Overview
Where to take a romantic stroll in Bergamo
Bergamo would not be the same without its imposing Venetian Walls. They cover come six kilometers and are still well preserved, having been restored between 1976 and 1984.
The inestimable artistic and cultural value of the Walls is also shown by their recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017. Part of the transnational series of sites featuring "Venetian defense works between the 16th and 17th centuries" also include the fortifications in Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Croatia, and Montenegro.
They were built from 1561 by the Republic of Venice to stem enemy attacks, and have been preserved almost intact to the present day. More than 250 buildings were demolished to construct the walls, including 8 religious buildings, among which, the Cathedral of Sant'Alessandro and the Dominican convent of Santo Stefano. A large number of workers were employed in their construction, under the direction of architects from Venice and Bergamo, because of the vastness and grandeur of the building works.
At weekends, the inner perimeter becomes a large pedestrian island in the Città Alta. The most striking entry points are the four monumental gates, with Sant’Agostino to the east, San Giacomo to the south, Sant'Alessandro to the west, and San Lorenzo to the north.
