Bergamo, Italy

 

Painting by Trento Longaretti

On to Bergamo which is the capital of this region. Our guide, Cat, is from this region, so she is very proud of this town. We enter the old city through the Western Gate with emblems representing past rulers: Milan, Venice, and the Austrian Hungarian Empire. The narrow street is filled with interesting shops, including a painting by Cat’s uncle, Trento Longaretti. 

Piazza Vechio

The Piazza Vechio is the Civic square since The Palace of Reason was built in the form 12th century. Nearby is the Civic Bell Tower, which rang 100 times before the gates closed for the night. Continuing under the Palace, we reach Cathedral Square. 

Cathedral Square

Our gaze is immediately captured by the Colleoni Chapel with its renaissance architecture. This chapel was started in 1470 and is the mausoleum of Bartolomeo Colleoni. Next door is the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, Romanesque church founded in 1137. Next door is Saint Allesandro Cathedral, the white marble façade is from the 19^th century. Inside were two surprises. The altar was covered with relics since All Saint’s Day is approaching. 

Relics in Cathedral

Then we went to the John XXIII chapel where his body was first laid (until it was moved to St. Peter’s crypt) because he was from this region. As we left the Cathedral, its baptistry is across the square. I climbed the bell tower to see the countryside around the town. We had lunch at the 2^nd oldest restaurant in Italy, 15^th century. Cat ordered us Casoncelli, the local pasta, it was delicious. We drove to Verona to stay at Hotel Accademia right in the center of the old city.