Bergamo is a beautiful town, with the centro burried deep inside the citta alta, concealed by layers upon layers of seemingly deserted streets. When you first enter the wall (which was not as straightforward as I thought it was going to be) you will be met by empty and quiet alleys that wind in and out of corners senselessly. But then the corner turns towards the old square, and the city reveals its beauty and streets upon streets of candy shops, butcher shops, fruit and veg sellers, etc. It's like finding a Shangri-la.

However, UNESCO? Italy is pretty good at twisting its descriptions around to make its ancient cities seem like eternal and forever-important centers of culture. But even though Bergamo is heartbreakingly beautiful, I question the state party's claim to its significance (especially alongside its neighbor, Milan)