BERGAMO, Italy – 15.03.26
A significant increase in the use of custom wooden staircases is transforming the historic buildings of Bergamo's Città Alta. According to city planning official Marco Rossi, permits for such projects rose 18% last year. The trend is most visible on Via Gombito, where several townhouses are undergoing sensitive interior upgrades.
In the shadow of the city's ancient Venetian walls, a quiet revolution is taking place within centuries-old palazzos and townhouses. Property owners and developers are increasingly opting for bespoke wooden staircases to replace worn concrete or unsafe iron structures. This movement is not merely about aesthetics; it involves a complex blend of structural engineering and artisanal carpentry to meet modern safety standards without compromising historical integrity. When we spoke with Luca Bianchi, a master carpenter whose family workshop has operated near Piazza Vecchia for three generations, he noted a shift in demand. 'Clients now request specific wood species like aged oak or walnut for their durability and grain, and they want traditional joinery techniques like mortise and tenon for the stringers and newel posts,' Bianchi explained. Bergamo's damp winters and the need for precise load-bearing calculations make each project a unique challenge.
Data from the Italian National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) suggests a broader national trend of investment in heritage building interiors. According to figures that could not be independently verified from the Italian Association of Woodworking Artisans (AALI), the value of the custom staircase market in Lombardy grew by approximately €4.7 million in 2025. Our correspondents in Bergamo observed that this demand is also driven by new fire safety regulations, which have prompted upgrades in many multi-story residences. The timeline for completing these intricate projects remains unclear, often stretching over several months as craftsmen source materials and navigate strict conservation guidelines. Meanwhile, the scent of fresh-cut timber and the sound of hand planes have become familiar in the cobblestone courtyards off the main thoroughfares.
This focus on wooden staircases highlights a deeper appreciation for tactile, natural materials in urban restoration. Experts point to the superior acoustic and thermal properties of solid wood compared to modern composites, a factor important in the stone-built structures of the upper city. Specialists must carefully consider the pitch and rise of each step, the design of the balustrade, and the finish to prevent slippage, all while ensuring the new installation complements original features like frescoed ceilings or stone arches. The local council's heritage office has reportedly streamlined its approval process for such sympathetic interventions, though each application still requires detailed documentation. As one project manager noted, the final result is often a beautiful fusion where a sleek, modern handrail might meet a centuries-old stone wall, creating a dialogue between epochs within a single home.