Stop 1: Santa Maria dei Miricoli
Following a plague that afflicted Brescia between 1480 and 1484, there were rumours that a votive fresco depicting the Madonna and Child in
front of a house in the San Nazario quarter had developed miraculous powers. On the wave of popular religious fervour, the Catholic church
began negotiations in 1486 for the purchase of the house. In 1488, the construction of the church began. The interior, but not the façade,
of the church was severely damaged by bombardment during the Second World War. The exterior was protected by wooden scaffolding. The interior
has been subsequently restored.
Stop 2: Torre della Pallata
Built in 1254, the tower has a square base in Botticino stone to protect the Porta di San Giovanni located on the first medieval city wall. It
is the only fortress structure of the wall that has survived to this day. In the 15th century, other ornamental elements were added, such as
the clock in 1461, or in the upper part,
the terracotta battlements and the small tower, added between 1476 and 1481. The name "pallata" comes from a palisade erected as a defense. On the
western side of the tower the fountain of the rivers has been present since 1597. The fountain is made up of an architectural composition in which
four allegorical statues are inserted, of which the two at the bottom represent the divinities of the two main rivers of Brescia: the Mella (on
the left) and the Garza (on the right). Other versions attribute these two figures to allegories of Lake Garda and Lake Iseo respectively. The
resistance of its decorative elements, which have remained unchanged over the centuries, perhaps due to the fame enjoyed by this architectural
element, launches a further hypothesis on its name. The name "Pallata" in fact would be traced back to a deformation of the name Pallas, i.e. the
goddess Athena , perhaps due to the presence of material from the Roman era reused for its construction.
Stop 3: Piazza della Loggia
This square includes several importent buildings.
Palazzo della Loggia with large arcades and three wide arches, has a façade in Botticino marble, interspersed with columns and pilasters with
rich sculptural decorations. It is now the city hall. Inside, we recommend you see the Council Chamber, the Sala Giunta and the Salone Vanvitelliano,
accessed via a splendid staircase. Admission is free.
Torretta dell'Orologio (Clock Tower) on the south side of the square houses an old astronomical clock from the end of the 15th century. It is
surmounted by the famous “matti delle ore”: two mechanised copper automatons that beat the hours on the bronze bell with a hammer. At the foot of the
Torretta dell'Orologio a stele commemorates the victims of the Piazza della Loggia bombing of 28 May 1974.
Stop 4: Piazza Paolo IV
This plaza is the site of both the old and new cathedrals.
Torre del Pelgo Torre del Pegol is located in Palazzo del Broletto at the corner of the plaza. The date of construction is unknown, but some
12th-century manuscripts show the tower's resistance to an earthquake. The building, built of stone, has a height of about 54 meters and consists of
four clearly visible levels. After the various renovations, since 2007 the tower is open to the public again.
Fontana della Minerva. Built in 1818, this fountain is "only" a couple hundred years old.
The Old Duomo. Duomo Vecchio was built starting from 1100 by a very old Corporation of specialised masons. Also called “Rotunda” for its circular
shape, it is the official co-cathedral of Brescia together with Duomo Nuovo. In the transept under the floor you can see fragments of the prior basilica
(6th century) and a Roman spa; in the central part of the church there are mid-13th century frescoes, while the right side displays a large canvas by
Francesco Maffei depicting a bell tower which later collapsed. The crypt of San Filastrio under Duomo Vecchio is open to visitors. It was part of the
prior 8th century church.
The New Duomo. Duomo Nuovo was built on the remains of the old San Pietro de Dom church starting from 1604. It has a splendid Baroque façade in
Botticino marble and a rather complicated history: due to financial difficulties, construction was delayed and the Cathedral was completed only in 1825
with the dome, the third tallest in Italy.
Stop 5: Piazza del Foro
Parco Archeologico di Brixia Romana. The itinerary through the ancient town offered by Roman Brescia’s archaeological area is one of the most
significant and best preserved in north Italy. The area comprises the Republican era Roman sanctuary (1st century BC), the Imperial era remains of
the Capitolium temple (AD 73) with 19th century museum additions, the Winged Victory statue plus some of the other ancient bronzes, and the Roman
theatre (1st-3rd century AD).
Click here for more information.
Stop 6: Brescia Castle
The castle, also known as Falcone d'Italia (Falcon of Italy), is located on top of the Cidneo Hill. Built between the 13th and the 16th century it
is one amongst the largest castles in Italy. The main entrance is a 16th century neoclassical gate.Over the gare is the Lion of St. Mark, the symbol
of Venice which controlled Brescia. The Mirabella Tower is one of the oldest parts of the castle complex, said to have been built over Roman ruins.
Take cab back to train station.