{"id":588,"date":"2024-04-05T14:43:56","date_gmt":"2024-04-05T12:43:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bergamobytuktuk.com\/?post_type=racconti_di_viaggio&p=588"},"modified":"2026-04-27T10:58:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T08:58:15","slug":"bergamo-lazaretto","status":"publish","type":"racconti_di_viaggio","link":"https:\/\/www.bergamobytuktuk.com\/en\/travel-stories\/bergamo-lazaretto\/","title":{"rendered":"Bergamo\u2019s Lazaretto: Life beyond Life for 600 years"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bergamo’s Lazaretto<\/strong>, a silent witness to past eras and cycles of epidemics and diseases<\/strong>, stands as a majestic guardian of the city’s memories.<\/p>\n

Its ancient walls tell stories of pain and hope<\/strong>, of scourges that have left an unforgettable mark on the course of local history.<\/p>\n

What is a Lazaretto?<\/h2>\n

The building known as the Lazaretto was once dedicated to the confinement of people suffering from contagious diseases<\/strong>, in particular the plague, but leprosy as well. In this sort of temporary hospital, the sick received the little care available<\/strong> and spent their quarantine <\/strong>there to prevent epidemics from spreading.<\/p>\n

The origin of the name can be traced back to the island of Santa Maria di Nazareth<\/strong> in Venice, where the first building for this purpose was created in the Middle Ages – it was known as a ‘nazaretto’ and later distorted into the term ‘lazaretto’. But the Lazaretto is not only a symbol of sadness and pain.<\/p>\n

Over the centuries, it was also a place of hope and healing<\/strong>. Medical care, although rudimentary by today’s standards, was administered with dedication and compassion. And many times, despite adversity, life managed to triumph over death<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Historical background<\/h2>\n

The Lazaretto was built in the 15th century<\/strong> by the Serenissima Republic of Venice,<\/strong> to tackle the devastating epidemics that periodically plagued Bergamo, and other cities under its rule.<\/p>\n

In those dark times, when the Black Death<\/strong> raged mercilessly, the Lazaretto represented the last bastion of defence against contagion.<\/p>\n

Bergamo\u2019s Lazaretto: things to see<\/h2>\n

The Lazaretto is a large quadrangular structure<\/strong>, with almost identical sides measuring 130 metres by 129<\/strong>, an internal garden and a porch running around the entire perimeter, supported by as many as 146 columns<\/strong>, which mark out the space between the cells where the sick once found shelter. There are two entrances, located on opposite sides, but in fact only one is used for access.<\/p>\n

The Lazaretto in Bergamo is today an open-air museum<\/strong>, a place of memory that invites visitors to reflect on the past and learn lessons for the future. Its ancient rooms, silent corridors and empty cells tell a story of resilience and hope that continues to inspire both present and future generations.<\/p>\n

In particular, today it is possible to visit cell 65<\/strong>, restored by the Bergamo nella Storia Foundation<\/strong>, which offers visitors a video installation that retraces the history of the plague<\/strong> in the city.<\/p>\n

\"Concerts

Picture taken from storage.ecodibergamo.it<\/p><\/div>\n

Lazaretto \u2013 where it is<\/h2>\n

The building stands in the heart of the city, a few steps away from the Atleti d’Italia Stadium<\/strong>, where Via del Lazzaretto<\/strong> meets Piazzale Lodovico Goisis. Not far away you will find the Gamec Gallery<\/a><\/strong> and the Suardi Park<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

City bus<\/strong> lines 3, 6, 7 and 9<\/strong> have a stop near the Lazaretto, while Bergamo Alta, the Upper Town,<\/strong> can be reached with a 10-15 minute walk<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Events and Concerts at the Lazaretto in Bergamo<\/h2>\n

Over the centuries, the Lazaretto has been used for various purposes, including being a prison for a certain period in the 19th century – today it is an important cultural meeting space<\/strong>. Various concerts<\/strong>, events and theatrical<\/strong> performances<\/strong> sometimes take place here, particularly during the summer.<\/p>\n

Talented artists such as Stefano Bollani<\/strong>, Tony Hadley<\/strong>, Madame<\/strong> and Pinguini Tattici Nucleari<\/strong> performed on the concert stage of Bergamo’s Lazaretto during the last season.<\/p>\n

Summer Events Festival 2026<\/h3>\n

The curtain rises on the summer program in the charming courtyard of the Lazzaretto of Bergamo, a unique venue that has been renewed to offer visitors an even more engaging and refined atmosphere.<\/p>\n

From June 19 to July 25<\/strong>, the calendar presents a series of events spanning different artistic expressions: music, comedy theatre, contemporary dance, talks, and live storytelling.<\/p>\n

The line-up brings together leading figures from both the national and international scene, with names such as Arisa, Loredana Bert\u00e8, Davide Van De Sfroos and Elio e le Storie Tese<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

They are joined by Dardust, Negrita, Rond\u00f2 Veneziano, the DJ set by Daddy G of Massive Attack<\/strong> and the project I Musici di Francesco Guccini together with Lodo Guenzi<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

There will also be space dedicated to comedy with Enrico Brignano<\/strong> and Max Angioni<\/strong>, as well as talks with authors and storytellers such as Gianluca Gotto<\/strong> and Stefano Nazzi<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The program also includes contemporary dance with Collettivo Cinetico in<\/strong>, created in collaboration with Festival Danza Estate<\/strong> and Orlando Festival<\/strong>, as well as two events curated by Bergamo Jazz<\/strong> featuring Fatoumata Diawara<\/strong> and Dee Dee Bridgewater<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The festival will conclude on July 25 with a final evening with free admission featuring Chiamamifaro<\/strong> and the Radio Number One DJs<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

A rich and diverse summer journey, capable of blending genres and different forms of expression, with its heart set in the Lazzaretto of Bergamo.<\/p>\n

Full Program 19\/06\u201325\/07<\/h4>\n