Bergamo in 1200, Bergamo

A walled hill city above the plain, seat of Bishop Lanfranco and of a commune whose new Palazzo della Ragione was completed in 1198, the year the city began to spread into the lower town.

Its wealth is the iron of its valleys, wool, and the roads from the Alps to the plain.

Who holds it

Title: the commune (podestà or consuls)
Confidence: low

Lord in 1200

The commune; Bishop Lanfranco (Church map record).

Charter

Regalia under the Peace of Constance (1183) [the city's own imperial diplomas not pinned].

Council

Consuls or podestà (a Cremonese podestà in 1193 and probably 1197); the commune's councils in the Palazzo della Ragione [names for 1200 not pinned].

Communities

The great families of the upper city (Suardi, Rivola, Colleoni, Bonghi, da Mozzo); the cathedral of Sant'Alessandro and the church of Santa Maria Maggiore (begun 1137).

Fairs and markets

The fair of Sant'Alessandro in late August [first record not pinned here].

Militia

City host of knights and foot with the valley levies [no figures].

Walls and castle

The upper city's walls; new suburbs below from 1198.

Trade and crafts

Iron from the Scalve, Seriana and Brembana valleys; wool cloth; Alpine trade.

Where the sources disagree

Evidence: Buildings and dates from it.wikipedia; officers not pinned.

Primary sources for Bergamo

Chronicles, registers, sagas and inscriptions written in or near 1200 that cover this entry. Each has its own page with editions, translations and where to read it.

Chronicle of Sicard, bishop of Cremona, Sicard of Cremona (about 1210 to 1213). A universal chronicle whose last part is a well-placed eyewitness account by a Lombard bishop who served emperors and popes. Read online
The Lombard city annals of Piacenza, Milan, Cremona, Parma, Mantua and Verona (kept in the 12th and 13th centuries). The communes' own year lists. Read online

Sources and studies

Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.