Centro Paolo VI
Brescia - Via Gezio Calini 30
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Sitting between two important tourist destinations such as Milan and Verona, Brescia is a destination that is often overlooked. In reality, the city, besides being less crowded, smaller and therefore easier to navigate, boasts numerous sites of interest. Brescia, in fact, concentrates an incredible artistic heritage within an easily walkable historic centre, featuring sites designated as UNESCO World Heritage. The city is located in the upper Padana Plain, at the foot of Monte Maddalena, surrounded by the Brescia Pre-Alps and the territories of Franciacorta.
An ideal destination for lovers of art and archaeology, Brescia has truly ancient origins, so much so that it appears to have been founded in 1200 BC by the Ligurians before passing in the VII century BC under the rule of the Cenomani Gauls, who made Brescia, then known as Brixia, their capital. After many years of Roman domination, the city suffered various barbarian invasions until becoming part of the Visconti Duchy. In the fifteenth century, the city passed under the dominion of the Serenissima before being annexed, a few centuries later, to the Lombard-Venetian Kingdom. Brescia played a prominent role during the Risorgimento uprisings thanks to the famous “Ten Days of Brescia” when the Brescia population organised a revolt against Austrian oppression. For the courage shown during the days of rebellion, Brescia was nicknamed by Aleardo Aleardi and Giosuè Carducci as the “lioness of Italy”.
Unfortunately, the city was heavily bombed by Anglo-American forces during the Second World War, also because near the town of Salò, the dictator Benito Mussolini established the Italian Social Republic. Today Brescia presents itself as an orderly, well-maintained city and is famous not only for being one of the most important industrial and manufacturing centres in northern Italy but also for the production of Franciacorta wine and the organisation of the famous Mille Miglia vintage car race.
The city has also managed to preserve a rich artistic and archaeological heritage with sites ranging from ancient to contemporary times and recounting much of the various dominions that succeeded one another in these territories.
The historic city centre was once enclosed within defensive walls from the Venetian era, which were largely destroyed between the second half of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. On the Cidneo hill, which overlooks the city from above, stands the Brescia Castle.
The city boasts an important archaeological heritage including the Longobard monastic complex of Santa Giulia and the Capitolium archaeological site, both declared UNESCO World Heritage.
A symbol of the city, Brescia Castle is a fortress built on the Cidneo Hill in a strategic position offering commanding views over the city. Erected between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries, Brescia Castle tells much about the history of this territory and the various dominions that succeeded one another. In addition to hosting events such as medieval re-enactments, festivals and craft markets, you can visit the Luigi Marzoli Weapons Museum and Italy’s first public astronomical observatory.
Don’t miss the walk around the keep, from where you can enjoy stunning panoramic views, and the underground tours that traverse the ancient water reserves and oil warehouses. Finally, on the slopes of Brescia Castle is the Pusterla Vineyard, one of Europe’s oldest urban vineyards, which houses century-old grapevines that still produce wines and grappa. The castle is easily accessible from the historic centre on foot or conveniently by car.
Brescia has managed to preserve one of northern Italy’s most important archaeological sites, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The heart of the area is Piazza del Foro, which stands where the cardo and decumano once intersected, the two most important streets during Roman rule.
Here you will find the ruins of the Capitolium or Capitoline Temple (commissioned around 73 AD by Emperor Vespasian), the Republican Sanctuary and the Roman Basilica. One of the most important discoveries, however, concerns the Roman Theatre (I century AD), which, accommodating up to 15,000 spectators, is one of Italy’s largest Roman theatres.
Just a short walk from the Archaeological Park is the Santa Giulia complex, another must-see stop during a visit to the city of Brescia. The complex is now a museum housing over 11,000 artefacts that recount the city’s history from prehistoric times to the present day. Inside you can still visit the domus dell’Ortaglia, with perfectly preserved mosaic floors, the Basilica of San Salvatore, the Church of Santa Maria in Solario, the Church of Santa Giulia and the nuns’ choir which still features marvellous frescoes.
The Basilica of San Salvatore, in particular, was built around the middle of the eighth century by Desiderio, Duke of Brescia and future King of the Lombards, and his wife Ansa as a female monastery. The first abbess of Santa Giulia was actually Anselperga, daughter of Desiderio. Inside the Church of Santa Maria in Solario, you will find the Cross of Desiderio, a work created around the ninth century AD with over 200 gems and precious decorations. The Basilica of San Salvatore and the Museum of Santa Giulia were designated, together with the Capitolium archaeological area, as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
One of Brescia’s most famous squares and the beating heart of the city is undoubtedly Piazza della Loggia, home to the famous Palazzo Loggia, which houses the municipal administration. The Palace was built in white Botticino marble between the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, thanks also to the contributions of Donato Bramante, Antonio Palladio and Jacopo Sansovino. On the southern side of the square is the Monte di Pietà, while to the east you can admire the Tower with the ancient astronomical clock. All around the square are porticoes hosting shops and boutiques that are the hub of Brescia’s shopping scene.
Also known as Piazza Paolo VI, Piazza Duomo is where you can admire several buildings of great interest, including the city’s two main churches. At the centre stands the New Cathedral (known as the Summer Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta), built in the seventeenth century by Vantini and housing various works of art inside. Certainly worth admiring is the Cathedral dome, which at 80 metres high is the third largest in Italy after St Peter’s in Rome and Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence.
The Old Cathedral, on the other hand, was built in red Verona marble in Romanesque style with a circular floor plan. Inside you can still admire ancient mosaics from the Early Christian Basilica that once stood here, elegant decorations and frescoes of great value.
After Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Loggia, you cannot miss a visit to the centrally located Piazza della Vittoria, which was built in the twentieth century by destroying part of the medieval historic centre. The square was designed by Roman architect Marcello Piacentini according to a fascist urban plan and was inaugurated in 1932.
The square has an “L” shape and features the tall Torrione INA (National Insurance Institute), which at 57.25 metres high was not only the first skyscraper built in Italy but also one of the first in Europe. On the northern side of the square stands the main post office headquarters, while on the eastern and western sides are porticoes housing shops and bars.
The Tosio Martinengo Picture Gallery houses a collection of nearly five hundred works by important artists between the thirteenth and nineteenth centuries. The works belonged to Count and collector Paolo Tosio and Count Leopardo Martinengo da Barco. Here you can admire paintings by the most important exponents of both Italian and international art such as Raphael, Lotto, Canova and Hayez.
The route extends through 21 exhibition rooms hosting not only canvases but also sculptures, jewellery objects and medals, making the Tosio Martinengo Picture Gallery one of the most important in northern Italy.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
Brescia is a medium-sized city in a strategic position that makes it easy to reach Lake Garda, the rest of Lombardy and the Veneto. The city, therefore, in addition to being chosen as a destination for its numerous sites of interest, is often considered an excellent base for exploring northern Italy.
The best area to stay in Brescia is certainly the historic centre, an area hosting numerous facilities in different price ranges, from welcoming bed and breakfasts to large hotels. The historic centre is served by the metro and various bus lines. Alternatively, you can stay in the eastern part of the city near the Roman Forum, a quiet and well-served neighbourhood.
Brescia is easily accessible both by car and train from major Italian destinations. The city is served by three motorways: the A4 (Turin-Milan-Venice-Trieste), the A21 (Turin-Piacenza-Brescia) and the A35 (Milan-Brescia), which make it easy to reach the Brescia municipality. If travelling by car from Florence or southern Italy, you must take the A1 to Modena, then continue along the A22 and then the A4. From Turin, you need to travel along the A4 towards Venice, while from Genoa you must take the A7 to Tortona and then continue on the A21.
Brescia also has a railway station located on the high-speed line connecting Venice with Turin. The station also has numerous connections to nearby cities such as Milan, Bergamo and Verona thanks to regional and inter-regional trains. Trenord, meanwhile, with the Brescia – Iseo – Edolo railway line provides connections with Camonica Valley.
A network of urban and intercity buses connects Brescia with various cities in the province and with the main tourist destinations in the area such as Camonica Valley, Val Trompia, Lake Garda, Cremona, Mantua. The nearest airports are Bergamo, about 50 km away, and Verona, 65 km away, which are not directly connected to the city centre but you need to reach the railway stations and then take a train to Brescia.
What's the weather at Brescia? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Brescia for the next few days.
Brescia is a town in eastern Lombardy, situated not far from Lake Garda. Brescia lies approximately 90 km from Milan, 55 km from Bergamo and 70 km from Mantua.
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