Città Alta, the upper city of Bergamo in Lombardy, is the medieval walled town that sits on a hill above the modern city. It is also known as the Upper Town or the Old Town of Bergamo, and it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its Renaissance and medieval architecture.
What to expect
The old town is compact and best explored on foot. Its streets wind between historic buildings and lead to squares and churches, and the whole area is ringed by 16th-century Venetian walls, which you can follow for views over the lower city and the plains beyond.
- Setting: a walled hilltop town, distinct from the newer lower city
- Architecture: medieval and Renaissance buildings
- Walls: 16th-century Venetian fortifications encircling the upper town
- Heritage: recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Getting there
The upper city is reached by funicular railway from the lower town, a short and scenic ride that saves the climb. Many visitors take the funicular up and then walk back down through the old streets and the walls, which gives a good sense of how the two parts of Bergamo fit together.
Planning your visit
Città Alta makes a natural half-day or full-day outing from Bergamo. Allow time to wander without a fixed route, and bring comfortable shoes for the cobbled lanes. For up-to-date information, the contact number is +39 035 210204.
