Cittadella Viscontea (Visconti Citadel), Bergamo

The Visconti Citadel of Bergamo, a medieval fortification built in the 14th century by the Visconti of Milan and expanded by the Colleoni of Bergamo, is situated in the Città Alta of Lombardy, northern Italy.

The Citadel played a crucial role in protecting the city and was originally fortified with towers and encompassed by the Hospitio Magnum. Over time, the Citadel was abandoned and underwent restoration between 1958 and 1960, recovering important structures such as La Crotta, the Adalberto tower, the Hospitio Magnum building, and the Cittadella Clock tower.

Restoration efforts unveiled exquisite Visconti decorations and frescoes. Further restoration work from 1985 to 1988 focused on reclaiming the remains of the Salt tower and other sections of the complex.

Today, the Citadel hosts various municipal services, including the La Crotta public garden, the Civic Museum of Natural Sciences, the Civic Archaeological Museum, the Pocket Theater, the Institute of Geology, and the Montessori Center. These institutions contribute to the preservation and promotion of the city's heritage, making the Visconti Citadel an important cultural site.