Bergamo holds the roots of its history inside its name, along with the charm of its ancient origins: a mountain (Berg) with a house on top (heim).

​

It was probably founded by Celtic populations. Then the Romans  followed and the settlement became a Municipium in 49 b.C.

​

Over the centuries, this strategic natural stronghold overlooking the flatland experienced the dominations of Lombard and Frankish populations, up to the age of the communes, when Bergamo turned into a medieval city-state.

​

A milestone in the history of Bergamo was its incorporation into the Venetian State in 1428, which lasted till 1792.

​

The most important, daunting and expensive work of this period was undoubtedly the building of the Venetian Walls with their ramparts that still mark the urban skyline. The new Walls brought about a veritable break-up in the urban settlement: the Upper Town, with its stunning monuments, and the Lower Town, a lively financial and administrative centre,  where a famous  Fair used to be held.

​

After playing a major role during the so-called “Risorgimento”, the period leading to unification of Italy, Bergamo joined the Kingdom of Italy and then the Italian Republic.

 

The area where the Fair was held was totally re-styled by Marcello Piacentini in the XIX century and we can still appreciate its beauty walking along the “Sentierone”.

​

Throughout the XX Century Bergamo grew and thrived, till it reached its current look, a rare blend of past and present projecting into the future.