Welcome to the Green City, the itinerary that reveals Bergamo’s naturalistic side in an exciting loop tour along which you will encounter breathtaking views, historic beauty, and almost secret places, such as medieval stairways.You are at Porta Sant’Alessandro (point 16), one of the entrances to the Upper Town. This monumental entrance was built in the second half of the 1500s and faces west.

PORTA SANT’ALESSANDRO

You have two options to begin the journey: reach San Vigilio by the scenic funicular, or walk uphill along an equally fascinating route. If you choose the former, walk toward Porta Sant’Alessandro and reach the San Vigilio Funicular station, just 70 meters from the sign; the trip will take about a minute. If, on the other hand, you prefer to walk, take Via Sudorno and you will soon be able to walk along Via San Vigilio; in this case, a 50-meter drop awaits you, spread over a 700-meter-long stretch. At the top, the next monuments on your route will be the Castle and the Church of San Vigilio (points 1 and 2).

FUNICOLARE DI SAN VIGILIO

CASTELLO DI SAN VIGILIO

CHIESA DI SAN VIGILIO

Since the itinerary is a loop, you can also walk it in the opposite direction. Turning your back to Porta Sant’Alessandro, take Via Borgo Canale; after less than 60 meters to the left, you’ll find Donizetti’s birthplace (point 15), where the composer was born in 1797 and spent the first nine years of his life. Nothing remains of the dilapidated house from that time: instead, a museum with a rich multimedia tour awaits you, where you can discover Donizetti’s secrets and the typical life of an 18th-century Bergamo family.

After 160 meters, still on the left, you will see the Church of S. Grata Inter Vites (point 14), named after the co-patron saint of Bergamo and her burial place until the year 1000. Originating in the 1300s but rebuilt during the 1700s, the church owes its name to the area where it was built, once surrounded by vineyards. 

PORTA SANT’ALESSANDRO

DONIZZETTI’S BIRTHPLACE

CHURCH OF S. GRATA INTER VITES

Continuing on, 300 meters further on, awaits the small but charming Church of S. Erasmo (point 13). First mentioned in a 14th-century manuscript, it will astonish you with its bare stone facade, the remains of 15th-century frescoes, and a series of beautiful 19th-century paintings.

CHURCH OF S.ERASMO

If, on the other hand, you are following the itinerary in the opposite direction but started in San Vigilio, now the last leg of the tour awaits you.Reach Porta Sant’Alessandro, cross it, turn left and after 400 meters you will find  one of the greenest and most panoramic corners of Bergamo, the “Lorenzo Rota” Botanical Garden (point 17), known to be a real “window on the landscape” thanks to its privileged position on top of Colle Aperto.

“LORENZO ROTA” BOTANICAL GARDEN

You are on the Green City itinerary, at the intersection of Via Sudorno and Via San Vigilio, on the route that takes you up San Vigilio Hill on foot. If you prefer to go up using the funicular, turn your back to the junction and go down to Largo Porta S. Alessandro, turn left and reach the station, about 70 meters from here, near Porta Sant’Alessandro (point 16).

PORTA SANT’ALESSANDRO

To continue along the route, keep going up to the right; in 550 meters and 50 meters of elevation gain, you will find the Church  of S. Vigilio on the left (point 2). After that, turn right on Via al Castello, and after another 180 meters you will be able to visit the park and ruins of the San Vigilio Castle (point 1).

CHIESA S. VIGILIO

CASTELLO DI SAN VIGILIO

If, on the other hand, you are walking down the hill, to continue the itinerary reach Porta Sant’Alessandro, retracing a short part of the route that made you discover Borgo Canale, Donizetti’s Birthplace (point 15) and the Church of S. Grata Inter Vites (point 14). After passing through the Gate, turn left and in 400 meters you will find one of Bergamo’s greenest and most scenic corners waiting for you, the “Lorenzo Rota” Botanical Garden (point 17).

CASA NATALE DI DONIZETTI

CHIESA S. GRATA INTER VITES

ORTO BOTANICO “LORENZO ROTA”

You are at the upper station of the San Vigilio funicular, which connects the hill of the same name to the center of the Upper Town. If you’re following the route going up from Largo di Porta Sant’Alessandro, turn right and, in 130 meters, you’ll find the park and San Vigilio Castle (point 1). Of ancient origins, the fort stands today as a set of majestic ruins, with towers, gunboats and loopholes on a dense network of underground passages. It was the last outpost defending Bergamo and its territory.

CASTELLO DI SAN VIGILIO

After visiting it, turn back and continue straight on Via al Castello to find, 50 meters from the sign, the Church of S. Vigilio (point 2), built in the 8th century in honor of the bishop of the same name and belonging between 1200 and 1500 to various religious orders.

CHIESA S. VIGILIO

Finally, next to the building you will find the medieval Scorlazzone staircase (point 3), which descends towards the Val d’Astino.

SCORLAZZONE

If you’re coming from that direction, however, it’s time to return to the Upper Town. To do this you can either take the funicular behind you or, continuing to the left, take Via San Vigilio. With the second option, after about 700 meters you will reach Largo di Porta Sant’Alessandro.

You are near the Church of San Vigilio (point 2), whose churchyard opens behind you, and the entrance to the passageway known as the Scorlazzone Staircase (point 3).

CHIESA DI SAN VIGILIO

SCALETTA DELLO SCORLAZZONE

The small church is certainly worth a visit, also because of the view from its terrace. Built in the 8th century in honor of the Trentino bishop of the same name, who  stayed in the hills of Bergamo at that time, it belonged to the Dominican friars and, after the Middle Ages, to the Order of the Humiliati. Its present appearance is due to interventions in the 18th and 20th centuries, which updated it to modern taste.

If you are coming from the Upper Town, to continue the itinerary turn left and walk along the ‘Scorlazzone’. Part of the extensive maze of steps that, since the Middle Ages, have connected the two souls of Bergamo, this passage is the natural continuation of the Scorlazzino. With its 162 steps, it is definitely one of the most challenging, but fear not: the timeless atmosphere is worth the effort, and at the bottom you’ll find a fresh water fountain to refresh you!
If, on the other hand, you have just walked up the Scorlazzone, on your itinerary are now the Church of San Vigilio, behind you, the Castle of San Vigilio (point 1) some 170 meters down Via del Castello, and finally the descent to the Upper Town.

CASTELLO DI SAN VIGILIO

To reach the monumental center you can either use the funicular railway or the equally scenic Via San Vigilio, which starts immediately after the church, passing by the small parking lot. When you reach the end, after admiring numerous historic mansions and the splendid view of the city, you will find yourself at Porta Sant’Alessandro (point 16), about 700 meters away.

PORTA SANT’ALESSANDRO

You are at the base of the Scorlazzone Staircase (point 3), one of the most famous medieval streets connecting Upper and Lower town of Bergamo.

SCALETTA DELLO SCORLAZZONE

These cobblestone steps were the steps used by the people to move between the two sides of the center; they are now a very “local” way to explore its most hidden corners. With your back to the sign, further to the left you will also spot the entrance to the Scorlazzino, a small staircase that serves as a natural continuation of the Scorlazzone. Worth a note for your next walk!Now the rest of The Green City is waiting for you: if you are coming from San Vigilio turn your back to the sign, turn right and walk along Via Sudorno to the junction with Via Torni. Keep to the left and in 90 meters you will come across the Tempio dei Caduti (point 4), built in 1915 on the remains of the ancient church of S. Maria di Sudorno and dedicated to the war victims.

TEMPIO DEI CADUTI

After the Tempio, continue past the arcade of Via Sudorno, keep to the right and stay on Via Astino. Here begins the beautiful descent on a cobblestone road to the Botanical Garden-Valle della Biodiversità (point 5), which you will reach after 1 kilometer. A few meters from the Garden, but on the left side of the road, you will find the Church of the Santo Sepolcro (point 6) and the Ex-monastery of Astino (point 7).

ORTO BOTANICO-VALLE DELLA BIODIVERSITÀ 

CHIESA DEL SANTO SEPOLCRO

EX-MONASTERO DI ASTINO

If, on the other hand, you take the itinerary going up from Val d’Astino, climb the narrow cobblestone passage to the left of the sign. Immediately after the bend begins the Scorlazzone Staircase (point 3), which, with its 162 gently sloping steps, will lead you up to the hill of San Vigilio. At its summit, in 500 meters, you will find the Church of San Vigilio (point 2) and after another 160 meters the Castle of San Vigilio (point 1).

SCALETTA DELLO SCORLAZZONE

CHIESA DI S. VIGILIO

CASTELLO DI SAN VIGILIO

You are in Val d’Astino, for centuries prized for its beauty and favorable microclimate. Strolling through its green streets and paths, among vineyards and flax fields, it  will not fail to amaze you.Your reference sign is placed next to the Church of the Santo Sepolcro (point 6) and the Ex-monastery of Astino (point 7), two true historical gems. The church is the first building on your right, at the top of the scenic staircase: enter and discover its distinctive commissa cross structure, its Renaissance chancel and its three altars, two of which are medieval.

CHURCH OF THE SANTO SEPOLCRO

EX-MONASTERY OF ASTINO

The entrance to the Ex-monastery of Astino is located next to the staircase and leads to the cloister. The monastic complex dates back to 1107, when the Vallombrosian monks decided to build their home here. Its simple rooms will tell you endless stories, including the period when it housed an asylum, and in its refectory you can admire a splendid Last Supper frescoed by the Florentine Alessandro Allori.Last point of this stop, here on the left, almost behind you, is the entrance to the Botanical Garden-Biodiversity Valley (point 5). Open from May to October, it awaits you with more than a thousand varieties of plants used by man throughout history.

ORTO BOTANICO-VALLE DELLA BIODIVERSITÀ

After your visit, a scenic walk along Via Astino awaits you: follow the road downhill and in 700 meters you will find the next stop on your itinerary, the historic Roggia Curna (point 8).

ROGGIA CURNA

If, on the other hand, you follow the itinerary coming from the roggia path (irrigation canal ), your next stop is at the top of Via Astino. Looking at the sign, turn left, go up the scenic cobblestone road and, after the bend, in about 1 kilometer you will reach the Tempio dei Caduti (point 4) on Via Sudorno.

TEMPIO DEI CADUTI

You are in Val d’Astino, one of the most fascinating areas of the Colli Regional Park, which since 1977 has protected and promoted the territories of as many as ten municipalities, including the Upper Town of Bergamo.The itinerary now leads you toward the Upper Town. To continue, turn your back to the sign, cross the road and take the short bicycle/pedestrian section that enters the green space flanking the Roggia Curna (point 8), indicated by a shield-shaped plaque. You will thus pass by a canal whose path has existed for more than five hundred years: the “roggia” (irrigation canal ) was built starting in 1475 at the request of the great condottiero Bartolomeo Colleoni.

ROGGIA CURNA

When the path merges onto Via Ripa Pasqualina, turn left. 400 meters later, continuing straight you will reach the beginning of the Ripa Pasqualina Staircase (point 9). Like the Scorlazzone, this narrow street has very ancient origins: to walk along it is to take a real trip back in time.

SCALETTA DI RIPA PASQUALINA

If, on the other hand, you arrive from the Ripa Pasqualina staircase, you now have the whole Valle d’Astino to discover. Looking at the sign, turn right and continue on the path. Among 700 meters of walking in the green you will encounter three places to visit: the Ex-monastery of Astino (point 7), the Church of the Santo Sepolcro (point 6) and, almost in front, the Botanical Garden-Valle della Biodiversità (point 5).

EX-MONASTERO DI ASTINO

CHIESA DEL SANTO SEPOLCRO

ORTO BOTANICO-VALLE DELLA BIODIVERSITÀ

You are in the lower part of the Valle d’Astino, among nature, centuries-old irrigation canals and ancient stairways.Proceeding to the right from the sign, past Via del Celtro, in 200 meters you’ll meet a crossroad; keep to the right and you’ll reach the base of the Ripa Pasqualina Staircase (point 7). Like the Scorlazzone, which you took on your way down from San Vigilio, this cobbled stepped lane is roughly a millennium old and promises you unmissable views.

SCALETTA DI RIPA PASQUALINA

If, on the other hand, you have just walked down the staircase, continue down Via Ripa Pasqualina and take the bicycle/pedestrian path that you find, in 30 meters, on the right side.Here you will walk along the Roggia Curna canal for a while (point 8). It is part of the province’s complex irrigation system, created back in ancient times to make up for the lack of large rivers near Bergamo and greatly improved in the latter 15th century at the request of Bartolomeo Colleoni. Today the irrigation canal is no longer fed by a spring but is used to collect and drain rainwater.

ROGGIA CURNA

When the path merges onto Via Astino, turn right and you can continue the itinerary to the Ex-monastery of Astino.

You are at the base of the Ripa Pasqualina Staircase (point 9), which begins immediately to the right of the sign.

SCALETTA DI RIPA PASQUALINA

As you have already had the opportunity to discover, all of Bergamo’s stairways have a very long history: documented in the Middle Ages, but probably even older, the stairways constituted the main-often the only-accesses to the Upper Town for the people and were used for daily travel. These steps are true witnesses to countless lives and events.

At the top, the Ripa Pasqualina steps will cross via Sudorno, whose medieval name refers to the worship of the god Saturn. Continuing along the main street, you will then reach Borgo Canale. Enjoy your uphill walk!If you take the itinerary in the other direction , turn your back on the sign and go down Via Ripa Pasqualina for 230 meters. At that point, on the right, you will be able to take the bike/pedestrian path that runs alongside the Roggia Curna (point 8) and leads into Via Astino, toward the Ex-monastery of Astino (point 7).

ROGGIA CURNA

EX-MONASTERO DI ASTINO

You are at the top of the Ripa Pasqualina Staircase (point 9), whose solid steps have enabled inhabitants to reach the Astino Valley-or to climb up from it-since the Middle Ages.

SCALETTA DI RIPA PASQUALINA

If you arrive from the little stairway, to continue the itinerary continue to the right keeping to the main road, which soon becomes Via San Martino della Pigrizia. After 440 meters among villas and historic houses, you will encounter a small place of worship: the Church of S. Martino della Pigrizia (point 10). Nestled in a picturesque corner of living stone brick walls and houses, this little church was founded in the 11th century and owes its peculiar name to the area’s poor sun exposure, which allowed for slow, or rather “lazy,” growth of plants.

CHIESA S. MARTINO DELLA PIGRIZIA

After visiting it, continue on the street of the same name for another 130 meters to the intersection with the San Martino Staircase.

If you come from Borgo Canale, on the other hand, go left and then go straight, bypassing the narrow climb of Via Sudorno. At the end of the road, after 140 meters, you will find the Ripa Pasqualina Staircase and you can begin the descent to Val d’Astino.

You are on the scenic route that climbs from the Longuelo district to Borgo Canale, between the lush hillsides of the Valle d’Astino and Conca d’Oro. Two of Bergamo’s historic staircases cross at this point: the San Martino Staircase (point 11), which climbs from via Borgo Canale, and the Scorlazzino staircase.

SCALETTA DI SAN MARTINO

Immediately to the right of the sign is the first section of the San Martino Staircase-a picturesque shortcut for your next walk! Behind you, however, begins the ascent of the Scorlazzino Staircase (point 12), the other end of which you have already seen after descending from the Church of S. Vigilio (point 2). For a picturesque détour, take the steps and walk 50 meters, after which you either descend back to the road and turn left; or stay on the main road, immediately to the left of the sign. In either case, in about 170 meters you will reach Borgo Canale.

SCALETTA DELLO SCORLAZZINO

CHIESA S. VIGILIO

If you are coming right from Borgo Canale, turn your back to the sign and keep on Via S. Martino della Pigrizia. After 140 meters of mild descent, you will cross the Church of S. Martino della Pigrizia (point 10) on the right.

CHIESA S. MARTINO DELLA PIGRIZIA

This small building, framed by houses and walls of living stone like a small village, will amaze you with its history and charming simplicity. Beyond its bas-relief bronze portal, you will find a single nave and both sculptural and pictorial works, including an altarpiece depicting the Madonna and some saints.

You are in Borgo Canale, one of Bergamo’s oldest and most charming neighborhoods. Rich in vantage points, it gives you on the one hand a view as far as the eye can see over the flatlands and, on the other, a unique glimpse of the Upper Town.

To enter this little oasis of peace and romanticism, where the famous composer Gaetano Donizetti was born, continue past the junction between Via San Martino della Pigrizia and Via Borgo Canale, keeping the Scorlazzino behind you. In 550 meters you will reach the Church of S. Erasmo (point 13), located on the right side of the street. This picturesque little church made of living stone, somewhere between Romanesque and Baroque, will amaze you with its presence and history.

CHIESA S. ERASMO

If you are coming instead from that direction, to continue the itinerary leave Borgo Canale behind, continue straight ahead and, after 80 meters, on the right you will find the Scorlazzino Staircase  (point 12). Take it and climb up to the intersection. This cobbled passageway has, in its lower part, a peculiar double access and is one of the best known paths of the medieval stairways, thanks to the privileged view it gives of gardens, vegetable gardens and a large part of Lower town of Bergamo.

SCALETTA DELLO SCORLAZZINO

At the first intersection go down and back onto Via San Martino della Pigrizia. Opposite you will have the San Martino Staircase (point 11) that descends toward the Lower Town. However, your itinerary continues by turning right and continuing the descent on Via S. Martino della Pigrizia, heading for Val d’Astino.

SCALETTA DI SAN MARTINO

You are at Colle Aperto, opposite the entrance to the “Lorenzo Rota” Botanical Garden (point 17). This place is part of the Civic Museums of the City of Bergamo and since 1972 has been home to more than 1,200 types of plants, arranged in micro-habitats that reproduce or recall natural environments.

ORTO BOTANICO “LORENZO ROTA”

To visit it, cross the street and take the staircase that starts right in front of the  San Marco Upper Explosives Store (a building dating back to the period when the walls were built, hence Venetian). After 140 steps that will lead you among hidden houses and gardens, you can enjoy the prize: a “window overlooking the landscape” created by nature and botany, as well as a spectacular view of the city!

After visiting the Garden, to return to the main path of the The Green City itinerary turn your back on the sign, walk down Via Beltrami and, in 120 meters, you will reach Largo Colle Aperto.Immediately on your right you will see the monumental Porta Sant’Alessandro (point 16), one of the historic entrances to the Upper Town, the one that connects it to Borgo Canale. Go through it and, again on the right, you will find the lower station of the funicular to San Vigilio. At this point, to follow the itinerary you can choose whether to go up to San Vigilio Hill-according to the recommended order of visit-or to cross Borgo Canale towards the Valle di Astino. Both options are possible: the itinerary is in fact a loop, which can be walked in both directions!

PORTA SANT’ALESSANDRO

If you decide to go uphill, you will soon be able to visit the Church and Castle of S. Vigilio. If you decide to continue downhill, you will instead have the chance to see the Donizetti Birthplace (point 15), 350 meters from the sign.

CASA NATALE DI DONIZETTI