Duomo di Bergamo (Cathedral of Bergamo), Bergamo

The Cathedral of Bergamo, also known as the Sant'Alessandro Cathedral, is the principal Catholic place of worship in the city of Bergamo and serves as the mother church of the diocese. Originally dedicated to San Vincenzo, the cathedral changed its title when the church of Sant'Alessandro, the city's oldest church dedicated to the saint, was demolished in 1561 to make way for the construction of the Venetian wall.

The cathedral's history has been the subject of speculation and controversy in recent centuries due to the scarcity of archaeological findings and written sources predating the medieval era. However, during restoration work that commenced in 2004, Roman-era remains were discovered, providing precise insights into the succession of buildings in the area and the urban layout surrounding the cathedral. These findings unveiled different layers corresponding to different historical periods. The oldest layer revealed the presence of an initial paleo-Christian place of worship dating back to the 5th century, whose existence was previously only a hypothesis.

The exterior of the Sant'Alessandro Cathedral features a 19th-century facade made of white Botticino marble. Facing Piazza del Duomo and perpendicular to the rear facade of the Palazzo della Ragione, the cathedral's facade construction began in 1866 and was only completed in 1889, albeit with some missing decorative elements initially envisioned in the original project designed by Angelo Bonicelli in 1878-1879.

The facade is preceded by a staircase made of red Boveno granite and features a lower portico with three arches, each supported by pillars. The two lateral bays of the portico are adorned with internally frescoed small domes surmounted by bronze statues. The central archway contains two medallions depicting Saints Peter and Paul by Luigi Pagani, while a larger statue of Saint Alexander by Paolo Sozzi rests above. The two statues placed on the side compartments represent the theological virtues Faith and Hope and are the work of Louis Pagani.

At the crossing, the cathedral's dome rises and was completed in 1829. The dome features a tall drum with quadrangular windows and a copper roof topped by a gilded statue of Sant'Alessandro vexillifero, sculpted by Carlo Broggi in 1851. To the left of the apse stands the bell tower, which was built in 1690 and raised in 1850.

The area beneath the portico of the Palazzo della Ragione provides access to an archaeological site showcasing the various historical periods of the basilica, starting from the early Christian era.