Old Square Bergamo
domination
Venetian
The characteristic Old Square began to take shape
current form in the 1400s with demolition
of a group of houses he occupied
the area in front of the Palazzo della Ragione.
The square represents the place and heart of political life and
administration of Bergamo and the whole
Bergamo.
During the Venetian domination
this central area acquired
Renaissance shapes and sizes, above all
when the building on the western side
it was transformed to become a headquarters
of the Venetian mayor.
In order to
decorate d the facade was called
one of the best known artists of the time, the
Bramante, who frescoed it in 1477. The
the square took on its definitive appearance with the
construction of the new building on the east side
of the Municipality, whose foundation stone was
placed in 1604. The project for the construction of the municipal house was entrusted
to the architect Vincenzo Scamozzi, but
the building
it was not completed as planned
original also due to lack of funds.
Covered in white marble,
it now houses the Angelo civic library
Never, in whose precious heritage
of parchments, illuminated manuscripts, incunabula,
the history of the city is stored in the archives.
Currently the appearance of the Old Square is not
what appeared in past centuries.
Bramante's grandiose frescoes have disappeared,
of which only a part has been recovered,
also the facade of the Palace
of Reason, whose origins date back to
XII century, has lost its numerous coats of arms
of the rectors of Bergamo and the mayors who
they decorated its façade.
The Lion of San
Marco displayed in the Old Square above the central balcony
it has been a symbol, for 350 years, of
domination of Venice, was destroyed in
1797 with the arrival of the French, but in 1933 the city of
Venice donated a copy of the lion to Bergamo
marble. The portico located
in the Old Square
under the ancient
municipal building connects
the Old Square, where it was concentrated
the civil power, and the square of
Cathedral, symbol of episcopal power.
The Cathedral overlooks the historic Old Square located in upper Bergamo,
the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore,
the Colleoni Chapel, the Baptistery
and the Bishopric.
Contarini Fountain
Located in the square, the Contarini Fountain was built of Zandobbio marble, it appears composed of a main basin with an octagonal base, at the center of which a jet makes water flow. The basin is surrounded by ornamental statues arranged symmetrically, first of all two small sphinxes facing each other, one looking towards the Palazzo della Ragione and the other directed towards the civic library, at the base of which the same number are placed small tubs that collect the water that flows from their mouth, with which it is possible to drink.
Next to each of the small basins there are two small columns, on which they are sculpted zoomorphic elements such as snakes and lions. On each of the sides left undefended, two statues representing a lion, symbol of the Serenissima, are placed equidistant who commanded the city at that time.
The fountain owes its name to Alvise Contarini, mayor of the Republic of Venice, who gave it as a gift to the citizens in 1780, when he left his post in the Orobic city. The intent of the then city rector was both to beautify the central Old Square, than to provide the inhabitants with a precious tool that can be used for domestic purposes and against drought. During 1858 the fountain was subjected to a complete renovation, which partially modified the original characteristics.
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Located in the square, the Contarini Fountain was built of Zandobbio marble, it appears composed of a main basin with an octagonal base, at the center of which a jet makes water flow. The basin is surrounded by ornamental statues arranged symmetrically, first of all two small sphinxes facing each other, one looking towards the Palazzo della Ragione and the other directed towards the civic library, at the base of which the same number are placed small tubs that collect the water that flows from their mouth, with which it is possible to drink.
Next to each of the small basins there are two small columns, on which they are sculpted zoomorphic elements such as snakes and lions. On each of the sides left undefended, two statues representing a lion, symbol of the Serenissima, are placed equidistant who commanded the city at that time.
The fountain owes its name to Alvise Contarini, mayor of the Republic of Venice, who gave it as a gift to the citizens in 1780, when he left his post in the Orobic city. The intent of the then city rector was both to beautify the central Old Square, than to provide the inhabitants with a precious tool that can be used for domestic purposes and against drought. During 1858 the fountain was subjected to a complete renovation, which partially modified the original characteristics.