Practice Italian with excerpts from "Travel to Bergamo" in Italian, followed by the English translation.

In Italiano:
Bergamo è città antichissima. Sono state trovate tracce di un insediamento d'età protostorica, tra il sesto e il quinto secolo avanti Cristo, e si deve a questi primi abitanti la caratteristica principale della città: metà sul colle e metà in piano. A chi arriva dalla pianura è proprio la città sul colle (la radice berg vuol dire monte) che compare per prima in lontananza: un'immagine che affascinò i grandi viaggiatori del passato, come Stendhal, e che ancora richiama l'attenzione di chi transita lungo l'autostrada che collega Milano a Venezia. Bergamo si annuncia all'improvviso, con la fantastica sequenza di torri, campanili e cupole contro il verde intenso delle Alpi.

Sul margine estremo della grande pianura padana, Bergamo rivela veramente la propria più genuina caratteristica solo a chi, attraversato il centro moderno, felicemente modellato tenendo d'occhio il profilo della città antica, sale sul colle e si avventura nell'intrico medievale di viuzze. All'improvviso come un'esplosione di luce, ed eccoci in Piazza Vecchia, considerata una delle più belle piazze d'Italia. Se ne innamorarono Bernard Berenson e grandi architetti come Le Corbusier e Wright. Berenson vi approdò seguendo nelle valli bergamasche la traccia di artisti veneti, che portarono fin lassù le luminosità della laguna. Fu un rapporto strettissimo quello che legò Bergamo a Venezia: per quasi quattro secoli Bergamo condivise storia, arte e cultura della Repubblica.

Quando Venezia decise di dare inizio nel 1561 alla costruzione delle mura stava attraversando un periodo di gravi tensioni con la Spagna, che governava anche sullo Stato di Milano. Fu un obiettivo più politico che strategico, in quanto la poderosa fortezza di Bergamo doveva manifestare le chiare intenzioni della Repubblica di difendersi strenuamente contro eventuali mire espansionistiche degli spagnoli, ma al tempo stesso rassicurandoli perché nei cinque chilometri di circuito dei bastioni non poteva essere accolto un esercito così numeroso da compiere un'offensiva. Le mura sono molto ben conservate ed offrono, assieme alle quattro porte che si aprono sui quattro lati della città antica, una delle più importanti testimonianze di cinta bastionata del Cinquecento.

Oggi lungo il grandioso anello di pietra si snoda una passeggiata con continui scorci panoramici sulla città moderna, sulla pianura e sulla montagna.

In English:
Bergamo is a very old city. Traces of a protohistoric settlement, from between the sixth and the fifth century B.C., have been found. The first inhabitants established the main characteristic of the city: half on the hill and half on flat land. To those who arrive from the plain, Bergamo appears first from a distance as a city on a hill (the root word berg means mountain). This image first fascinated the great travelers of the past, like Stendhal, and today the same image draws the attention of people driving on the Milan-Venice highway. Bergamo appears suddenly, with its sequence of towers, bell towers and domes, against the intense green color of the Alps.

Located on the extreme edge of the Po Plain, Bergamo reveals its own true and genuine characteristics to those who climb up the hill and visit the tangled medieval little streets after crossing the modern center of the city. PiazzaVecchia appears, like an unexpected explosion of light. This Piazza is considered one of the most beautiful squares in Italy. Bernard Berenson and great architects such as Le Corbusier and Wright, fell in love with it. Berenson arrived here after following traces of Venetian artists in the Bergamo valleys who brought to the city the brightness of the lagoon. The relationship between Bergamo and Venice was very strong; for almost four centuries, Bergamo shared history, art and culture of the Venetian Republic.

When Venice decided in 1561 to start building the walls, it was a time of serious tension between Venice and Spain, which was ruling also the State of Milan. These walls represented more of a political than a strategic target; the powerful fortress of Bergamo was supposed to express the clear intentions of the Republic to protect itself against possible Spanish expansionary aims. At the same time, the walls represented a reassuring asset, because there was not sufficient space to keep an army large enough to carry out an attack. The walls are very well kept and one of the most important example of city walls of the sixteenth century.

Today, a walk winds around the magnificent stone walls, with frequent panoramic views of the modern city and of the plain and mountain. Back to Top

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Because of the recent elections in the United States, we thought it a good time for a quick glance at Giuliano Amato, the man who became Italy’s 58th post-World War II Prime Minister.

Italy enjoys a history rich in culture with a powerful romantic allure. Underneath the beauty is a political realm with a volatile history. Today, Italy’s reputation for political instability remains undiminished. Giuliano Amato faces a tough job just to survive, let alone push through much-needed political and economic reforms before the general election in 6 months.

Giuliano Amato, 61, studied law at the University of Pisa and received a masters degree in Comparative Law at Columbia University in New York. He has been a Professor of Comparative Constitutional Law at the University of Rome as well as a professor at the Universities of Modena, Perugia and Florence. Amato was also a member of Parliament from 1983 to 1994, and was Undersecretary to the Prime Minister’s office from 1983 to 1987. He has written books and articles on economy and public institutions, personal liberties, federalism, and comparative government.

While Amato’s resume is impressive, his greatest asset is how he relates to the people. Dubbed "Dr. Subtle" for his diplomatic prowess, he has been quoted as saying, "To lead yourself, use your head; to lead others, use your heart." He believes that you cannot move people to action unless you first move them with emotion. He is taking every opportunity to meet with the "everyday citizen" and talk about their needs.

Italy’s tumultuous politics has produced more than 50 different governments since the advent of the democratic system. Surely if anyone can turn the tide of this chaotic trend before the next election in April, it is Giuliano Amato. Back to Top

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