The Cinta Muraria di Bergamo, or the town walls, surround the old part of Bergamo for 3.7 miles (6 kilometers). Walk along its length that is interspersed with four gates, or portals. These are the only areas to enter and leave the upper town, just as when it was built.
The walls are also called the Venetian Walls, as they were constructed by the Republic of Venice to defend its territory in northern Italy. Construction began in 1561 and required 250 buildings to be destroyed. Admire this structure that includes 14 bastions, two platforms, 100 cannon wall openings and two armories.
Take a guided tour or stroll along the ramparts and you will discover that the wall is in remarkable condition for a 16th-century fortification. This is largely because the wall never came under attack and has been nominated for UNESCO World Heritage site status. Pack a picnic and stroll along the wall for a few hours to view the old section within and the newer part below, with the countryside beyond. If the weather is clear, the Alps, Apennines and even the city of Milan are visible.
Ride the Bergamo funicular that connects upper and lower towns, with a section that goes through the wall. Citizens have come to depend on this form of transport that began in 1887 and has a maximum gradient of 52 percent.
Stay overnight inside the Cinta Muraria di Bergamo and don’t miss visiting some of the exquisite churches, such as the Duomo di Bergamo, in the town square of Piazza Duomo. Look up into the dome to see Francesco Coghetti’s work called Glory of Paradise, painted in 1853. Find good luck at Colleoni Chapel and walk through old and new palaces in the highly photogenic Piazza Vecchia with its restaurants and cafés. Climb the tower, the Torre del Gombito, to truly appreciate the magnificent location of Bergamo.
