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Fountains of Bergamo |
A history of centuries-old beauty
The fountain in Piazza Vecchia is certainly the most famous and beautiful in Bergamo. And to think that it wasn’t the work of great architect or celebrated artist. It was instead the Venetian Podestà (governor) Alvise Contarini who in 1780, before returning to Venice (Bergamo was under Venetian rule at the time), decided to donate the fountain to the city to underline the good relationship Venice had with the Bergamask people.
The fountain was designed by an unknown engineer, who used the white marble well-curb from an existing well as the central basin; the lions and sphinxes instead were a readaptation of parts of other monuments of unknown origin. The effect, as can be clearly seen, was very successful. With rare harmony the fountain has become the focal point of the square, attracting the attention of tourists and visitors: don’t miss the opportunity to take a souvenir photo in front of the jet of water rising up from the centre of the basin.
Another very well known fountain – mainly due to its position – is the fountain found near the entrance to upper Bergamo, immediately after Sant’Agostino Gate. Its history is closely linked to the history of the walls, which were built by Venice around the hilltop city.
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It was constructed in 1575 while work, which began in 1561 and ended in 1588, on the mighty defensive barrier was under way. Even today, visitors to upper Bergamo who pass through the main gate often stop to admire this beautiful fountain.
Bergamo has other fountains that are less known but no less important, above all because they are part of its much older history. It is believed that the Romans ensured an abundant water supply to the city by building an aqueduct connected to several springs in the hills. In medieval times each vicinia (a term that today might correspond to parish) had a fountain and large cistern that guaranteed water supplies in periods of prolonged drought. The best known cistern in terms of size and architectural features is the cistern built during the rule of the Visconti, the Lords of Milan, which is known as the Visconti cistern or, more popularly, the Fontanone (large fountain).
We suggest that anyone wishing to discover these fountains should begin their tour through upper Bergamo in Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe, the square in front of funicular station exit. In the same square on the right, near the entrance to Via Rocca, a large vaulted area testifies to the presence of the cistern of a fountain that is no longer in use. On the other side, near the entrance to Via Donizetti, a large stone arch denotes the presence of another fountain. Yet another fountain of the same kind can also be seen a few dozen metres along Via Porta Dipinta, on the left. Several medieval fountains can also be found in Via Porta Dipinta, in Via San Giacomo, in Via Solata and near the southern exit of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. In Via Colleoni, at the crossroads with Vicolo Sant’Agata, a shop occupies the large space of another cistern, also of medieval origin. Finally, a beautiful fifteenth-century fountain can be found in front of the church of San Pancrazio. During the summer, guided tours of the magnificent cistern of the Lantro, evidence of the importance that water supplies had for the city in past centuries, is an event that should not be missed.
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