Bergamo Local Customs

  Typical shop in Citta Alta
by suvanki
 
  • Typical shop in Citta Alta
      Typical shop in Citta Alta
    by suvanki
  • Casoncelli  - A typical dish of Lombardy
      Casoncelli - A typical dish of Lombardy
    by suvanki
  • Delicious pastries!
      Delicious pastries!
    by suvanki
  • Polenta e osei
      Polenta e osei
    by suvanki
  • Aperol Spritz and some Happy Hour nibbles
      Aperol Spritz and some Happy Hour...
    by suvanki
 

Most Recent Local Customs in Bergamo

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Polenta e osei
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lichinga 514 reviews

I have some doubts this is really a "local custom", it smells like a "tourist trap".... anyway, the final result is not that bad, so I prefere to consider it is a newly-introduced "local custom".

Polenta e osei literally means "yellow maize meal with little birds". It's the name of a traditional dish, that was consumed in Northern Italy tens of years ago and now it's almost disappeared. Even if it may appear so rude, there's a reason for "polenta e osei", the main explanation is that people used to have so rare protein intake that even little birds caught by chance, or chased, proved to be useful. If you ever tries eating a small bird, you would know how time consuming it is: not so much as eating a crab, but quite close.

In Bergamo some funny people decided that "polenta e osei" could have been reproduced in a sweet-like form. So, you will find "polenta e osei" in any pastry shop, but never in restaurants. Of course, it has nothing to share, but for the shape, with the traditional recipe! Worth trying: if you manage to bear with the little chocolate-made bird corpse triumphantly topping the small yellow cake.

Updated Feb 17, 2004

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the birthplace of Gaetano Donizetti (composer)
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call_me_rhia 4040 reviews
Domenico Gaetano Maria Donizetti

Domenico Gaetano Maria Donizetti, a world reknown composer of Italian opera, was born on 29 November 1797 in Bergamo, which was then part of the Cisalpine Republic. When he died, on 8 April 1848, he died as an Austrian citizen, as Bergamo then belonged to Austria. In the course of his life he wrote about 60 operas, most of which characterized Italian Romaticism. His masterpiece is supposed to be Lucia di Lammermoor (1835).
The house where he was born is at Via Borgo Canale, 14. Viewing is by appointment, so you need to call ahead.

Written Sep 17, 2002

Phone: 035399269

Website: http://fondazione.gaetano-donizetti.com/

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Nice people! They...
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Bergamo2000 11 reviews

Nice people! They (bergamaschi) are very fond of their land and traditions and tourists from abroad can note this. Bergamaschi love tourists if tourists love and respect Bergamo! Tipping at restaurant is ... a rule if you think of coming back again!
Unfortunately Bergamo is'nt an international town so Bergamaschi speak only a little other languages.

Written Aug 25, 2002

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Highlife ahoy!The higher you...
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oja 422 reviews

Highlife ahoy!

The higher you live, the higher your costs. As you puff/gasp/pleasantly trek up the hill you'll surely notice the living standard rising along with it. YES, I'd LOVE to have a holiday house with a view too, but in Bergamo these things just cost a tad too much.

Written Aug 25, 2002

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Most of the province’s...
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MVMT 187 reviews

Most of the province’s cultural events take place in the city. Concerts staged in the Donizetti Theatre and painting exhibitions in the Accademia Carrara, among Italy’s best art galleries, are major events. The city also has theatre and concert seasons, including the Donizetti Festival held each September, and a series of Baroque music concerts presented in its churches (generally held each October). Other events are:
- Feast of Sant’Antonio Abate, which includes the blessing of carts and farming tools (17 January)
- Bergamo’s summer festival ‘Estate vivi la tua città’ (June–September)
- Trade show (October–November)
- Antique market (third Sunday of every month)
- The holiday of the city’s patron saint which includes a huge produce and livestock market (26 August)

Updated Aug 24, 2002

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Biblioteca Civica
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croisbeauty 6495 reviews
4 more images

coming..

Written Mar 26, 2008

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Hidden treasure
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geordieontour 86 reviews

This is hidden in the upper town, you may just walk past it on the street
but call in it is free and will surprise you

Written Nov 13, 2005

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Polenta pastries
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Jeannette1 253 reviews
Sweet polenta pastries

Polenta seems to be a specialty of this region. It's in all the restaurants and pastry shops.

Written Oct 17, 2003

Related to:
 Food and Dining

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o00o's Local Custom Tip
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o00o 3730 reviews

Updated Aug 25, 2002

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 Polenta seems to be a specialty of this region. It's in all the restaurants and pastry shops. 

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