Bergamo
[key], city, capital of Bergamo prov., in Lombardy, N Italy, in the
foothills of the Alps. It is an industrial center and an agricultural
market. Manufactures include machinery, textiles, and cement. Originally a
Gallic town, Bergamo became an independent commune in the 12th cent. It came
under the rule (1329–1427) of the Visconti and then of Venice until
1797, when it was included in the Cisalpine Republic. Bergamo is divided
into two sections: the old, hilltop town and the modern, lower sector.
Noteworthy buildings in the old town include a Romanesque church (12th
cent.), the beautiful Renaissance Colleoni chapel (15th cent.), and a
14th-century baptistery. Donizetti was born in Bergamo, and
there is annual opera festival dedicated to his works.
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