Bergamo and its land

Transcription

Bergamo and its land
Bergamo and its land
Bergamo, the city
Val Brembana
Val Seriana
Valle
Imagna
Lovere
Lago
Endine
Isola
Bergamasca
History, art and culture
Lago
d’Iseo
Val Cavallina
Bergamo
The Orobie, mountains to be enjoyed
Lakes and rivers
Orio al Serio
Val Calepio
Sarnico
Pianura Bergamasca
Sport, great fun for all
Aromas and flavours
Spas and wellness
Faith and traditions, the power of one’s roots
Bergamo and its land
“Bergamo and its province” is an opportunity to learn more about the vast artistic, cultural and
natural heritage that we have to offer.
It has been divided into eight sections: Bergamo the city, a genuine gem of history and architecture
perched atop a green hill; history, art and culture, a presentation of the varied tourist offer in our
historical districts and villages; mountains, lakes and rivers, a review of the natural beauties of our
territory; flavours, information on local products and traditional old recipes; sport, spas and wellness, all the details you need for an active holiday with moments of pure relaxation, and finally faith
and traditions, an outline of some of the religious itineraries that often accompany local festivals.
The array of offers is truly varied, and the city and province provides accommodation facilities and
tourist services of the highest level of quality.
We invite you to our home and accompany you on a journey through the history, traditions and
attractions of Bergamo province, a land of a thousand facets and nuances, a land that knows how
to welcome you and make your holiday unforgettable.
You can access the special multimedia content (video, internet sites,
QR
Code
Vcards, text and much more) by simply scanning of taking a photograph
with your cell phone of the QR codes published on the following pages.
Scalve Valley
Brembana Valley
Seriana Valley
Imagna
Valley
Lovere
Lake
Endine
Cavallina Valley
Bergamo
Bergamask
River Area
Lake
Iseo
Orio al Serio
Airport
Calepio Valley
Sarnico
Bergamask Plain
Bergamo, the city
Bergamo, the city on the hill
history
Strolling among art and
Piazza Vecchia, one of the most beautiful squares in Italy
spiritual heart
Bergamo
The climb by funicular train
BASILICA OF SANTA MARIA MAGGIORE
GAETANO Donizetti
EVENTS: bergamo
don’t miss
Piazza Duomo, the
The walls
“Modern”
Bergamo, the city on the hill
It is believed that the name Bergamo is derived from the Celtic Berg-heim, meaning “town on the hill”,
which is entirely plausible given the principal feature of the old city, which is situated on high ground
between the plain and the mountains and framed by walls that surround it on the top of the hill.
It is precisely the outline of these walls, built by Venice in the sixteenth century, that are the distinctive
and unmistakeable feature of hilltop Bergamo, better known as Città Alta (Upper Town). Most of the
city’s historic buildings and monuments are condensed within this mighty, six kilometre long ring.
The climb by funicular train
Among the ways a visitor can access the city on the hill from the town on the plain, certainly the
most unusual and interesting is that offered by the funicular railway, which arrives right inside
the walls, giving tourists some wonderful views on the way up. The journey from the station in
Viale Vittorio Emanuele to Città Alta is short, but exciting. As you step out of the funicular car,
you feel like you have the old town in the palm of your hand. And if you leave the main street and
enter the web of medieval alleyways and small squares, your visit is transformed into a kaleidoscope of continuously changing sights and sounds.
On the opening page: view from above of Piazza Duomo. On these pages: the white Porta San
Giacomo and the unmistakeable skyline of the hilltop town.
VIA SA
N
VIG
ILIO
FUNICOLARE
SAN VIGILIO
PIAZZA
CITTADELLA
VIA
P
II
VIA
NUL
LO
LE
UE
AN
EM
V.
CARLO
E
AL
VI
A
VI
VIA S. ALE
SSAN
DRO
VIA
NUL
LO
VIA L
APAC
ANO
NOV
EMB
RE
VIA LE
GIONA
RI IN PO
LONIA
VIA
PA
G.
LE
D’A
O
LZ
CA
AN
O
PA
PA
GL
IA
A
VI
A IL
LM
PA
VIA
S.
LA
ZZ
AR
O
VIA
MO
RO
NI
VIA S. BERN
ARDINO
VIA
On leaving the funicular station, you are greetVIA
SC
OT
TI
J
MA
VIA
NO
BO
VIA
III
XX
VIA
SP AVENTA
VI
A
I
ZZ
MO
CA
I
FE
AF
M
PIAZZA
PONTIDA
VIA ZAMBONATE
VIA
A
VI
VIA BROSETA
O
SS
TA
NI
AN
OV
GI
RE
MB
TE
ET
XS
X
VIA
PA
PA
P
VIA COGHETTI
A
VI
PORTA
NUOVA
BO
RF
UR
O
PIG
NO
LO
P
NE
RO
IE
NT
SE
VIA SANT’OR
SOLA
VIA
I
NN
VA
IO
NG
SA
VIA
ZA
AZ E
PI ANT
D
Upper Bergamo, because of its small size, can be
discovered by taking a pleasant walk.
GAMEC
NI
IA
IG
RT
A
P
LLI
ME
RA
TA
VIA
VIA
P
SO
MA
TO
I
RD
VE
A
VI
VIA IV
A
M
RO
COMUNE
VIA GIUSEPPE GARIBALDI
DI BERGAMO
Palazzo Frizzoni
P
VIA
PIG
NO
LO
M
AS
ON
E
A
VI
P.ZZA
DELLA
LIBERTA’
N
SA
VI
A
S. ALESSANDRO
VI
A
AL
BI
NI
ZA
M
BI
AN
CH
I
I
LL
TE
CA
LO
A
AT
IG
BR P
A
VI
E
AL
VI
SA
NT
A
LU
CI
A
VI
A
D.
CH
IE
SA
GR
AT
AR
OL
I
I
LL
TE
CA
LO
N
SA
A
VI
VI
A
PI
LU
VI
A
Strolling among art and history
VIA MAZZINI
VIA DIAZ
ST
AT
UT
O
VIA
NEG
RI
A
VI
FUNICOLARE
LETTA
CA
IS
L D GALLERIA
SA CONCA D’ORO
VICOLO
VI
A
VIA
RISM
OND
O
Accademia
Carrara
VIA ROCCA
A
NT
PI
DI
PIAZZA
VIA PORTA
A
E MUR
MERCATO
DELL
LE
IA
DELLE SCARPE V

V.
FARA
A
VI
VI
A
VIA
I
RM
EA
TR
VIA S
TATU
TO
PIAZZA
VECCHIA
AR
EN
A
MU
RA
VIA
DEL
DISO
PARA
VIA
GO
MB
ITO
VI
A
LU
PO
DE
LL
E
VIA
VI
AL
E
VIALE DELLA
VIA
DEL
VAG
INE
VIA
CO
LLE
ON
I
VIA SOLA
TA
PIAZZA
MASCHERONI
PA
LA
ZZ
OL
O
ZI
EN
UD
GA
VIA
HIO
CC
VE
ROTONDA
BUTTINONE
I
GH
EN
AR
QU
ed by the unique sight of Piazza Mercato delle P
VIA WOLFGANG GOETHE
VIA CARDUCCI
VI
A
RO
NZ
ON
I
VI
A
ZE
NA
VIA
LE
CA
RD
UC
CI
B.
GO
S.
LE
ON
AR
DO
VI
A
F.L
LI
CA
LV
I
VI
A
Scarpe (Shoe Market Square). Straight ahead
I
LL
ME
NO
BO
STAZIONE
VIA
lies Via Gombito, which leads to the soaring meVIA
dieval Gombito Tower, on the left alongside a narrow quadrivium.
AL
FI
ER
I
F.L
LI
RO
SS
I
VI
A
VI
A
VI
A
CE
RA
SO
LI
VIA
I
LL
ME
NO
BO
After the crossroads, the scene opens like a theatre stage onto the magic of Piazza Vecchia, an
extraordinary place considered one of the most
beautiful squares in Italy.
Continue and you’ll come across Via Colleoni, a
street lined with buildings, each with a story to tell.
On the left is the façade of the Teatro Sociale (SoCENTRO
cial Theatre), the work of the architect Leopoldo
CITTA’
Pollak (1803); on the right, at number 9, stands a
fifteenth-century marble doorway leading to what
VAL SERIANA
VAL BREMBANA
remains of the condottiero Bartolomeo Colleoni’s
LECCO
house. The road opens into light
COMO and spacious Pi-
CIRCONVALLAZIONE POMPINIANO
CIRCONVALLAZIONE
azza Mascheroni, built in the sixteenth century to
AUTOSTRADA
hold the city’s market. A tower leads to
the court-
yard of the Cittadella (citadel). Opposite you’ll find
Colle Aperto from where buses leave heading for
lower Bergamo.
LOVERE
SARNICO
AEROPORTO
Piazza Vecchia,
one of the most beautiful squares in Italy
Piazza Vecchia is the genuine heart of the city. Its beauty and the balanced proportion of volumes and
lines that make it unforgettable are not the result of the genius of some architect, but are due to its shaping by generations of Bergamask people, in a succession of art and history. Your eye is immediately drawn
to the beautiful white marble Contarini fountain in the centre, and the alignment of the buildings along the
two sides directs your sight towards Palazzo della Ragione (Palace of Reason) at the end of the square.
The façade of this twelfth century building is dominated by the symbolic lion of Venice, a reminder of the
centuries of historic, cultural and economic relations between the two cities. Standing tall in a corner is
the Civic Tower, known also as the “Campanone”, or big bell, a landmark infused with civic meaning, as
demonstrated by the 180 times the large bell tolls each evening to mark the ancient curfew.
This square was the seat of political and administrative power until the nineteenth century, and is overlooked by Palazzo del Podestà, the residence of Venetian rulers, and the Town Hall, which can be identified
by its impressive marble façade and which today houses the Civic Library.
Piazza Duomo, the spiritual heart
Beyond the portico beneath Palazzo della Ragione lies another square that is no less charged with meaning.
Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square) condenses the values and religious history of the entire Bergamo
area. Overlooking this intimate square are the Cathedral dedicated to the patron saint, St. Alexander, under
which the remains of two previous cathedrals have been found, including an early Christian church; the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, with its austere Romanesque exterior that disguises a treasure trove of
sumptuous Baroque decoration inside; the Colleoni Chapel, a masterpiece of Lombardy Renaissance, built
by Giovanni Antonio Amadeo for the great leader, Colleoni, who is buried alongside the tomb of his daughter
Medea, and the Baptistery, which is positioned with particular scenic effect on this side of the square.
On the previous pages: Piazza Vecchia, the true historical heart of upper Bergamo. Below: the light
interior of the Cathedral, another view of Piazza Vecchia and a famous painting by G. B. Moroni kept in
the Carrara Art Gallery in Bergamo. Right: view of the Cathedral of Sant’Alessandro from the northern
doorway of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
1. Colleoni Chapel; eighteenth-century frescoes by Tiepolo
2. Northern entrance with column-bearing lions
3. Florentine and Flemish tapestries, the tomb of G. Donizetti,
Baroque confessional by Fantoni
4. Wooden marquetry panels and crucifix
5. Entrance designed by Giovanni da Campione
6. Central apse
7. Baroque decoration
7
1
3
6
4
5
2
BASILICA OF SANTA
MARIA MAGGIORE
The heritage of art and history which, over
eight centuries, has been concentrated into
the Basilica, is such that it leaves even the
most seasoned tourist in awe.
Visitors can enter the church either by the
northern entrance of “red lions” or the southern entrance with its porch supported by
white marble lions, both the work of Giovanni
da Campione. Inside, attention is drawn to the
frescoes, which originally decorated the entire
church, the tapestries, the choir and the wonderful marquetry panels made according to a
design by Lorenzo Lotto.
The adjacent Colleoni Chapel, with frescoes by
Tiepolo, is also well worth a visit.
Virtual Tour
inside
the Basilica
of Santa Maria
Maggiore
Below: exterior views of the Basilica of
Santa Maria Maggiore and the Colleoni Chapel, a marquetry panel by Lorenzo Lotto and the Baptistery. Right: the
Renaissance Colleoni Chapel.
Don’t miss
There are three privileged
points from which to see the
old city from above.
The keep of the Rocca (fortress), built in the fourteenth
century on the site of a late medieval castle, which offers not
only an extensive view towards
the mountains, but also a unique glimpse over the towers,
bell towers and domes of the
old town.
The Civic Tower, which can be
accessed from Piazza Vecchia
by a modern lift, which provides
12
a 360 degree view of the entire
urban network, revealing at the
same time the rooftops of the
buildings of greatest interest.
The hill of San Vigilio, which
overlooks the city. One of the
best ways to reach the hill is by
funicular railway, and the station
can be found not far from Colle
Aperto, just beyond Sant’Alessandro Gate. Once at the top, a
road leads to a castle which offers an extraordinary view over
the city, plain and mountains.
Alternatively, a walk can be enjoyed along the alleyways and
flights of steps to explore the
very beautiful band of hills that
extends among gardens, vegetable plots, elegant villas, small
churches and sanctuaries.
The walls
A pleasant walk begins in Colle Aperto and winds along the ramparts of the walls. It seems like you are walking on a terrace
suspended in mid-air, between the continuously changing façade of the old city on one side and the view of modern Bergamo
extending towards the plain on the other. A visit to the lofty underground passages discovered in the bastion of San Giovanni
could also be included on route. Once at the monumental Sant’Agostino Gate, your walk continues along the few metres
that separate the Piazzale della Fara, a splendid natural stage, and the former Church of Sant’Agostino and monastery,
which now houses the university. The Church of San Michele al Pozzo Bianco with frescoes by Lorenzo Lotto lies a short
distance away, in Via Fara.
Left: the majestic Rocca (fortress) of Bergamo. Below: the green hill of upper Bergamo with the Venetian walls and the flights of
stairs, the Gate and former Sant’Agostino Monastery and the interior of the Church of San Michele al Pozzo Bianco which houses
frescoes dating back from the thirteenth to the sixteenth century, in particular those by Lorenzo Lotto in the left-hand crypt.
“Modern”
Bergamo
A bird’s eye view would be ideal to see the close relationship that exists between modern Bergamo on the plain
and the old part of the town, represented by the borghi
or districts. These developed along the principal roads
of communication between the upper town and the surrounding areas. The most important, in terms of art and
history, are Borgo Pignolo, Borgo Palazzo and Borgo
Sant’Alessandro. At the heart of Borgo Pignolo are two
extraordinary art museums: the “Bernareggi” Museum
of Sacred Art and, in adjacent Via San Tomaso, the famous Pinacoteca Carrara, an art gallery situated near to
the Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art (GAMeC).
The modern town developed between the district of Pignolo and Sant’Alessandro between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The most significant places in the modern
town are the Sentierone, where locals take their traditional
passeggiata, and the Torre dei Caduti (Memorial Tower).
The Sentierone is overlooked by the Donizetti Theatre and
its romantic monument dedicated to the maestro, and
the Church of San Bartolomeo, with its large altarpiece
by Lorenzo Lotto “Madonna with Child on a throne and
Saints”. If you would like to get a souvenir photo of Bergamo condensed into one shot, we recommend heading to
the propylaea of Porta Nuova, two Neoclassical buildings
standing either side of Viale Vittorio Emanuele. With the
station behind you, the left-hand propylaeum is the ideal
point to capture the view which opens out towards Città
Alta and its skyline from the balanced space of the Sentierone. Click! Done! You can keep the memory of an unforgettable city always on you, as well as in your heart and mind.
Views of lower Bergamo. Above: the elegant Piazza
Dante Alighieri, designed by G.B. Caniana in 1740,
the only fascinating reminder of the old city fair.
GAETANO Donizetti
Gaetano Donizetti, the celebrated composer who wrote works such as “Lucia di Lammermoor” and “L’elisir d’Amore”, was born
in Bergamo in Via Borgo Canale, just outside the town walls. The house of his birth,
which today has been transformed into a
museum, can be found in this street. But
of all the museums dedicated to Donizetti,
the most important must be the Donizetti
Museum, which houses various mementos and records of his life. This museum is
situated in Via Arena, a continuation of Via
Donizetti. These beautiful roads are closely
connected to the famous composer, who
died in Via Donizetti (see the plaque on the
façade of Palazzo Scotti), and completed
his musical studies in Via Arena.
The final monument connected to the memory of Donizetti is his tomb, which can be
found in the central nave of the Basilica of
S. Maria Maggiore, alongside the tomb of
his much-loved teacher Simon Mayr.
Below: Largo Porta Nuova with the Neoclassical propylaea, Piazza della Libertà and Via S. Alessandro. Piazza Vittorio Veneto and the
Torre dei Caduti (Memorial Tower), the Church of San Bartolomeo and the Donizetti Theatre, inaugurated in 1791 and initially called
the Riccardi Theatre, which was dedicated to the composer Gaetano Donizetti in honour of the centenary of his birth.
EVENTS: bergamo
March
BERGAMO JAZZ
Donizetti Theatre
Great musical evenings of contemporary jazz.
March
BERGAMO FILM MEETING
Bergamo
Great review of Italian and foreign cinema.
April
BERGAMO INTERNATIONAL
FESTIVAL OF CULTURE
In various locations in Bergamo
The festival is a journey into the world of culture
through the 7 arts.
May - June
BRESCIA AND BERGAMO
INTERNATIONAL PIANO FESTIVAL
Donizetti Theatre
One of the most important world festivals dedicated
to the piano.
July
INTERNATIONAL ART
CINEMA FESTIVAL
Upper Bergamo
Festival dedicated to cinema in its various expressive forms.
August - September
notti di luce (NIGHTS OF LIGHT)
In various locations in Bergamo
The city plays host to great music and wonderful
plays set in some of the most striking places in Bergamo, which have been illuminated for the occasion.
September - October
“City of Bergamo” INTERNATIONAL
ORGAN FESTIVAL
Bergamo
Internationally recognised festival.
September - December
BERGAMO GAETANO DONIZETTI
MUSIC FESTIVAL
Donizetti Theatre
Opera festival dedicated to the Bergamask composer Gaetano Donizetti.
October
BERGAMOSCIENZA
In various locations in Bergamo
Internation festival dedicated to science with shows,
conferences and workshops.
October
“mercatanti” FAIR
Sentierone – Lower Bergamo
A blend of colours, flavours and typical products
from all over Europe.
Scalve Valley
Brembana Valley
Seriana Valley
Imagna
Valley
Lovere
Lake
Endine
Bergamo
Bergamask
River Area
Lake
Iseo
Cavallina Valley
Orio al Serio
Airport
Calepio Valley
Sarnico
Bergamask Plain
History, art and culture
Under the aegis of St. Mark
Lorenzo Lotto in Bergamo
Harlequin and his house
the villages, hidden treasures of the Bergamask valleys
the Romanesque
the museums and industrial archaeology
of Crespi D’adda
Events: history, art and culture
the colleoni Castles
The Workers’ Village
Under the aegis of St. Mark
Visitors entering upper Bergamo through Porta Sant’Agostino, a monumental gate made of austere
sandstone, are confronted by the sculpture of a lion, located on the tympanum above the façade.
This is the lion of St. Mark, the symbol of Venice.
The centuries-old relationship between Bergamo and Venice, which continued from 1427 to 1797,
left a profound mark on the history of Bergamo and its territory from a political, economic, artistic
and cultural point of view. Numerous Bergamask people, in particular from the valleys, moved to
Venice to work, often as domestic staff in the houses of great merchants and noblemen. This created a growing cultural exchange that enriched both communities.
In this way, a legend began, which stated that the Zanni gave rise to several famous masked characters. It is claimed, for example, that Harlequin was born in the Brembana Valley, while Brighella is
supposed to have come from upper Bergamo.
Lorenzo Lotto in Bergamo
The exchange with Venice gave rise to several significant events, such as the long relationship between Lorenzo Lotto and Bergamo. Lorenzo Lotto stayed in Bergamo for ten years – from 1513
to 1523 – and considered it his second home. During his time in the area he created many masterpieces, such as the Martinengo Altarpiece in the Church of San Bartolomeo, the polyptych of
Ponteranica and the Celana altarpiece in the province, as well as the extraordinary cycle of frescoes of the Story of St. Barbara, in Trescore Balneario.
On the opening page: “Stendardo della Visitazione” (Standard of the Visitation) by G.B. Moroni kept in
the sacristy of the Church of San Giuliano in Albino. Right: Harlequin. Below: St. Mark’s Lion, a marquetry panel and the “Christo Arbor Vitae” by Lorenzo Lotto kept in Trescore Balneario, and a fresco
in the Church of Costa Serina in the Brembana Valley.
Harlequin and his house
There is a popular legend that
accompanies tradition which
states that the renowned Harlequin was born in a building in
the attractive medieval village
of Oneta, in the heart of the
Brembana Valley. The house
in which the masked character was supposed to have
lived is a solid fifteenth-century
building, better known as the
House of Harlequin, which
has become a point of reference for events, meetings and
theatre performances that
are connected, naturally, to
the mask of Harlequin.
Bergamo uses the image of
Harlequin to promote tourism, due both to the existing
links between the famous
character and Bergamo and
because of his multi-coloured
costume, which is well suited
to the variegated features of
the Bergamo region.
22
the villages, hidden treasures
of the Bergamask valleys
The village of Cornello, or Cornello dei Tasso, in the Brembana Valley, is named after the Tasso family, whose history
is interwoven with that of Europe because of its activities as postal couriers throughout the continent. The Tasso
family is considered the creators of the modern postal service. Visitors to Cornello will not only find museums on the
history of the postal service and the Tasso, but also an unspoilt and very attractive medieval village. The “portico-lined
road” is very interesting, and it was here that carriages travelling along the ancient road that followed the river would
stop in their shade. Another portico-lined road can be found in Averara, which is also located along the same route.
Averara is also known as the village that gave rise to a dynasty of painters, the Baschenis family, who for generations
worked not only in Bergamo and the surrounding area, but also in Trentino where they frescoed churches and chapels in the various valleys. As well as being the homeland of numerous great artists, the Brembana valley and its side
valleys also offer a series of historic towns that are abundant with considerable artistic and architectural treasures.
San Giovanni Bianco and Serina are towns where the old urban layout has remained almost unchanged. The same
is true for the Seriana Valley, which gave rise to the celebrated portrait painter G. Battista Moroni, whose works
23
are in many museums throughout the world, and the Fantoni family, carvers and sculptors of great fame, in particular Andrea Fantoni, whose extraordinary house-museum can be found in his native town of Rovetta. Works by the
Fantoni family include the renowned sacristies of the Basilica of Alzano Lombardo. In terms of historic towns, the
Seriana Valley is no less important that the Brembana Valley. These include: Clusone with its Planetary Clock and
the fascinating fresco of the Danza Macabra (Dance of Death) in the Oratorio dei Disciplini (Oratory of Disciplines);
Gromo and its medieval centre dominated by the castle, and Gandino, where the lavishness of the Basilica, with its
museum, and the town’s buildings are reminders of the intense exchange that took place between this land of weavers and manufacturers of cloth and central Europe. Lastly, don’t miss the Cavallina Valley, an area strongly marked
by the presence of the family of Suardo Counts. The Suardo family, in fact, built castles, including Monasterolo and
Bianzano, and splendid houses such as the villa in Trescore Balneario.
Left: night view of San Giovanni Bianco in the Brembana Valley. Above: the planetary clock in Clusone in
the Seriana Valley, the medieval portico in Cornello dei Tasso, one of “the most beautiful villages of Italy”
in the Brembana Valley, and the Basilica of Gandino in the Seriana Valley.
the colleoni
Castles
The great Bergamask plain is dominated
by the figure of Bartolomeo Colleoni, the
renowned condottiero. Born in 1395 in the
small town of Solza, where his modest family castle can be found, he had an important
role in the disputes between Venice and the
Visconti of Milan. Appointed commander of
all troupes of the Republic, he settled in the
Castle of Malpaga and transformed it into
a splendid residence. Other castles and
fortified villages of considerable interest in
this area include Martinengo and Romano.
Castles were also built by the Visconti family, such as Castle of Pagazzano, the only
one to have preserved its original water-
24
filled moat.
the Romanesque
Another period that has considerably enriched the Bergamask territory is the Romanesque era. Several important examples are found in the Cavallina Valley and
Calepio Valley, in particular in Spinone, Villongo and Credaro. But it is the Almenno
Romanesque Park, a few kilometres from
Bergamo, which condenses Romanesque
structures of great value, including the
well-preserved Bridge of Clanezzo and the
extraordinary small Church of San Tomé.
On the previous page: Pagazzano Castle, the bell tower of Urgnano,
Cavernago Castle, Martinengo Castle and the unusual Romanesque
Church of San Tomè. On this page: the castle of Romano di Lombardia,
where the wife of Bartolomeo Colleoni was held prisoner by Filippo Maria Visconti, and Malpaga Castle, both fortress and stately residence,
decorated with frescoes attributed to Romanino.
Virtual Tour
inside
the Castle
of Romano
di Lombardia
25
the museums and
industrial
archaeology
Bergamo province is a land of museums. In addition
to the important city museums, almost all towns of a
certain size have a museum or collection of artworks.
There are dozens. And added to these are the many
ethnography museums, including the Museo della
Valle (Museum of the Valley) in Zogno. Each valley
has a museum that preserves records of the past, and
of lost customs and traditions. There are also ecomuseums that have been set up to preserve the heritage,
environment and local history, and many examples of
industrial archaeology. Construction in Crespi d’Adda
of one of the most interesting and best preserved examples of a workers’ village began in 1877; in 1995 it
was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
An array of museums: Accademia Carrara, Gamec, Bernareggi Sacred Art Museum and the Archaeology Museum, all in
Bergamo. Below: agricultural tools at the Museum of the Valley in Zogno, interior of the Carpentry Museum in Almenno San
Salvatore, Gandino Museum and the Tadini Accademy in Lovere on Lake Iseo.
The Workers’ Village of Crespi D’adda
A unique example of industrial architecture that has been
classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Crespi d’Adda
is a late nineteenth-century “ideal workers’ village” built by the
Crespi family of industrialists. The village is a complete town,
constructed by the owner of the factory for his employees and
their families. The workers were provided with homes, gardens,
vegetable gardens and all necessary local services, while the
owner satisfied all needs of his employees, both inside and outside the factory, predating any official state benefit. The village consisted of a factory (a cotton mill), the eclectic castle of
the owner, workers’ houses, a cemetery, a wash house and a
church. A day in Crespi d’Adda is not only a cultural visit, but
above all an opportunity to be transported into the last century
and identify with the life and customs of long ago.
Virtual Tour
of Crespi
D’Adda
In the foreground: the workers’ village of Crespi d’Adda and below, other views of the famous UNESCO site, including the entrance
and rooms of the factory, the owner’s castle and the sanctuary. Also: the Gleno dam, the ecomuseum of Valtorta, the ferry on
River Adda and the ecomuseum of the Taleggio Valley.
Events: history,
art and culture
April
MAGIC IN BORGO SAN GIORGIO
Costa di Mezzate - Cavallina Valley
Music, street theatre, dance and contemporary theatre are the protagonists of this festival.
May - June
THE SPIRIT OF THE PLANET
Chiuduno Trade Fair Centre - Cavallina Valley
Festival of tribal and indigenous peoples from
around the world.
June - August
ANDAR PER MUSICA
In various locations throughout the province of
Bergamo
International festival of contemporary folk music
that presents performances by artists from all over
the world.
July
TREVIGLIO BLUES FESTIVAL
Treviglio
Prestigious festival dedicated to the best international blues music.
August
AT THE COURT OF
THE SUARDO FAMILY
Bianzano - Lake Endine
Large historical re-enactment of medieval life with
shows, flag-wavers, ballad singers, musicians and
the Suardo counts.
Scalve Valley
Brembana Valley
Seriana Valley
Imagna
Valley
Lovere
Lake
Endine
Bergamask
River Area
Lake
Iseo
Cavallina Valley
Bergamo
Orio al Serio
Airport
Calepio Valley
Sarnico
Bergamask Plain
The Orobie, mountains to be enjoyed
The Bergamask Orobie mountains
Orobie Park and the wildlife paths
The peaks
The Orobie Path
Imagna Valley, a green heart filled with history
OROBIE ski resorts
the Bergamask
the Priula Road and the historic paths
EVENTS: MOUNTAINS
Don’t miss
the
the snowy peaks
The Bergamask Orobie mountains
The Orobie are a mountain range, eighty kilometres long, made up of peaks, ridges, valleys, fields, forests,
woods and natural environments of extraordinary value, dotted with pastures, farms, villages and mountain refuges, all located between summits that touch 3,000 metres and wide undulating countryside that
precedes the plain. These mountains, a great heritage for the province of Bergamo, have always been
part of the history and culture of the people. They cover half the provincial territory and constitute an area
of considerable environmental and naturalistic importance, which, for the most part, is located within the
Parco delle Orobie Bergamasche (Park of the Bergamask Orobie). Regularly visited by people from Bergamo and inhabitants from most areas of Lombardy, the mountains are guardians of green and unspoilt
countryside, and the perfect place for leisure, relaxation and sporting activities both summer and winter.
The peaks
Today, a dense network of well-marked footpaths enables visitors to reach the peaks of the Orobie Alps
– mountains that are more or less important and all with a mountaineering history. As you head deeper
into the heart of the mountain chain and towards the highest peaks, the environment becomes wilder
and more dramatic. The area is populated by alpine ibexes and chamois and it’s not unusual to spot an
eagle in majestic flight. The Coca, Redorta and Scais mountains in the upper Seriana Valley exceed
3,000 metres. These mountains are rather challenging and usually only reserved for expert mountain
climbers; most other peaks are however accessible to anyone with a small amount of preparation.
On the opening page: a summer panorama of Valbondione in Seriana Valley; right: a view of
the green Corna Piana, a mountain straddling the Brembana and the Seriana valleys. Details
of the abundant Orobie mountain fauna, from ibex to horses and marmots. Below: views of
the Bergamask valleys in summer: the Taleggio Valley and Lake Rotondo near the Calvi mountain refuge in the Brembana Valley; the Conca della Presolana and Lake Fregabolgia in the
Brembana Valley.
The Orobie Path
The Sentiero delle Orobie (Orobie Path) runs between strategically located and panoramic mountain refuges. This beautiful 84-kilometre mountain path crosses the entire length of the mountains
from east to west at altitudes that vary from 1,500 to 2,200 metres. It can be covered in fourteen stages, not necessarily consecutively. A series of access points mean you can begin or interrupt
your walk from various towns in the valley. Each year the footpath
plays host to a famous international team skyrunning race.
the Bergamask Orobie Park
and the wildlife paths
The Parco delle Orobie Bergamasche (Bergamask Orobie Park) extends over an area of 70,000 hectares and
was set up with the aim of protecting and preserving the natural environment, landscape and biodiversity. It is an
important contribution to the environmental recovery of an area that is located only an hour by car from the city.
The park offers numerous footpaths of interest to the wildlife enthusiast, such as the extensive Sentiero delle Orobie
(Orobie Path), the Sentiero dei Fiori (Path of Flowers), which winds around the slopes of the Arera mountain, or the
striking Sentiero naturalistico Curò (Curò Nature Path), which weaves its way at high altitude between the mountains
of the Scalve Valley. Another well known path runs from Valbondione to an amphitheatre of rocks where, on particular
dates that are established each year, you can witness the spectacular River Serio falls, the highest in Italy.
the Priula Road and the historic paths
In addition to the traditional footpaths, there are also several historic routes, the best known being the Via Priula or
Priula Road, which was built at the end of the sixteenth century by the Venetian podestà Alvise Priuli to channel the
flow of goods between Bergamo and Valtellina. The Ca’ San Marco, a sixteenth century inn that offered assistance
to wayfarers and caravans, can be found along this very picturesque road with extraordinary views. Other interesting
excursions are to the trenches and fortifications of the so-called Cadorna Line, which date back to the First World
War and cover almost the entire length of the Orobie mountains following the line of the ridges along the watershed.
the Imagna Valley,
a green heart filled with history
The Imagna Valley, a side valley nestled in the shadow of the Resegone mountain, is abundant with luxuriant vegetation of a beautiful, intense green colour. Rich in water and history, this small valley combines nature and respect
for the environment. It once marked the boundary with the Duchy of Milan, and the farthest village, Arnosto, a
very small and still intact seventeenth-century settlement, was the old customs post between Venice and Milan,
where, from 1428 to 1797, a Venetian garrison was based.
Don’t miss
An event not to be missed
takes place each year in
Valbondione (upper Val Seriana): the opening of the falls
on the River Serio, a triple
drop of 315 metres, during
which the rushing, foaming
water creates an absolutely
magnificent and exciting
spectacle of nature.
With
their
considerable
height, the falls are the highest in Italy and second highest in Europe.
The falls can be admired during the summer, on a set
number of days; the night
openings are particularly
spectacular.
On the previous pages: Lake Barbellino at the foot of the Pizzo Torena mountain in the Seriana Valley; right: the Pizzo Arera
mountain in the Brembana valley and several mountain refuges in the Orobie Prealps. Above: the triple drop of the Serio Falls in
Valbondione. Below: the beautiful plateau of Clusone, a historic village in the Seriana Valley, and Corna Imagna, in the Imagna Valley.
the snowy peaks
In winter, walkers are replaced by enthusiasts of
snow shoes (known also as “ciaspole”) and ski mountaineering, an increasingly popular activity that
brings participants into contact with vast areas of
unspoilt countryside. The proximity to large urban areas and the ease of access of the Orobie mountains
have also led to the development of winter resorts.
One of the best known is Foppolo which, with the lifts
of Carona and San Simone, has given rise to a large
ski area known as the “Brembo Super Ski” area,
equipped with modern facilities, hotels and services.
The Brembana Valley also offers fun on the fascinating slopes of Piazzatorre, Piani dell’Avaro in Cusio,
Oltre il Colle, Branzi and Valtorta, from where a
chairlift leads to the pistes of Piani di Bobbio, towards Lecco.
In the Seriana Valley we find another well-equipped
area, the “Orobie Ski Pass” area, which includes
the sunny resort of Passo della Presolana (Pass
of the Presolana), a very beautiful dolomitic mountain, known also for this reason as the “Queen of
the Orobie”, and also Monte Pora, Spiazzi di Gromo and Lizzola.
Colere, also part of the same ski area, but in the
Scalve Valley, offers an exciting run that has been
approved for international races.
The Bergamask Orobie mountains in winter offer many different opportunities to snow sports enthusiasts. Right: a group
of skiers ready to race down the slopes of Foppolo. Below: some suggestions for enjoying the mountains in winter: a break
for a meal in the Brembana Valley, a ride on a snowmobile in Colere, in the Scalve Valley, snowshoeing at the foot of Mount Zuccone
and, finally, snowboarders in Foppolo and skiers on the peaks of the Presolana mountain.
OROBIE ski resorts
The ski resorts in the province of
Bergamo are diverse and close
at hand. Here are the details of
the various resorts, so that you
can organise an unforgettable holiday on the snow.
BREMBANA VALLEY
Resorts: Foppolo; Carona; San
Simone - Valleve; Piazzatorre;
Valtorta - Piani di Bobbio; Oltre il
Colle - Zambla - Alpe Arera.
Tot. km of downhill runs: 171;
black runs (difficult) 13;
red runs (medium) 36;
blue runs (easy) 27.
Cross-country skiing: loops of
40
distances from 1.5 Km to 16 Km
for a total of 72 Km.
Number of ski lifts: 35.
Maximum altitude of ski runs:
2,163 m. (Foppolo).
SERIANA VALLEY AND
SCALVE VALLEY
Resorts: Monte Pora - Castione
della Presolana; Passo della
Presolana; Lizzola - Valbondione;
Selvino - Aviatico; Gromo - Spiazzi
- Timogno; Schilpario; Colere.
Tot. km of downhill runs: 106;
black runs (difficult) 6;
red runs (medium) 24;
blue runs (easy) 17.
Cross-country skiing: loops of
distances from 3 Km to 10 Km
for a total of 44 Km.
Number of ski lifts: 35
Maximum altitude of ski runs:
2,250 m. (Colere).
The best known cross-country ski trail is also found in the
Scalve Valley in Schilpario, in a magnificent pine forest situated behind the town. The trail is used by athletes and
hosts high level races. Numerous other trails, with loops
of various lengths, can be found in almost all resorts
where downhill skiing takes place.
There are various places throughout the Orobie mountains for snowboard enthusiasts to practise their board
skills. These are equipped with rails, jumps, pipes, superpipes, kickers and ledges, and the snowparks in the
Bergamask valleys are ideal for both beginners and experts. Finally, experiences not to be missed are the night
opening of the ski lifts and the lively après-ski venues in
the resorts and valleys, with music and entertainment.
Left: the Presolana mountain in the Seriana Valley in winter. On this page: snow-covered scenes
in the Brembana Valley, towards Foppolo. Below:
a shrine in Valbondione in the Seriana Valley.
EVENTS:
MOUNTAINS
February
EUROPEAN ALPINE SKI CUP
Monte Pora - Seriana Valley
This famous alpine skiing competition on the sunny
slopes of Monte Pora is an event not to be missed.
April
PARRAVICINI TROPHY
Calvi Mountain Refuge, Carona - Brembana Valley
Historic ski mountaineering competition that again
this year promises to be an exciting race.
May - September
MOUNTAIN REFUGES
WITH OROBIE FLAVOURS
Mountain refuges in Bergamo province
Summer opening of the mountain refuges and delicious dishes made with local products.
June - September
SERIO FALLS
Valbondione - Upper Seriana Valley
Don’t miss this exciting summer opening of the Serio Falls. A triple jump of a 315 metres to be admired, even in the evening.
July
canzone italiana (ITALIAN SONG)
Casino of San Pellegrino Terme - Brembana Valley
Young and emerging artists, Italian cover musicians
and prestigious national guests.
July
OROBIE SKY RAID
Castione della Presolana - Seriana Valley
International skyrunning race over 25 km, which
takes place against the fascinating backdrop of the
Presolana mountain.
Scalve Valley
Brembana Valley
Seriana Valley
Imagna
Valley
Lovere
Lake
Endine
Bergamask
River Area
Bergamo
Lake
Iseo
Cavallina Valley
Orio al Serio
Airport
Calepio Valley
Sarnico
Bergamask Plain
Lakes and rivers
Clear, fresh and valuable water
riveRs
Lake Iseo or Sebino
The small alpine lakes
Adda, Leonardo’s river
Don’t miss
EVENTS: The Lakes
the Serio and Brembo
Cruise into the blue
Lake Endine
Clear, fresh and valuable water
One of the greatest riches of Bergamo province is its abundance of water.
The great rivers Adda, Oglio, Serio and Brembo, the two lakes Endine and Iseo and the enchanting ponds
in the Orobie mountains give rise to a multi-coloured landscape that can be admired and enjoyed through
different sports.
Adda, Leonardo’s river
It is said that even Leonardo da Vinci was inspired by the magnificent countryside along the Adda River for one of his
paintings, when he stayed near Paderno as a guest of the Sforza family. In this area, rocks known also as the “Corni
della Vergine” (Horns of the Virgin) emerge from the rapids, and it is thought that the great artist used these for the
background of his “Virgin of the Rocks”. The Adda and its banks, in particular the towpath, offer the ideal environment
for outings on foot, by bike or on horseback. The Bergamask section of the river has features of particular interest such
as the ferry of Villa d’Adda, which is still in operation and was made famous by Leonardo who depicted it in one of his
drawings, and the iron bridge of San Michele, in Paderno, a masterpiece of industrial archaeology that dates back to the
time when the Eiffel Tower was constructed. The village of Crespi d’Adda was also built on the Bergamask bank of the
River Adda, between 1890 and 1910. This village is one of the most interesting and best preserved workers’ villages
in Italy, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unusual views can be enjoyed while cruising along the river on board the
Addarella, an electric boat that allows visitors to get a glimpse of the beautiful houses and countryside of the Adda Park.
On the previous page: Loreto island on Lake
Iseo. Left: the unusual and ecological ferry on
the Adda River, which is operated without an
engine but along a cable between the banks and
with the force of the river current. Below: the
countryside around River Adda with the Paderno bridge and the cycle path.
Virtual Tour
of the Bridge of
Calusco d’Adda
the Serio and
Brembo riveRs
The River Serio begins at an altitude of
2,500 metres between the slopes of Mount
Torena; it is 174 kilometres long and crosses the entire Bergamask plain before
flowing into the River Adda. During summer,
on certain selected days, the great Barbellino Dam is opened, allowing people gathered
along the footpath to watch the spectacular
315-metre high waterfall.
The other Bergamask river, the Brembo, is
shorter – only 74 kilometres long - and more
torrential and mountainous. For this reason,
it is excellent for canoeing, and the best location for this activity is between the towns of
Lenna and Ubiale, which alternates sections
where the water flows gently between green banks and others where it races rapidly
between spectacular rocky cliffs.
Left: a view of the River Serio. Right: Briolo
bridge over the Brembo River. Small photo:
the spectacular Serio Falls in Valbondione;
a lock on the Brembo River, walks along the
river, and the Barbellino Falls on the Serio
River. Below: San Giovanni Bianco, in the
Brembana Valley, a historic town crossed
by the Brembo River.
Lake Iseo or Sebino
Another water course, the River Oglio, creates Lake Sebino between the provinces of Bergamo and Brescia. Approximately 25 kilometres long, the shape of the lake is similar to a capital S, with Montisola, the
largest lake island in Europe, at its centre. Known also as Lake Iseo, it is popular with tourists and visitors
and the perfect place for a holiday or short stay, and for relaxation and sport.
Pleasant days can be spent on the lake, taking part in the many different activities on offer. These include
walks, hiking to panoramic spots, mountain bike rides, boat trips, sailing or just admiring the splendid
views from the comfort of a motorboat. But the best way to discover the lake is still the convenient ferries
that run between the various resorts, Montisola included.
In addition to all this, the shores are rich in art and history. The two largest towns are Sarnico, on the
southernmost tip of the lake, with a beautiful historic centre and breezy promenade, and Lovere, in the far
north, with the Accademia Tadini and its valuable art gallery. Both Lovere and Sarnico, and all the other
towns overlooking the lake, offer plenty of quality restaurants and welcoming trattorias where you can
taste excellent freshly caught fish, such as whitefish and char.
In the foreground: Loreto Island in the centre of Lake Iseo, which in addition to luxuriant vegetation
has a beautiful crenellated villa dating back to the early twentieth century.
Don’t miss
Other attractions are the
numerous festivals and feasts held on the shores of
the two lakes.
The very popular “Naècc
d’or”, which takes place
on the Sebino, involves a
series of races using the
“Naècc”, simple, tapered
rowing boats used by local
fishermen. The final is a lively competition, which is
followed by a wonderful display of fireworks that are
reflected in the water.
Above: the Accademia Tadini and the port of Lovere; two views of Predore, a small village alongside Sarnico; Montisola and Lovere promenade, in the north of Lake Iseo. Below: a panoramic view of Lake Iseo.
Cruise into the blue
Any season is suitable for enjoying the beauty
of the lake, but nothing is better than in summer when you can take a spectacular cruise
on boats that glide over the tranquil waters in
discovery of hidden landscapes and old villages.
One of the destinations recommended by all
guides is Montisola. Vehicles are banned from
the island, making it the ideal place for a walk
or bike ride (bicycles are accepted on all boats)
particularly for families or groups with children.
Also worth a particular mention, in addition to
Montisola, are the small islands of Loreto and
San Paolo, which are abundant with history and
lush vegetation. The night-time cruises are well
worth experiencing. You can enjoy dinner while
watching the twinkling lights of the towns on the
shore and the spectacular sight in the moonlight
of the “Bogn”, a steep rocky cliff that drops to
the water at Riva di Solto.
54
Lake Endine
A second lake is found not far from Iseo. This is Lake Endine, a delightful place for spending a restful holiday of relaxation in contact with nature. The reduced size of this lake, the intense green colour of its banks, and the small towns on its shores make it
the ideal location for peaceful walks. There are also opportunities for bike rides between Monasterolo del Castello and Endine
Gaiano. Situated in the heart of the Cavallina Valley and a few kilometres from Bergamo, Lake Endine is not only interesting for
its environment and wildlife, but also for the presence of important buildings, including the Romanesque Church of San Pietro in
Vincoli, Monasterolo Castle and Bianzano Castle, which, with its robust dimensions, dominates the valley and lake from above.
The small alpine lakes
Almost 200 alpine lakes are dotted around the Orobie mountains. All of modest dimensions and generally situated between 1,800
and 2,200 metres, some are visible only in summer when the snow has melted. These enchanting lakes are an excellent place for
hikers to stop for a picnic.
In the foreground: beautiful Lake Endine in autumn and winter. Below: the numerous alpine lakes in the Orobie Prealps,
including Lake Barbellino in Valbondione in the Seriana Valley, the Gemelli Lake and the small Ponteranica Lake in Cusio in
the Brembana Valley and, lastly, the Gleno dam in the Scalve.
EVENTS: The Lakes
April and October
SPECCHIATI NEI LAGHI
(MIRRORED IN THE LAKES)
In various locations throughout the municipalities
of Lake Endine and Lake Iseo
Monuments open until late evening, free guided
tours and seasonal food tasting at this great event,
which takes place in spring and autumn.
June - September
CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE
3 ISLANDS OF THE SEBINO
WITH “NAèCC”
Sulzano, Sarnico, Endine, Pisogne, Riva di Solto,
Peschiera, Iseo, Sale Marasino, Monteisola
Exciting competition involving the typical fishermen’s
boats of Lake Iseo (the “Naècc”). The Sebino plays
host to races of these tapered rowing boats: a traditional and fun event not to be missed.
July
SARNICO BUSKER FESTIVAL
Sarnico and Paratico
Large festival with free admission featuring national
and international street artists.
August
NOTTE SOTTO LE STELLE
(NIGHT UNDER THE STARS)
International Festival of music and
theatre on the shores of Lake Endine
“Marinai d’Italia” promenade in Spinone al Lago
Lake Endine
“Notte sotto le stelle” is not just an international
music festival, but also an event that unites music,
theatre, cinema and wine and food.
August
MARIO STOPPANI MEMORIAL
Lovere
Spectacular air show in memory of Mario Stoppani,
the aviator from Lovere.
Scalve Valley
Brembana Valley
Seriana Valley
Imagna
Valley
Lovere
Lake
Endine
Bergamask
River Area
Bergamo
Lake
Iseo
Cavallina Valley
Orio al Serio
Airport
Calepio Valley
Sarnico
Bergamask Plain
Sport, great fun for all
Cycling, a sport in the DNA of the Bergamask people
Seriana and Brembana valleys
Orobie mountains, an open-air training ground
sports
The active lake
Golf
The cycle paths of the
Pedalling across Bergamo province
The
Summer, an abundance of
A passion for golf
Events: sport
Cycling, a sport in the DNA
of the Bergamask people
The people of Bergamo have a genuine passion for bicycles. For this reason, the number of cycle
paths increases each year and routes specifically designed for enthusiasts are being constructed.
Bergamo continues to produce champions, who train in the wake of the great Felice Gimondi. It is no
coincidence that each year the Giro d’Italia crosses the province of Bergamo, encountering crowds
of cheering fans along the route, who transform the event into a festive spectacle.
The cycle paths of the Seriana
and Brembana valleys
The province of Bergamo is well equipped with cycle paths that offer extremely varied routes of
great interest. The cycle paths of the Seriana and Brembana valleys, which follow disused railway
lines, are particularly interesting. In the Seriana Valley, the route from Alzano Lombardo, a town
situated very close to Bergamo, climbs the entire valley, offering different views of the river and
countryside as it penetrates deeper into the mountains. The cycle path of the Brembana Valley
is no less attractive. This path leaves from Zogno and, among striking scenery, including certain
sections in disused railways tunnels above the river, reaches the uppermost part of the valley.
On the previous page: an athlete on Mount
Simal during the famous Orobie Skyraid
race. Below: several sections of the very popular cycle path in the Seriana Valley; right:
mountain biking in the enchanting countryside
of the Brembana Valley on the “Sentiero degli
Stradini” (Path of the Roadmen).
Virtual Tour
of the south
lakes cycle path
Pedalling across
Bergamo province
The network of cycle paths is more extensive on the flat areas of Bergamo province
because of the greater space available. Beginning with the paths that wind through the
green belt of the Parco Regionale del Serio
(Regional Park of the Serio), we find a route
that leads to the Castle of Malpaga, residence of the condottiero Bartolomeo Colleoni. From Romano di Lombardia a cycle path
crosses the entire plain towards the Parco
regionale dell’Oglio Nord (Regional Park of
the North Oglio). Another interesting itinerary weaves through the lower part of the province between Fara d’Adda, Treviglio and
Caravaggio and then continues following a
line of springs used since ancient times to
irrigate the fields. Another cycle path instead
leads in the opposite direction towards the
River Adda, passing many interesting places,
such as Sotto il Monte. The city cycle path,
which follows the Venetian walls and enters
the heart of the Parco dei Colli (Hills Park),
crossing areas of considerable environmental importance, is also very popular.
The Orobie mountains, an
open-air training ground
The Orobie mountains are the perfect stage for many sports. During winter,
skiing is the main sport in all its forms – alpine skiing, cross-country skiing
and ski mountaineering. The Parravicini Trophy, a team ski mountaineering
race, has been held in the upper Brembana Valley since 1936. Among the
other activities connected with winter, the best known are snowshoeing and
snowboarding, but even ice climbing can count a large number of enthusiasts. Experts from all over Europe arrive to climb the extremely steep column
of ice, forty metres high, known as “Damocle”, when it forms in Valleve in the
upper Brembana Valley.
Summer, an abundance
of sports
After the winter freeze, the warm days of summer are perfect for rock climbing. The best known place for this activity is the great rock face of Cornalba
in the Serina Valley. Each year an important international event takes place
there. Climbing as a sport has increasing numbers of followers and Bergamo
province has many facilities to satisfy this growing request. Speleology can
also be considered a climbing activity, even though it is the opposite direction, and there are various associations involved in exploring the underground
depths. The Orobie mountains are abundant with natural caves, some which
are extremely interesting and very deep. Canyoning is also practised in the
Orobie mountains, often in places that are wild and inaccessible, but exciting
for those who dare. From caves and remote places to the wide open spaces
of the sky: the uplands that overlook the large areas of the plain where warm
air currents rise are ideal for paragliding and hang gliding. There are numerous schools and well-known “take-off” points, including Valcava, the hills of San
Fermo and Mount Bronzone. The historical gliding club in Valbrembo is popular with enthusiasts, who even come from other regions. Another popular
mountain sport is trekking, but horse riding also offers the opportunity to
follow interesting and adventurous routes in the midst of nature.
Do you feel the call of the mountains? Here then are the “Pista
degli Abeti” (Pine forest trail) in Schilpario for cross-country skiing, the lifts of Colere in the Scalve Valley, snowmobiles and ski
courses for children in Foppolo in the Brembana Valley, and snowboarding in Presolana in the Seriana Valley. Right: a potholer in a
cave in Mount Arera in the Brembana Valle.
The active lake
Lake Iseo is well equipped with modern
sports facilities and equipment for many
sporting activities, including sailing, canoeing and water skiing, and also has characteristic small ports for boats. The most
popular sport is in fact sailing, and the numerous associations and schools have
produced European champions and sailors
who have competed in world-class events
and the Olympics. Another sporting activity
on the water is windsurfing, and in certain
places on the lake a stiff breeze enables
this activity to be practised at high levels.
For those who love more relaxing activities,
Lake Endine is abundant with fish and hosts
various fishing tournaments and competitions. Its calm waters are also the perfect
place for canoeing, even at competitive levels.
Golf
People who enjoy golf and love wide open
countryside will find courses of an excellent
level in the foothills of the Bergamask mountains, surrounded by breathtaking scenery.
The facilities vary and range from a simple
practice range to a prestigious 27-hole
course. And if the weather is bad, there’s
even an indoor golf range in Bergamo.
Numerous outdoor activities can be practised on the lakes and in the mountains. On this page: windsurfing and fishing on Lake
Endine, sailing and fun wakeboarding on Lake Iseo. Right: the Albenza Golf Club in Almenno S. Bartolomeo; hiking and horse riding
in the woods of the Bergamask valleys.
A passion for golf
A golfer can find many highly acclaimed
courses in the province of Bergamo.
The best known is Albenza Golf Club, situated in the Romanesque area of Almenno S.
Bartolomeo. This historic and challenging
course is set in a beautiful landscape surrounded by conifers and broad-leaved woodland. The golf club has a course of 27 holes,
designed by the renowned British partnership of Cotton & Sutton, which features several small greens that are well protected by
trees and water courses.
La Rossera Golf Club is set in an enchanting
natural environment among the vineyards
and fruit orchards of Chiuduno. The course
is hilly and, although only 9 holes, is very challenging due to the many out-of-bounds areas
and the position of its greens.
The Parco dei Colli Golf Club is the city
golf course. It is situated on the hills below
Città Alta and offers a unique panorama.
The course, although only 9 holes, offers
different obstacles, such as bunkers, ponds
and strategic out-of-bounds areas.
Finally the Presolana Golf Club, a practice
range at an altitude of 1,200 metres, is situated in a pass dominated by the dolomitic
Presolana mountain and surrounded by the
dense pine forests of the Monte Pora ski resort. The well-equipped Indoor golf range in
Mozzo, just a stone’s throw from Bergamo,
is ideal for practising all year round.
Events: sport
May
FELICE GIMONDI
Bergamo and province
Historic cycling race in discovery of the Bergamask
valleys.
May
GIRO D’ITALIA
Bergamo and province
For years, Bergamo province has been hosting the
“Giro d’Italia”, the world-renowned cycling race in
stages.
May
BERGAMO HISTORIC GRAN PRIX
Walls Circuit – Upper Bergamo
Historic F1 cars race on the only medieval circuit
in existence.
June
WHITE NIGHT OF SPORT
Lower Bergamo
The city becomes a small “sports village” for aspiring
or established sportsmen who compete at night.
July
WATER FESTIVAL
sport, culture and fun in the water and
on the water
Italcementi Swimming pools of Bergamo
Summer diving competition with evening events and
activities for the public.
September
BERGAMO INTERNATIONAL
MARATHON
Bergamo
A marathon, a half marathon and a non-competitive
race: Bergamo opens up to sports and outdoor enthusiasts.
Scalve Valley
Brembana Valley
Seriana Valley
Imagna
Valley
Lovere
Lake
Endine
Bergamask
River Area
Bergamo
Lake
Iseo
Cavallina Valley
Orio al Serio
Airport
Calepio Valley
Sarnico
Bergamask Plain
Aromas and flavours
Typical Bergamask flavours, from the mountains to the lakes and the city
A cuisine with ancient roots
The Bergamask mark of quality
Moscato di Scanzo, a gift fit for a queen
Olive oil
Typical desserts
The wines
Traditional dishes
The cheeses
“For the connoisseur…”
EVENTS: FLAVOURS
Typical Bergamask flavours, from the
mountains to the lakes and the city
The wine and food culture of Bergamo is not only the fruit of traditions and historical stratification, but has
also developed due to the specific characteristics of the land –mountains, lakes, plains and hills – thereby
resulting in an extraordinary variety of products.
It is said that this cuisine, which combines a respect for food, care of raw materials, dedication and seriousness in production, as well as a certain reserve in promoting it, is an expression of the character of the
Bergamask people.
A cuisine with ancient roots
Bergamask cuisine has very ancient roots. The recipe book “Cocho bergamasco alla casalinga” (Bergamask home
cooking) in fact dates back to the late seventeenth/early eighteenth century. Experts have identified a form of
cooking in this manuscript that does not originate from banquets, but from the everyday experience of a passionate cook who was ready to accept new challenges; a simple cuisine, through which local products appeared on the
tables of the houses of the middle classes and local nobility.
The Bergamask mark of quality
Today, there are more than twenty traditional food products that display the quality mark “Bergamo città dei mille…
sapori” (Bergamo, city of the thousand… flavours). Established in 1997 by the Chamber of Commerce, the quality mark
is given to products following a series of quality checks. In reality there are many more of these products.
Tables prepared with typical Bergamask cheeses, including goat’s cheese, Formai de Mut, Taleggio, small
fresh cheeses, Stracchino and Agrì; all accompanied by tasty local cured meats.
The cheeses
There are some nine cheeses that have acquired Denomination of Protected Origin (PDO) status. The latest product to
obtain this prestigious recognition is “Strachitunt”, a very ancient cheese (the first records appear on a parchment dated
1380) which has been saved, acquiring international fame,
thanks to the tenacity of a few farmers and producers in the
Taleggio Valley. Today Bergamo province is in first place in
Italy for the number of PDO cheeses, and it is estimated there
are approximately 150 working dairies. Also worth keeping in
consideration are goat farms and the increasing popularity of
delicious goat’s cheese.
Moscato di Scanzo,
a gift fit for a queen
By the eighteenth century, Moscato di Scanzo, a rare red passito wine, was already
known throughout Europe and was even
quoted on the London stock exchange.
The Bergamask artist Giacomo Quarenghi,
involved in the construction of splendid palaces in St. Petersburg, including the renowned Hermitage, introduced it to the court of
the Empress Catherine. He in fact gave her
several bottles of Moscato from the vineyard
on his estate in Scanzo. Moscato di Scanzo
production is the smallest DOCG productions in existence in Italy, and the area can be
visited by following the Scanzo wine and food
routes that weave around the gentle hills.
The wines
The Bergamask countryside was once well known for its wine
production, which at the time was focussed above all on quantity. Today it demands excellence, and this can be seen in Valcalepio DOCG red and white wines, which are produced on the
sunny slopes of a large hilly area at an altitude of between 300
and 600 metres. The Valcalepio wine and food routes wind
through this prestigious and environmentally important area.
Justifiably renowned, Moscato di Scanzo DOCG is a classic
vino da meditazione, a “meditation wine” or wine to be savoured alone, produced from vineyards introduced by the Romans or possibly even earlier by the Etruscans.
On this page are some typical features of Bergamo province: the vineyards of Scanzorosciate and
those in the area of Valcalepio, white grapes, the
black Moscato di Scanzo DOCG grapes and several bottles of Valcalepio DOC wine. Note also
the barrels of a vinegar factory. This is a small
family-run business, which is located in the hill
area of Bergamo known as Carobbio degli Angeli.
The vinegar-making process takes place in an old
tower, which provides the correct temperature and
light to produce the prestigious balsamic vinegar.
Video clips
of Bergamask
flavours
“For the connoisseur…”
There are numerous vine types on the
Bergamask hills, cradle of Valcalepio
DOC wines. The most important are:
- for the reds: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Barbera, Incrocio Terzi n.1, Franconia, Marzemino, Schiava lombarda,
Schiava meranese, Moscato di Scanzo
- for the whites: Pinot bianco, Pinot grigio, Chardonnay, Manzoni bianco, Moscato giallo.
Valcalepio Red DOC is made from
between 25 to 60% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and the remaining part
from Merlot.
Valcalepio White DOC is a fine wine
made from Pinot Bianco and Chardonnay grapes in a percentage varying
from 55 to 80% and the remaining part
from Pinot Grigio.
Valcalepio Moscato DOC Passito has
the merit of being one of the few Italian
passito wines from an aromatic red grape: Moscato di Scanzo, a variety that is
native to the province of Bergamo.
Olive oil
The olive groves that give rise to Sebino DOP extra
virgin olive oil are also of considerable environmental
value. Decades ago, olive trees were planted for ornamental purposes along certain sections of the shores
of Lake Iseo, particularly between Sarnico and Lovere. Olive growing then expanded into the hilly area of
the Calepio Valley. Sebino DOP extra virgin olive oil
has a very low level of acidity, and is rich in vitamins
and aromatic substances, making it ideal for a balanced Mediterranean diet.
Typical desserts
The meal cannot be considered finished without a tasty dessert.
The delicious reproduction of polenta e uccelli (polenta and
birds) certainly makes for a sweet treat, and torta Donizetti
(Donizetti cake) or torta di Treviglio (Treviglio cake), typical
of the area of the Po plain, are also popular desserts in Bergamo city. Worthwhile tasting in the valleys are the tasty
biscotti di San Pellegrino (San Pellegrino biscuits). Lastly,
it would appear that the famous stracciatella flavour was
invented in Bergamo, so don’t miss an occasion to savour
some excellent home-made ice cream.
The area of Lake Iseo with its olive groves also
finds place among the vineyards and wineries of
Valcalepio. Here, also, are some of the typical desserts: “polenta e osei” (polenta and birds) and the
biscuits.
Traditional
dishes
Food gourmets who set out along these food and wine routes
will enjoy stopping in one of the many restaurants found in
all towns in Bergamo province and trying some of the typical
local products of this extremely diverse land. The meal begins
with cured meats, all strictly alla bergamasca (in the traditional Bergamask way), and cheeses. There are two typical
stuffed pasta dishes eaten as a first course: “casonsèi” and
“scarpinocc de Parr”, which takes its name from the town,
Parre, in the Seriana Valley, from which it originated.
And for the second course? There is plenty of choice: from roast meats to stews – always made with certified beef – to
game and fish, including some excellent species fished in the
Sebino (Lake Iseo). Many of these local dishes combine well
with polenta, either prepared in the classic way or as polenta
taragna (with cheese from the Alpine pastures). Polenta was
once a staple of local families and a traditionally Bergamask
food. Naturally a local dish must be accompanied by the excellent Valcalepio DOC wine or even one of the thirteen mineral
waters from the springs in our valleys.
Cured meats, polenta, “scarpinocc” and casoncelli
(two different types of stuffed pasta) are dishes that
can always be found on the tables of people from Bergamo. And for those of you who wish to know more:
“casonsèi” (casoncelli) are filled with salami, roast
meat, garlic, parsley, Grana cheese and sometimes
crumbled amaretti biscuits and chopped raisins, and
served with melted butter, bacon and sage - a treat
for the taste buds!
EVENTS: FLAVOURS
May - June
ERBE DEL CASARO
(HERBS OF THE DAIRY)
Herbs and cheeses of the Brembana Valley
Upper Brembana Valley
Festival of wild herbs and traditionally made local
cheeses.
September
FUNGOLANDIA
The mushroom feast
of the Brembana Valley
Upper Brembana Valley
Mushroom foraging and exhibitions, mushroom tasting and typical local products, events in the historic
villages, excursions and walks, craft markets and musical evenings: a festival in every sense of the word!
Third Sunday of September,
October and November
ANDAR PER VIGNE
(VISITING THE VINEYARDS)
The wine-producing businesses of Valcalepio
A delicious occasion to taste Bergamask wines and
typical products, and visit the vineyards and wineries.
September - December
AUTUNNO IN TAVOLA
(AUTUMN ON THE TABLE)
Food seasons
Lake Endine and Lake Iseo
Agritourism farms and restaurants offer dishes
and typical products from menus prepared for the
occasion.
October
EMOTIONS FROM THE WORLD:
MERLOT AND CABERNET TOGETHER
Valcalepio
This exciting challenge is between wines based on
Merlot and Cabernet, with tasting events open to
the public.
Scalve Valley
Brembana Valley
Seriana Valley
Imagna
Valley
Lovere
Lake
Endine
Bergamask
River Area
Bergamo
Lake
Iseo
Cavallina Valley
Orio al Serio
Airport
Calepio Valley
Sarnico
Bergamask Plain
Spas and wellness
San Pellegrino, among thermal baths and sophisticated Art Nouveau style
Stories of luxury, queens and princes
The well-equipped wellness centres
centre
Its waters
S.PELLEGRINO MINERAL WATER
Trescore Balneario and its treatment
Sant’Omobono, thermal waters and relaxation
San Pellegrino, among thermal baths
and sophisticated Art Nouveau style
The most important spa resort in the area, made famous by the sublime quality of its waters, is San Pellegrino Terme.
Situated only 25 kilometres from Bergamo, in the midst of mountain scenery in the Brembana Valley, San Pellegrino
became a fashionable and very popular resort during the unrepeatable Belle Époque period. Already by the early
twentieth century, San Pellegrino Terme was equipped with buildings and services that amazed visitors and helped to
spread its fame. The Casino complex dates back to 1904, and has a spectacular entrance, a monumental staircase
and very beautiful rooms, including a ballroom. The Spa building alongside, surrounded by gardens, had rooms and
porticos in which the abundance of marble, mosaics and splendid windows was accompanied by state-of-the-art spa
facilities and services. The colossal Grand Hotel, built in 1905 and with a façade of some 128 metres, overlooks the
River Brembo. The art nouveau style was associated with the taste and joy of living of a cosmopolitan society.
Stories of luxury, queens and princes
A holiday destination for high society at the beginning of the twentieth century, San Pellegrino offered the best in comfort
and luxury. Artists, politicians, entrepreneurs as well as princes and descendents of the various ruling houses came
here from all over Europe. The visitors’ book of the Grand Hotel included some of the most grandiose names of the
time, including Queen Margherita of Savoy, who was a guest at the beginning of the twentieth century, and later Queen
Elena together with Prince Umberto and Princess Maria. The pretext for visiting was the health cures, but the main attraction was the good life, the entertainment and the gaming tables of the Casino. Amid parties, theatre performances,
concerts, country walks, coffee and patisseries, the days of elegance and good living passed in a carefree manner. The
Casino remained open until 1917, but was then closed, although it continued to be used for shows and performances.
Its waters
Excellent for combating kidney stones, liver and digestive conditions, the waters from the springs of San Pellegrino have
been known since the Middle ages, but it was only in the eighteenth century that their therapeutic properties were recognised and exploited. Towards the end of the same century and at the beginning of the twentieth century, the town became a
first-class thermal centre. The Great War marked a decline in the baths, but the excellent springs were developed further,
and today S.Pellegrino bottled water can be found on tables throughout the world.
S.PELLEGRINO
MINERAL WATER
S.Pellegrino mineral water has become interactive and offers a glimpse of the attractions of Bergamo province from dining tables worldwide by
means of QR codes connected to a promotional
video of Bergamo and its province. The project,
realised in partnership with the Tourism Office
of the Provincial Authority of Bergamo, tells the
story, through images, of the worldwide success
of S.Pellegrino, whose charm is without doubt
enhanced by the history and landscapes of the
Bergamask valleys.
A series of photos of San Pellegrino Terme: the exterior and
interiors of the Casino; historical re-enactments in period
costume of noblemen of the Belle Époque. The imposing
Grand Hotel, an Art Nouveau building of seven floors that
used to play host to princes and queens, and the Brembo
river that crosses the beautiful spa town and follows the
paths among patisseries, coffee shops and hotels.
Virtual Tour
S. Pellegrino
Terme
The well-equipped
wellness centres
Many elegant and qualified
wellness centres have appeared in Bergamo and its province. Rest, relaxation, healthy
open-air living are the ingredients of a holiday in many
of the resorts located throughout the Orobie mountains,
from the lakes to the green
valleys. A growing number
of hotels are adding facilities
for the health and relaxation
of their customers, and installing modern spa areas.
The quality and health-giving
features of the environment
are also confirmed by the numerous springs of excellent
mineral water that are bottled
in the Bergamask valleys.
Trescore Balneario
and its treatment centre
The origins of another very well-known thermal centre are even older. The springs of Trescore Balneario,
situated in Val Cavallina and an important connection between Bergamo and Lake Iseo, were probably discovered by the Romans, who exploited the therapeutic properties of the sulphurous waters that emerged in
the heart of the valley. These springs continued to be used even after the fall of Rome. One of the most illustrious visitors to the hot springs was Bartolomeo Colleoni, the famous condottiero, who reconstructed the
thermal baths in the medieval monastery on the old Roman road that linked the Po plain to the lake and the
Camonica Valley. In the nineteenth-century it was used by increasing numbers of guests, and this was due in
part to the fame it acquired due to the presence of the several well-known personalities, including Giuseppe
Garibaldi. The thermal complex, situated in the centre of a vast park, is today visited by people wishing to
receive treatment for respiratory system conditions and diseases of the circulatory system and skin. A visit
to nearby Chapel of Villa Suardi, frescoed by Lorenzo Lotto, is an absolute must.
Sant’Omobono, thermal waters
and relaxation
The thermal resort of Sant’Omobono Imagna, the largest town in the Imagna Valley, is situated in the heart
of the Orobie mountains. The properties of its thermal waters were cited for the first time in a monography
dated 1772. They are sulphurous waters, which in the last century were considered among the best known
at the time. The thermal centre and springs were relaunched when an elegant late nineteenth-century residence, located nearby, was restored. Today this spa with its wellness centre attracts guests in search of
relaxation and better health.
Oases of wellness in Bergamo province: the treatment centre of Trescore Balneario and the new
and very well-equipped spas in hotels, which offer not only time for relaxation in water or in the
numerous saunas and Turkish baths, but also beauty treatments, massages and treatments for
correcting imperfections. And now there are also new family spas for the whole family.
Scalve Valley
Brembana Valley
Seriana Valley
Imagna
Valley
Lovere
Lake
Endine
Bergamask
River Area
Bergamo
Lake
Iseo
Cavallina Valley
Orio al Serio
Airport
Calepio Valley
Sarnico
Bergamask Plain
Faith and traditions,
the power of one’s roots
feasts Traditional Bergamask
The Festival of Candles of Almenno San Salvatore
The Sacred Thorn of San Giovanni Bianco
Small gems of spirituality
Sanctuaries: Cornabusa in the Imagna Valley
of the good Pope
Never forgotten traditions
The Bergamask
The sanctuary of Caravaggio
Events: faith and traditions
The land
feasts Traditional Bergamask
There are dozens of sanctuaries in the province of Bergamo: a heritage of faith and traditions that is deeply rooted
in the land and its people. Traditional festivals and feasts often accompany religious events, and involve celebrations
that feature stalls in church courtyards selling sweets and local products, and kitchens offering traditional Bergamask dishes.
The Festival of Candles
of Almenno San Salvatore
The traditional “Festa della candelora” (Festival of the Candles), held on 2 February, makes you feel like you have
stepped back in time. This ancient ritual in the sanctuary of the Madonna del Castello (Madonna of the Castle), in
Almenno San Salvatore, takes place each year and sees a large crowd of worshippers fill the church, where dozens of
candles burn brightly. It is believed that the sanctuary was built on the site of a castle which, from above, watched over
the river Brembo and the nearby “ponte della Regina” (Queen’s bridge), named after Teodolinda, the Lombard queen.
The Sacred Thorn of San Giovanni Bianco
The feast day celebrated in San Giovanni Bianco in the Brembana Valley, on Passion Sunday, two weeks before
86
Easter, is part of a very old religious tradition. The parish church houses the relic of the Sacred Thorn worn in
1495 by the knight Vistallo Pignoni in San Giovanni Bianco after the battle of Fornovo sul Taro, in which he took
part. Each year a large crowd attends the festival, during which the relic is carried in a procession through the
town. Bonfires are lit on the evening before the festival, a firework display is held, and thousand of candles are lit
outside the houses..
On the opening page: “La Trinità” (The Trinity) by G.B. Moroni, which can be seen at the Church of San
Giuliano in Albino, in the Seriana Valley. On these pages: some of the spectacular sanctuaries of Bergamo
province set among the mountains of the Seriana Valley, located in the historic Romanesque area or in the
area of lower Lake Iseo. From left: the Madonna del Castello in Almenno, the Abbey of Pontida, the Sanctuary of San Fermo in Credaro on Lake Iseo, the Madonna della Castagna in Bergamo, the Church of San
Pantaleone in Grumello del Monte and the courtyard of the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta in Clusone.
Small gems
of spirituality
There really are a great many
sanctuaries and shrines in the
province. Some of the most interesting or rich in art works include:
the sanctuary of the Madonna
delle Grazie, situated in the heart
of the historic centre of Ardesio, in the upper Seriana Valley,
which attracts many visitors due
to its splendid decorations. Another very striking place of worship in the Seriana Valley is the
sanctuary of San Patrizio, built
on a spur of rock near Colzate.
The building, which also includes
a fourteenth century church,
is at the centre of folk tales and
legends that speak of a very deep
well, which leads from the sanctuary to the River Serio. Another
building rich in spirituality and history is the Abbey of Pontida, an
exquisite Benedictine monastery
founded by Alberto da Prezzate in
the twelfth century, and site of the
historic oath of 1167.
Other more unusual places include the sanctuary of Nostra
Signora delle Lacrime (Our Lady
of Tears) in Ponte Nossa, which
features a embalmed crocodile
hanging as a votive offering, or
the sanctuary of Sobreno, on the
hills of Bergamo, which houses
the rib of a mammoth found in
the surrounding clay soil, initially
worshipped as a relic.
The Bergamask Sanctuaries:
Cornabusa in the Imagna Valley
There are many well known sanctuaries that are visited by believers throughout the year. The best known in the
Orobie area is the sanctuary of Cornabusa, in the Imagna Valley, which has been created inside a large cave
(Cornabusa in the Bergamask dialect means rock with a hole) and has its walls covered in votive offerings. This
striking place is also the traditional meeting place of emigrants from the area.
The sanctuary of Caravaggio
The best known sanctuary in Bergamo province and one of the most visited in Italy is the sanctuary of
Caravaggio, situated in the heart of the Bergamask plain. More than two million pilgrims visit the sanctuary
each year and congregate in the majestic building situated at the end of a long tree-lined avenue. The sanctuary was built on the site where, in 1432, the Madonna appeared to a women and where, at the same time,
crystal clear water began bubbling up from a spring in the ground. The Sacred Spring, situated beneath the
main altar, is a central place of worship for the pilgrims. The spring supplies two large ponds in the entrance
square, which is surrounded by porticoes where visitors can rest.
The land
of the good Pope
Another destination for pilgrims is Sotto il Monte,
the birthplace of the great Pope John XXIII, who announced the Second Vatican Council and was known
as the “Good Pope”. The main destinations in the town
are: the farmstead of Angelo Roncalli’s modest family
where he was born and grew up, the museum in Ca’
Maitino, where the future Pope liked to stay and where
he returned for the last time on the eve of the Conclave
that elected him Pope, as well as other places he would
visit as a child. Most followers visit the nearby Abbey
of Sant’Egidio, which is surrounded by countryside and
was particularly dear to Pope John XXIII.
Never forgotten
traditions
The traditions and ancient values of
Bergamask country folk were the protagonists of “L’albero degli zoccoli”
(The tree of wooden clogs), a masterpiece of a film made by the director
Ermanno Olmi, winner of the Palme
d’or at the Cannes Film Festival in
1978. This film offers a genuine look
at local life and traditions, most of
which are still alive today. There is no
town and village in Bergamo province,
on the plain or in the valleys, where
this valuable legacy has not been re-
Virtual Tour
of Caravaggio
and Sotto
il Monte
stored and valorised through ethnography museums and, more recently,
the various ecomuseums.
The majestic Sanctuary of Caravaggio
and the Sanctuary of Cornabusa, set in
rocks. Right: the Romanesque Abbey of
Sant’Egidio in Fontanella, an outlying district of Sotto il Monte.
Events: faith
and traditions
Sunday of Mid-Lent
MID-LENTEN PARADE
Bergamo
A parade of floats and the traditional burning of the
“Old Lady”, the symbolic representation of an evil in
society which is burnt to be destroyed.
Sunday 15 days before Easter
FESTIVAL OF THE HOLY THORN
San Giovanni Bianco - Brembana Valley
In memory of a thorn from the Sacred Crown worn
in 1495 by the knight Zignoni, this traditional festival
is celebrated with a religious ceremony, procession,
feast and bonfires, that recall the coming of spring.
July
MADONNA STELLA MARIS
PROCESSION ACCOMPANIED
BY ILLUMINATED BOATS
Lake Iseo
Traditional procession with evocative illuminated boats on the lake and a firework display.
August
INTERNATIONAL
FOLKLORE FESTIVAL
Bergamo
Different cultures and traditions of different people
from around the world meet in Bergamo.
August
FEAST OF SANT ’ALESSANDRO
Bergamo
Many initiatives dedicated to the patron saint of Bergamo: guided tours, concerts and markets, which
accompany the religious celebrations.
First weekend of September
ISOLA FOLK
Isola bergamasca (Bergamask river area)
Folk songs and dancing from all over Italy animate
the streets of the Bergamask river area – to end
summer in great style.
End November - end December
CHRISTMAS VILLAGE
Lower Bergamo
Food and craft products, sweets and gift ideas for
Christmas and the Epiphany.
December
FEAST OF SANTA LUCIA
Sentierone - Lower Bergamo
The city lights up with the joy of children during
the Feast of Saint Lucy, who according to tradition
brings toys and sweets to good children.
TRADE FAIRS AND CONFERENCES
Bergamo is a people-oriented city that is well suited to organising and holding meetings and conferences.
Bergamo and its province offer structures for managing business meetings thanks to the presence throughout the area of quality partners able to offer the services necessary to organise high
level conferences.
The Trade Fair Centre of Bergamo is situated in a strategic position: near the city, Orio al Serio
Airport and the motorway exit.
This centre holds trade fairs, events, concerts, shows and conferences.
The building’s congress centre is able to hold conferences in halls equipped for up to 440 people, and offers versatile and multifunctional exhibition areas with 16,000 m2 of covered space.
The centre is managed by Ente Fiera Promoberg, who organises the principal trade fairs in Bergamo.
Learn more
about
Promoberg
The main fairs dedicated to the tourism sector are:
NO FRILLS - Tourism Trade Fair
Second half of September
Trade Fair specialised in new tourism market trends, which is open to sector professionals only.
ALTA QUOTA - Mountain Trade Fair
Beginning of October
“Alta Quota” is a trade fair on everything connected to the mountains: from tourist offers to new
products in the specialised equipment field. Open to the public.
Another building that offers services for meetings and conferences is the Giovanni XXIII
Congress Centre, located in the city centre and equipped with twelve multi-functional rooms that
can hold up to a 1,600 people.
The combined experience of the Giovanni XXIII Congress Centre and Ente Fiera Promoberg has given rise to the Bergamo Convention Bureau: a non-profit association specialised in providing advice to companies on the organisation of conventions and events, both nationally and internationally.
In addition to the Bergamo Trade Fair Centre and the Giovanni XXIII Congress Centre, many other
accommodation facilities in Bergamo and province are equipped with both small and large meeting rooms.
Hotels and quality marks
Bergamo, a quality holiday
Bergamo province is a hospitable land with accommodation facilities that can satisfy the needs of every
tourist and solutions that are truly suited to every “taste”. These range from genuine hotels to bed and
breakfasts, hostels to campsites, mountain refuges to agritourism farms, guest houses and holiday homes. These are facilities that are welcoming and, above all, certified, since the Chamber of Commerce of
Bergamo has for some time been promoting three Quality Marks – “Hotel di Qualità” (Hotels of Quality),
“Q-Ospitalità Italiana” and “Bergamo Charme” – with the aim of improving the accommodation system in
the Bergamo area.
The “Hotel di Qualità” mark is awarded to hotels that offer a high standard of service to their guests.
In Bergamo city and province, hotels displaying the “Hotel di Qualità” mark are selected and monitored
each year directly by the Chamber of Commerce, thereby representing a symbol of hotel quality in the
eyes of the guest.
The “Bergamo Charme” mark is worth a particular mention. It was created to promote quality hospitality
and valorise the local architectural heritage. Awarded to the world of small-scale guest accommodation,
this mark qualifies tourist accommodation in important buildings such as residences of particular environmental charm, old country houses, historic villas and residences, apartments in buildings of considerable
architectural importance, and buildings in urban contexts of significant historical value.
Finally, to specifically distinguish agricultural businesses in the province of Bergamo, “Q-Ospitalità Italiana” is a mark that Lombard agritourism farms have adopted voluntarily to guarantee the quality of the
products and services they offer.
All these excellent accommodation facilities are just a click away!
On the website of Turismo Bergamo - www.turismo.bergamo.it - a unified system of on-line booking enables
visitors to book their overnight stay in a convenient, safe and fast manner. This simple, direct e-booking service confirms Bergamo as a forward-thinking city in terms of hospitality.
bergamo card QR CODE
culture and tourism a special welcome
Bergamo
offers
interesting
museums
What is a QR code?
throughout
A QR Code, or quick response code, is a two-
the province. From excellent art museums and many
dimensional code that permits rapid access
history and ethnography museums to the more recent
to special multimedia content.
ecomuseums, the cultural offer is extremely diverse and
can satisfy an array of different interests. For further
How does it work?
information, all museums found in Bergamo province can
Just scan or take a photograph of the QR
be consulted on line at www.turismo.bergamo.it
code with cell phone and you’ll immediately
From January a unique tool will be available for those who
be connected to multimedia content that
wish to visit Bergamo and its province: the Bergamo Card.
can contain different types of data including:
The first City Card of the city of Bergamo, Bergamo Card is
video, internet addresses, vCards, text and
not just a privilege card nor is it a simple tourist card, but
much more.
a unique pass that makes a visit or stay in Bergamo and
its province straightforward and dynamic.
What do I need?
Bergamo Card combines, in a single product, a series of
A cell phone or smart phone with camera.
services that can be used within a certain period (48 or
A software reader installed on the
72 hours from validation), including unlimited use of the
phone (if not already installed, you can
public services provided by ATB (bus) and TEB (tram),
download it free of charge from the In-
and free admission (or at reduced prices) to the main mu-
ternet).
seums in the city and province of Bergamo, without forget-
Your phone must obviously have an in-
ting that, on presenting Bergamo Card in stores and to
ternet connection to decode the infor-
partners of the scheme, exclusive discounts are available
mation.
for an entire year from the date of validation.
For further and more detailed information, visit the web-
The service is free, while connection costs
site www.bergamocard.it and buy your card on line!
depend on your personal phone charges.
Discover
the new
features
of Bergamo
Card
information
Turismo Bergamo is the trademark of the Agency for development and tourist promotion of the province of Bergamo, and the organisation appointed to coordinate
tourist promotion activities in Bergamo and its province. Thanks to its operational and commercial role in managing incoming tourism, it is the main contact for all
professionals in the sector.
TURISMO BERGAMO OFFICES
AIRPORT OFFICE
Via Aeroporto,13 - 24050 - Orio al Serio (BG)
Tel. +39 035 320402 - Fax +39 035 312369
orio@turismo.bergamo.it
www.turismo.bergamo.it
CENTRAL OFFICE
V.le Papa Giovanni XXIII, 57
c/o Urban Center - 24121 Bergamo
Tel +39 035 230640 - Fax +39 035 230960
info@turismo.bergamo.it - www.turismo.bergamo.it
TOURIST INFORMATION OFFICES
BERGAMO I.A.T. TOURIST OFFICE LOWER BERGAMO
V.le Papa Giovanni XXIII, 57
c/o Urban Center - 24121 Bergamo
Tel. +39 035 210204 - Fax +39 035 230184
turismo1@comune.bg.it - www.comune.bergamo.it
BERGAMO I.A.T. TOURIST OFFICE UPPER BERGAMO
Torre del Gombito, Via Gombito, 13
24129 - Bergamo
Tel. +39 035 242226 - Fax +39 035 242994
turismo@comune.bg.it - www.comune.bergamo.it
ALMENNO I.A.T. TOURIST OFFICE
Via Papa Giovanni XXIII
24030 - Almenno San Bartolomeo (BG)
Tel. +39 035 548634 - Fax +39 035 548634
info@iatvalleimagna.com - www.iatvalleimagna.com
ALTO SEBINO I.A.T. TOURIST OFFICE
Piazza XIII Martiri - 24065 - Lovere (BG)
Tel. +39 035 962178 - Fax +39 035 962525
iat.altosebino@tiscali.it - www.comune.lovere.bg.it
MARTINENGO and COMPRENSORIO
I.A.T. TOURIST OFFICE
Via Tadino,1 - 24057 - Martinengo (BG)
Tel. +39 0363 986031- Fax +39 0363 986031
info@iatmartinengo.it - www.iatmartinengo.it
BREMBANA valley I.A.T. TOURIST OFFICE
Via S. Carlo, 4 - 24016 - San Pellegrino Terme (BG)
Tel. +39 0345 21020 - Fax +39 0345 23344
ufficioturistico@vallebrembana.bg.it
www.vallebrembana.bg.it
BASSO SEBINO I.A.T. TOURIST OFFICE
Via Lantieri, 6 - 24067 - Sarnico (BG)
Tel. +39 035 910900 - Fax +39 035 4261334
info@prolocosarnico.it - www.prolocosarnico.it
ALTOPIANO DI SELVINO - AVIATICO
I.A.T. TOURIST OFFICE
Corso Milano, 19 - 24020 - Selvino (BG)
Tel. +39 035 764250 - Fax +39 035 765928
apt@comunediselvino.it - www.comunediselvino.it
SOTTO IL MONTE ISOLA BERGAMASCA
I.A.T. TOURIST OFFICE
Via IV Novembre, 1 - 24039 - Sotto il Monte (BG)
Tel. +39 035 790902 - Fax +39 035 790902
info@iatsottoilmonte.it - www.iatsottoilmonte.it
VAL CAVALLINA I.A.T. TOURIST OFFICE
Via Suardi, 20 - 24069 - Trescore Balneario (BG)
Tel. +39 035 944777 - Fax +39 035 8364548
info@prolocotrescore.it - www.prolocotrescore.it
TREVIGLIO and districts
I.A.T. TOURIST OFFICE
Via Piazza Cameroni, 3 - 24047 - Treviglio (BG)
Tel. +39 0363 45466 - Fax +39 0363 595559
info@prolocotreviglio.it - www.prolocotreviglio.it
UPPER SERIANA VALLEY AND
SCALVE VALLEY TOURIST OFFICE
Via Europa 111/c - 24028 - Ponte Nossa (BG)
Tel +39 035 704063 - Fax +39 035 704063
info@valseriana.bg.it - www.valseriana.bg.it
Credits
Texts: Pino Capellini and Turismo Bergamo. Translations: Juliet Halewood.
Photo: Sisterscom.com; Turismo Bergamo; D. Salvi; Carlo Riva; M. Mazzoleni; Lapi; Accademia Carrara; J.Ruediger; P.Ardiani; K.Snelgrove; Circolo Fotografico Marianese; B. Avogadri;
J.Stolzenburg; J.Nolla Borrell; E.Cirulli; A.Carpenter; B.Caurant; U.Martinez Vicente; V.Fidanza; M.Patelli; Proloco Trescore; R.Belotti; M.Mazzoleni; Gamec; Fondazione Bergamo e storia;
Museo Archeologico; Museo Bernareggi; Gherardi; Ecomuseo Val Taleggio; Ecomuseo Valtorta; Strada Verde; Promoisola; Fondazione Polli-Stoppani; Museo Gandino; Artemisi; N.Permpunya;
U.Franchini; Agripromo; Cascina del Francès; M. Rosenberg; Silva; Consorzio Tutela Moscato di Scanzo; M.Quaranta; G. Giupponi; Bremboski; Golf Club “L’Albenza”; G.S.B. Le Nottole; Max Barro;
Hotel Milano Alpen Spa; Terme di Trescore; Tata-o Family Spa; G. Bonomelli; Navigazione Lago d’Iseo; www.cartoguide.it; Cometa Press; CAI Bergamo; Linoolmostudio; Cooraltur; M.Bellini.
www.turismo.bergamo.it
Val Brembana
Val Seriana
Valle
Imagna
Lovere
Lago
Endine
Isola
Bergamasca
Lago
d’Iseo
Val Cavallina
Bergamo
Orio al Serio
Val Calepio
Sarnico
BERGAMO
Pianura Bergamasca
History, traditions, art and culture, sport, traditional dishes, wellness and the nature of its
rivers, lakes and mountains: this multifaceted nature of Bergamo province makes it one of
the most fascinating places in Lombardy and Italy. An absolutely unmissable experience.