Duomo of Bergamo

The Duomo of Bergamo is the city's main cathedral located in the square by the same name, Piazza del Duomo.

Dedicated to the city's patron, Saint Alexander the Martyr, the cathedral was built on the foundations of an existing primitive structure, presumably founded in the 6th century and originally dedicated to St. Vincent. The structure of the original church included three naves with a canonical orientation.

In 1449, with Bishop Giovanni Barozzi, the cathedral was subjected to a substantialrenovation at the hands of the Florentine architect Antonio Averlino, known asFilarete. In the late 17th century Carlo Fontana carried out a remarkable reconstructionthat raised dome in the middle of the transept and elongated the apse. Subsequent alterations, especially to the bell tower and dome, were carried out in the 19th century.

The facade is white, with a cold traditional line, and a pronaos on an elevated levelis connected to the square through a set of steps. The interior, with its Latin cross and single nave layout, is decorated with stucco and Baroque-style gilding. The centre and liturgical apex of the church is occupied by the large sanctuary. Precious wooden choir stalls flank both sidesof the grand altar. The dome, built by Crivelli in 1853, smartly turns on the transept: the artistCoghettifrescoed the dome with his work the Assumption into Heaven of St. Alexander.
The cathedral is adorned with otherremarkable frescoes including: St Benedict and Saintsby Andrea Previtali, and theMadonna and Child and Saintsby the Bergamo painter Giovan Battista Moroni.

The crypt houses a 14th century fresco, a parapet and a spiral column of the ancient cathedral. The beautiful Crucifix Chapel was built in 1866 by thearchitect Dalpino. The chapel is embellished with precious decorations such as the dome painted by Guadagnino.

As you walk through the cathedralbe sure to note the representations and the celebration of the saints until you reach the high altar and the apse, where the figure of Jesus lies.The cathedral's iconic imagery rotates around two main figures in particular: Saint Alexander the Martyr and Mother Mary.