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Despite the fact that Bergamo is only fifty kilometres from Milan, it has more the feeling of a mountain town and has nothing of the cosmopolitan feel that its larger neighbour exudes. Bergamo is a city peculiar in its structure as it is divided into two distinct and independent halves, Bergamo Bassa, or lower Bergamo and Bergamo Alta or upper. Bergamo Bassa is the modern centre that houses the banking and commercial activities in a neoclassical environment. Bergamo Alta that hangs off the hills of Bergamo at a height of 400 metres is a very pretty centre where a lot of Milanese escape the work week, famous footballers included. This city centre exudes calm and a quaint fresh air. While Bergamo is part of Lombardy it more resembles cities of its other neighbouring province the Veneto. This could be in part due to the fact that Bergamo was ruled by the Venetians for more the 350 years and they invested a lot in the city with many marvellous buildings, adorning them with gothic windows and the Venetian republic symbol everywhere, the famous Lion. What is more Impressive is, however, the ring of gated walls around the city. These walls protected the Venetians and the city until the French finally managed to storm them during the revolution. The first impact of the city is Bergamo Bassa because it is where you arrive first. If you can ignore the fascist buildings the lower city has a holiday air with it spacious garden filled piazza and nineteenth century arcades. This is the Sentierone and the nicest part of the lower city where business goes on during the day and people ramble and stroll in the evening. The best is in the upper city that is easily accessible by car or using the funicular that leaves from the end of the main drag of Vittorio Emanuele II. From there you can enjoy what is old and beautiful of the city and enjoy the fresh air and ancient ambience of a little slice of Italy. |