Eco Hotel a Brescia

Brescia is one of Italy’s most underrated cities — a magnificent Lombard capital with more Roman ruins than almost anywhere outside Rome itself. Known as the “Leonessa d’Italia” (Lioness of Italy) for its fierce resistance during the 1849 Ten Days uprising against Austrian rule, Brescia rewards visitors with layers of history stretching back over two thousand years. The centrepiece is the UNESCO-listed archaeological area along Via dei Musei, where the Capitolium — a remarkably preserved Roman temple built in 73 AD under Emperor Vespasian — stands beside the remains of the Teatro Romano and the Republican-era Sanctuary. This extraordinary complex was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011 as part of “The Longobards in Italy: Places of Power.”

But Brescia is far more than ancient stones. The city boasts one of Italy’s finest museum complexes in Santa Giulia, housed within a Lombard-era monastery founded in 753 AD by the last Lombard king, Desiderius. The collection spans Bronze Age finds through to contemporary art, including the famous Winged Victory — a monumental 1st-century bronze statue discovered in the Capitolium. The Pinacoteca Tosio Martinengo holds works by Raphael, Foppa, Moretto, and Romanino, placing Brescia firmly on the art-lover’s map. And then there’s the Castello di Brescia, one of the largest fortified complexes in Italy, crowning Cidneo Hill with panoramic views over the city to the Alps beyond.

In Breve

Come Sfruttare al Meglio Brescia

Brescia sits at the crossroads of northern Italy’s most compelling destinations. The legendary Franciacorta wine region — Italy’s answer to Champagne — is just 20 kilometres west, producing world-class sparkling wines amid rolling vineyards and medieval estates. Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy, lies only 35 kilometres east, offering dramatic cliffs, lemon groves, and charming lakeside towns like Sirmione and Desenzano. Milan is 85 kilometres west (under an hour by fast train), Verona 65 kilometres east, and Bergamo 50 kilometres northwest. The city itself is best explored on foot — the historic centre is compact, with the main sights clustered along Via dei Musei and around Piazza della Loggia. Allow at least two full days to properly explore the museums, castle, and piazzas. The Brescia Card offers combined entry to the main museums and is excellent value. For the Mille Miglia vintage car race (typically mid-June), book accommodation well in advance as the city fills completely.