Brescia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brescia Brèsa  (Lombard)
Comune
Città di Brescia
Clockwise from top: night view of Brescia with the New Cathedral and the Tower of Pégol (right); castle of Brescia; Capitolium (UNESCO Heritage); panorama of Brescia; Old Cathedral; and Piazza della Loggia
Flag Coat of arms
Motto(s):  Brixia fidelis ("Brescia the faithful")
Country	Italy
Region	Lombardy
Province	Province of Brescia (BS)
First settlement: Celtic settlement: Roman settlement:	1200 BC 7th century BC 89 BC
Area
• Total	90.3 km2 (34.9 sq mi)
Elevation	149 m (489 ft)
Highest elevation	874 m (2,867 ft)
Lowest elevation	104 m (341 ft)
Population  (1 January 2019)
• Total	200,423
• Density	2,219.5/km2 (5,749/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Bresciano Bresà (Brescian dialect) Brescian (English)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	25121-25136
Dialing code	030
Patron saint	Sts. Faustino and Giovita
Saint day	15 February

Brescia is a lively city in Lombardy, a region in northern Italy. It sits at the base of the Alps mountains, close to the beautiful Lake Garda and Lake Iseo. With over 200,000 people, Brescia is the second-largest city in Lombardy. It's also the main city of the Province of Brescia, which is one of Italy's biggest provinces.

This ancient city was founded over 3,200 years ago. In Roman times, it was called Brixia. Today, its old town has some of the best-preserved Roman buildings in northern Italy. You can also find a medieval castle, two cathedrals (one old, one new), and famous squares like Piazza della Loggia from the Renaissance period.

Brescia is known as an important industrial city. It's famous for making metal parts, machine tools, and even firearms. It's also the starting and ending point for the famous Mille Miglia classic car race. Because of its strong spirit, the city was nicknamed Leonessa d'Italia ("The Lioness of Italy"). In 2023, Brescia was even named the "Italian Capital of Culture" along with Bergamo. The area is also known for delicious Franciacorta sparkling wine and Italian caviar.

History of Brescia

Brescia has a long and exciting history, full of ancient myths, powerful empires, and brave citizens.

Ancient Times

Many old stories tell how Brescia began. Some say the hero Hercules founded it. Others believe it was built by someone escaping the famous city of Troy, calling it Altilia (meaning "the other Ilium"). Another story says the Ligures people, who lived in Italy a long time ago, founded it around 1200 BCE. This last story might be true, as archaeologists have found remains of a settlement from that time on a hill called Colle Cidneo, where the medieval castle now stands.

Later, in the 7th century BCE, the Gallic Cenomani people took over and made Brescia their capital. The city became part of the Roman world in 225 BCE. Brescia, then called 'Brixia', was a loyal friend to the Romans, even helping them fight against other Celtic groups. Because of this loyalty, Brixia joined the Roman Empire peacefully and kept some of its freedom.

In 89 BCE, Brixia was officially recognized as a "city." Its people became Roman citizens in 41 BCE. Roman emperors like Augustus and Tiberius built important things here, including an aqueduct to bring water. Roman Brixia had temples, a theater, a forum, and baths.

Over time, the city faced many attacks. In 402 CE, the Visigoths attacked, and in 452 CE, the Huns besieged and looted it. Later, the Gothic general Theoderic the Great conquered it.

The Middle Ages

The castle of Brescia

In 568 CE, the Lombards took Brescia from the Byzantines and made it an important center. Many Lombard dukes ruled here, including future kings. The last Lombard king, Desiderius, was also the Duke of Brescia.

In 774 CE, Charlemagne captured the city, ending the Lombard kingdom in northern Italy. Brescia slowly became a free commune (a self-governing city) around the early 12th century. It grew by taking over nearby lands and fighting against neighboring cities like Bergamo and Cremona.

Around 1138, a monk named Arnold of Brescia led a revolt against the local bishop. Arnold believed the Church should be simpler and less involved in politics. This caused problems in the city, and Arnold was eventually exiled from Italy. He continued to share his ideas, but he never returned to Brescia.

The Pallata Tower

During the 12th and 13th centuries, Brescia was often involved in conflicts between the Lombard cities and the Holy Roman emperors. Brescia's soldiers were a significant part of the Lombard army that won the Battle of Legnano. After this, the city officially became a free commune. However, powerful families soon began to fight for control.

In 1406, Pandolfo III Malatesta took over Brescia, but he later sold it to the Venetians in 1426. The Venetians ruled Brescia for a long time, except for a brief period when the French conquered it in 1512.

Early Modern Times

Map of Brescia in the early 18th century

The dome of the New Cathedral

In the early 1500s, Brescia was one of the richest cities in Lombardy. However, it suffered greatly when the French attacked and looted it in 1512 during a war. This event, known as the "Sack of Brescia," caused a lot of damage and loss of life. The French occupied the city until 1520, when Venetian rule returned.

Brescia also played a big part in the history of the violin. From the late 1400s to the mid-1600s, Brescia was home to many skilled instrument makers. They created different stringed instruments, and the word "violin" appeared in Brescia documents as early as 1530.

In 1769, a huge explosion rocked the city. Lightning struck a building where a lot of gunpowder was stored. This caused a massive blast that destroyed a large part of Brescia and tragically killed many people.

19th Century and Beyond

Piazza della Vittoria, an example of Italian rationalism, built between 1927 and 1932 by the architect Marcello Piacentini

After the time of Napoleon Bonaparte, Brescia became part of a state controlled by Austria in 1815. But the people of Brescia wanted to be free. They revolted in 1848 and again in March 1849. During this time, the citizens bravely fought against the Austrian army for ten days in bloody street battles. This amazing resistance earned Brescia the nickname "Leonessa d'Italia" ("Italian Lioness").

In 1859, Italian troops took control, and Brescia became part of the new Kingdom of Italy. The city was later honored with a gold medal for its strong resistance against Fascism during World War II.

Geography of Brescia

Panoramic view of the city

Brescia is located in a flat area called the Po Valley, but it's also at the foot of the Brescian Prealps. It sits between two rivers, the Mella and the Naviglio, and is close to Lake Iseo and Lake Garda. The southern part of the city is flat, while the northern part has hills. The highest point in the city is Monte Maddalena at 874 meters above sea level.

The city center is busy with homes and businesses. Around it, a large urban area has grown, connecting Brescia with many nearby towns.

From left to right: panoramic views of the city from South and from West, panoramic view of the city centre and the business district

Climate in Brescia

Brescia has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has warm, humid summers and moderately cold winters. The average yearly temperature is about 13.7°C.

Winters are not too harsh, with some snow, but it usually doesn't stay long. Summers can be hot and humid, with temperatures sometimes reaching 35°C. Spring and autumn are generally pleasant. The city can experience fog in winter mornings, but this has become less common. Rain is spread out throughout the year, with May usually being the wettest month.

People of Brescia

In 2015, about 196,480 people lived in Brescia. The city's population grew by 3.9% between 2011 and 2015.

Brescia is a diverse city with people from many different countries. In 2018, about 12% of the residents were born outside Italy. Many come from other European countries like Romania and Ukraine. Others come from South Asia (like India and Pakistan) and North Africa. Most people in Brescia are Roman Catholic, but due to immigration, there are also Orthodox Christians, Sikhs, and Muslims.

Foreign residents as of 2018      Italian (88.2%)     European (9.2%)     African (2.0%)     Asian (0.2%)     Latin American (0.3%)     Other (0.1%)

Country of foreign nationality Population at 1 January 2020  Romania 4,588  Pakistan 3,616  Ukraine 2,870  Moldova 2,427  China 2,397  Egypt 2,193  India 2,178  Albania 2,014  Sri Lanka 1,707  Philippines 1,624  Morocco 1,283  Bangladesh 1,208  Senegal 1,050 others each <1,000

Main Sights in Brescia

Brescia's old town is full of amazing art and history. It has many monuments from ancient times to today.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Monumental area with the monastic complex of San Salvatore-Santa Giulia

UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Capitolium in the Roman forum
Location	Brescia, Italy
Part of	Longobards in Italy. Places of the Power (568–774 A.D.)
Criteria	Cultural: (ii), (iii), (vi)
Inscription	2011 (35th Session)
Area	3.75 ha (0.0145 sq mi)
Buffer zone	84.13 ha (0.3248 sq mi)

In 2011, UNESCO added a special area in Brescia to its World Heritage List. This area includes a Roman forum and a monastery complex. It's part of a group of sites called "Longobards in Italy: Places of Power (568–774 A.D.)".

Roman Forum Area

This archaeological site has some of the best-preserved Roman public buildings in northern Italy. It includes:

• Republican Sanctuary: This is the oldest part of the Roman forum, built in the 1st century BC. It has four rooms with original mosaic floors and wall paintings. These paintings are so well-preserved they are like those found in Pompeii.
• Capitolium of Brixia: This was the main temple in the city, built in 73 AD. It was dedicated to three Roman gods. Inside, you can still see parts of the colorful marble floors. A beautiful bronze statue of a winged Victory was found here in 1826.
• Roman Theatre: Located next to the Capitolium, this theater was built in the 1st century AD. It was one of the largest Roman theaters in northern Italy, holding about 15,000 people. Earthquakes damaged it, and later buildings were built on top of its ruins.

San Salvatore-Santa Giulia Monastery

Monastic complex of San Salvatore-Santa Giulia

The interior of the church of Santa Maria in Solario with the Cross of Desiderius

Domus dell'Ortaglia, remains of a group of ancient Roman domus

This old monastery complex is now the Museo di Santa Giulia, a museum with about 11,000 artworks and ancient finds. It includes:

• Basilica of San Salvatore: Built in 753 by a Lombard duke, this church is a great example of early medieval architecture in Italy. It has beautiful art, including paintings from the Carolingian age.
• Church of Santa Maria in Solario: This chapel was built in the mid-12th century. It has a unique square base with an octagonal top. Inside, you can see frescoes and two important treasures: the Brescia Casket (a small ivory box from the 4th century) and the Cross of Desiderius, decorated with 212 precious gems.
• The Nuns' Choir: This part of the complex was built in the late 1400s and early 1500s. It's decorated with frescoes and holds important tombs from the Venetian era.
• Church of Santa Giulia: Built between 1593 and 1599, this church has a beautiful marble front. It's now used as a conference room.

Underneath the monastery's former garden, you can find the Domus dell'Ortaglia. These are the remains of Roman houses from the 1st to 4th centuries, some of the best-preserved in northern Italy.

Other Interesting Sights

Palazzo Monte di Pietà in Piazza della Loggia and the Torre dell'Orologio with the astronomical clock

The two cathedrals of Brescia: the Old (at right) and the New (at left)

The church of San Faustino and Giovita

The Monumental Cemetery and the Lighthouse of Brescia

Teatro Grande

Piazza Arnaldo

A view of Brescia Due with its skyscrapers: the tallest one is the Crystal Palace.

• Piazza della Loggia: This beautiful Renaissance square features the Palazzo della Loggia, which is the current Town Hall. On one side, you'll see the Torre dell'Orologio (Clock Tower) with a large astronomical clock. Two copper figures on top strike the hours!
• Duomo Vecchio: Also known as La Rotonda, this circular Romanesque church from the 11th century is very old. It houses important artworks by famous painters.
• Duomo Nuovo: This grand cathedral was started in 1604 and finished much later in 1825. It has beautiful frescoes and an important altar piece.
• Broletto: This 12th and 13th-century building was once the Town Hall. It has a tall tower called the "Tower of Pégol," whose bells used to call citizens during emergencies.
• Piazza della Vittoria: Built between 1927 and 1932, this square is an example of Italian Art Déco architecture. It features the Torrione INA, which was Italy's first skyscraper.
• Castle of Brescia: Also called Falcone d'Italia ("falcon of Italy"), this large castle sits on Cidneo Hill. It offers amazing views of the city. Inside, you can find an Arms Museum with old weapons and a museum about Italy's independence wars.
• Santa Maria dei Miracoli: This church, built between 1488 and 1523, has a beautiful front decorated with sculptures. It's considered a jewel of Renaissance art.
• San Faustino e Giovita: This church is known for its fresco showing the Apotheosis of Sts Faustino, Jovita, Benedict and Scholastica.
• Monumental Cemetery: This is the largest cemetery in Brescia, designed in 1813. It features the "Lighthouse of Brescia," a 60-meter-tall structure.
• Teatro Grande: This opera house has been renovated many times over the centuries. Its name, "Grande" (Big), comes from a tribute to Napoleon Bonaparte. It's a national monument.
• Biblioteca Queriniana: A library with rare old manuscripts, including a 14th-century book by Dante.
• Brescia Due: A modern business district in the southern part of the city. The tallest building here is the Crystal Palace, which is 110 meters tall.

Brescia is also known for its many public fountains, with no fewer than seventy-two throughout the city!

Museums in Brescia

Pinacoteca Tosio Martinengo: Angel by Raphael

Brescia has many interesting museums to explore:

• Museo di Santa Giulia (Santa Giulia Museum): This is the city's main museum, located in the old San Salvatore-Santa Giulia monastery. It has a rich collection of Roman artifacts. One highlight is a bronze statue of a winged Victory. You can also see the remains of two Roman houses right inside the museum!
• Pinacoteca Tosio Martinengo: This is the city's art gallery. It displays works by famous Renaissance painters from Brescia.
• Museo della Mille Miglia (Mille Miglia Museum): Located in a former monastery, this museum celebrates the history of the famous 1000-mile car race from Brescia to Rome and back. It features classic cars, films, and memorabilia.
• Museo Diocesano di Brescia (Diocesan Museum of Brescia): This museum has a collection of sacred artworks, including paintings, old manuscripts, and church clothing.
• Museo Nazionale della fotografia (National Museum of Photography): Here you can see a collection of old cameras, film equipment, and about 60,000 photographs.
• Museo delle Armi "Luigi Marzoli" ("Luigi Marzoli" Arms Museum): Located in the Castle, this museum has one of Europe's most important collections of old armor and weapons from the 15th to the 19th century.
• Collezione Paolo VI – arte contemporanea (Paul VI Collection – Contemporary Art): This museum, located just outside Brescia, holds a large collection of modern art from famous artists like Matisse, Chagall, and Picasso.

Parks in Brescia

From left to right: Parco delle Cave, Parco Mazzolari and Parco Ducos in winter

Brescia is lucky to have many green spaces. About 80% of its area is covered by forests and farmlands. The city has 26.3 square kilometers of public green space, which is about 134 square meters per person!

The largest park is Parco delle Colline di Brescia (Brescia Hills Park). It covers over 43 square kilometers, with more than half of it inside the city limits. This park was created to protect the natural beauty of the hills around Brescia. It's mostly covered by woods, with some meadows, vineyards, and olive trees. You might spot foxes, badgers, and wild boars, and many different birds.

Another important park is Parco delle Cave, which opened in 2018 on the site of old sand quarries. It covers 2 square kilometers. Other parks throughout the city include Parco del Castello (Castle Park), Parco Tarello, and Parco Ducos.

Education in Brescia

University of Brescia, Economics faculty

Classic lyceum "Arnaldo", established in 1797, is one of the oldest and most prominent high schools in Brescia.

Brescia has many schools for all ages. As of 2019, there are 51 primary schools and 29 middle schools. For older students, there are 53 high schools, including classic and scientific lyceums.

The city is home to two universities:

• University of Brescia: A public university founded in 1982. It's ranked among the top universities worldwide and has faculties for Economics, Engineering, Law, and Medicine.
• Catholic University of Brescia: This is a campus of the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, offering studies in Literature, Psychology, Education, and more.

Brescia also has two academies for fine art and a music conservatory.

Healthcare in Brescia

Brescia is an important center for medical care. The main hospital is Spedali Civili di Brescia, which is very large and considered one of the best hospitals in Italy. There are also several other hospitals in the city.

Economy of Brescia

Brescia is at the heart of Italy's third-largest industrial area. Many companies here are small or medium-sized, often run by families. They work in various fields, from food to engineering.

Agriculture and Food

Vineyards in the middle of the city with an extension of 4 hectares

Growing grapes for wine is a very important part of Brescia's agriculture. The area produces several types of wine, including the famous Franciacorta sparkling wine. In the old town, on the Cidneo Hill, there's even a large urban vineyard that grows a special local white grape.

Olive oil production is also important, especially near Lake Garda. Brescia is also known as the home of Italian caviar. Near the city, in Calvisano, there's one of the world's largest sturgeon farms, producing tons of caviar each year!

Industry and Services

The business district of Brescia

Brescia's main industries are mechanical, focusing on making machine tools. Car manufacturing is also important, with companies like OM making trucks. The city is also famous for making weapons, including firearms from companies like Beretta. The steel industry is very significant, with large steel mills nearby. Other important industries include making cutlery, faucets, textiles, and building materials.

Brescia is home to the headquarters of several large industrial groups. The financial sector is also a major employer, with many banks and financial companies.

Tourism in Brescia

Brescia's rich history, beautiful art, and natural surroundings (like Lake Garda and Lake Iseo) attract many visitors. The number of tourists visiting Brescia has almost doubled in 10 years!

Brescia is also a great base for exploring other famous Italian cities. You can reach Milan in 45 minutes by train, and Venice or Florence in about 2 hours. Plus, hotels in Brescia are generally more affordable than in other major Italian cities.

Transportation in Brescia

Brescia has a good public transport system managed by Brescia Mobilità (BM). This includes a metro line and 19 bus lines. BM also manages parking and bike-sharing services.

The city center has a special traffic-restricted zone to reduce traffic jams and pollution. This helps promote walking, biking, and public transport.

Brescia Metro

A station of Brescia Metro

The Brescia Metro is a modern train system that opened on March 2, 2013. It has one line, 13.7 kilometers long, with 17 stations. Most of the stations are underground.

Plans for a metro in Brescia started in the 1980s. Construction began in 2004, but ancient discoveries caused some delays. The system is similar to the one in Copenhagen.

Planned Tram Network

Brescia's former tram network (1882–1949)

The project of the new tramway network

Brescia is planning to bring back trams! The city used to have a tram network from 1882 to 1949, but it was removed to focus on road transport. Now, two new tram lines are expected to open in 2027. One line will run from the northwest to the southwest, and the other will connect the west and east parts of the city.

Rail Travel

The train station of Brescia

Brescia has three railway stations. The main station, opened in 1854, is a major hub. It connects Brescia to cities like Milan, Venice, and Rome with high-speed trains. You can reach Milan in just 35 minutes! There are also international trains to places like Zurich, Paris, Munich, and Vienna.

Roads

Brescia is well-connected by three major highways:

• A4: Connects Brescia to cities like Milan, Turin, Venice, and Trieste.
• A21: Connects Brescia to Turin using a more southern route.
• A35: Offers a faster route to Milan and Linate Airport.

Airports

Brescia is served by several airports:

• Brescia Airport: Just 15 km southeast of the city.
• Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport: About 50 km northwest.
• Verona Villafranca Airport: About 60 km southeast.
• Milan Linate Airport: About 85 km west.
• Malpensa Airport: About 135 km northwest.

Environment and Air Quality

Like many industrial cities, Brescia faces challenges with air quality. Studies have shown that the city has high levels of certain air pollutants. Efforts are being made to improve air quality and promote cleaner transportation.

Sports in Brescia

Mille Miglia Museum

Brescia is famous for being the starting and ending point of the historic Mille Miglia car race. This race, which ran until 1957, was a 1000-mile journey from Brescia to Rome and back. Today, the "Historic Mille Miglia" keeps the tradition alive. It's a world-class event where thousands of fans gather to see vintage sports cars. Many celebrities have participated, including Rowan Atkinson and Daniel Day Lewis.

Brescia is also home to the Brescia Calcio football (soccer) club and the Rugby Leonessa 1928 rugby team. The city has a fencing club, Schermabrescia, and a basketball club, Basket Brescia Leonessa, which plays in the new PalaLeonessa arena.

Famous People from Brescia

The monument representing a lion, the sign on the coat of arms of the city. The monument is also commonly considered a dedication to the "Lioness of Italy", nickname given to the city after the resistance the people of Brescia put in place during the Ten Days of Brescia in 1849 against the Austrians.

Monument to La Bella Italia, erected in 1864 in the memory of the Ten Days of Brescia

Monument to Arnaldo in the homonymous square, erected in 1882

Monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi, erected in 1889

Many notable people have come from Brescia or have strong connections to the city:

• Arnold of Brescia (1090–1155), a monk who wanted to reform the Church.
• Gasparo da Salò (1540–1609), a pioneer in making modern violins.
• Niccolò Fontana Tartaglia (1499–1557), a famous mathematician.
• Camillo Golgi (1843–1926), a scientist who won the Nobel Prize for his studies of the nervous system.
• Pope Paul VI (1897–1978), a former Pope, born nearby.
• Giacomo Agostini (born 1942), a Grand Prix motorcycle racing champion.
• Andrea Pirlo (born 1979), a famous football (soccer) player.
• Andrea Cassarà (born 1984), a world champion fencer.
• Vanessa Ferrari (born 1990), a talented gymnast.
• Marcell Jacobs (born 1994), an Olympic athlete.
• Riccardo "Blanco" Fabbriconi (born 2003), a popular singer and rapper.

International Connections

Brescia has friendly connections with cities around the world. There's even a town in Brazil called Nova Bréscia, named by its first citizens who came from Brescia!

Twin Towns – Sister Cities

Brescia is twinned with:

Consulates

Brescia is home to several consulates, which are offices that help citizens from other countries:

•  Albania
•  Ghana
•  Malta
•  Moldova
•  Romania

Images for kids

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  Winged Victory of Brescia (1st century CE)

Gallery

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  Interior view of the Santa Maria delle Grazie church

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  Internal view of the Santuario di Santa Maria delle Grazie church

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  Internal view of the Santissimo Corpo di Cristo church

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  Former San Barnaba church

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  San Faustino in Riposo church

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  San Marco Evangelista church

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  Bonomini Tomb also known as the Dog's Tomb

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  Maggi-Gambara Palace

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  Bertolotti Palace

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  Beretta Palace

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  Martinengo Palace

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  Piazza Duomo by night

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  The Castle's main entrance

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  Street in the old city center

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  Roman ruins

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  Roman Theatre section

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  Corso Zanardelli and Teatro Grande main entrance

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  Bruni Conter Palace and Niccolò Tartaglia statue

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  Torre d'Ercole

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  Steps in the old town

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  Arcades

Fountains

For many years Brescia has been considered a "city of water" because of its many canals and natural waterways. A French writer once said that Brescia's wide streets and many fountains made it feel like a big city, with water flowing almost as much as in Rome!

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  Medieval fountain

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  Tagliaferri fountain

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  Neptune fountain

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  Minerva fountain

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  Pallata fountain

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  Armed Brescia fountain

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  Private fountain

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  Private fountain

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  Vescovado fountain

See also

In Spanish: Brescia para niños