The Basilica is THE site to visit in Citta Alta - from the façade to every interior corner you are dazzled by the beauty! The basilica dates back to 1137 - almost 900 years of history! The Lombard façade is not very wide but so richly decorated in contrast to the grey and more austere tower. There are several entrances but the one of the Red Lions is probably the most impressive and most used. The interior stands out first by the black and white marble floor and its Romanesque Greek cross shape and octagonal dome. Each chapel is full of beauty and there are paintings by Giordano as well as Lotto. It is the only paying church in the city but with the influx of tourists it is normal and it was so worth paying the 5 EUR.

I say immediately that to visit the church internally, unless you want to attend Mass, you pay a ticket of 5 euros, with some right to discounts. I find it right, this church is a museum full of works of art that must be maintained with constant work, and all this comes at a considerable cost. The exterior is in Romanesque style with the two portals that also have Gothic elements and has very articulated shapes, rich in arches; it is appropriate to take a tour all around, the perspectives change, the portals with lions are very scenic. The interior is in Baroque style, full of stucco and gilding, but also retains many pieces of older paintings. Here everything is a masterpiece; paintings, Flemish tapestries, the wooden choir, Donizetti's tomb, a Baroque confessional and many other things that you can not tell with little. The church must be visited or you will miss one of the city's major attractions.

The altars are beautiful, the ceilings are spectacular. The paintings, especially in the side chapels, are lovely. There are frescos. But we were most impressed by the number of picturesque tapestries that adorn the walls. It feels like every square inch is covered with some kind of ornamentation. Well worth the €5 entry fee.

This had been a sacred place for a long time, with a previous Romanic church and a Roman temple on the spot. For the present day basilica, you can find the year 1137 carved in the Lions Gate. You can enter the building by the side doors; the Lions Gate is the one facing the Duomo Piazza, but the later Fontana Gate is also worth a look, going around the block. The facade, attached to Colleoni´s chapel, is beautiful by itself, but the latter stands out. I was concerned about all the children playing to ride and jump from the 14C reddish Veronese marble lions. Before getting in, admire the 3 saints statues (St Barbara, St Vincent and St Alexander) and the Virgin and Child upon them, with 2 more saints. The Baroque interior show Flemish tapestries. The transept chancels and the carved confessionary are masterpieces. It’s free of charge, but a donation is expected,

Extraordinary place even if you are not a fan of baroque. The decoration is exuberant and very delicate. Pay attention to the times of religious services for the visit because they are relatively numerous and lead to the closure of the basilica. In short, a must-see in the upper town of Bergamo, especially as the surrounding area is also full of riches to discover (piazza vecchia)

You should check out the many churches that Bergamo has to offer. One is more impressive than the other. The best place to start is Piazza Duomo, where several churches are located together. Particularly beautiful is the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. There is a small entrance fee for this one - all the others, including the Duomo, were free to visit.

The main church of the Upper Town dates back to the 12th century, as its Romano-Lombard exterior recalls. It was originally built as a baptismal church at the cathedral. Its initially secondary role was manifested in the fact that the basilica has no central entrance and no main facade at all. You can take the beautiful Renaissance Colleoni chapel for it, but it is an independent building built on the site of the demolished apse of this basilica. What awaits you inside is not what awaits you outside. In the XVII-XVIII centuries, the church was rebuilt and it received a Baroque interior, although the frescoes of the XIV century have been preserved. There is one painting by the artist Luca Giordano in the basilica. However, the most important "feature" of the church is the grave of Donizetti. The famous composer, a native of Bergamo, is not accidentally buried here. His introduction to music took place at the charity choir school for boys under the guidance of the German composer Simon Mayr, the kapellmeister of the church of Santa Maria Maggiore. And even the requiem for Bellini's death, commissioned by Donizetti, was first performed within the walls of this particular church.

Splendid 12th century Romanesque church in the central area of Bergamo Alta. The interior is truly rich and sumptuous and there are also tapestries. I think it is among the most beautiful churches I have been able to visit.

The Basilica is located in the Piazza del Duomo of Bergamo Alta attached to the Colleoni Chapel. There are two entrances one at the front and one at the back with lions. I didn't come in because I find it unseemly to pay to enter a church, a real shame.

Stunning interior, blown away by the beautiful decoration. So much detail and awe inspiring paintings. Been fortunate to see many churches, but this one I will always remember. Small fee to enter, but so worth it.