan 40 Festival Internazionale della Cultura Bergamo Viale Papa Giovanni XXIII, 106 Tel. +39 035 358947 Fax +39 035 236474 info@bergamofestival.it www.bergamofestival.it BERGAMO FILM MEETING Bergamo Film Meeting was started in 1983 to encourage the knowledge and spread of cinema culture around the local area and the country. The following year, at the first Festival, the association of the same name was set up. The association took on the role of organizer of the event and producer of other events and festivals in league with other organizations, including important film libraries and contemporary art museums, such as the Museum of Cinema of Turin, the British Film Institute, London, GAMeC – Galleria d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea, Bergamo, Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia – National Film Library, Rome, the Griffith Film Library of Genoa, the Bologna City Film Library, the Italian Film Library Foundation of Milan, AGIS – Associazione General dello Spettacolo. www.bergamofilmmeeting.it BERGAMO SCIENCE BergamoScience is a Festival for the popularization of science. Thanks to the intuition and determination of a group of friends belonging to the Sinapsi Association, it has involved the city since 2003, presenting a full programme of free events. The aim is to take science “into the street” and make it available to everyone, especially young people and schools. There are many events that make for great discoveries and excitement, and it is one of the most eagerly awaited appointments of the autumn: lectures, round tables, exhibitions, interactive workshops, shows and various initiatives, including the Science Bus, the Science Showcase and the Photograph BergamoScience competition. www.bergamoscienza.it INTERNATIONAL PIANO FESTIVAL OF BERGAMO AND BRESCIA One of the most important events in the world dedicated specifically to the piano, both as a solo instrument and as a prestigious part of great orchestras, the festival stands apart from other events of its kind for its organization around a theme: each year it has a guiding thread that focuses on an author, a cultural milieu or a particular historical period. It has belonged to the European Festivals Association since 1987. The founding member of Italiafestival, it comes under the patronage of the Benevolent Fund of the President of the Italian Republic and, in 1992, it won the patronage of the Benevolent Fund of the President of the European Parliament. www.festivalpianistico.it FOOD Simple and wholesome, Bergamo’s cuisine excels in preserved meats, cheeses and wines, but especially polenta, which is prepared in hundreds of different ways. Typical Bergamo dishes include: casonsèi, large pasta parcels filled with bread, sausage and Parmesan cheese and served with melted butter; polenta e osèi, a famous dish of small birds cooked in a pan (that some have described as “food of the gods”), polenta taragna with Branzi cheese, served alone or with sausages or liver sausage, and Donizetti cake, dedicated to the great Bergamo musician. Among the most famous preserved meats are Bergamo sausage, Bergamo pancetta and Bergamo salami, all produced from different cuts of fresh pork. Among the most famous cheeses are Taleggio, GAETANO DONIZETTI BERGAMO MUSIC FESTIVAL Started in 2006 by the Gaetano Donizetti Foundation and Bergamo City Council, it has one feature that distinguishes it from similar events: the research institute and the producer are the same, thus the Donizetti Foundation can follow all the phases, from preparation of the “texts” to work on the stage. The heart and soul of the festival is made up of operas and ballets that can appeal to enthusiasts. Alongside these is a full line-up of side events and in-depth analysis, from film viewings, to listening guides, readings, lectures and book presentations. The Donizetti Prize and numerous events animate all the places linked to the musician in the city. www.bergamomusicafestival.it 41 Stracchini, Caprini and different types of Formagella; they are all the fruit of a very ancient cheese-making tradition going back as far as Roman times, and which developed industrially in the plain from the 13th century and was perfected in the first half of the 20th century. As far as fish is concerned, there are very particular ways of preparing trout and lake carp, grilled sardines, bleaks, fried or in brine. There is also a curious “sweet version” of small birds and polenta: a sponge dome covered with sugar and maize flour and topped with tiny chocolate birds. All these dishes have become extremely refined over time and can be enjoyed today both in typical eating houses and sophisticated restaurants. Donizetti Cake Ingredients: 320 g butter; 135 g sugar; 8 egg yolks and 4 whites; 50 g flour; 120 g of starch or arrowroot; 100 g diced candied apricots; 100 g diced candied pineapple; 1 teaspoon Maraschino liqueur; 1 vanilla pod. Preparation: Blend the butter with 120 g sugar, then add the egg yolks one at a time until they are all well blended. Whisk the egg whites with the remaining sugar and add to the previous mixture. Gradually add the flour, the starch and lastly the candied apricot and pineapple, along with the Maraschino and the vanilla. Grease a 24-26 cm diameter ring mould and pour in the mixture. Place in a preheated oven at 180° for about 40 minutes. 42 BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! INTERNATIONAL CULTURE FESTIVAL The International Culture Festival was introduced to contribute to the social and cultural development of Bergamo and its surroundings, with a new model aimed at young people and their future. The aim is to promote culture as a lifestyle among young people and produce opportunities for exchange and diffusion, building cultural bridges towards Europe and the world. FOOD BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! EVENTS EVENTS BERGAMO Ingredients: Pasta: 800 g strong flour; 200 g hard wheat flour; 3 eggs; water. For the filling: 150 g minced salami meat; 100 g roast beef; 60 g breadcrumbs; 6 amaretti biscuits; 10 g sultanas; 1/2 pear; garlic; parsley; Grana Padano; 1-2 eggs; salt; pepper; 100 g bacon ; butter; sage. Preparation: blend the flour, eggs and a pinch of salt and add enough water to obtain a smooth mixture. Leave it to rest for half an hour. In the meantime, prepare the filling: heat a knob of butter in a pan and brown the minced salami meat, the peeled pear, then add the roast beef, the garlic and parsley. Pour into a mixing bowl, add the cheese, breadcrumbs, eggs, ground amaretti biscuits, sultanas, pepper and a pinch of salt. Roll out the pasta dough to a thickness of about 0.6 mm. Place some of the filling in the centre of the pasta discs (6/8 mm diameter), then fold each disc over the filling, seal the edge, fold the filled part onto the edge and press lightly in the centre. Boil the casonsèi in salted water, drain and serve with melted butter, sage and pancetta and grated cheese. WI-FI E HOT-SPOT Recently created by the joint efforts of Bergamo City Council, Fondazione Bergamo nella Storia and Fondazione Famiglia Legler, Bergamo Wi-Fi is a service for everyone. Designed to provide citizens and tourists with a flexible and efficient navigation service, it also aims to make maximum use of the city’s historical and artistic heritage and to expand the social and cultural life of the city. The idea to extend Wi-Fi technology to three squares in the city, Piazza Vecchia, Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe and Piazza Vittorio Veneto, arose in 2008, within the scope of the project promoted by Fondazione Bergamo nella storia, “From the museum to the city, project for opening the museum of the Venetian age at Palazzo del Podestà”. Polenta e osèi Ingredients: small birds (skylarks, thrushes, figpeckers, chaffinches); sliced loin of pork; sage leaves; butter; salt. Preparation: pluck the birds, singe them to get rid of any down and remove the eyes and feet. Then thread them onto a skewer, alternating them with the slices of pork rolled around the sage leaves. Melt the butter in the drip pan, which you will then use to spread over the birds throughout the cooking time. After almost 50 minutes, when the birds have lost their fat and begin to “foam”, add plenty of salt, then let them cook on a low heat for another 3 and a half hours. Meanwhile make the polenta. 20 minutes before removing the skewers from the heat remove the drip pan, take away the embers and cook the skewered birds again until they lose their remaining fat. When cooked, thread them off the skewer and put them in a hot dish. Serve with piping hot polenta. 43 44 Today, the Hotspots are in Piazza Vecchia, Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe and Piazza Vittorio Veneto, in the Tiraboschi Library, the Caversazzi Library and in Palazzo Frizzoni. Bergamo Wi-Fi allows free Internet surfing for two hours per day (subject to registration). The access data are strictly personal and last for up to a year. After 15 days of use, the account will be cancelled and a new registration is required to surf. Go on the website www.bergamowifi.it and discover how to connect and surf for free. BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! Casoncelli alla bergamasca WI-FI / HOTSPOT BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! FOOD BERGAMO BINDING AREA: A4 PRINTED PAPER CLIP HERE, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 2, TO GET AN EASY GUIDE TO BRING WITH YOU! WRITE HERE YOUR TRAVEL NOTES for further informations scans the QRcode www.weagoosocial.com www.weagoo.com copyright © 2012 weagoo V. 1.0 Weagoo does not guarantee the quality the accuracy of information and the exclusive character of the same. 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