Bergamo's countryside is both an intermediate step, where Renzo hides thanks to his cousin Bortolo, and his final destination! Bergamo represents the city of opportunity where Renzo gets to work and then build his family together with Lucia at the end of the book.

The Adda river is one of the crucial elements for Renzo when he is fleeing the city. He finds help from the host of Gorgonzola and shelter during the night approximately around the cities that are now Cassano d'Adda and Canonica.