Page 70 - DK Eyewitness: Back Roads Northern and Central Italy (Travel Guide)

68 BACK ROADS NORTHERN AND CENTRAL ITALY

1 Bergamo
Bergamo, Lombardia; 24100
In the foothills of the Alps, prosperous Bergamo has an attractive
Città Alta (Upper Town) whose Renaissance buildings and medieval
lanes are encircled by impressive 17th-century Venetian walls. The
medieval neighbourhoods and elegant avenues of the Città Bassa
(Lower Town) are good for shopping and transport.
A three-hour walking tour country side. The bells strike 100
From the car park, turn right up the times at 10pm, recalling an era
sweeping main road, Viale Vittorio when the gates would be closed
Emanuele II, taking in the mix of for the night.
Above The spectacular dome in the Basilica di attractive gated villas and 1930s Pass under the arcade of the
Santa Maria Maggiore, Bergamo Fascist architecture. Just around the palazzo into Piazza del Duomo.
bend is the funicular 1 that takes The highlights here are the
visitors up to the Città Alta. Trundling Romanesque church of Santa Maria
VISITING BERGAMO
up through the city walls and Maggiore, with its opulent Baroque
Parking splendid palazzo gardens, this interior, and the funerary chapel
On-street parking is hard to find in 7-minute ride ends near the Cappella Colleoni (1472), a
Bergamo’s centre. Head for the medieval Piazza Mercato delle Renaissance extravagance of
underground car parks at Piazza della Scarpe 2, once home to a twisted columns and pastel
Libertà or Piazzale della Repubblica, off
Viale Vittorio Emanuele II. If you’ve got shoe market. Follow Via marble decorated with
one, show a funicular ticket when Gombito, almost opposite, Giambattista Tiepolo’s
paying, to get a discount on Sundays. past the 12th-century Torre frescoes (1733).
Tourist Information Gombito 3, the only extant Return to Piazza Vecchia,
There are guided walking tours (Apr– medieval tower of which then turn left up Via
Oct: 3pm) and bicycles can be hired. there were about 20; this Colleoni past boutiques.
Città Bassa: Viale Papa Giovanni XXIII one marks the main cross- Contarini fountain Head through the arch at
57, 24122; 035 210 204. Città Alta:
Torre Gombito 13, 24129; 035 242 226; roads of the Roman city. statue, Piazza Vecchia Piazza Mascheroni into
www.comune.bergamo.it Continue up to Piazza Piazza della Cittadella, once
Vecchia 4, the city’s Renaissance the heart of this military stronghold.
VISITING CLUSONE showpiece and site of the medieval Cross the courtyard to the gateway
Tourist Information Palazzo della Ragione (temporary diagonally opposite, then turn left
Piazza Orologio 21, 24023; 0346 21 exhibitions: 10am–6pm Tue–Sun). The into Colle Aperto 5 for views of the
113; www.turismoproclusone.it piazza is lined with cafés and at its gardens and vine yards around the
Market day heart is the 18th-century Contarini city walls. Head through Porta
On Mondays, the lanes are taken over fountain with white marble lions. Sant’Alessandro to the upper
by a market selling local salamis, cheese Next to the palazzo, the Torre Civica funicular station.
and fresh pasta. Smallholders from the
hills nearby sell home-grown produce. belltower rises 52 m (170 ft), offering Take the funicular up to the San
splendid views of Bergamo and the Vigilio 6 neighbourhood, ideal for a
WHERE TO STAY Below left Façade of the Cappella Colleoni, Bergamo Below right View along Bergamo’s funicular
BERGAMO
La Valletta Relais inexpensive
This spick and span, family-run hotel
on the hillside has pretty rooms.
Via Castagneta 19, Città Alta 24129;
035 242 746; www.lavallettabergamo.it
Torre Gombito expensive
Set in a medieval tower in the heart of
the Upper Town, this contemporary
boutique hotel offers small, tidy rooms.
Via Mario Lupo 6, Città Alta, 24129;
035 247 009; www.gombithotel.it
CLUSONE
Albergo Commercio e Ristorante
Masci inexpensive
Simple, attractive rooms and a good
restaurant in the village centre.
Piazza Paradiso 1, 24023; 0346 21 267;
www.mas-ci.it

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