BERGAMO Private Walking Tour: Upper Town & UNESCO Venetian Walls

Highlights of the Bergamo Private Walking Tour

The guided private walking tour of Bergamo focuses on the historic center in the Upper Town (Città Alta), connected by the funicular and protected by perfectly preserved Venetian walls and towers.

The tour starts at “Shoe Market Square (Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe)”, one of the oldest squares in town, which during the Visconti era was named after the products sold here. Nearby, admire the “Gombito Tower”, originally built for medieval defense and later converted into a commercial building, as well as the ancient “wash house”, a small 19th-century marble gem.

Main Streets and Piazza Vecchia

Walking through Bergamo’s charming streets lined with local shops and pastry stores offering traditional sweets and the famous “stracciatella ice cream”, we arrive at “Piazza Vecchia”. This majestic square features the “Contarini Fountain”, donated in the 18th century by the Podestà of Venice, adorned with sphinxes and the four symbolic Venetian lions, and the 18th-century marble sundial on the pavement.

In this historical political center, you can admire the “Civic Tower (Campanone)”, standing 53 meters tall and ringing every evening in memory of the ancient curfew. Nearby, see the “Palace of the Podestà”, now a multimedia museum, and the “Palace of the Ragione”, the oldest municipal building in Italy, featuring frescoes by “Bramante” that once decorated the facade of the Podestà Palace.

Santa Maria Maggiore and Colleoni Chapel

Next, visit “Piazza Duomo”, home to the “Church of Santa Maria Maggiore” with its Gothic façade, marble lions at the doors, and a baroque interior filled with gold decorations, frescoes, and the funeral monument of composer “Donizetti”.

Adjacent to the church is the “Colleoni Chapel”, a Renaissance masterpiece featuring paintings by “Tiepolo”, the majestic Colleoni sarcophagus, and symbols of the Colleoni family legend.

Bergamo Cathedral (Cattedrale di San Alessandro)

Continue to the “Cathedral dedicated to St. Alexander”, with its striking white façade, rich tapestries, paintings, and the must-see “Chapel of the Crucifix” inside.

Venetian Walls and Panoramic Views

The tour ends with a walk along the “Venetian Walls”, an extraordinary 16th-century defense system built by the Venetians to protect the Upper Town. Enjoy panoramic views and discover the four access gates, the most famous being “Porta San Giacomo”, a white marble triumphal arch with the “winged lion of San Marco”.

Experience Bergamo’s History and Culture

This private walking tour of Bergamo is perfect for history enthusiasts, families, and anyone looking to explore the “Città Alta”, its UNESCO Venetian walls, stunning squares, palaces, and iconic churches. Discover Bergamo’s heritage while enjoying scenic views and the charm of one of Italy’s most beautiful historic towns.

Included:

• Walking tour with licensed tour guide

Not included:

• Food and drinks
• Museum tickets (optional)
• Transfer service

What to bring:

• Comfortable shoes
• Water
• Sun hat on hot days

Meeting point:

• Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe square (near Bergamo Alta funicular exit)