Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(Old Cathedral; Piazza Paolo VI; 9am-noon & 3-6pm Wed-Sat, 9-10.45am & 3-6pm Sun)
The most compel-
ling of all Brescia's religious monuments is the 11th-century Duomo Vecchio, a rare ex-
ample of a circular-plan Romanesque basilica, built over a 6th-century church. The inside
is surmounted by a dome borne by eight sturdy vaults resting on thick pillars. Interesting
features include fragmentary floor mosaics (some think from a thermal bath that might
have stood here in the 1st century BC) and the elaborate 14th-century sarcophagus of
Bishop Berado Maggi.
Duomo Nuovo
(New Cathedral; Piazza Paolo VI; 7.30am-noon & 4-7pm Mon-Sat, 8am-1pm & 4-7pm Sun)
Next door to the
Duomo Vecchio, the Duomo Nuovo dates from 1604 (but was not finished until well into
the 19th century). It dwarfs its ancient neighbour but is of less interest.
CATHEDRAL
Castello
CASTLE
(Via del Castello; 8am-8pm)
Brescia's historic centre is dominated by a hill,
Colle Cid-
neo
, crowned with the rambling castle that for centuries was at the core of the city's de-
fences.
Torre Mirabella
, the main round tower, was built by the Viscontis in the 13th century.
The main reason to come up is to amble around the grounds, but the castle hosts two
mildly diverting museums.
www.bresciamusei.it
; adult/reduced €5/4 incl admission to Civico Museo del Risorgimento; 3.30-7pm Tue-Sun)
030 4 41 76; adult/reduced €5/4 incl admission to Museo delle Armi Antiche;
3.30-7pm Tue-
Sun)
is dedicated to the history of Italian reunification (Risorgimento).
Piazza della Vittoria
Perhaps beautiful is not the word, but this nonetheless fascinating piazza is a leftover of Il
Duce's dreams of grandeur. Designed by Marcello Piacentini and opened in 1932, the
square is lined with a compendium of Fascist architecture - imposing, Big Brotherish,
some would say even boorish.
PIAZZA
