From no later than the 9th century there were two cathedrals in Bergamo: one was the
basilica of Saint Alexander, which stood on the site believed to be that of his martyrdom, and the other was dedicated to
Saint Vincent, construction of which apparently began in the Lombard era, on the site of the present cathedral. Bishop
Giovanni Barozzi commissioned the re-building of the cathedral of St. Vincent in the mid-15th century, for the plans of which
Filarete claimed credit. In 1561 the Venetians demolished the cathedral of St. Alexander for reasons of military expediency, leaving St. Vincent's as the sole survivor. At the beginning of the 17th century Bishop
Giovanni Emo unified the
canons of the two old cathedrals. Finally Bishop
Gregorio Barbarigo succeeded in obtaining from
Pope Innocent XI the
bull Exponi nobis of 18 August 1697, which established for the diocese a single
chapter and a single cathedral, changing the dedication of the surviving cathedral to Saint Alexander from Saint Vincent. In 1689, the structure was refurbished to designs by
Carlo Fontana. Another major renovation was undertaken in the 19th century, culminating in the completion of the
Neo-classical west front in 1889. ==Interior==