The Lombardy city of Brescia sits at the foot of the Alps, amidst vine-clad hills and betwixt two lakes. An ancient town, dating back to the pre-Roman settlement of Brixia, it's medieval heart is grouped around four main squares, the Piazze del Mercato, della Vittoria, della Loggia and Paolo VI. Sights include the Broletto, the former town hall and dating from the 12th-13th centuries. There are two cathedrals on the Piazza Paolo VI: the Duomo Vecchio (Old Cathedral) or Rotonda, a Romanesque building of the 11th century, and the Duomo Nuovo (no translation necessary we feel) a rather hideous Mannerist hulk which took from 1604 to 1825 to build. The Piazza della Loggia is a fine Renaissance square, with the current town hall (or loggia) and the Torre dell'Orologio fashioned on that of Venice.
Piazza del Foro has Roman remains in the shape of Vespasian's Capitoline Temple, from 73AD. The Monastery of Santa Giulia has three churches within, including the 12th century San Salvatore (and an eighth century crypt). From here head up the Cydnean Hill, the heart of Roman Brixia. At the north-eastern edge of the town is a hill topped by the Castello, which has fine views. And check out the Pinacoteca Tosio Martinengo, a fine art gallery with Brescia school artists represented, including Romanino, Bonvicino and Giovanni Battista Moroni. There is a Museo del Risorgimento and one for the children (or dads) in the model railway museum. Important churches in the town include Santa Maria dei Miracoli (1488-1523), the Romanesque-Gothic church of St. Francis, with Gothic facade and cloisters, and the Church of San Nazario e Celso, with the Averoldi Polyptych by Titian.
Curious to note that Brescia has no fewer than 72 public fountains. More practically, it's excellently located for Lakes Iseo to the west and Lake Garda to the east, and with the lovely mountains of Val Trompia north, with superb wines from neighbouring Franciacorta.
To the left you'll find a selection of hotels, to get you in the mood
- see also our full listings of Brescia hotels.
