Bergamo - Basilica of St Mary Major

(Local Name: Santa Maria Maggiore) In the Piazza del Duomo in Bergamo the church of Santa Maria Maggiore, begun in 1137 as a Romanesque basilica, has a stepped-back tower over the crossing and a picturesque choir. On the south and north sides are doorways guarded by lions, with beautiful Gothic canopies (1353 and 1360). Inside there are fine choir-stalls in Renaissance style, Baroque stucco-work and tapestries on the walls of the side-aisles and choir. The church also contains the tomb of the composer Donizetti.