Brescia is a small town in the Lombardy region of Italy, famous for some of its historic Roman ruins and rather unique history. It also happens to be in what is considered the Franciacorta region, a DOCG zone known for its wine production (specifically sparkling wine). Come with me and learn why you should visit Brescia and follow along for a special Franciacorta tasting at an amazing winery.
I consider myself an Italy-maniac, meaning I pride myself on being familiar with even the off-the-beaten path towns. However, I had never heard of Brescia, Italy until moving to Milan. My Italian friends encouraged me to visit, emphasizing it is often overshadowed by Milan, Bergamo, and Verona but shouldn’t be missed. They were not wrong: Brescia is a fantastic town to add to your Italian itinerary.
Brescia is a fantastic and easy day trip from Milan, Bergamo, Verona, Lake Garda, etc.
From Milan, I can visit Brescia in as little as 35 minutes for under €30 via train. In fact, if you want to save a little more money, there are also options of slower trains that get you to Brescia in an hour for just €7.
Looking to extend your travels and also visit Bergamo or Verona after a day trip to Brescia? Check out these helpful travel guides:
Table of Contents
Roman Arena
To start out the day in Brescia, head to the Roman theater. This spot kicks off a portion of the day dedicated to exploring the Roman ruins in Brescia. The best part is you can walk through all of these sites for free! You only need a ticket if you wish to go inside the museum to view more artifacts up close.
While you have to use a bit of imagination today, during its heyday, the theater could support up to 15,000 spectators.
Capitolium
My favorite section of Brescia is the Capitolium. For a split second, it may take you a second to remember you are in Northern Italy and not The Eternal City! The Roman ruins in Brescia date back to 73AD.
However, the most fascinating fact is that these were ONLY rediscovered about 150 years ago and they have continued finding artifacts as excavations continue! It’s fascinating to realize there may be even more to discover that we haven’t uncovered yet.
So, why the mix of colors? No, the answer is not that the Ancient Romans were trying to be edgy with their color clashing.
In summary, everything in dark brown has been replicated, while everything in white in original. This helps provide a full image of the type of Roman ruins that existed here.
Queriniana Library
The Queriniana library was founded in 1747 and today still holds a collection of ancient manuscripts. However, today the space tends to be a popular study spot for students.
You can enter for free as long as you are respectful and quiet as you walk around. Try not to miss any of the incredible details as you go room to room.
“New” Cathedral of Brescia
Now we can visit Brescia’s cathedrals. Yes, plural! First up is the “new” cathedral of Brescia. Don’t let the “new” tagline confuse you. Construction started on this cathedral in 1604 and wasn’t completed until 1825.
Once inside, you’ll feel like an ant. The tall columns of the ceiling rise up, showcasing the grandiosity of the cathedral. It’s not an optical illusion either. This cathedral is actually the third tallest in Italy.
The reason this is referred to as the new cathedral is due to its neighbor, the original cathedral in Brescia. Nonetheless, these two cathedrals could not be further apart in terms of look and style.
“Old” Cathedral of Brescia
Just steps away from the “new” cathedral is the “old” cathedral. The inside feels unique for a church given its circular architecture.
Are there any polyglots reading this? For those who want a challenging yet fun experience, on every Sunday you can observe a mass – not in Italian, but in Latin here! Clearly it’s not a dead language in Brescia.
Wander the City Center
One of the main piazzas in the town, Piazza della Vittoria, is the most central area of Brescia. However, there is more history here than meets the eye. This square used to be full of medieval buildings, rich with history. Unfortunately, under Mussolini’s rule, he ordered for them to be torn down for new buildings to replace them.
Therefore, many of the buildings here have fascist architecture. You’ll also find one of Italy’s first skyscrapers here! While it may not seem that impressive in today’s standards, this was a major accomplishment and bragging right for Italy back in the 1930s.
Head around the corner to find Piazza della Loggia. You’ll immediately see a different architecture style and we only walked a few hundred feet! Here, there are gorgeous Renaissance buildings.
Can you find the various astronomical clocks?
Local Lunch
I’m getting hungry. Let’s eat.
I highly suggest finding a traditional osteria for your lunch in Brescia. Food is always the best way for direct insight into a city. I recommend Osteria al Bianchi.
If you want to order a couple of traditional plates, try the casonelli (stuffed pasta with beef) and the malfatti al burro (essentially a ricotta/spinach ball). Both of these are delicious and savory.
After exploring all of the best things to do in Brescia, we say goodbye and start the wine tasting portion of the day!
Conti Ducco Winery
A trip to Brescia is not complete without a Franciacorta tasting. Franciacorta is a region in Lombardy that specializes in the production of sparkling wine. As of 1995, the region is officially DOCG certified!
There are plenty of wineries in this region, but we stopped by Conti Ducco.
After gaining some insight on proper Franciacorta production and touring the winery, we finally got to sit down and sample some of their wines! What a treat. The tasting room alone was breathtaking.
one wall had large, very serious portraits of the Ducci family members. From their facial expressions alone, I felt like I should be on my best behavior!
They even have some of their vintage bottles, still perfectly preserved with the labels intact. It reminded my of an interactive museum. The interactive portion being now you get to sit and eat in this marvelous room. The Ducci family knows how to live it up.
We samples 4 different bottles (with generous pours) and paired them with various meats and cheese.
Let’s just say I left feeling full, satisfied, and a little tipsy. Salute!
I hope you enjoy your visit to Brescia, Italy! Don’t forget to purchase a couple bottles of Franciacorta to commemorate your trip!
Don’t miss out on my other posts showcasing Northern Italy:
- 1 Perfect Day at the Thermal Spa in Lake Garda, Italy
- My Favorite Hidden Gems in Milan, Italy
- Wine and Truffles: A Dreamy and Gluttonous Weekend in Langhe, Piedmont
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