The strongly fortified city of Bergamo is not far from Milan in Northern Italy. At the point where the Brembo and Serio rivers enter the Po Plain.

The hill of Bergamo is an ancient cultural site. Celts settled here, followed by Romans, Lombards and Franks. The inhabitants resisted Barbarossa.

Since 1887, a funicular railway leads up to the old town. The Piazza Vecchia, together with the Piazza Del Duomo, has formed the centre of the upper town since the 15th century.

Basilica, Baptistery, and Colleoni chapel, which are right next to the Cathedral. Santa Maria Maggiore is the most important church in the city.

The city's second funicular railway continues steeply up to the fortress of San Viglio. Only the remains of the massive foundation walls are left of the fortress, but evidence of the former military might can still be seen when walking around.

The funicular takes us back to the upper town. Azzone Visconti initially completed the fortress just when Milan and Venice began to fight for supremacy. But the Venezians were victorious. Then Napoleon appeared, followed by the Habsburgians and the kingdom of Sardinia. Garibaldi did not move in until 1859.

Italy was united and the city of Bergamo has survived all turmoil and regencies without harm.