Abbazia di Pontida

The Benedictine monastery of San Giacomo Maggiore, more commonly known as the Abbey of Pontida, includes the Basilica of San Giacomo and the Monastery itself. Founded in the 11th century by Alberto da Prezzate (from a Lombard family, then canonised), represented throughout the Middle Ages an important cultural centre. According to tradition (the fact is not documented with sufficient certainty), it is considered to have been the venue for the meeting between the representatives of Milan, Bergamo, Brescia, Cremona and Mantova organised to create a coalition to deal with the Barbarossa family and maintain the independence of the Lombard Comunes. A stone plaque placed on the facade of the basilica however testifies to the strength with which this tradition has made an impression on popular imagination.
The construction of the basilica dates back to 1310. The interior, which has preserved its original Gothic style, contrasts with the exterior, in Neoclassical style, which dates back to 1830. The belltower, surmounted by the statue of St James, dates back to the 16th century. The primitive medieval structure of the monastery has been entirely lost. The monastery at present displays features derived from one of the restoration projects to which it was subjected in the Renaissance after a long period of decline. Particularly worthy of note are the cloisters: the lower cloister, which you come to straight after the entrance, contains ancient Romanesque capitals, dating back to the original construction; the upper cloister is probably the work of Pietro Isabello (author of some of the best examples of Renaissance art in the Bergamo area). Under the beautiful arcade are frescoed figures of Popes from the Benedictine order. On the eastern side of the cloisters you can go through to the chapter house, decorated with fine 16th-century frescoes.