Bergamo

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This is definitely one of those Italian hill towns which evokes The Name of the Rose

Somewhat ominously, with hindsight obviously, I stayed here at the end of February 2020 and departed the day before the infamous coronavirus lockdown for which Bergamo became the European epicentre.  I can imagine that, in summer, the high walls and narrow streets provide a welcome shade from the intense sunshine; in winter it accentuates the damp and cold. 

It seems more than a little unfair to judge this beautiful, romantic town by the tragedy of our modern plague.  It was, for me, rather melancholic (even before the plague),  but beautiful food, hotel, wonderful buildings and generally great experience.

Somewhat ironically I had spent the earlier part of the week, working in Fiesole, the 14th century plague setting for Boccaccio's Decameron.

 

 

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