Il Bernareggi – Museo diocesano di Bergamo

About the museum

The diocesan museum of Bergamo owes its name to Adriano Bernareggi, bishop of the city from 1936 to 1953, who believed in the cultural value of Christian art and gathered the works that form the core of the collection. The museum was later enriched through the commitment of Monsignor Pagnoni, its first director, and through donations from institutions and private individuals; for years it was housed in Palazzo Bassi Rathgeb in Via Pignolo.

In 2025 the museum moved to the ancient Palazzo Vescovile in Piazza Duomo, in Bergamo Alta, and was renovated under the name “Il Bernareggi”. A long restoration brought to light remains of Roman domus, medieval walls and Renaissance frescoes. More than sixty works spanning seven centuries of history and spirituality are displayed in the rooms, including paintings by Lorenzo Lotto, Giovan Battista Moroni and Evaristo Baschenis and sculptures by Giacomo Manzù.

The heart of the route is the Aula Picta, the bishop's former audience hall, frescoed in the 13th century with scenes from the Life of Christ, visions of the afterlife and medieval bestiaries. The visit also includes the Battistero and the Antica Cattedrale, the archaeological site beneath the present cathedral, with remains of a 1st-century Roman domus, an early Christian basilica and a Romanesque cathedral. The oratory of San Lupo, in Borgo Pignolo, is open only on the occasion of contemporary art exhibitions.

The museum is run by the Fondazione Adriano Bernareggi and leads the network of church museums in the diocese.

Highlights

• Aula Picta with 13th-century frescoes of the Life of Christ and medieval bestiaries
• More than sixty works by Lorenzo Lotto, Giovan Battista Moroni, Evaristo Baschenis and Giacomo Manzù
• Antica Cattedrale: remains of a Roman domus, an early Christian basilica and a Romanesque cathedral
• Battistero of the Cathedral with a multimedia immersive room
• Restored Palazzo Vescovile with Roman domus, medieval walls and Renaissance frescoes

Permanent exhibitions

• Collezione permanente nel Palazzo Vescovile e Aula Picta – More than sixty works of sacred art from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, with the Aula Picta frescoed in the 13th century, displayed in the Palazzo Vescovile.
• Antica Cattedrale – Archaeological route beneath the Cathedral, among the remains of a Roman domus, an early Christian basilica and a Romanesque cathedral.

Operated by

Fondazione Adriano Bernareggi

Visitors per year

approx. 15,000

Admission & discounts

The single ticket of €10 covers the Palazzo Vescovile with the Aula Picta, the Battistero and the Antica Cattedrale, and is valid for the day of first validation and the following day. Admission is also free for holders of the Abbonamento Musei Lombardia and the AMEI card, teachers and catechists with groups, priests and religious, tourist guides and journalists.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The website lists accessibility among the services of the Palazzo Vescovile without giving details.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

A family ticket and educational activities for schools and oratory groups are available.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Wi-Fi

Among the services of the Palazzo Vescovile the website lists a bookshop, cloakroom, audio guides and Wi-Fi.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit