Bergamo Cathedral

The Chiesa e Centro Pastorale Papa Giovanni XIII, is a modern religious building conceived from 1994 to 2004 by architect Mario Botta. It is made of reinforced concrete, its interior consists of a single hall made with Verona red marble, wood and steel. The building faces the 18th-century church of San Alessandro Martire.

The church of San Martino is first mentioned in the 14th century, but the building was renovated in 1505. The increase in the number of worshippers made it necessary to enlarge and rebuild the church in the 18th century. The project was entrusted to Luca Luchini by the parish priest of the time, Giovanni Maria Albricci, and the first stone was laid on 15 August 1727. Of the old church, only the old façade was saved, which became the left side of the new building. In 1732, the church, although not yet completed, was opened for liturgical celebrations. The church was consecrated in 1880.

The first mentions of the Basilica of San Nicolò date back to the 13th century and it is probable that it was built on the remains of the ancient city fortifications. The first reconstruction work on the basilica began in 1596 and continued in various stages until 1774 when the building was given a neoclassical façade with a triangular tympanum and six Ionic pilasters. In the 19th century, the church was considerably enlarged. Its present appearance was designed by the architect Giuseppe Bovara, who worked on it from 1831 to 1862; the church was consecrated in September 1930.