Bergamo Cathedral

Bergamo Cathedral, officially known as the Cattedrale di Sant'Alessandro, is the principal Roman Catholic cathedral in the city of Bergamo, Italy. It holds significant importance as the seat of the Bishop of Bergamo and is dedicated to Saint Alexander of Bergamo, the city's revered patron saint. The cathedral's history is marked by the evolution and eventual unification of two earlier religious structures, with its present form shaped by centuries of architectural development and renovation.

History and Development

Prior to the current cathedral, Bergamo housed two cathedrals: the Basilica of Saint Alexander, believed to be located on the site of his martyrdom, and the Cathedral of Saint Vincent. Construction of the latter likely began during the Lombard era. In the mid-15th century, Bishop Giovanni Barozzi initiated a rebuilding of the Cathedral of St. Vincent, with plans attributed to the renowned architect Filarete. A pivotal moment in the cathedral's history occurred in 1561 when the Venetian authorities demolished the Cathedral of St. Alexander for military purposes, leaving St. Vincent's as the sole surviving cathedral.

Further consolidation took place in the early 17th century when Bishop Giovanni Emo unified the canons of both former cathedrals. The final step in establishing a single cathedral occurred when Bishop Gregorio Barbarigo secured a papal bull from Pope Innocent XI in 1697, which officially unified the diocese's chapter and designated the surviving cathedral the sole cathedral, changing its dedication to Saint Alexander.

The structure underwent significant refurbishment in 1689, following designs by Carlo Fontana. A more extensive renovation in the 19th century culminated in the completion of the Neo-classical west front in 1889, shaping the cathedral's appearance into the modern era.

Architectural and Artistic Significance

Bergamo Cathedral features a Latin cross ground plan with a single nave. The interior is adorned with a collection of significant artworks spanning various periods. The first side-chapel to the right showcases 'St. Benedict and Saints' by Andrea Previtali (1524), while the first chapel to the left contains 'Madonna and child with saints' by Giovan Battista Moroni (1576). Other notable pieces include 'Madonna with child with two doves' by Giovanni Cariani, canvases attributed to Giambettino Cignaroli and Sebastiano Ricci, and in the apse, 'The Martyrdom of Bishop Saint John of Bergamo' (1731-1743) by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo and a 'Saint Alexander' by Carlo Innocenzo Carloni.

The main altar was designed by the celebrated architect Filippo Juvarra, and the choir area is distinguished by wooden intaglio panels crafted by Johann Karl Sanz.

The Baptistery

Adjacent to the cathedral stands its octagonal baptistery, a significant structure originally constructed in 1340 by Giovanni da Campione for the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. During substantial building works in 1650, the baptistery was dismantled but preserved. It was later reassembled in the canons' courtyard in 1856 and finally moved to its present location in 1889. The baptistery's interior features bas-reliefs depicting episodes from the Life of Christ, a statue of John the Baptist, and a font from 1340, also by Giovanni da Campione. The upper level is encircled by a colonnade topped with eight 14th-century statues representing the Virtues.