Regione LombardiaTurismo

ure andartCult

Bresc ia : a l l o f I t a ly in one c i t y.

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This guide is dedicated to the surprises which arrive when we come face to face with beauty.

Beauty can be found in the works of art on display in the museums of Brescia, in its architecture, piazzas, churches and castles, the Roman remains and archaeological sites of the city and surrounding areas.The guide’s objective is to accompany the tourist in experiencing the emotions which come from this encounter with extraordinary beauty.

Alessio MerigoPresident, Bresciatourism

ure andartCult

Bresc ia : a l l o f I t a ly in one c i t y.

BY TRAIN:Brennero-Modena LineMilan-Venice Line

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Brescia is strategically located a short distance from Milan and Venice and at the intersection of the great European corridors connecting France to Austria (from west to east) and Germany and Central Europe to Rome (from north to south).

BY AIR:Verona - VillafrancaValerio Catullo Airport (50 km) www.aeroportoverona.itMontichiari (Province of Brescia)Gabriele D’Annunzio Airport (15 km)wwww.aeroportobrescia.itBergamo, Orio al Serio Airport (80 km)www.sacbo.itMilan, Linate and Malpensa Airports (100 km)www.sea-aeroportimilano.itVenice, Marco Polo Airport (100 km)

BY CAR:From Torino and Milan, highway A4, Brescia Centro exit. Alternate route: from Torino, highway A21.From Venice or Verona, highway A4 in the direction of Milan, Brescia Centro exit.From Bologna, Florence or Rome, highway A1 to Modena, highway A22 to Verona, highway A4 to Brescia Centro. From Genoa and Liguria, highway A7 to Tortona, highway A21 to Brescia.

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Verona

Bergamo Venezia

BresciaTorino

Modena

Milano

Bologna

MALPENSA

LINATE

Mantova

ORIO

MONTICHIARI

Cremona

Roma

BY TRAIN:Brennero-Modena LineMilan-Venice Line

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Brescia is a halfway point in a circuit of cities of art such as Verona, Trento, Bergamo, Milan, Mantua and Cremona. Brescia and its lakes are, therefore, the perfect jumping-off spot for visiting these cities, shopping or going to concerts. Its geographic location and scenery, along with its historic, artistic and cultural treasures, food and wine, and events and facilities, make the Province of Brescia a perfect tourist destination.

Easy to reach by highway,

rail or air

Monaco di Baviera

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Those who do not know Brescia will certainly be surprised and enchanted by its beauty, by the richness of the paintings and sculptures on display in its museums and by the many outdoor works of art. The richness and diversity of various styles of architecture, often found side by side, create a continuous exhibit of various artistic and historical expressions. The churches, the ancient streets of the old town and the extensive Roman area, which is the largest Roman archaeological site in Northern Italy, offer continuous surprises.

Brescia is a modern and dynamic city rich with art treasures, a delight to enjoy.Drink your coffee in the shadow of a medieval tower, taste local specialities in a restaurant in the city centre, browse among Italian fashion shops, take a bike ride through the ancient Roman roads of Brescia or the piazzas of the Renaissance, in splendid Venetian style. Colours, the architecture and the rhythms of life come together in the vibrancy of one of Italy’s most beautiful art cities.

In Brescia and its surrounding area, a unique experience

awaits every tourist: the discovery of masterpieces of Italian painting and sculpture

in local museums, country churches, tiny monasteries

and even hidden among the trees of the forests. Just like

that, Brescia surprises you with unexpected revelations.

Brescia, a fantasticsurprise

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There is an Art Route from Brescia to Lake Garda, which leads from the Santa Giulia Museum (in Brescia) to the Casa del Podestà (Lonato) and the Vittoriale House Museum (Gardone Riviera). From Brescia, take Via del Ferro e delle Miniere towards Valle Trompia, an archaeological industry route which renders homage to the ancient history of Brescia’s iron and steel industry, to the ancient melting furnaces and the armaments tradition which arose in the Sixteenth Century. A unique heritage of works of art, at times hidden in miniscule countryside churches, is developed from the city towards Lake Iseo and Valle Camonica.

Come to Brescia - come to enrich your mind with the discovery of our artistic gems, and the exploration of the rich histories of our people and their traditions which date back to the Celtic and Roman peoples, with their own system of beliefs and religion, between tradition and modernity. The experience is never ending when you enter the great “open museum” of art, treasures, archaeological sites, historical events and life lived to the full.

Even the surrounding countryside offers unique emotions. Brescia’s exceptional natural setting includes the Rock Engravings, which date from pre-historical times and have been declared a Unesco world heritage site.

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The museum is located in a monastery of Lombard origin and a visit to this place of silence takes us to far away places, through the history, art and spirituality of Brescia. It was built by the Lombard King Desiderio and his wife Ansa in 753 and played an important role as a catalyst of civic life, politics, economics and religion for the entire province.

Also known as the City Museum, a sign of

the affection in which it is held by local citizens, the

Santa Giulia Museum’s exhibition space and stunning

location is truly unique.

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You will be amazed by precious archaeological remains, of which the Domus area is the most significant expression.

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The Domus dell’Ortaglia (given this name because it is located close to a garden where nuns would gather medicinal herbs) is part of a Roman residential area located between the monumental area and Brescia’s ancient city walls.

Mosaics and frescos decorate the various rooms (places of daily living and public duties as well as service area) and we are surprised to learn that such homes already have such modern comforts as wall and floor heating and lead water pipes linked to urban aqueducts (to receive fresh water) as well as delicate fountains, bearing witness to the high social and cultural level of their owners.The excellent state of conservation and proximity to the Santa Giulia Museum have made it possible to create a homogenous exhibition route, taking visitors from the archaeological sectors of the museum to the Domus area. The Roman itinerary continues along via Musei with the imposing Theatre, the Capitoline Temple and the Republican Temple underneath it.

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The Lombard basilica of San Salvatore (one of the most important examples of religious art of the High Middle Ages and its crypt); the Romanesque Oratorio di Santa Maria in Solario (facing onto via Musei and built in the middle of the Twelfth Century); the Nuns’ choir, a noble frescoed room from which the enclosed Benedictine nuns of the Santa Giulia monastery have for centuries participated in religious celebrations whilst remaining hidden from the view of the congregation; the Sixteenth Century church of Santa Giulia and its cloisters.

The Museum is also home to the Winged Victory, a Greek bronze from the Third Century BC, made in Alexandria and taken to Rome as war booty. It has been adopted as the symbol of Brescia. The City Museum area is a must of every visit to Brescia

Santa Maria in SolarioIn the Twelfth Century, this was the nuns’ place of prayer. Today its frescoed walls and its ceiling, on which a starry sky is painted, are the framework in which another important symbol of Brescia is displayed: the Desiderio cross.

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There are many emotions to experience in the Santa Giulia Museum.

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The Santa Giulia Museum is part of a voyage through the history, art and spirituality of Brescia which goes from pre-historic times to the last century: there are more than 11,000 pieces on display, a “laboratory” museum in continuous growth and development. Our ideal voyage continues to Sirmione and Desenzano, where important remains of Roman civilisation are found and luxurious villas where the Romans liked to spent relaxing holidays.

We can also discover how peaceful it is to enjoy an afternoon at the spa, walk amongst the most ancient sites of our history, or even observe precious Roman ruins while swimming.

Every year the Santa Giulia Festival is held in Brescia before summer begins, in the ancient neighbourhood of Cittadella vecchia.

This event lasts for an entire weekend and renews the link between the city and the Saint, whose remains were preserved in the City Museum for a long time. The festival is a time for convivial meetings and appointments. Citizens, tourists and friends meet up to taste typical products, purchase local crafts and have fun reliving the jousts, tournaments and events in costume.

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The historical and archaeological value of Brescia’s ancient architecture is alone reason to travel to our city; but we are only at the beginning. Your cultural tour of Brescia includes splendidly preserved mosaics, Roman homes, noble villas and much, much more. The beauty of Brescia and its surrounding area has been celebrated by visiting artists and writers. The first was the Latin poet Catullus, a regular visitor to Sirmione, then Goethe on the Grand Tour, the English Romantic poets during their study trips and Italian men of letters such as D’Annunzio, Pascoli, Carducci and Fogazzaro.

In 1300, Emperor Henry VII of Luxembourg wrote “Brescia is not a city; it is a kingdom”, a kingdom that can be yours.

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The third highest dome in Italy surmounts the New Cathedral which dominates Piazza Paolo VI, one of Brescia’s three famous piazzas, each with its own distinctive architectural style. The New Cathedral was built between the Seventeenth Century and 1825; the Old Cathedral, with its circular design, is a rare example of Romanesque architecture of the Eleventh Century. A few metres away stands the Medieval Broletto Palace, topped by the Torre del Popolo. Other symbolic locations and obligatory stops for every visitor are Piazza della Loggia with the Venetian style Town Hall and Piazza della Vittoria, austere and rigorous and rationalist, enlivened today by colourful multi-ethnic market stalls. In the old town of Brescia, as well as the harmonious integration of various different architectural styles there is also a continuous exchange and cultural contamination between people of different nationalities and social backgrounds. It is enough to think that the area of corso Zanardelli, the elegant area dedicated to boutique shopping.

The 3 piazzas

Brescia’s important history is typified by a richness of styles and cultures; piazza Paolo VI and the three buildings which make it immediately recognisable are the most striking example.

A short distance beyond the remains of Roman Brescia, looking west, a large dome dominates

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The 3 piazzas

During the Middle Ages, Brescia castle, strategically built along the top of mount Cidneo (right at the urban centre) defended the city’s inhabitants from invasions and sieges. Since its restoration it has become the site for romantic walks to enjoy its panorama over the city and a lively location for cultural events. The Castle is home to the precious Luigi Marzoli Arms Museum and the Risorgimento Museum.

Brescia Castle

Mount Cidneo rises right in the centre of Brescia, on the north side of the city. An ancient vineyard demonstrates the strong link which exists between modernity and agricultural tradition. The vineyard beneath the Castle is the largest urban vineyard in the world, active within a city centre. The wine produced there is Pusterla Bianco, from invernenga grapes.

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The museum is also the main venue of a programme of exhibits of masters of modern painting such as Monet, Van Gogh, Turner, Mondrian and others. Hundreds of thousands of visitors come every year from Italy and abroad to visit these exhibits, whose success has made Brescia a privileged destination of cultural tourism.

In the nearby Tosio Martinengo Art Gallery, connected by a cultural red thread to the Santa Giulia museum, are on display the works of painters such as Titian, Raphäel and Dürer in a (successful) attempt to create a constant dialogue between the art of the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries, the original interpretation of great masters of the painting of Brescia such as Foppa, Moretto, Romanino, Savoldo and the works of masters of various different periods and styles such as Lotto, Ceruti, Celesti and others. The visitor is invited to compare and contrast.

There is also space for photography: the world’s top photographers participate in the international Biennal of Photography, organised in show rooms, museums and courtyards of palaces in the old town.

The Santa Giulia Museum - City Museum is an archaeological site of national importance and hosts modern internationa art exhibits.

Museum and Great Exhibitions

The Santa Giulia Museum is very unique

due to the richness and the diversity of

the exhibits on offer. The exhibition rooms of the museum host

the “Splendour of Art” cycle of exhibits

dedicated to absolute masters of modern and

contemporary art.

Art on displayTosio MartinengoArt GalleryThe masterpieces of Brescian painters, from the Thirteenth Century to Ceruti, are on view at the Tosio Martinengo art gallery.

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In chronological order one starts from Vincenzo Foppa, master of the Lombardy Renaissance and a contemporary of Bramante and Leonardo Da Vinci, (“colleagues” to whom he can justly be compared) and founder of a school of a realism which inspired Caravaggio. Gerolamo Savoldo was influenced by Venetian painting during the years he spent in Venice, which was a cradle of art at that time. Alessandro Bonvicino, known as il Moretto was a fine portraitist; the attention to detail and the harmony of his compositions were a result of his friendship with Titian and the influence he exercised on his professional formation.Gerolamo Romani, known as il Romanino, an artist attentive to the narrative aspect of his works, was a great master of the fresco technique. In the Eighteenth Century, Giacomo Ceruti, known as il Pitocchetto, chose plebeians, beggars and the poor as protagonists of his works thereby exploring the courageous reality and intense results which connect him conceptually with the work of Foppa.

The painters of Brescia: Art in Brescia is not just “imported”. As a matter of fact many artists from Brescia created masterpieces for the city.

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The Rock Engravings

In the middle of Valle Camonica, approximately one hour by car from the city of Brescia, you can discover a cultural and historic heritage of inestimable value: the Rock Engravings.

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For a long time the earth, the leaves, the shrubs and even the mountains of Valle Camonica hid over 300,000 pre-historical figures, now rediscovered through the contribution of local scholars and universities from around the world. The parks developed from this find and they are open to visitors of all kinds and all ages. For scientists, this is an area of exceptional interest as, despite the fact that the engravings are found not only in Valle Camonica but also in other areas in the Alps, there is nowhere else in Europe where there are so many of them and where they cover such an extensive period of time: 10,000 years. Research and study work continue using modern exploration techniques, supported by the contribution of the Centro Camuno di Studi Preistorici.

For students and groups of young explorers, these parks are a pleasurable surprise allowing participation in excursions where they learn to discover the rocks and to read their symbols, entering into a unique panorama of great intensity. As a matter of fact, it is thought that this area was identified by prehistoric priests as a symbolic place of mysticism.You can visit the Engravings with a professional guide or just walk freely, following easy routes which are well signposted throughout the great forests which cover Valle Camonica.Religion, history, mystery, and the magical mountain atmosphere combine to offer the visitor new, unique and unforgettable emotions.

Hundreds of millions of engravings, carved by man

onto large smooth surfaces, are kept inside a series of

national, regional and local parks, specifically established

to protect, value and study this precious discovery.

The Engravings date back to the Seventh millennium BC

and narrate the history of the ancient Camuni people, who

lived in this vast area; they document an ancient history

relatively unknown to us through the motifs of religion,

home, scenes of daily life and hunting.

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The villa displays many objects and various souvenirs of the famous poet. The Vittoriale House Museum is the most visited museum in Lombardy and this is not surprising when one considers the unique nature of this villa which, conserved exactly as the poet wished, reflects his unusual and passionate personality. As D’Annunzio himself wrote “everything must be a part of an inimitable life”. Visit the water gardens, the mausoleum, the reconstruction of the Puglia ship, the MAS anti-submarine motorboat. The villa itself contains various works of art and ancient books, but these are not the only attractions of Villa Vittoriale. An important series of events, from opera, to classical music to dance, takes place in the amphitheatre of the garden in the summer months. What better occasion could there be to spend an evening immersed in art, with the blue horizon of Lake Garda in the background?

The Vittoriale House Museum

Gabriele D’Annunzio was born in 1863 and died in Gardone Riviera in 1938. He was a highly acclaimed poet and is remembered also for his adventurous lifestyle and his libertine habits.

From 1921 to 1938 the Italian poet and war hero Gabriele D’Annunzio transformed the Eighteenth Century Villa Cargnacco, in Gardone Riviera on the shores of Lake Garda, into a self-celebratory museum.

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Casa del PodestàThe Casa del Podestà is located in Lonato, an ancient municipality just a few minutes from Desenzano. It was built in the middle of the Fifteenth Century as the representative offices of Venice, the city which dominated much of northern Italy and which was responsible for government in these regions for more than 350 years, leaving indelible signs of its domination also in the major piazzas of Brescia. In 1906, this building was purchased at public auction by a local politician, Ugo Da Como, who had it restored to give it back its ancient dignity and make it into both a museum and a private home, according to a fashion which was very widespread in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries. Inside the complex there is a splendid library, a true paradise for scholars and a delight for visitors. Among paintings, ancient furniture and objects of value, you can also admire the smallest book in the world. The house is located in the old town of Lonato and today is part of a monumental complex of extraordinary beauty, dominated by the majestic Rocca.

The Lonato castle, commonly know as the Rocca, sits atop a hill overlooking nearby Lake Garda. The Rocca is one of the best preserved and most imposing fortifications of all of Lombardy, with an irregular design measuring 180 metres in length and on average 45 metres in width. A gate and a drawbridge introduce a curious discovery: inside the Captain’s House (in the Rocca) you will find a collection of stuffed birds, the Civic Ornithological Museum of Lonato. The specimens are well preserved, despite being more than a century old. They were prepared by a renowned Italian taxidermist, Marco Gianese. In the summer, the Rocca is home to many cultural events, including a medieval dinner, with acrobats, fire eaters and actors in costume.

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Freedom to explore

There is another art and history itinerary. The Romanico sul Garda project takes us to visit Medieval parishes, such as the church of Sant’Andrea a Maderno, one of the most important Romanesque churches of the area or the church of San Pietro in Mavino, in Sirmione (both date from the Twelfth Century).

Discover the churches in Valle Camonica.Our voyage leads us to the discovery of miniscule Brescian art treasures, found in country churches which were once the framework of the development of the delicate mountain economy. We are far from the echoes of mass tourism and the visitor will be surprised by the beauty of these places which reveal a deep, simple and sincere faith. We can follow masterpieces of painting starting from the sanctuary of Santa Maria della Neve (Our Lady of the Snow), in Pisogne, with its extraordinary series of frescoes of the Passion of Christ completed in 1530 by il Romanino, and arrive at the church of Santa Maria Assunta in Esine, one of the most delightful examples of local painting. We can follow the ancient art of wood sculpture (very widespread in our mountains), starting from the exquisite Via Crucis sanctuary in Cerveno, with fourteen stations of the cross displaying 198 statues carved in the middle of the Eighteenth Century, or visit the wooden pulpit at Pieve di Santa Maria Nascente, in Edolo, in the shadow of the highest church tower of the entire Valle Camonica. Every church, even the smallest chapel, is a tiny museum, an aspect of our long history. Don’t forget to visit the enchanting village of Bienno, to admire the ancient mills and moulds, the towers and the frescoes in S.M. Annunciata Church.

Discover art nouveau on Lake GardaThe area which goes from Salò to Gargnano is home to some splendid art nouveau villas. Some of these are fine restaurants and hotels today where you can dine overlooking the lake or just enjoy the sun in one of the abundant gardens, observing squirrels playing on the grass. Other villas today function as art galleries, flower markets or they host exhibits of local wines, gastronomy and local traditions. In the summer, it is quite delightful to visit the lake by boat.

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Aldo Cibaldi Gallery of Children’s Art

Also known as PInAC, this is a children’s art gallery. The freedom and expression of the children is found in many examples of artworks on display in Rezzato, not far from Brescia, where it is possible to appreciate and study the universal language of art which spiritually unites children of all cultures. This is the only art gallery of its kind in Europe which guarantees creative expression and an approach to art specifically tailored to children and any adults who may be interested.

Flos is a market leader in the field of light design, working with top international artists such as Achille Castiglioni and Philippe Starck. The Pietro Beretta gun factory is one of the most ancient firms of its kind in the world and has been in business since 1400. In the field of fashion, the tie designer Luca Roda is one of the most successful examples of made in Italy and made in Brescia.

Brescia is also home to celebrated and prestigious

industries.

San Pietro in Lamosa monasteryToday it is possible to visit the monastery and its frescoes which date from 1300 to 1500. The panoramic view of the surrounding vineyards make this place one of the most fascinating corners of the Franciacorta area.

Info, hotel, booking:www.bresciatourism.itGRAPHIC DESIGN:

CLERICI & ASSOCIATI, BRESCIA

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THANKS TO: ADAMELLO SKI, AGROITTICA CALVISANO, BARONE PIZZINI - RISTORANTE S. GIULIA, BOGLIACO GOLF, BRESCIAMUSEI, CENTRO COMMERCIALE LE PORTE FRANCHE, COMUNE DI BAGOLINO, COMUNE DI BRESCIA - UFFICIO TURISMO, CONSORZIO TUTELA FRANCIACORTA, CONSORZIO OLIO DOP DEI LAGHI LOMBARDI, CONSORZIO BOTTICINO DOC, CONSORZIO OPERATORI TURISTICI LAGO DI IDRO, CONSORZIO PRO LOCO CAMUNO-SABINE, DISTILLERIE FRANCIACORTA, FESTIVAL PIANISTICO INT. A.B. MICHELANGELI, FONDAZIONE ANDRÉ HELLER, FONDAZIONE IL VITTORIALE DEGLI ITALIANI, FONDAZIONE UGO DA COMO, FRANCIACORTA OUTLET VILLAGE, GARDAGOLF, LA PAMPA - AGRITURISMO, MUSEO MILLE MIGLIA, PINACOTECA INT. DELL’ETÁ EVOLUTIVA, PINACOTECA PALAZZO MARTINENGO, PALAZZO ARZAGA, RISTORANTE CASCINA CAPUZZA, RISTORANTE ESPLANADE, RISTORANTE IL VOLTO, RISTORANTE LE DUE COLOMBE, RUGBY CALVISANO, STRADE DEI VINI S.MARTINO D/B, TEATRO GRANDE, TENDER SURF, TERME DI ANGOLO, TERME DI BOARIO, TERME DI SIRMIONE - AQUARIA, VILLA FELTRINELLI

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ENITAgenzia Nazionale del Turismo

Comune di Brescia

Regione LombardiaTurismo

Provincia di Brescia