Brescia is ready to thrill you with its incredible monuments, views, and abundance of UNESCO World Heritage sites. Here are the first ten not-to-miss stops to enjoy all the unexpected beauties of the Lioness of Italy.
Ten Instagram-worthy things in Brescia: from Piazza Vittoria to Carmine
Our journey starts here, in Piazza Vittoria. The fountain water reflections capture the geometric rigour of architect Piacentini’s 1932 design which completely transformed the medieval Pescherie district (fish market). Today, this square is the venue of several events organised in the city, first of all the Mille Miglia vintage car race, which departs from here.
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Let’s continue towards Piazza Loggia, which welcomes us with its Venetian-style architectural elegance. The heart of the city during the Renaissance, Loggia palace guards the intersection of the medieval and modern portions of the city. The alley under the Clock Tower, called “Macc de le Ore” – literally the “the madmen of the hours” in Brescian dialect, the name of the two mechanical jacquemarts which strike the hours with their hammers – become a magic place at sunset, with colours and shades creating magic effects on the beautiful architecture.
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After admiring the Loggia, let’s continue towards Carmine, an old district with a maze of alleyways and some of the most interesting residential buildings in the city. The Church of Santa Maria, with its splendid 15th-century terracotta façade, seems to point to a detour which is oftentimes overlooked: under a vaulted passage leading to Ventura Fenaroli alley we can admire an artistic installation by Antonio de Martino, composed of small hanging butterfly-like papers with quotes and aphorisms containing the wise words of the people who used to lived in this active, lively district.
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Just the time for a picture and we head back to reach Santa Chiara theatre in Contrada Santa Chiara 50, at the beginning of Via S.Faustino near the start of the ascent to the majestic Brescia Castle. This former late 15th-century convent serves today as a theatre and is part of the Faculty of Economics of the University of Brescia @uniBS. Every day its incredible cloister welcomes hundreds of students.
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Piazza Paolo VI, the square with two cathedrals
After a tasty break in one of the many osterias of the district (toasting with an excellent Pirlo!) we go back to Piazza Loggia, take Via Cesare Beccaria under the Clock Tower, and admire Piazza Paolo VI from a distance.
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Near the monumental magnificence of Duomo Nuovo (New Cathedral), do you see that unique circular building? It’s Duomo Vecchio, built starting from the 11th century over a former church and one of the most important examples of circular Romanesque churches in Italy. If you are lucky enough to have breakfast in the piazza just before 11am, remember to enter into Duomo Vecchio to admire the blade-like effect of the sunlight filtrating through the lantern.
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From Via Musei to Brescia Castle.
From Piazza Paolo VI, a few-minute stroll along Via X Giornate and Corso Zanardelli – two of the most popular shopping streets in Brescia – will take us to Teatro Grande, the famous city theatre and a national landmark. Have you ever visited the interior? Here is what you will see!
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Let’s go back and take Via Musei again, the road where the most famous monuments and sites in Brescia are located and Lombard heart of the city. We will admire in awe the symbol of Brescia, the Capitolium Temple, the heart of Roman Brescia. Together with the remains of the theatre and the Foro square, it represents one of the better preserved Roman public architecture in Italy. The archaeological site has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and is part of the city museum system of @bresciaMusei.
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Are you tired? Gather your energy for one last stretch uphill. Via Gabriele Rosa is the start of our stroll to Brescia Castle, another symbol of Brescia. In autumn, the multicoloured foliage makes this stroll even more pleasurable. From there, you will enjoy an unforgettable view over the alleys of medieval Brescia and the roofs of the buildings.
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