On October 7th 1896, a national competition called upon architect, engineers and artists to submit a project for the Cemetery, which would have been built next to the existing St. Maurizio graveyard. The winner was the architect Ernesto Pirovano. Works began in 1900 and ended in 1913.
The Monumental Cemetry is a classic architecture featuring Art Nouveau details and Viennese references, very similar to Crespi d’Adda Mausoleum. The majestic entrance is cladded with “ceppo di Brembate” local stone and consists of the “Famedio” (Memorial Chapel) in the middle, commemorating the most prominent people from Bergamo such as Pietro Antonio Locatelli and Giacomo Quarenghi.
Inside, the Tempio di Ognissanti (All Saints’ Temple) is decorated with mosaics by Trento Longaretti and Piero Bolis’ Stations of the Cross. Chapels and tombs display numerous beautiful paintings and sculptures made by outstanding artists. Many eminent people are buried here, such as Ciro Caversazzi, the historian and politician Angelo Mazzi, the music composer Antonio Cagnoni and Alessandro Nini and the conductor Gianandrea Gavazzeni.
BIbliography: Lombardia Beni Culturali; Il Cimitero Civico di Bergamo, City of Bergamo – Cemetery services department