2023 will be a special year for our city, which shares the title of Capital of Culture with Brescia: a year packed with events and initiatives.
On July 16, 2020, Bergamo and Brescia were just named the Capitals of Culture for 2023. A nomination that comes in response to the period of uncertainty that we were going through, as well as redemption for the harshness with which the Covid-19 pandemic broke out in our territory.
The Italian Capital of Culture initiative was launched in 2014 with the goal of fostering the culture for social cooperation, integration, creativity, innovation, growth and economic development. It was Procida's turn in 2022, and it will be Pesaro's turn in 2024.
Both at the foot of the Alps overlooking the Po Valley, Bergamo and Brescia have a lot in common. In addition to sharing fascinating ancient histories and culturally similar civilizations, these societies also share similar climatic challenges, hydrogeological structures, and population distribution, and the common destiny of growing together for a year-round culture.
The events
An extraordinary moment that chronicles cooperation for a future of civility, innovation and growth: Bergamo and Brescia are one capital, one enlightened city.
Civic education, skill development, employment, and social and economic resilience all rely on culture. The nature city, the hidden treasures, the inventing city, and the culture as care are the themes that will run throughout the entire year.
The Carrara Academy reopened on January 28 with an exhibition honouring Cecco del Caravaggio, Michelangelo Merisi's most famous and promising scholar.
"A Leap Into the Void," a journey to discover dematerialization, began on February 3 at GAMeC.
In Brescia, Palazzo Martinengo (on Via Musei) will host until June an exhibition dedicated to the painting champions of Bergamo and Brescia: Lotto, Romanino, Moretto and Ceruti. Davide Dotti curated an exhibition of over eighty masterpieces from public and private collections.
On March 23, don't miss the Bergamo Jazz Festival Special Project, which will feature Panorchestra and world-renowned soloist Jonathan Finlayson.
Art, music, crafts, dance, theater, speeches, conference initiatives: it's going to be an incredible year. Find out all the events here.
Getting around in Bergamo and Brescia
Two cities, how do I get there? No problem: sustainability and borderless mobility are the key words.
A single integrated ticket that allows you to travel freely throughout the cities on public transportation and visit the main city museums for free. This type of ticket can be purchased through Atb Mobile (Bergamo's mobility app) or BresciApp! (an app by Brescia Mobilità) and is distinguished from regular tickets by the Bergamo-Brescia Italian Capital of Culture logo.
Tickets are valid in both cities. There are two types: one for public transportation across the entire urban network in Brescia (zones 1 and 2) and Bergamo (all zones), and the other with integrated museum access. There are three formulas for 24, 48, and 72 hours: the price is 8, 11, and 17 euros for just transportation (based on duration) and 38, 48, and 60 euros for the option that includes the museums too (also based on duration).
Once purchased, the ticket can be activated at any time, directly from the app, and a QR code will appear to be scanned on public transportation and at museum entrances. For a period of 24, 48, or 72 hours after purchasing this type of ticket, the holder will have unrestricted access to all means of transportation, as well as all the listed museums if included in the ticket option, without the need for reservations or entry fees.
The museums participating in the initiative are:
Carrara Academy of Bergamo
GAMeC of Bergamo
Museo delle Storie di Bergamo (Campanone, Palazzo del Podestà, Museo Donizettiano, Torre dei Caduti, Convento di San Francesco, Rocca)
Bergamo Civic Museums (Archaeological and Natural Sciences)
Santa Giulia Museum of Brescia
Brixia. Brescia Roman Archaeological Park
Tosio Martinengo Picture Gallery of Brescia
“Luigi Marzoli” Arms and Armor Museum of Brescia
Museum of the Risorgimento of Brescia
Mille Miglia Museum of Brescia
Diocesan Museum of Brescia
The integrated ticket with the addition of the train will also be made available in the coming weeks (Trenord service). The cost of these tickets is 16, 21, and 29 euros (bus + train), or 46, 58, and 72 euros (mobility + museums) and they can be purchased on the Atb and Brescia mobilità apps as well.
For the occasion of the Capital of Culture, public transportation has been enhanced. Click here for more information.
The Bike path
The two Cultural Capitals of 2023 will be linked by a 155-kilometer bike path that runs from Bergamo to Brescia.
A 76 km bike section and 11 bike circular bike lanes (for a total of 79 km) of alternative routes between villages and landscapes from Bergamo's walls to the San Salvatore-Santa Giulia complex and Brescia's Capitolium. It's an ambitious project that can be completed entirely on two wheels—even by e-bike!
Starting in Bergamo, it will connect the Serio Park cycle path, passing through the villages of Brusaporto, Costa di Mezzate, and Montello. Then, it will be possible to take two loop routes to get to the sections between Gorlago and Chiuduno and between Grumello del Monte and Castelli Calepio. Along the Rosta bike path, it is possible to reach Lake Iseo, then the Torbiere Nature Reserve, and finally Franciacorta through the villages of Provaglio d'Iseo and Borgonato, as well as the castles of Passirano, Bornato, and Paderno Franciacorta. The road will travel through the vineyards between Gussago and Cellatica and will finally get to Brescia.
34 historic centers and villages along the route, 872 places of historical interest, 23 cultural sites and new artwork, and 5 new panoramic installations.
The Sisters' Route
Two sisters with a strong bond. Historically referred to as cousins, today the relationship between the two cities—which are similar to one another, close to each other, in competition, but allies in tough times—has developed into one of sisters. The Via delle Sorelle (Sisters' Route), a path dedicated to Bergamo and Brescia, was created as a way to preserve the region's traditions and value its unique landscapes.
Created by the Slow Ride Italy Association and supported by the municipalities and provinces of Bergamo and Brescia, it is a 130-kilometer multi stage walk connecting the two cities, with departure and arrival in two city symbols and UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Santa Giulia Complex in Brescia and our Città Alta.
The itinerary includes six 20/25 km stages that pass through 34 municipalities and are mostly in hilly area. From Brescia, travelling west to east, we come across Collebeato, Concesio, Cellatica, Gussago, Rodengo Saiano, Ome, Monticelli Brusati, Iseo, Provaglio di Iseo, Corte Franca, Adro, Capriolo, and finally Paratico, where we cross the Oglio River to enter the province of Bergamo.
Here we find Sarnico, Credaro, Villongo, Gandosso, Castelli Calepio, Grumello del Monte, Chiuduno, Carrobbio degli Angeli, Gorlago, Montello, Costa di Mezzate, Bagnatica, Brusaporto, Albano Sant'Alessandro, San Paolo D'Argon, Torre de' Roveri, Scanzorosciate, Villa di Serio, Nembro, Alzano Lombardo, Ponteranica to finally arrive in Bergamo. Along the Via delle Sorelle, you can get to the Parco dei Colli di Bergamo, the Parco regionale Oglio Nord, the Parco delle Colline di Brescia, the Torbiere del Sebino reserve, and, for wine lovers, Franciacorta, Val Calepio, and the Terre del Vescovado, along the Franciacorta Wine Route and the Road of Valcalepio Wine and of the Flavours of the Bergamo Area.
The route is accessible to anyone (with sufficient training, of course). 40% of it is paved, there are accommodations and dining options within 5 km of each stage.
The year 2023 is off to a great start and promises to be intense. Will you come and see us? Check for availability and make a reservation right away.
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