About
Situated in Bergamo Alta's Piazza del Duomo, the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore is a noteworthy church.
Constructed in the latter part of the 12th century, its exterior boasts original Romanesque-Lombard architecture, while its interior showcases Baroque style from the 1600s and 1700s. This impressive structure originally served as the baptismal church of the nearby cathedral of San Vincenzo and was part of the larger complex of the episcopal curia of Bergamo. Historical accounts state that in 1133, during a severe drought in Bergamo, famine and plague ravaged the area. Seeking divine intervention, the citizens turned to the Virgin Mary for aid. As a gesture of gratitude for her help, a decision was made in 1135 to build a church. Thanks to the efforts of a special Consortium formed to collect donations from citizens, on August 15th, 1137 Bishop Gregorio blessed the first stone of what would become known as S. Maria Maggiore Basilica.
