Accademia Carrara di Belle Arti di Bergamo, was founded in 1795 by Count Giacomo Carrara, a merchant collector, who at his death bequeathed his collection to the city of Bergamo. This collection has grown, thanks to more acquisitions and private donations. Today the Pinacoteca holds around 1800 works from the fifteenth to the nineteenth centuries, originating from the Lombard and venetian schools of painting, as well as from Tuscan and Flemish artists. In addition to this collection there is also a large series of prints, bronzes, sculptures, porcelain and furniture. There are rooms dedicated to the Lombard painters, like the seventeenth century painter G.B. Moroni or Lorenzo Lotto. There are also gallery rooms dedicated to the fifteenth century Florentine painters, such as Botticelli, Signorelli, Donatello, Beato Angelico. You can also find examples of Venetian art. The Gallery of Modern Art, next to the Accademia Carrara, has a further collection of prestigious modern works and temporary exhibitions.
Along the eastern coast of the lake, after Lecco, is Abbadia Lariana e Mandello on the alluvial plain of the Zerbo River. Abbadia owes its name to a Benedictine Abbey of the Church of San Lorenzo and the convent. Abbadia is now annexed to another neighboring center, Mandello del Lario, which as well as being a holiday resort, is also an important industrial center, especially in the mechanical world, and Moto Guzzi is produced here. The Oratory of San Giorgio is an important landmark which dates from the 14th Century, has one nave and 15th-century frescoes. Legend has it that the church was founded by the work of a crusade on its return from the Holy Land, or by a monk who sought refuge in this place. The San Lorenzo Church is of ancient origin and was renovated in the 17th Century. It's interior frescoes have been preserved, as well as some precious paintings. There are also examples of Art Nouveau in some lovely, local villages, such as Villa Falck, Villa Carcano and Villa Fasoli.
The Moto Guzzi Museum of Mandello del Lario houses a wide variety of exhibits belonging to the Italian motorcycle manufacturer. Over 150 display items including vintage motorcycles, engines, sports bikes and prototypes are on display here. A small exhibition dedicated to motorcycle racing can also be seen here. Short films featuring the history of the Motor Guzzi corporation are screened for visitors during the tour. Entry to the museum is free, however it is only open for an hour during weekdays. Museum is closed in the month of August.
Considered to be the country's sole museum for photography, Museo di Fotografia Contemporanea is indeed a visual delight for those who love photography. Established in 2004, it has an exhaustive collection of images that is ever expanding. These include millions of pictures in black and white, color, negatives, slides and more. If this is not enough, then their library which is among the biggest in the continent, will amaze you with its archives, catalogs, magazine, monographs and other records on photography.
For every avid fan of Gaetano Donizetti, a visit to the Donizetti Museum is a must. This tiny treasure house stores a plethora of personal memorabilia of this celebrated opera composer. A stroll through the museum will let you have a glimpse of the musician's music sheets, notation books and his piano as well. You also get to see the deathbed where Donizetti breathed his last. Call for further details.
For every avid fan of Gaetano Donizetti, a visit to the Donizetti Museum is a must. This tiny treasure house stores a plethora of personal memorabilia of this celebrated opera composer. A stroll through the museum will let you have a glimpse of the musician's music sheets, notation books and his piano as well. You also get to see the deathbed where Donizetti breathed his last. Call for further details.
Orto Botanico di Bergamo "Lorenzo Rota" is a remarkable botanical garden situated in the heart of the city of Bergamo in Italy. This garden was first made accessible to the public in the year 1972. The museum derives its name from Lorenzo Rota, who was an eminent botanist as well as a physician. This place is associated with Museo di Scienze Naturali Enrico Caffi since 1989.