Visconti Citadel (Bergamo)
Cittadella Viscontea di Bergamo
Bergamo, Lombardia, Northern Italy
The tower at the entrance of the Citadel (Torre della Campanella)
Visconti Citadel (Bergamo) is located in Northern Italy
Visconti Citadel (Bergamo)
Visconti Citadel (Bergamo)
Coordinates45°42′20″N 9°39′33″E / 45.70556°N 9.65917°E / 45.70556; 9.65917
TypeCitadel
Site information
OwnerBergamo municipality
Open to
the public		Yes
ConditionGood
Site history
Built14th century
Built byBernabò Visconti
MaterialsBricks, Stone

The Visconti Citadel of Bergamo is a mediaeval fortification in Bergamo, Lombardy, northern Italy. It was built in the 14th century by the Visconti of Milan and later expanded by the Colleoni of Bergamo. It lies in the western sector of the Città Alta (Upper Town).[1]

History

In 1355, after expanding the Visconti domains and in order to consolidate his power on Bergamo, Bernabò Visconti initiated the construction of the Citadel.[2] The Citadel incorporated a pre-existing fortress and a section of the nearby medieval walls. It thus became part of the defensive system of the Città Alta, strengthening the western sector on the San Giovanni hill and integrating the fortification in the eastern sector on Sant'Eufemia hill. The Citadel consisted of an enclosure fortified with towers. It was closed to the north by the Hospitio Magnum, the seat of the military garrison.[1]

With the Venetian domination, the defensive strategy of the city changed, and the Citadel was abandoned as a fortress and put up for sale in lots. Mutilations led to the loss of elements of the ancient Visconti structure.[1]

Restorations undertaken from 1958 to 1960 began recovering the survived parts: the ancient, fortified nucleus of La Crotta with the imposing Adalberto tower; the Hospitio Magnum building and the arched portico; the tower at the entrance with the Cittadella Clock. The restorations have brought to light the typical Visconti lozenge decorations and frescoes of the 14th and 15th centuries. Further restorations undertaken from 1985 to 1988 recovered the remains of the Salt tower and other parts of the complex.[1]

Today

The Citadel today hosts municipal services of social and cultural interest, such as the La Crotta public garden, the Civic Museum of Natural Sciences, the Civic Archaeological Museum, the Pocket Theater, the Institute of Geology, and the Montessori Center.[1]

Entrance gate and portico; on the upper floor, the mullioned windows overlooking the courtyard

References

Sources

  • Conti, Flavio; Hybsch, Vincenzo; Vincenti, Antonello (1993). I castelli della Lombardia. Provincie di Bergamo e Brescia (in Italian). Novara: Istituto Geografico de Agostini. ISBN 88-415-0161-8.
  • Vincenti, Antonello (1981). I Castelli viscontei e sforzeschi (in Italian). Milano: Rusconi Libri S.p.A. Immagini.
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