The Cathedral of Sant’Alessandro: The Duomo of Bergamo
 

The Cathedral of Sant’Alessandro, commonly known as the Duomo di Bergamo, is the primary Catholic church in the city. It is dedicated to Saint Alexander, the patron saint of Bergamo, whose remains are Cloze (1): surroundingrootsfascinatingsitepreservedfurtherartworksfacedeventuallyfaith JXUwMDI4JXUwMDAyJXUwMDE3JXUwMDE2JXUwMDE2JXUwMDE3JXUwMDA0JXUwMDEzJXUwMDAx within the cathedral, making it a vital site for local Cloze (2): surroundingrootsfascinatingsitepreservedfurtherartworksfacedeventuallyfaith JXUwMDNlJXUwMDA3JXUwMDA4JXUwMDFkJXUwMDFj and history.

Located in the historic heart of the Città Alta, the Duomo stands in the prestigious Piazza del Duomo, right next to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and the Colleoni Chapel. The site has deep historical Cloze (3): surroundingrootsfascinatingsitepreservedfurtherartworksfacedeventuallyfaith JXUwMDJhJXUwMDFkJXUwMDAwJXUwMDFiJXUwMDA3 , as the current cathedral was built over an ancient church dating back to the 5th century. Throughout the medieval period, the religious identity of the city was divided between two rival cathedrals, but Cloze (4): surroundingrootsfascinatingsitepreservedfurtherartworksfacedeventuallyfaith JXUwMDNkJXUwMDEzJXUwMDEzJXUwMDBiJXUwMDFhJXUwMDAxJXUwMDE0JXUwMDBkJXUwMDAwJXUwMDE1 , Sant’Alessandro was recognized as the sole seat of the Bishop.

In the mid-15th century, the famous architect Filarete was commissioned to redesign the structure. However, the project Cloze (5): surroundingrootsfascinatingsitepreservedfurtherartworksfacedeventuallyfaith JXUwMDNlJXUwMDA3JXUwMDAyJXUwMDA2JXUwMDAx numerous delays and changes over the centuries. Parts of the original Romanesque foundations were discovered during modern excavations and can still be seen in the underground museum, which offers a Cloze (6): surroundingrootsfascinatingsitepreservedfurtherartworksfacedeventuallyfaith JXUwMDNlJXUwMDA3JXUwMDEyJXUwMDEwJXUwMDBhJXUwMDA3JXUwMDBmJXUwMDE1JXUwMDFkJXUwMDA3JXUwMDA5 look at the city’s early Christian past.

The construction of the current facade was not completed until the 19th century, resulting in a neoclassical style that contrasts with the Cloze (7): surroundingrootsfascinatingsitepreservedfurtherartworksfacedeventuallyfaith JXUwMDJiJXUwMDA2JXUwMDA3JXUwMDAwJXUwMDFkJXUwMDFhJXUwMDFiJXUwMDBhJXUwMDBkJXUwMDA3JXUwMDA5 medieval buildings. Inside, the cathedral is a masterpiece of light and elegance, featuring precious Cloze (8): surroundingrootsfascinatingsitepreservedfurtherartworksfacedeventuallyfaith JXUwMDM5JXUwMDEzJXUwMDA2JXUwMDAzJXUwMDE4JXUwMDFkJXUwMDE5JXUwMDE4 by masters such as Giovan Battista Tiepolo.

By the 18th and 19th centuries, the interior was Cloze (9): surroundingrootsfascinatingsitepreservedfurtherartworksfacedeventuallyfaith JXUwMDNlJXUwMDEzJXUwMDA3JXUwMDA2JXUwMDFjJXUwMDBkJXUwMDE3 embellished to reflect the city’s devotion to Saint Alexander. One of its most impressive features is the high altar, which is a magnificent example of Baroque craftsmanship. Since the relocation of the saint's relics to this Cloze (10): surroundingrootsfascinatingsitepreservedfurtherartworksfacedeventuallyfaith JXUwMDJiJXUwMDFhJXUwMDFkJXUwMDEx , the Duomo has remained the spiritual center of Bergamo, where art and history come together in a peaceful and majestic atmosphere.

 

Vocabulary Highlights

• Patron saint: The protecting or guiding saint of a person or place.
• Sole seat: The only official location or center of authority.
• Commissioned: Formally chosen or hired to create a work of art or a building.
• Excavations: The process of digging in the ground to find ancient remains.
• Embellished: Decorated by adding details to make something more beautiful.