Piazza Dante, now the bustling heart of Bergamo’s business district, conceals a rich historical tapestry. Its present form, shaped by a major 2022 redevelopment, represents the latest chapter in a narrative that began in 1732 with the St. Alexander’s Fair – a commercial epicenter that once drew merchants across Europe
Piazza Dante’s History
The square opens behind the quadriporticus of the Sentierone and houses on its sides the Palace of the Prosecutor’s Office and the Chamber of Commerce building.
Piazza Dante was created in the 18th century as the centerpiece of the St. Alexander’s Fair. Designed by Giovan Battista Caniana, it housed 540 stores and attracted merchants from all over Europe.
In the 1920s it was redeveloped by Piacentini, who designed the entire Sentierone complex along with the other two central squares Vittorio Veneto and Matteotti.
Iconic Architecture: Triton Fountain
The monumental fountain in Piazza Dante, also known as the Triton Fountain or Fair Fountain, dates back to 1740. The statue of Neptune above it earned it this name.
Designed by architect and sculptor Gian Battista Caniana, the fountain originally stood at the center of the structures comprising the Bergamo Fair. It is the sole surviving element of the historic Fair Square. In the early 20th century, Marcello Piacentini was commissioned to design the new center of the Lower Town, leading to the complete demolition of the dilapidated fairground buildings.
The fountain’s base is crafted from Lombard stone, while the basin is made of white Zandobbio marble.
Underground Bergamo: The Day Hotel Beneath Piazza Dante
Below Dante Square is its underground counterpart.
Not everyone knows that an air raid shelter was built under the floor, which was converted into a day hotel after World War II. About 1,200 square meters of covered space with a large central dome, a social space where people took care of themselves. There were public baths, a barbershop, a shoemaker, a bookstore, a bar, and a large hall where billiards were played.
Modeled after early 20th-century London facilities, these day hotels addressed the needs of travelers and residents lacking basic home amenities. Closed for four decades (1978-2023), the space has been redeveloped alongside the square and will soon reopen with entertainment venues, performances, and dining options ranging from breakfast to after-dinner experiences.