Almenno San Bartolomeo

Almenno San Bartolomeo is adorned with a scattering of noble country residences from the 17th to 18th centuries. Occupying the most privileged, best exposed sites, they are embellished by spacious gardens that slope down the hillside, forming a quite dignified environmental context.
The Villa Pesenti Cattaneo – also known as Villa dell’Amicizia – is part of the old nucleus of Carighetti. The first documented information about the villa dates back to the first half of the 19th century when it was owned by the Viganoni family. In 1923, the estate was purchased by the Pesenti Cattaneo, who donated it to their parish in 1969. Then in 1992, it was acquired by the municipality of Almenno San Bartolomeo.

The building dates back to the second half of the 15th century. With a rectangular floor plan split across four levels, it is now home to the day recreation centre for the elderly on the ground floor and the municipal library on the upper floors.

Of historical and artistic interest are the frescoes on the walls inside the library on the second floor, dating back to the second half of the 15th century, along with the wooden ceilings adorned with elegant decorations.

The villa was the home of the celebrated tenor Giuseppe Viganoni (Almenno, 1754–Bergamo, 30th December 1822), who enjoyed the fruits of his success in the major theatres of Italy and Europe (London, Vienna, Paris) and entertained with his friend Donizetti. His name is also linked to another very famous Almenese opera singer, Maria Marchesini, who had an extraordinary career in Italian and foreign theatres (1774–1856).