![\"Bergamo](\"https:\/\/vonortzuort.reisen\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/unterstadt.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nAfter about 15 minutes of travelling, we got off at Bergamo’s main railway station. From here you can take the bus to the old town or walk for about 20 minutes to the funicular railway that goes up to the old town. We opted for the walk and were thus able to gather some more impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nWe walk past the Torre dei caduti, which is right on Piazza Vittorio Veneto.
It is one of the monuments of the lower city that were erected after the First World War. However, not to commemorate the victims, as is so often the case, but at Mussolini’s request to strengthen and consolidate unity nationalism.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
The tower is built of sandstone and fits harmoniously into the existing building structure. The marble clock, which is surrounded by a square, is striking. Each corner of the square is formed by a wind idol. They are supposed to represent the transience of time. Directly below the clock is a bronze statue and a large window with a balcony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you turn right near the tower, you come to the pedestrian zone. This is a great place to shop. A small tip: in the inconspicuous side streets you can find nice shops that don’t belong to the big chains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shortly behind the tower, you have the opportunity to take a first look at the old town, which is situated on a hill. When we arrived at the funicular, I wondered whether we shouldn’t walk up the mountain. The queue was already quite long. Once at the top, we discover the winding streets of Bergamo’s Citt\u00e0 Alta. There are small shops, restaurants and caf\u00e9s everywhere. Especially the main street, which we leave quite quickly, is fully geared to tourists. The narrow and, above all, car-free side streets are more to our liking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And even along these winding paths, we finally reach the place where everyone flocks – the Duomo of Bergamo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Across the Piazza Duomo, we approach what at first appears to be an inconspicuous church building. Its size can only be guessed at as we walk down the narrow alley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you look a little closer, you will discover beautiful frescoes decorating the fa\u00e7ade of the church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We come to a small square (Piazza Padre Reginaldo Giuliani). Here is the entrance to the church of Santa Maria Maggiore. The Cappella Colleoni, to the right of the entrance guarded by lions, is striking. The fa\u00e7ade is so strikingly designed with white, black and red marble stones that at first glance it seems as if you are entering the church here (entrance below the rose window). But you enter a chapel that was created as a tomb of Bartolomeo Colleoni.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The entrance to Santa Maria Maggiore is covered by a porch. It is supported by 4 columns, two lions sit in front and sculptures stand above the entrance. We enter the church and I have the feeling of being overwhelmed by the design of the interior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Magnificent ceiling and wall decorations, artistic pictures and statues and gold glittering everywhere, a real firework of sensory impressions. As I walk through the church, I ask myself whether the house of God has to be designed like this. Of course the splendour, the wealth and beauty of the church is symbolised. But where is the simplicity and the simple faith in God? Would he like this abundance?<\/p>\n\n\n\n We step out of the church and turn right. Less than 20 steps away is the entrance to the Duomo of Bergamo. Here, too, we enter the nave and stand in a completely differently designed church. Here, the colour white dominates and only deliberately used golden accents draw the eye. It is bright and friendly here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you go into the small chapel on the right transept, you will find a kind of “memorial” to Pope John XXIII, who was born in the Bergamo region and is honoured here with relics and a bronze statue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We leave the two so different churches and continue strolling through the streets of the old town. Our destination another funicular\/funicular to take us a little higher above the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The San Vigilio funicular has been in operation since 1912, today of course in a somewhat more modern form than over 100 years ago. It mainly brings tourists high above the Citt\u00e0 Alta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you arrive at the top station, it is best to leave the house on the left. Here you will find a viewing platform from which you have a wonderful view over Bergamo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are still in the mood, you can find small tour suggestions on the funicular flyer that show the beauties of the region. We made our way back to the old town and walked downhill right next to the railway line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sightseeing makes you hungry. On our last day in Italy, we are in the mood for pizza again and at one shop I just have to stop and take a pizza to go. The bakery Il Fornaio (Via Bartolomeo Colleoni, 3, 24129 Bergamo BG, Italy) offers really great creations at a reasonable price that also taste really good!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The view promises a lot and we are curious to see if the walk is worth it. I don’t really want to walk up, but there is the funicular that will take us to the top.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nCitt\u00e0 Alta – the old town of Bergamo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
But a ride on a funicular is a “must” for us and so we queue up. It goes surprisingly fast and after 2 rides it is already our turn.
Unfortunately, the tour is quite crowded due to the many people waiting, but I still find it a great experience and am already looking forward to the downhill ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure><\/li><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nSanta Maria Maggiore and Duomo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Construction of the basilica began in 1137 and is still not completed. There is neither a nave nor a west fa\u00e7ade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nHigh above the city with the Funicolare San Vigilio<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nTip for a snack in Bergamo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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