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Brescia

Welcome to Italy in Photos where we will showcase the best of the fascinating city of Brescia: – Brescia, locally known as Brèsa, is a city and comune in the Lombardy region of Italy. It is situated at the foot of the Alps, a few kilometres from the beautiful lakes Garda and Iseo. This city, the second largest in Lombardy, is nestled between Milan and Verona. Brescia’s rich history dates to pre-Roman times when it was a Gallic capital⁴. It originated as a Celtic stronghold of the Cenomani that was occupied by the Romans around 200 BC. The Roman Emperor Augustus founded a civil colony there in 27 BC. The city is home to the most important Roman ruins in northern Italy, making it the most Roman of the four great Eastern Lombard towns. The monumental area of the Roman forum and the monastic complex of San Salvatore-Santa Giulia are UNESCO World Heritage monuments. Brescia also boasts an impressive archaeological complex that cleverly reconstructs the city’s Roman past from fragments first discovered in the 1820s. The 11th-century Duomo Vecchio, a rare example of a circular-plan Romanesque Basilica, is one of Brescia’s most compelling religious monuments. The city is not just about history. It’s also an industrial hub with a thriving economy. The Province of Brescia, with its capital being the city of Brescia, is the biggest province of Lombardy. It has a population of some 1,265,964 (as of January 2019). In addition to its historical and economic significance, Brescia offers a variety of cultural experiences. The Museo Mille Miglia is dedicated to Italy’s most legendary endurance car race that started in Brescia. The city also houses two separate museums in the 17th-century Palazzo Martinengo Cesaresco. Whether you’re a history buff, an art lover, or someone who enjoys exploring new places, Brescia has something for everyone. Its rich history, cultural heritage, and modern vibrancy make it a must-visit destination in Italy.

Via XX Settembre, is a street in Brescia which runs from Via XXV Aprile to Fontana di Piazza della Repubblica (Photo 1) – Corso Palestro is a street in Brescia which runs from Via S. Francesco D’Assisi to Corso Giuseppe Zanardelli (Photos 2-3) – Piazza del Mercato is a historical square located in the heart of Brescia, Italy. It was established in the medieval era after the demolition of the 12th-century city walls and is just a stone’s throw away from Piazza Vittoria. The square was originally used for the exchange of textiles and linen. Over time, it has evolved into a vibrant location for cultural events, artisan markets, and commercial activities. Piazza del Mercato is home to several notable landmarks, including:- Palazzo Martinengo Palatini:- An elegant Baroque palace that currently houses the Rectorate of the University of Brescia. It features a harmonious facade adorned with statues of Minerva and Mars. – Chiesa di S. Maria del Lino: A small church built in 1608 with a quadrangular plan and a dome-shaped roof. It is known for its miraculous fresco. Fontana dell’Abbondanza:- A fountain located within the square. (Photos 4-5-6) – Via Giuseppe Verdi is a street in Brescia which runs from Piazza del Mercato to Via Dante (Photo 7) – Piazza della Vittoria is a central square in Brescia. It was inaugurated in 1932 as part of the new fascist urban plan designed by Piacentini. The square is home to several notable landmarks – Palazzo delle Poste:- A prominent building located to the north of the square. – Torre della Rivoluzione:- A tower situated to the east of the square. – Arengario:- An architectural complex adorned with bas-reliefs depicting the history of Brescia. (Photos 8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16)  – Piazza della Loggia is one of the most picturesque squares in Brescia. It showcases Brescia’s Venetian history with its 15th-century colonnades designed by Sansovino and Palladio. The square is dominated by the graceful Loggia Palace, which was built between 1492 and 1570 in Early Renaissance style. It was not fully completed until 1674. The palace features elegant porches on the east side, with a Clock Tower surmounted by two automatons that strike the hours. On the south side of the square, you can find Monti di Pietà (pawnshops) connected by an elegant loggia, with several gravestones dating from the Roman Age inserted in the wall. (Photos 17-18-19-20-21)

Piazza Paolo VI is a magnificent square located in the heart of Brescia, Italy. It is also known as the Piazza delle Due Cattedrali (Square of the Two Cathedrals) because it is home to two of Brescia’s most important religious buildings: the Duomo Vecchio (Old Cathedral) and the Duomo Nuovo (New Cathedral). The square is a prime example of medieval architecture and represents the heart of the city for its important historical buildings, symbols of civil liberties and Brescian religious traditions. (Photos 22-23-24-25-26-27) – The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta is a Roman Catholic church located in Brescia, Italy. It is also known as the Duomo Vecchio or Old Cathedral, and stands next to the Duomo Nuovo of Brescia1. The church was built between 1604 and 1825 on the site of the ancient Paleochristian basilica of San Pietro de Dom, which dates back to the 5th-6th century. (Photo 28) – The Duomo Vecchio is a rustic circular Romanesque co-cathedral that is one of the most important examples of Romanesque round church in Italy. It is also known as the Winter Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, while the adjacent main cathedral is known as the Summer Cathedral. The church is located near the Duomo Nuovo and is a monument of national importance in Italy. (Photo 27) – Via Trieste is a street in Brescia which runs from Piazzale Arnaldo to Via Via X Giornate (Photo 29) – Via Via X Giornate is a street in Brescia which runs from Piazza della Loggia to the roundabout at the end of Corso Palestro (Photos 30-32) – Via IV Novembre is a street in Brescia which runs from Via Via X Giornate to Piazza del Mercato (Photo 31)

Corso Giuseppe Zanardelli is a street in Brescia which runs from Via Via X Giornate to Via Giuseppe Mazzini (Photos 33-35-36) – Corso Magenta is a street in Brescia which runs from Corso Giuseppe Zanardelli to Vicolo dell’Aria (Photos 37-38-39) – Corso Cavour is a street in Brescia which runs from Via Spalto S. Marco to Corso Magenta (Photos 40-41) – Palazzo Martinengo Cesaresco Novarino is a noble palace located in Brescia. It is situated in Via dei Musei, south of the Capitolium. The palace was built in the 17th century on the ruins of a previous 15th-century building by the Martinengo Cesaresco family, who were one of the most important noble families in Brescia. The palace is open to visitors and offers a unique experience of exploring the archaeological path that leads to the underground ruins of the ancient Roman city of Brixia. (Photos 42-43-44-45) – Via Solone Reccagni is a street in Brescia which runs Monumento a Giuseppe Mazzini to Via Gabriele Rosa, (Photo 46) – The Chiesa di Santa Maria della Carità is a Baroque-style Roman Catholic church located on Via dei Musei in Brescia. It is also known as the Carità or the church of the Buon Pastore. The church is characterized by its octagonal floor plan and features a remarkable Baroque decorative apparatus and several notable works of art, including sculptures. (Photos 47-48) – Piazza Tito Speri is a public square located in the city of Brescia. The square is named after Tito Speri, an Italian patriot who played a significant role in the Italian Risorgimento. The square is surrounded by trees and benches, and it houses an imposing sculpture of Tito Speri, who distinguished himself for his courage during the Battle of Brescia. The monument was created by the sculptor Domenico Ghidoni and was inaugurated on September 2, 1888, thanks to the funds raised from a public subscription organized by the so-called “Society of veterans of the patriotic battles”. The square is a popular tourist destination and a great place to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.- Contrada Sant’Urbano, is a street in Brescia which runs from Piazza Tito Speri to Via Alexander Langer (Photo 50-51-52)

The Capitolium of Brixia is a Roman temple located in Brescia. It represents the nucleus of the ancient Roman city of Brixia and is considered one of the most important Roman archaeological complexes in northern Italy. The temple is situated in Piazza del Foro, along Via dei Musei1. The Capitolium is accompanied by the ruins of the forum and the theater, further enhancing its historical significance. The Capitolium is dedicated to the Capitoline Triad of Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva. The temple was built in AD 73 during the rule of Emperor Vespasian and is characterized by three cellae, each with its own polychrome marble floor. The Capitolium’s walls are used as a lapidarium to display local epigraphs found during the 19th century. In front of the cellae are the partially reconstructed remains of a portico, which was composed of Corinthian columns that supported a pediment with a dedication to Emperor Vespasian. The complex, along with other Roman ruins, is located at one end of Via dei Musei, once the original Decumanus Maximus of Brixia, which coursed some meters below the present street level. (Photos 53 to 65)

The Castello di Brescia is a fortress located on the Cidneo Hill, in Brescia. The fortification complex occupies an area of about 75,000 square meters, being one of the largest in Italy. The castle is home to charming and little-known passages, atmospheres infused with mystery, affording sweeping views over the city, stretching from the Ronchi slopes and the Brescian valleys to the Apennines and the Alps. The castle houses two museums: the Luigi Marzoli Arms and Armor Museum and the Museum of the Risorgimento Lioness of Italy. The Luigi Marzoli Arms and Armor Museum contains armor and weapons from the medieval period. The Museum of the Risorgimento Lioness of Italy showcases over 100 exhibits, including paintings, sculptures, memorabilia, and objects from the era, as well as innovative digital solutions for an increasingly engaging and interactive visit. (Photos 66 to 80)

Brescia Cusine:- Kown for its rich and varied cuisine. Some of the special dishes that you can find in Brescia are:- Bigoi col pestöm:-a type of thick spaghetti made with wholemeal flour, eggs and water, served with a sauce of fresh salami paste. Casoncelli alla Bresciana:-a kind of stuffed pasta with a filling of beef, red wine, vegetable broth, spices, cheese and breadcrumbs. Caicc de Bre:- another kind of stuffed pasta from the town of Breno, with a filling of cheese, amaretti, sultanas and eggs. Lake fish:- Brescia is close to Lake Iseo, where you can find many fish specialties such as grilled eel, fried carp, chub soup, filleted whitefish, pike, catfish, perch, sardines, tench and missoltini (dried marbled bleaks). Cheese:- Brescia produces a variety of cheeses such as Silter, Nostrano Valtrompia , Bagòss , Grana Padano , Provolone Valpadana , Stracchino, Robiola Bresciana and Taleggio. These cheeses are often served with polenta or bread. Cold cuts:- Brescia also offers a selection of cured meats such as coppa (capocollo), Salame Morenico di Pozzolengo , Salsiccia di castrato ovino (mutton sausage) and Soppressata bresciana (a type of head cheese). Meat:- Brescia is famous for its meat dishes such as cuz (a lamb dish with Celtic origins), cassoeula (a stew of pork and cabbage), ossobuco (braised veal shank) and cotoletta alla bresciana (breaded veal cutlet fried in butter). Desserts:- Brescia has a sweet tooth and offers many desserts such as sbrisolona (a crumbly cake with almonds), torta di rose (a rose-shaped cake with butter and sugar), amaretti di Saronno (almond cookies).

Photo Gallery of Walk 1 – Via Solferino to Piazza Paolo VI
Approximately 1.29 km – 0.80 miles

The walk starts in Via Solferino – Via Romanino Gerolamo – Via XX Settembre – Contrada del Cavalletto – Corso Palestro – Piazza del Mercato – Via Giuseppe Verdi – Via IV Novembre – Piazza della Vittoria – Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta – Via XXIV Maggio – Piazza della Loggia – Walk back to Piazza della Vittoria – Galleria Duomo – Piazza Paolo VI

Photo Gallery of Walk 2  – Via Trieste to Contrada Sant’Urbano
Approximately 2.16 km – 1.34 mile

The walk starts in Via Trieste – Via X Giornate – Via IV Novembre – Via X Giornate – Corso Giuseppe Zanardelli – Via Felice Cavallotti – Corso Giuseppe Zanardelli – Corso Magenta – Walk back along Corso Magenta to Corso Cavour – Via Gabriele Rosa – Via dei Musei – Via Solone Reccagni – Via dei Musei – Piazza Tito Speri – Contrada Sant’Urbano

Video of Capitolium of Brixia & Castello di Brescia