Cittadella viscontea, Medieval castle in Città Alta, Bergamo, Italy.
The Cittadella Viscontea is a medieval fortress in the upper city of Bergamo, made up of four wings around a central courtyard and topped by two large towers. The northern wing features an arcade gallery, and the whole complex is enclosed by thick defensive walls.
The fortress was built in 1355 by the Visconti family to assert military control over Bergamo. Over the following centuries it passed through several hands and served different rulers as a stronghold within the city.
The complex now houses two museums, one dedicated to the archaeology of the region and one to natural sciences. Visitors can explore artifacts from different periods and discover local wildlife through the permanent collections.
Entry to the complex is through the Torre della Campanella, where a paved path leads into the courtyard. The site is easy to reach on foot, and signs around the grounds help visitors understand each part of the complex.
The Torre di Adalberto, also called the Hunger Tower, has no entrance at ground level, so prisoners had to climb long staircases to reach their cells. This design was intentional, meant to make any escape attempt nearly impossible.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
