Brescia

<< Lombardy

Brescia is the second largest city in Lombardy, located at the foot of the mountains in the east of the region. Founded in prehistoric times, it was an important Roman city and later the capital of a Lombard duchy. Brescia became a free comune in the Late Middle Ages and fought numerous wars against other nearby powers, until it was taken by Venice in 1426. Brescia remained under Venetian rule until 1797, except for a brief French occupation, and remained one of the main centers in Lombardy. During the Italian Risorgimento the city revolted against the Austrians, and later became part of the newly formed Italy. Brescia is now a major industrial and economic center, but it is also known for its rich historical, cultural, and artistic heritage.

✪ Old Cathedral of Brescia

Also known as: Winter Co-Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta (Concattedrale Invernale di Santa Maria Assunta), La Rotonda

The Old Cathedral of Brescia (Duomo Vecchio di Brescia) is a Romanesque church adjacent to the New Cathedral. Built around the 11th century, it is one of the most prominent examples of medieval round church in Italy. Over the centuries, many elements were added to the building, but most of them have been removed later. The interiors feature different areas which house various interesting artworks. One of these, located at the entrance, is an elaborate 14th-century sarcophagus.

✪ New Cathedral of Brescia

Also known as: Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta

The New Cathedral of Brescia (Duomo Nuovo di Brescia) is the main church of the city, located next to the Old Cathedral. It was built between the 17th and 19th century over a previous Paleochristian church, and it features an elaborate marble facade and an imposing dome. The wide interiors feature numerous artworks, funerary monuments, and intricate decorations.

✪ Piazza della Loggia

Piazza della Loggia is one of the main squares of Brescia, built during the Renaissance and surrounded by historic buildings. Palazzo della Loggia dominates the western side of the square, and is one of the most recognizable landmarks of Brescia. This palace, built by the Venetians between the 15th and 16th century is the best example of Renaissance architecture in the city and it features numerous elaborate decorations. The 16th-century Clock Tower (Torre dell’Orologio) closes the square to the east, and it features a large astronomical clock. The ancient city gate and tower Porta Bruciata, originally erected during the Roman age and rebuilt in the Middle Ages, stands at the northeastern corner of the square. The square is also infamous for being the site of a neo-fascist terrorist attack in 1974, that killed eight people.

✪ Capitolium of Brixia

Also known as: Temple of the Capitoline Triad (Tempio Capitolino)

The Capitolium is an ancient Roman temple and one of the most important ruins of the Roman city of Brixia. The temple was erected in 73 CE, and was later destroyed. Found in the 19th century, some sections have been partially rebuilt. The ruins include part of a portico and some ancient columns, along with a few halls featuring ancient frescoes. A 1st-century bronze statue of the Winged Victory has been found here and it is now placed in a dedicated area inside the Capitolium. Another area of the ruins houses a lapidarium. The Capitolium is located at the center of a large monumental complex that includes various other Roman ruins, such as the Roman Theater and the Forum (Piazza del Foro), which features the remains of an ancient portico.

✪ Santa Giulia Museum

The Santa Giulia Museum (Museo di Santa Giulia) is a museum complex located in a former monastery, which includes the Church of San Salvatore, founded by the Lombards in the 8th century, and the 12th-century Church of Santa Maria in Solario. Both churches house various ancient frescoes and artworks. The museum features a rich and varied collection that includes archaeological finds dating from prehistory to the Roman age, numerous medieval artworks, richly frescoed halls, and much more. The complex also houses the ruins of some Roman buildings, known collectively as Domus dell’Ortaglia, which feature various ancient mosaics.

✪ Brescia Castle

The Brescia Castle is a fortified complex located on a hill just outside the center of the city. Erected in the Late Middle Ages with various later additions, it is among the largest castles in Italy and now it houses some museums. The castle is well preserved and it features various ancient elements, such as some medieval towers and a monumental 16th-century gate. The Museum of the Risorgimento (Museo del Risorgimento) is hosted here, and it houses numerous documents, artworks, and memorabilia from the Italian Risorgimento. Another museum here is the Luigi Marzoli Arms Museum (Museo delle Armi Luigi Marzoli), a collection of ancient weapons and armors dating between the 15th and 18th century.

Broletto of Brescia

The Broletto is the medieval town hall of Brescia, located next to the New Cathedral. The palace was originally built in the 12th century, and it was expanded several times. The building features various decorations, dating from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, along with some ancient frescoes. The palace is topped by the tall Pegol Tower (Torre del Pegol), built around the 12th century.

Teatro Grande

Teatro Grande is the main theater in Brescia, built over a previous theater in the 18th century. The theater features various frescoes and rich decorations, and it has hosted numerous famous composers, actors, musicians, and performers.

Church of Sant’Agata

The Church of Sant’Agata is a historic church in Brescia, erected in the Late Middle Ages over a previous place of worship. The church features a Gothic exterior, while its interiors house a rich series of Baroque decorations among various other artworks. The interiors of the church are also entirely covered by intricate frescoes.

Diocesan Museum of Brescia

The Diocesan Museum of Brescia (Museo Diocesano di Brescia) is a museum of religious art in Brescia. Its collection includes several artworks from the area around the city, including paintings, manuscripts, liturgical vestments, and precious metal works.

Church of Santa Maria della Carità

The Church of Santa Maria della Carità is a 17th-century church in Brescia. The church was heavily reworked in the 18th century, with the addition of a decorated facade. The really elaborate Baroque decorations inside the church were also added around the same time.

Palazzo Martinengo Cesaresco Novarino

Palazzo Martinengo Cesaresco Novarino is a 17th-century palace located near the monumental area of the Roman ruins of Brixia. The palace features an underground archaeological site, and an exhibit of prehistoric and Roman finds. Another area of the palace is used to host temporary art exhibitions.

Roman Theater of Brescia

The Roman Theater of Brescia (Teatro Romano di Brescia) is one of the largest Roman theaters in Northern Italy, located next to the Capitolium of Brixia. Built during the 1st century and reworked in the 3rd century, it was later damaged and covered by other buildings. Now unearthed, the ruins of the theater can be visited.

Pinacoteca Tosio Martinengo

The Pinacoteca Tosio Martinengo is an art museum in Brescia. The art gallery features a rich collection of works, mostly by local artists and dating between the 13th and 18th century. The museum includes artworks by Raphael, Lotto, Moretto, Romanino, and Canova, among others. A 19th-century monument of Moretto stands in front of the museum.

Pallata Tower

The Pallata Tower (Torre Pallata) is a medieval tower erected in Brescia during the 13th century. Various elements were later added to the tower, such as a clock, merlons, and a Mannerist fountain dating from 1597.

Church of San Francesco d’Assisi

The Church of San Francesco d’Assisi is a Romanesque and Gothic church in Brescia, dating from the 13th century. The church houses numerous ancient frescoes, artworks, and decorations, and an altarpiece painted by Romanino in 1517.

Collegiate Church of Santi Nazaro e Celso

The Collegiate Church of Santi Nazaro e Celso (Collegiata dei Santi Nazaro e Celso) is a Neoclassical church erected over a previous site of worship during the 18th century. The facade of the church is adorned with various statues, while its interiors house several artworks dating between the 15th and 18th century. Among these is the Averoldi Polyptych (Polittico Averoldi), a 16th-century altarpiece painted by Titian.

Church of Santi Faustino e Giovita

The Church of Santi Faustino e Giovita is a church in Brescia, founded in the Middle Ages as part of a monastery and reworked several times. The church features a medieval bell tower and a decorated facade, but it is best known for the rich series of frescoes that adorn its interiors. These frescoes are among the best examples of Baroque art in the region, and include works by Tiepolo. Various other paintings and artworks are also hosted in the church.

Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie

The Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie is a Baroque church erected in Brescia between the 16th and 17th century. The church features an elaborate Renaissance portal and a rich series of Baroque artworks. Adjacent to the basilica is the Sanctuary of Madonna delle Grazie (Santuario della Madonna delle Grazie), an ancient building adorned in Gothic Revival style in the late 19th century and early 20th century.

Natural Sciences Museum of Brescia

The Natural Sciences Museum of Brescia (Museo di Scienze Naturali di Brescia) is a museum of natural history and science in Brescia. Its collection includes various minerals and fossils, and sections focused on zoology, botany, and mycology, as well as some prehistoric mummies.

Mille Miglia Museum

The Mille Miglia Museum (Museo della Mille Miglia) is an automobile museum located at the eastern outskirts of Brescia. The museum is dedicated to the historic Mille Miglia race, and it features various cars and an exhibit on the history of the race.

Monumental Cemetery of Brescia

Also known as: Vantiniano Cemetery (Cimitero Vantiniano)

The Monumental Cemetery of Brescia (Cimitero Monumentale di Brescia) is one of the oldest of its kind in Italy, established in 1810. Over the following decades the cemetery has been enriched with numerous elaborate sculptures, monuments, and mausoleums. A tall lighthouse stands at the center of the cemetery.