Piazzale Guglielmo Marconi is one of the central landmarks of Bergamo, serving as a vibrant gateway between the city’s historic and modern areas. Located near the main train station in the lower town, or *Città Bassa*, the square is named after the famous Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi, a pioneer of radio communication. The piazza is surrounded by elegant buildings, cafés, and shops, creating a lively atmosphere that reflects the daily rhythm of urban life. It is also a major transportation hub, connecting visitors to the funicular that ascends to the *Città Alta*, as well as to buses and taxis that link to other parts of Bergamo. The square’s spacious layout and tree-lined surroundings make it both functional and inviting, offering a pleasant place to pause, meet, or simply watch the movement of the city. Piazzale Guglielmo Marconi beautifully represents Bergamo’s blend of tradition and modernity.

Nestled in Bergamo’s modern Città Bassa, Viale Papa Giovanni XXIII serves as a grand boulevard and a dynamic bridge between the city’s historic visage and its contemporary rhythm. Stretching from Porta Nuova near the railway station toward the heart of the city, this wide, tree-lined avenue unfolds as both a visual gateway and a central artery for everyday life. Historically known as Via Ferdinandea, the avenue emerged in the mid-19th century under Austrian rule to connect the newly built Bergamo railway station with the scenic upper town. Its creation necessitated the demolition of the old Santa Maria delle Grazie church and convent before being renamed in honour of Pope John XXIII, a beloved native of Bergamo

Located in Bergamo’s modern Città Bassa, Piazza Giacomo Matteotti serves as a pivotal public square, melding civic pride, architectural grandeur, monuments, and vibrant greenery into one cohesive space. At its heart stands the distinguished Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II, symbolising Italy’s unification, and nearby is the poignant Monument to the Brothers Calvi, commemorating Alpini soldiers lost during and after World War I Yet the square’s most striking artistic feature is the Monument to the Partisan by celebrated sculptor Giacomo Manzù, a powerful bronze panel evocatively depicting the tragic sacrifices of anti-fascist partisans during WWII. Surrounding the piazza are several architecturally significant structures. One prominent building, originally erected in 1857 as a military command under architect Francesco Valsecchi, later transformed into Palais Frizzoni, the city hall, following modifications by Giovanni Muzio in mid-20th century

Situated in Bergamo’s Lower Town on Via Sant’Alessandro, the Basilica di Sant’Alessandro in Colonna stands as both spiritual shrine and architectural jewel, built on the very site where, according to tradition, the city’s patron saint was martyred in the early 4th century. The basilica serves as a profound symbol of Bergamo’s Christian heritage and civic identity. Historical records trace the church’s roots to at least 1133, when it was referred to as “Ecclesia S. Alexandri quae dicitur in columna“, in reference to a Roman column said to mark the location of the martyrdom. The current structure originates from a 1447 reconstruction following a collapse, before undergoing substantial Baroque-style renovations in the early 18th century under architect Marco Alessandri. It was ultimately declared a basilica in 1997.

Piazza Vecchia is the historic and architectural heart of Città Alta, Bergamo’s elegant upper town, a space where time seems suspended, and every stone echoes centuries of civic pride and cultural sophistication. Described by Le Corbusier as a “perfect work of art in every stone,” this compact, near-rectangular piazza is framed by some of the most iconic buildings in Lombardy. Set on the site of Bergamo’s ancient Roman forum, Piazza Vecchia evolved through medieval and Renaissance eras into the city’s political and commercial nucleus. The 12th-century Palazzo della Ragione, with its triple-arched portico and monumental loggia, once served as the seat of justice and governance and still dominates the southern edge of the square. Adjacent to it is the Torre del Campanone, the civic tower that tolls 100 bells at 10 p.m., recalling the old curfew and offering panoramic views of the historic centre.

The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Bergamo’s Città Alta is a masterpiece of religious architecture, revered not only as a place of worship but also as one of Lombardy’s most opulent artistic treasures. Founded in 1137 as a votive offering after a devastating plague, believed to have been spared from the contagion through divine protection, the basilica was built on the site of both an 8th-century Christian church and a Roman temple dedicated to the goddess Clemence (“Mercy”). From the exterior, the basilica retains its austere Romanesque character: thick stone walls, round-arched windows, and a façade entirely without a main entrance, once merged with the Bishop’s Palace.