Palazzo del Podestà, Medieval palace and history museum in Città Alta, Bergamo, Italy
Palazzo del Podestà is a medieval palace in Città Alta that now functions as a history museum showing different aspects of the city's past. The structure displays Renaissance frescoes, stone loggias, and beneath the ground floor lie archaeological remains from the Roman city that once stood here.
The palace was built in the late 12th century by the Suardi-Colleoni family to serve as the residence of the podestà, the chief magistrates who governed the city. The building reflects Bergamo's transition from medieval to early modern times and its status as an important administrative center.
The building houses the Museo delle Storie di Bergamo, which displays exhibitions about local traditions and how the city has developed over time. Visitors can see how people lived and what mattered to them throughout different periods.
The museum is centrally located in the historic upper town and easily accessible on foot with clear signage to the entrance. It helps to check in advance which rooms are open, as the collection is spread across multiple connected buildings.
The palace contains frescoes created by Donato Bramante in 1477 that depict Classical philosophers set within intricate architectural frames. These artworks are among the lesser-known creations of the renowned Renaissance master and showcase an exceptional painting style of that era.
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