Photos: Steffen Schmitz, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Dimitris Kamaras from Athens, Greece, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo credits
Photos: Steffen Schmitz, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Dimitris Kamaras from Athens, Greece, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Santa Maria Maggiore, plain outside, lavish within
Your local guide
Anna Ferri
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Highlights
- Plain outside, lavish within
- Tapestries, described panel by panel
- Inlaid choir stalls, hand carved
- A basilica that hides its wealth
- Bergamo's richest interior
About this tour
This session covers Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, from its plain Romanesque exterior to the lavish interior it hides. You see the outside first, giving little away, then move inside to tapestries and inlaid choir stalls, with a few panels described in detail. It is a session built around contrast, plain stone outside and considerable wealth within.
We start with a sound check outside, since the square can be busy with visitors moving between the basilica and the chapel beside it. I move inside for the second stop, filming from the areas open to visitors, and take your questions about the tapestries or the woodwork as we go. A short reading list follows by message afterwards.
It suits anyone with an interest in Baroque decoration or a building's ability to surprise. It also works well paired with a session on the Colleoni Chapel right next door.
Included
- Live video walk with a local guide
- Questions to your guide all the way
- A short list of places to visit later
Not included
- Internet connection
- Travel to the city
Itinerary
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Welcome and sound check 5 min
The guide joins the video call, checks the picture and sound with you, and gives you a quick sense of Bergamo before heading out.
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Basilica exterior 21 min
The camera takes in the basilica's plain Romanesque exterior, and I explain how its outside gives no hint of the richly decorated interior waiting behind it.
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Basilica interior, tapestries and choir stalls 21 min
Inside, filmed from the areas open to visitors, the camera catches the tapestries and inlaid wooden choir stalls, and I describe the scenes depicted in a few of the panels.
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Your questions 9 min
Time to ask anything about Bergamo: prices, safety, food, or whatever you are curious about.
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A short list to keep 4 min
Before you go, the guide sums up with a few things worth remembering: a dish to try: Formaggella della Val Seriana and Borgo Santa Caterina, worth a slower look.
Good to know
- A stable wifi or mobile connection makes the picture smoother than a shaky one.
- Any phone, tablet or laptop with a camera works. You watch, the guide does the walking.
- Times are shown in Rome time, so check the time where you are before you book.
- The session is not recorded, and recording it yourself is not allowed. Feel free to take your own notes.
- Ask questions any time, out loud or in the chat. The guide will pause to answer.
- Sessions run in small groups, up to 9 people, so there is room for everyone to ask something.
Questions about this tour
What will the session cover?
The guide walks through Bergamo, showing you Basilica exterior and Basilica interior, tapestries and choir stalls live on camera, plus whatever else you would like to see.
What happens if my connection drops?
Rejoin with the same link within a few minutes and the guide will catch you up on anything you missed.
Can I ask the guide questions during the session, or is it a fixed script?
Anything, any time. Sessions leave room for your own questions throughout, not just at the end.
Do I need any background in art?
No. The guide explains what matters as you go, whatever you already know or do not.
How it works
- You get one join link after booking.
- Join from any device: phone, tablet or laptop.
- We meet on Google Meet; the link comes with your booking. I walk Bergamo live with my phone.
Times shown in Rome time (CET)
Cancellation
Flexible
- Cancel up to 24 hours before the start: full refund.
- Cancel less than 24 hours before the start, or no-show: no refund.
- If the guide cancels or the date does not reach its minimum group: full refund.
- Cancel in My Account → Bookings; the refund is calculated from the start time in the tour's local time.
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Next: Mon 2 Nov · 9 seats left From 24,00 €
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