10 reasons to visit Brescia

Two cathedrals. The monumental area of the Roman Forum. The lakes of the Iseo and Garda. 10 good reasons to visit Brescia

Do you need 10 good reasons to visit Brescia? Let us give you a few suggestions. After trying the reasons we mention in our list, only 10 will not be enough to visit this peculiar corner of the country.

Start with its two cathedrals: the Duomo Vecchio and Nuovo, they stand next to each other and display completely different architectural styles. The former was built in a romanic style while the latter in a baroque and neoclassical one.

"Lombards in Italy: places of power" is the title granted to a series of landmarks in the historic center, labelled as a World Heritage Site by Unesco. The monumental area of the Roman Forum is one of the largest and best preserved public buildings from this age.

Pass along the elegant Renaissance of the City Hall and admire the tower with its astronomical clock.

Climb to the top of mount Cidneo and reach the Castle of Brescia. It harbors two museums and a good view of the local and surrounding scenery.

Automotive enthusiasts will appreciate the Mille Miglia Museum, dedicated to the legendary vintage car race devised to retrace the stages of this competition.

If you wish some peace and quiet, go to the lakes of the Iseo and Garda, encircled by mountains and the vineyards of Franciacorta and the thermal baths of Sirmione.

It's a city with two cathedrals — There's the Old and New Cathedral, one in front of the other. Boasting extraordinary architectural features and incredible artwork, both Cathedrals are worth a visit. Between the two you'll uncover the stately and beautifully decorated dome, an altar by Jacopo Palma the younger, historic pipe organs in the New Cathedral and the San Filastro Crypt and Santa Maria Theater in the Old Cathedral.

There's a UNESCO Site downtown — The monumental Roman Forum area, the monastery of San Salvatore and Santa Giulia have been declared as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, making them part of the "Lombards in Italy: places of power" complex. It's not too hard to see why once you visit them. The archaeological structure is one of the largest and best preserved Roman public buildings while the basilica that was commissioned by Desiderio is a unique example of late-medieval architecture.

It guards great treasures — Just enter the Church of Santa Maria in Solario to be amazed by the extraordinary beauty of Floriano Ferramola's frescoes that embellish its walls as well as the the sacellum. The Cross of Desiderio stands at the center, a masterpiece of Lombard jewelry skillfully crafted with gems, cameos and tinted glass. Both can be seen in the Santa Giulia Museum, which guards prestigious funerary monuments such as the Martinengo Mausoleum.

You can get your adrenaline fix here — Are you passionate about vintage cars? Brescia is the city for you. Here you can follow the history of the legendary Mille Miglia race in a dedicated museum featuring cars, artifacts, and plenty of pictures.

It combines elegance, history, and tradition — Piazza della Loggia is without a doubt one of the city's most beautiful squares. It's easily spotted thanks to the "Palazzo della Loggia", a Renaissance building which serves as the City Hall. The real attraction, however, is the astronomical clock tower located in front of the Lodge. You can check out the Macc dè lé ure ("lunatics of the hour" in Brescian dialect), two bronze machines that ring a bell at each given hour.

The lakeside attractions are gorgeous — Brescia is famous for its lakes surrounded by mountains and vineyard-covered hills. Start at Lake Iseo, with the charming towns of Lovere and Pisogne. Take a boat and head to the island of Monte Isola, where you can enjoy the local fishermen villages, olive groves and admire the panoramic view from the heights of the Ceriola Sanctuary. Then head over to Lake Garda, famous for its citrus orchards and renowned tourist locations: Desenzano and the Thermal baths of Sirmione, just to mention a few.

The view from the Castle — Start at the old city and go to the top of the Cidneo to reach the Brescia Castle, one of the best preserved fortresses in Northern Italy. Inside you'll find the interesting Museum of Italian Unification and the Museum of Weapons, although the real spectacle is offered by nature: the extraordinary view of the city is unforgettable.

Its precious sparkling wines — Orderly vineyards, aristocratic mansions, famous wineries and DOCG wines. What else can you wish for? You can discover all this at the Franciacorta hillside area and the sparkling wines of Lake Iseo.

Its appetizing cuisine — Due to its fine wine, the Franciacorta, and robust, forthright cooking, Brescia is ideal for gourmands. Visitors can go chasing restaurants and trattorias to find casoncelli, Risotto a la Pitocca and great cheeses like Rosa Camuna, the Bagòs and many others.

The Vate awaits — A extraordinary man used to live on the shoreside of Lake Garda: Gabriele D'Annunzio. The Italian writer, poet and aviator commissioned here the Vittoriale degli Italiani, more than a home, a monument in honor of an unparalleled life. Have you ever seen a ship rise in the middle of the forest? And a submarine from the early twenties? Welcome to the world of D'Annunzio.

Lecco in a weekend

Discover Lecco in 48 hours, starting from the traces of a timeless novel, “The Betrothed”. A story within the story

Lifestyle

From Varese to Lake Maggiore

Discovering Varese and Lake Maggiore in 72 hours. A long weekend in the countryside

Lifestyle

Summertime in Lecco

When the days get warm, refresh yourself going to the lake or to the mountains: Lecco offers a lot of outdoor activities

Lifestyle

2 hearts on the slopes

Dream Valmalenco: glamping, romanticism and uniqueness.

Lifestyle

Winter Lombardy

Many initiatives, activities, cultural and sporting proposals that will make you love the cold

Lifestyle

Lombardy Belvederes and Vistas

Scene from above. Milan, Upper Bergamo, Brescia, the lakes. Towers, castles, belvederes. Discover the most beautiful views of Lombardy

Lifestyle

Como, streets of silk

The Capital of silk built on the mastery of the weaving mills, printers and silk producers of the Lario valley

Lifestyle

10 good reasons to visit Lodi

Lifestyle

Navigli milanesi and Darsena

Historical/cultural tour of the Navigli Milanesi

Lifestyle

Towards the Upper Oltrepò

An itinerary travelling through ancient villages, mountain landscapes and gourmandise

Lifestyle

Varese in a weekend

From the gardens of Palazzo Estense to the infinite vistas of the Sacro Monte. 48 hours to discover a city on a human scale

Lifestyle

Paolo sarpi a little bit of china in milan

Oriental atmospheres, Asian deliciousness in this suggestive corner of China in Milan

Lifestyle

Como in a weekend

A mediaeval heart for the city that loves science and design with light. Discover Como in 48 hours. Without ever losing sight of the lake

Lifestyle

10 places to instagram in Lombardy

Lombardy has so many locations with perfect scenarios to immortalise and share on Instagram. How many do you know?

Lifestyle

Castles and Rice Paddies

A tour of Castles and Rice Paddies in search of a land of exquisite beauty

Lifestyle

Bergamo to Lake Iseo

Seventy-two hours to discover Bergamo Alta and Lake Iseo, culture, bike rides and delicious tastings

Lifestyle

Mantua and Sabbioneta itinerary

Relax and take some time to stroll through the streets and buildings of the World Heritage cities

Lifestyle

10 Good reasons to visit Lecco

Lifestyle

Summertime in Pavia

A boat trip along the river Ticino, a walk in the shade of the city oases and parks

Lifestyle

Made in Brianza

Furnishings, design, textiles, gastronomy. Brianza is - and always has been - synonymous with “know-how”.

Lifestyle