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Civic Library Angelo Mai

Civic Library Angelo Mai Bergamo: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Historical Significance

Date: 15/06/2025

Introduction

Situated in the heart of Bergamo Alta, the Civic Library Angelo Mai is one of Italy’s most prestigious public libraries, celebrated for its architectural grandeur, invaluable collections, and central role in the city’s intellectual and cultural life. Housed in the neoclassical Palazzo Nuovo on Piazza Vecchia, the library invites visitors to journey through centuries of history, literature, and art. Since its founding in the 18th century through the bequest of Cardinal Giuseppe Alessandro Furietti, the Angelo Mai Library has grown into a vibrant hub for research, exhibitions, and community engagement, safeguarding a legacy that illuminates both Bergamo’s and Italy’s cultural identity.

This comprehensive guide covers all you need to know for a rewarding visit: up-to-date opening hours, admission details, accessibility features, highlights of the collections, travel tips, and answers to frequently asked questions. Whether you are a historian, a researcher, or a curious traveler, the Angelo Mai Library is a must-see destination among Bergamo’s historical sites.

For the most current details, always consult the official library website or trusted local tourism portals (Visit Bergamo, Biblioteca Mai).

Detailed botanical illustration of Cyclamen plant with flowers and leaves

Palazzo Biblioteca in Bergamo with historic architecture

Historic map of Bergamo from circa 1590 showing old and new city walls

Detailed view of Bergamo in 1599 with town, gates, fortified walls and large coat of arms

Map of Vicinie di Bergamo in the 13th century

Portrait of Cardinal Giuseppe Alessandro Furietti

Map of the Viciniae of Bergamo in the 13th century

About the Civic Library Angelo Mai
Visiting Hours and Ticket Information
Directions and Accessibility
Guided Tours and Visitor Tips
Highlights and Notable Collections
Architectural and Cultural Significance
Conservation and Restoration
Visitor Experience and Research Services
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Planning Your Visit: Contacts and Resources
Final Tips and Summary
Sources

About the Civic Library Angelo Mai

Founded in 1768, the Civic Library Angelo Mai owes its origins to the substantial donation by Cardinal Furietti. Over the centuries, it has amassed more than 730,000 volumes, rare manuscripts, incunabula (books printed before 1501), musical scores, and archival materials. The library’s home, the Palazzo Nuovo, is itself an architectural masterpiece, forming a striking backdrop to Piazza Vecchia and anchoring Bergamo’s Città Alta as a center of learning and culture. The library regularly hosts exhibitions, concerts, educational programs, and guided tours, making it a lively venue for both scholars and the general public.

Visiting Hours and Ticket Information

Opening Hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sunday and Monday: Closed
- For updates and special closures (e.g., public holidays), check the official website.
Admission:
- General entry is free of charge.
- Special exhibitions and guided tours may require advance booking or a small fee.
Accessibility:
- Wheelchair accessible with ramps and elevators.
- Accessible restrooms and assistance available upon request.

Directions and Accessibility

The library is located at Piazza Vecchia, 5, Bergamo Alta.

By funicular: The most convenient way from the lower town (Città Bassa), with the upper station a short walk away.
By car: Limited parking is available at Piazza Mercato del Fieno; consider public transport due to ZTL (limited traffic zone) restrictions.
On foot: Bergamo Alta’s historic streets offer a scenic walk to the library.

Accessibility:

Entrances are ramped and threshold-free.
Two elevators connect main floors.
Accessible restrooms are available on the ground floor.
Specially organized tours for blind and visually impaired visitors.

Guided Tours and Visitor Tips

Guided Tours: Available by reservation, offering insights into the library’s architecture, history, and collections. Monthly special tours (#maididomenica) provide expert-led exploration.
Booking: Recommended in advance, especially for groups, guided tours, or visitors requiring special assistance.
Best Times to Visit: Mid-morning on weekdays, when the library is quieter.

Highlights and Notable Collections

Architectural Marvels

Palazzo Nuovo: A neoclassical masterpiece with a striking white façade, colonnaded portico, and six statues representing themes central to Bergamo’s identity: The Arts, Industry, the Brembo and Serio rivers, Agriculture, and Labor.
Atrio Scamozziano: The grand entrance hall, often used for exhibitions and featuring the Colonna Camozzi lectern and a bust of Bartolomeo Colleoni.
Salone Furietti: Formerly the council chamber, adorned with the city’s gold-and-red coat of arms.
Sala Tassiana: Exhibits the monumental Coronelli globes, rare 17th-century cartographic marvels.

Collections

Manuscripts and Incunabula: Over 2,150 incunabula, including illuminated codices and early printed books.
(lucadea.com)
Archival Holdings: The Archivio Storico Comunale preserves documents from the Middle Ages onwards.
Music and Donizetti Collection: Autograph scores, manuscripts, and personal papers of composer Gaetano Donizetti and his teacher Johann Simon Mayr.
Iconographic Materials: Prints, engravings, maps, photographs, and drawings—especially the Quarenghi Collection, the world’s largest archive on architect Giacomo Quarenghi.
Artworks: Portraits, busts, plaques, and commemorative objects located throughout the building.

Digital Initiatives

Extensive digitization via the Biblioteca Digitale Lombarda, providing online access to manuscripts, periodicals, music scores, and more.

Architectural and Cultural Significance

The Civic Library Angelo Mai, designed by Vincenzo Scamozzi and completed over centuries, serves as a symbol of Bergamo’s intellectual and civic pride. Its façade, crowned with symbolic statues added in the 20th century, encapsulates the city’s values. The interiors combine scholarly ambiance with art and history, with ornate reading rooms, stucco decorations, and significant artistic holdings.

The library’s collections are continually enriched through donations, acquisitions, and cultural restitution, such as the return of stolen Quarenghi drawings in 2025 (Araberara). The library also supports multiple scholarly associations and hosts a dynamic calendar of exhibitions, concerts, and educational activities.

Conservation and Restoration

Ongoing restoration, such as the recent refurbishment of the Atrio Scamozziano (dire.it), ensures the preservation of both the building and its collections. Even during renovation periods, the library maintains public access and research services.

Visitor Experience and Research Services

Reading Rooms: Tranquil spaces for study and research surrounded by centuries-old volumes and art.
Exhibitions and Events: Regularly updated programs featuring rare items and thematic displays.
Research Services: Staff assistance for consulting rare materials (appointment required).
Online Resources: Comprehensive catalogs and digital collections for remote research.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What are the Civic Library Angelo Mai’s visiting hours?
A: Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM; closed Sundays and Mondays. Always check the official site for updates.

Q: Is there an entrance fee?
A: General admission is free. Special exhibitions or tours may require tickets.

Q: Can I book a guided tour?
A: Yes, advance reservation is recommended for guided tours, including accessible options.

Q: Is the library accessible for visitors with disabilities?
A: Yes; the building is equipped with ramps, elevators, and accessible restrooms.

Q: Can I take photographs?
A: Photography is allowed in most areas except near sensitive materials; flash and tripods are restricted.

Q: How do I consult rare or archival materials?
A: Contact the library via the official website or phone to arrange an appointment.

Planning Your Visit: Contacts and Resources

Official Library Website: https://www.bibliotecamai.org
Visit Bergamo: https://www.visitbergamo.net/oggetto/palazzo-nuovo-biblioteca-civica-angelo-mai/
Digital Collections: https://bibliotecamai.medialibrary.it/home/index.aspx
Tourist Information: Bergamo Tourist Office for maps and local assistance.

Final Tips and Summary

The Civic Library Angelo Mai is a cornerstone of Bergamo’s heritage, offering free and accessible exploration of centuries of history, art, and scholarship. Its strategic location in Città Alta makes it an ideal starting point for discovering Bergamo’s other historical sites. To maximize your visit:

Check current opening hours and event schedules online.
Reserve guided tours in advance, especially for groups or accessibility needs.
Download the Audiala app for audio guides and updates.
Pair your visit with nearby landmarks such as the Palazzo della Ragione, Bergamo Cathedral, and the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.

For researchers and enthusiasts, the library’s digital resources extend its treasures to a global audience, preserving Bergamo’s intellectual legacy for future generations.