Several peoples have inhabited Brescia: Ligures, Etruscans, Celts, Romans, Longobards, Venetians, French, Austrians. It is not surprising that the city also abounds with historical and artistic milestones. Many date back to the domination of the Most Serene Republic of Venice, when Brescia was a staging post on the commercial routes: this is the case of the magnificent 16^th-century palaces overlooking Piazza della Loggia. Yet, the remains of Brixia, the Roman colony, and the monastic complex of San Salvatore-Santa Giulia from the Longobard era testify to the ancient origins of this territory. Such rich heritage is reflected in the food and wine traditions of Brescia, since most delicious dishes originated as early as the Middle Ages and Renaissance, as well as in the shopping streets of the city, among local markets, fashion houses and antique dealers.

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Art and Culture

Brescia is one of the Italian cities with the highest concentration of churches in its urban area, and one of the richest Roman archaeological sites. Its flagship are however the monastic complex of San Salvatore - Santa Giulia and the Capitolium archaeological site, important monumental evidence of the Longobard age, which in 2011 have become Unesco World Heritage Sites. ...read on

Food Trails

A cuisine dominated by rich and savoury flavours that includes dishes such as Brescia casonsei (sausage and cheese filled ravioli), polenta with birds, hare stew, filled pigeon à la Bresciana, persicata, the much praised Violino di Capra goat prosciutto, or rice à la campagnola. But it is the fine perlage of Franciacorta, the champenoise spumante wine, which is definitely the protagonist on the city tables. ...read on

Shopping

In Brescia, you can find great shopping areas in the most elegant part of the city. In Corso Palestro, for example, with its paved stone street, its 16^th-century houses, and the refined boutiques, as also in Corso Cavour, with its ethnic and furniture shops, or Corso Zanardelli with its porticoed walkway. Gourmets can find small traditional shops to hoard up cheeses or Satèn Millesimati wines from Franciacorta. ...read on

Offers

Offers and deals to discover local culture. Numerous theme packages designed for families, couples, elderly people, and children are available. ...read on