Brescia, a guided tour of the historical city centre

BRESCIA:
(full day trip)

Departure from the hotel (time to be determined). Arrival in Brescia and start of the guided walking tour. Here you will visit the Roman and Longobard part of the city, with the Capitolium, Piazza del Foro, the Roman Theatre and the fourth cell of the Republican Sanctuary, a remarkably well-preserved monument where frescoed walls, mosaic floors and even some furniture have survived: a unique case in the whole northern Italy. Next you will visit Museo di Santa Giulia, whose 14,000 sqm exhibition area epitomises the art, history and spirituality of the city, from the prehistoric era to today. The guided tour encompasses the Domus dell’Ortaglia, the Longobard Church of San Salvatore, the Cross of King Desiderius, the statue of the Winged Victory, the Choir of the Nuns and the Church of Santa Maria in Solario. Lunch: free time.

In the afternoon, you can admire the New Cathedral, Palazzo Broletto and Piazza Loggia, the greatest evidence of Venice’s dominion over Brescia being given by Palazzo della Loggia and Sacro Monte di Pieta, whose 15th century façade features several Roman tombstones and an astronomical clock.  Visit the Church of St. John the Evangelist and admire the famous chapel frescoed by Romanino and Moretto, prominent artists from Brescia in the early 1500s. These two great artists challenged one another to produce one of the most famous masterpieces in Lombardy. Next on the itinerary is Piazza Vittoria with its fascist architecture by Piacentini. Return to the hotel in the evening.