Caravaggio
Welcome to Caravaggio: a city rich in history and tradition
Hello everyone, welcome back to another virtual tour of beautiful Italian cities! Today I'll be taking you to discover Caravaggio, a municipality in the province of Bergamo in Lombardy, not far from the banks of the Adda river. Caravaggio is a city famous for many reasons, among which stand out its Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Fonte and its connection with the renowned artist Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio.
Physical Geography
The territory of Caravaggio is characterized by the presence of numerous natural springs and has a cross-shaped form with a main axis that extends from north to south. The city's climate is very hot in the summer and cold in the winter, with annual fog and snow, but autumn and spring can have long periods of rain.
History
The origins of Caravaggio date back to Roman times, when the urban center was located along the Mediolanum-Brixia road. The name Caravaggio first appears in a document from 962, although there is no evidence of the formation process of the municipality. In the twelfth century, Caravaggio is mentioned as the oldest municipality in the Gera d'Adda. During the Middle Ages, the city was involved in numerous wars between Milanese and Venetians.
Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Fonte
The Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Fonte is one of the most important places in Caravaggio. Built starting in 1432, it was constructed on the ruins of a chapel dedicated to Santa Maria. Since then, the Sanctuary has become a destination for numerous pilgrimages, thanks to its sacredness and the many stories of miracles attributed to the Virgin Mary.
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio
Michelangelo Merisi, known as Caravaggio, is one of the most famous Italian artists of all time. But not everyone knows that he came from Caravaggio! The painter's father, in particular, was a builder who worked at the court of the Gonzaga in Mantua. During his short but intense artistic career, Caravaggio painted some truly extraordinary works, many of which are still exhibited in important international museums.
Polidoro da Caravaggio
Polidoro da Caravaggio was one of the most well-known pupils of Raphael, and he distinguished himself above all for his skill in spreading the mannerist style in southern Italy. Polidoro lived and worked for many years in Naples, where he painted numerous works of great beauty and originality.
Conclusions
Caravaggio is a city that offers visitors an unforgettable experience of art, culture and religion. The Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Fonte and the connection with Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio are just some of the attractions that the city has to offer. Thank you for joining me on this virtual tour of Caravaggio!
