Bergamo and Brescia in northern Italy abound in cultural riches, but have long been in the shadow of their neighbors to the east, Venice, and west, Milan. But that may be about to change—the two cities have been designated Italy's Capital of Culture for 2023, which is all the more reason to plan a visit to them next year.
Italy selects a culture capital annually, which can be a large city (Palermo), a smaller town (Ravenna) or even an island (Procida). This designation, which began at the behest of Dario Franceschini, the culture minister, in 2015, helps to shine a spotlight on locations deserving more attention from both home-based and international travelers. The competition is keen— more than a dozen places are vying for the title for 2025—with destinations outlining a plan of programs and initiatives to highlight their singularity, cultural offerings and tourist attractions.
The choice of Bergamo and Brescia for 2023 is a particularly poignant one. Among the first Covid epicenters in Europe, the plight of these two cities dominated headlines during the outbreak two years ago, with images and videos of overwhelmed hospitals and reports of thousands of deaths broadcasting to the world, following the news from China, the ruthlessness and infectious speed of the disease.
While the unbearable losses and suffering can never be forgotten, the cities are finding their footing and starting to focus on the future. Bergamo's Mayor Giorgio Gori says that he and Brescia Mayor Emilio del Bono agreed "to make culture the symbol of the rebirth of our cities that have been affected like no other by the pandemic."
The shared recognition has been a particularly welcome one. "During the pandemic tsunami in spring 2020, Mayor Gori and I often met to share those dramatic days," says Del Bono. "When Covid-19 loosened its grip, we felt the need to look forward together, to give a sign of rebirth, to show Italy the best of Brescia and Bergamo." They decided to take an unusual step, in what he describes as one of the" darkest moments in our history," launching a strategic alliance and applying for the Cultural Capital honor. "Culture synthesizes and symbolizes fundamental values for any society," says Del Bono.
Throughout the year-long initiative the cities plan to utilize culture beyond its customary realms, like the arts, and have it serve as a catalyst for advances in other areas. "Culture becomes a tool for understanding the complexity of the world and a factor of economic growth," says Gori. "When we talk about culture we are also talking about two territories that have two universities, which are at the forefront of research, applied to industry but also to health care, developing new ideas."
The "Illuminated City" is the organizing concept for the year-long project; the word 'illuminated" was chosen to convey broad-mindedness, tolerance, reason and creativity. Programs will cluster in four categories, highlighting urban and natural environments, lesser-known city treasures, inventiveness and culture's healing capabilities. Gori says the project was designed to be as "inclusive as possible," and to emphasize the cities' potential with a focus on "innovation as well as environmental sustainability."
A lot is in the works with museums, historic centers and palazzi being revitalized, cultural and food itineraries mapped out, exhibitions and concerts scheduled, and new walking and biking routes introduced. "It will be a bright 2023 for our two cities," says Mayor Del Bono. (More details about the events calendar are to be announced shortly.)
Here's a sampling of the many attractions in Bergamo and Brescia and their nearby areas.
Top museums and UNESCO sites. In Bergamo don't miss the Accademia Carrara Museum, reopening in January 2023, which houses works by Titian, Tiepolo, Bellini and Raphael, or the Venetian Wall, a Unesco World Heritage Site, built by the Venetian Republic in the 1500s. In Brescia, the San Salvatore-Santa Giulia Monastery compound, which explores the area's cultural history from prehistoric times to the present, along with the Brixia Roman archaeological area, is on Unesco's World Heritage List.
Lake Iseo (Lake Sebino). Lying between Bergamo and Brescia, Iseo is the lesser-known sibling of Lombardy's exquisite lake district, which includes Lakes Como, Maggiore and Garda. You can visit the Galleria dell'Accademia Tadini on Iseo's western shores, with art by the sculptor Canova and painter Jacopo Bellini, and take in Italy's largest lake island, Monte Isola, with a scenic waterfront walk threading through olive groves.
The Franciacorta wine region. This area, lying south and east of Lake Iseo, produces the renowned bubbly via metodo classico. Schedule festive tastings at one of the many wineries, and enjoy the Franciacorta countryside dotted with castles and small villages.
San Pellegrino at the source. About 15 miles from Bergamo, San Pellegrino, the famous mineral water company, is building a new cutting-edge factory, designed by the Bjarke Ingels Group, scheduled to open later this year or in 2023 in San Pellegrino Terme. This former Belle Epoque resort continues to offer thermal baths and wellness treatments (QC Terme); the lavish Art Nouveau-style casino is now used as an event space.
