The Accademia Carrara in Bergamo: Art and Culture for over 200 years

Culture I più letti

13 September 2024

The Accademia Carrara in Bergamo is one of the most prestigious art museums in Italy, not only for its extraordinary collection, but also because of its history and its important role in artistic education.

Accademia Carrara – Its History

The Accademia Carrara in Bergamo is one of Italy’s oldest and most prestigious museum institutions, which was founded thanks to the passion and generosity of a man of great culture, Count Giacomo Carrara. Established in the year 1796, this Academy was the result of a philanthropic project that aimed at promoting art education and creating a place for the preservation and study of artworks.

Count Carrara, a nobleman from Bergamo who was an art lover and collector himself, decided to allocate a large part of his resources to the creation of a painting school and the construction of a pinacoteca, i.e. a picture gallery. His intention was to offer young Bergamo artists an accessible and high-quality education, as well as to make available to the community a collection of artworks that could inspire and train new generations of artists.

Renovated Exhibition of the Accademia Carrara Picture Gallery

After the Count’s death, the Accademia continued to grow thanks to gifts and donations from other local patrons, who contributed to enriching the collection and supporting teaching activities, thus converting it into what is now known as the museum of Italian collecting. During the 19th century, and during the 20th as well, the Accademia Carrara became a reference not only for the city of Bergamo, but also for the Italian and European art scene.

In the last few decades, the picture gallery has undergone major restoration and extension work, which has modernised the exhibition space and therefore further enhanced the collection.

Today, the Accademia Carrara is also a dynamic cultural centre, hosting temporary exhibitions, conferences and educational activities, thus continuing to fulfil its educational and cultural role – its founder’s main desire.

Accademia Carrara – What to see

With its extensive collection and enchanting atmosphere, the Accademia Carrara in Bergamo is a must-see for anyone who loves art and culture. The Accademia Carrara’s collection includes over 1,800 paintings, ranging from the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque periods to the 19th century, including masterpieces by artists such as Botticelli, Bellini, Raphael and Titian.

In addition to paintings, the museum also houses sculptures, drawings and a unique collection of prints. Its collection is distinguished by its quality and by the variety of genres and schools represented, offering you a journey through centuries of art history.

From Italian Renaissance to Neoclassicism

The exhibition begins with artworks by the great masters of Italian Renaissance, such as Pisanello, Bellini and Mantegna. The first rooms introduce visitors to the artistic innovations of that period, characterised by a meticulous attention to detail, a deep human sensitivity and an increasing knowledge of perspective.

Continuing your itinerary, you will enter the rooms dedicated to the Baroque period, which are dominated by artworks created by artists such as Guido Reni and Carlo Maratta. These paintings, with their dramatic use of light and colour, convey a strong sense of movement and passion, which is typical of this artistic period.

Our journey continues with a section dedicated to Neoclassicism, which represents a rediscovery of the aesthetic canons of classical antiquity. The artworks dating back to this period, such as those by Antonio Canova and François Gérard, express an ideal of pure and harmonious beauty, in contrast to the exuberance of the Baroque. The sculptures and paintings in these rooms reflect a formal rigour and a search for balance that evoke the art of ancient Greece and Rome.

Modern artworks and other cultural itineraries

The exhibition ends with a rich collection of artworks dating back to the 19th century, including pieces by Francesco Hayez and Giovanni Carnovali, also known as il Piccio. These artists, although still connected to tradition, began to introduce elements of realism and modernity into their artworks, therefore anticipating the artistic currents that would develop during the 20th century.

All sixteen rooms of the Accademia Carrara are designed to offer visitors an immersive experience, where art is narrated through thematic itineraries, information panels and audio guides.

In addition to its permanent collection, the Accademia in Bergamo is also active in the organisation of temporary exhibitions, cultural events and research projects.

It is also a centre for artistic training and education, with a school that follows the educational tradition started by Count Carrara more than two centuries ago.

Schools at the Accademia Carrara

Useful Information

The Accademia Carrara is one of Italy’s most prestigious art galleries, with a collection that embraces over six centuries of art history. If you are planning a visit there, here is some useful information.

Accademia Carrara – opening hours

The museum is open every day, but at different times. Opening hours are from 10am to 7pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays – on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays the museum is open until 8pm.

On Tuesdays, opening hours are only from 10am to 1pm. Last admission is allowed up until 45 minutes before closing time.

We recommend buying tickets for the Accademia Carrara online in order to avoid queues and long waits, especially at weekends and during holidays. The picture gallery also offers special night openings until 11pm every second and fourth Friday of the month.

Ticket prices

Ticket prices for the Accademia Carrara in Bergamo are the following:

Full price: 15€ (admission to the permanent collection and to temporary exhibitions).
Reduced price: 13€ (for over 65s, groups, police, art history teachers, and other categories of visitors).
Special reduced price: 5€ (for children and young people from 6 to 25 years old, nursing home residents).

There are also several special offers: specific categories, such as children up to the age of 5, ICOM members, and other specific groups, are granted free admission to the Accademia Carrara.

For a visit to the permanent collection only, the full price ticket is €10, and the reduced one is €8.

Catherine Cornaro receives the announcement of her deposition from the Kingdom of Cyprus – Francesco Hayez

Where it is and how to get there

The Accademia is located in Piazza Giacomo Carrara, which is easily accessible from both the centre of Bergamo Bassa and from the Upper Town.

If you come by car, there are several pay-and-display car parks nearby. Alternatively, you can use public transport: several lines have their stops near the Accademia Carrara museum.

Services and Access

The museum offers several services, such as a café, a souvenir shop and audio guides in many languages. Access to the Accademia is also possible for people with reduced mobility, with lifts and ramps available in all exhibition areas.

Last tips for your visit

A typical visit lasts about two hours, but art enthusiasts may want to spend more time in the museum, in order to fully enjoy the artworks on display.
Book a guided tour, in order to learn more about the artists and the history behind their artworks.
Check the Accademia Carrara’s exhibition calendar, which often include loans of important international artworks.
Take the opportunity to visit the adjacent Galleria d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea – Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art (GAMeC), located right next to the Accademia Carrara, for a full art immersion!