Bergamo

Even though I knew my trip to Italy is packed with many destinations already, I decided to take a look on the city, where I would be landing in. That decision turned out as a perfect starting point, and it only grew my expectations larger. Instead of driving straight to Milan, please help yourself with half a day in this charming city. You will not regret it.

Bergamo is has over 100.000 inhabitants. The historic town is located on a hilltop you see on the photo. The centre is pretty much entirely walkable with tiny restaurants and gelato stalls at every corner.

The Airport has been build following a large departament store nearby, they are separated by a highway. The bus to the main railway station takes about 20 minutes. If you’d then like to take the route to the very historic centre - there is a funicular and a steep stairway ready for you at the end of the street above.

Stylish architecture

Having seen many examples of Roman Architecture I can’t get out of admiration for how clear depth and compositions Italian buildings retain. Many facades have ornate columns set in like bas-reliefs, all in white and green, with local stone and marble. An example of such building was right around the corner from the main station - the old bank of bergamo.

On the way up

If you are a rail hater and think the same about funiculars, you can still travel using conventional stairs. That still accounts for great views and you can stop at any time to breathe fresh air that is omnipresent in this part of the city.

The funicular costed below 3€ per ride. I recall we left the upper station through a beautiful doorway. It was embedded in a normal building that had its side wall carved out to make way for the railcar. Quite a mix of usual elevation and unusuality from the inside.

The views

Here is where the whole pleasure starts, you have already seen a city landscape in the banner of the article, now allow me to show you a seamless connectio between nature and Italian architecture. Each of the buildings aside from the narrow alleys is now covered with plants, which as you look around are ingrained in every stone nook and cranny.

During the walk I came across a church with a gorgeous red curtain at its entrance.

Following the road further I ended up seeing a bend in the former defensive walls. From down the wall a newer part of bergamo was emerging and thanks to the good visibility that day - just on the horizon line - the suburbs of Milan it was bound to see in the evening.