Convento di
San Francesco

Oct-May
Tue-Sun: 9.30-13.00 / 14.30-18.00

Piazza Mercato del fieno 6/a

Città Alta, Bergamo

Not far from the heart of the Upper Town, go through Piazza Mercato del Fieno to discover a remarkable example of medieval monastic architecture rich in hidden treasures: the cloister of the arches, the cloister of the well and the chapter house reveal the long history of this building with their cycles of frescoes made between the 14th and 17th centuries.

The panoramic terrace offers an unforgettable view: the intersection of the two valleys, Brembana and Seriana.

Today home to the offices, archives and library of the Museo delle storie di Bergamo, the convent hosts temporary exhibitions dedicated to the 20th century and historical photography.

OPENING TIMES

From October to May

Tue-Sun 9.30 – 13 / 14.30 – 18

From June to September

Tue-Fri 10 – 13 / 14.30 – 18

Saturdays and holidays 10 – 19

Closed on Mondays, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day

TICKETS PHOTOGRAPHY MUSEUM

Full price € 5

Reduced-price € 3

valid for Amici del Museo delle storie di Bergamo, university students up to 26 years old, T.C.I. (Touring Club Italiano) members, groups of 15 people

Free

People up to 18 years old, disabled people, ICOM members, accredited journalists, qualified tour guides

Free access to the cloisters of the convent

HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU HAVE?

1/2 - 1 ora

A CONVENT, MANY STORIES

Enter the convent of San Francesco and admire the cloisters, the frescoes and the panoramic terrace overlooking Bergamo valleys. You can discover that you are walking in a convent, but also inside a prison for political prisoners, an elementary school, and in the headquarters of Museo delle storie di Bergamo: just change the century and you will be in the same place! Go out and reach Rocca, from its belvedere you will observe the ancient convent from above, connected to the old fortress by the mysterious “ladder of the convict” …

1 - ora

THE MIDDLE AGES IN A FEW STEPS

In the Middle Ages the city was studded with towers, a symbol of power and defence: the civic tower, now known as Campanone, is one of the few remaining ones, climbing on its top you will admire another tower, Gombito, just a few steps from Piazza Vecchia. Climb down, cross the square, walk past the tower and continue to Piazza Mercato del Fieno, you will discover the tower-houses and Convento di San Francesco, other nearby traces of a distant period, which was not at all dark!