Holiday apartment in Brescia: culture, nature and historic trails

Brescia combines important cultural sites with extensive natural landscapes, historic trails and a distinctive culinary tradition. Between museums, historic complexes, former quarry lakes and regional hiking trails, the city and its surroundings present a diverse picture.

Culture and history

The monumental San Salvatore–Santa Giulia complex was founded in 753 AD by Desiderius, Duke of Brescia and later King of the Lombards. Castello di Brescia is located on Colle Cidneo, a fortified complex where traces of various rulers can still be seen today. Within the complex, paths and spaces lead to views over the slopes of the Ronchi, the valleys of the Brescia region, the Apennines and the Alps.

The Museo delle Armi Luigi Marzoli displays more than 700 objects relating to Brescia’s arms production from the 15th century to the beginning of the 19th century. At the same time, it houses one of Europe’s most important collections of antique weapons and armour, telling the story of Brescia’s long-standing and productive tradition of arms manufacturing. The Museo del Risorgimento Leonessa d’Italia presents an exhibition divided into eight sections, narrated in Italian and English. In an immersive box, visitors can relive the Ten Days of Brescia; visual material is combined with stories about individual protagonists such as the patriot Tito Speri.

Art likewise spans a broad historical period: the exhibition route at the Pinacoteca Tosio Martinengo begins with 14th-century art and ends with works from the 19th century. Musil – Museo del Ferro di Brescia welcomes visitors with an interactive tour featuring artefacts, old photographs, models and audio/video installations. The visit also includes the outdoor facilities used to harness the water power of the Bova canal, with the city’s only still-functioning waterwheel.

In Valle Camonica, Parco di Naquane was established in 1955 as Italy’s first archaeological park. It protects a complex of 104 large rocks bearing prehistoric and protohistoric rock carvings.

Nature

South-east of Brescia lies Parco delle Cave, a 967-hectare landscape park with former quarry lakes as well as cycling and walking paths. Three of the park’s basins are open to the public and feature cycling and walking paths as well as birdwatching observation points. Several important access points lead into the park, including Lago Canneto, Lago Bose, Lago Gerolotto and Lago Fuserino.

Trails in the wider surrounding region

In the wider regional area around Brescia, Parco dell’Adamello has an almost 1,000-kilometre network of trails. These include family hiking routes, challenging high-alpine mountaineering trails and the approximately 50-kilometre Alta Via dell’Adamello.

La Via delle Sorelle also passes through Brescia. The footpath is 130 kilometres long, runs through 36 municipalities and comprises six recommended stages. La Via delle Sorelle can be hiked in both directions.

Local character

The culinary tradition includes Casoncelli alla bresciana, which look back on a history spanning more than six centuries. The recipe for Spiedo bresciano received recognition as a Denominazione Comunale in March 2011 and is associated with the towns of Serle and Gussago.

A defining event is the 1000 Miglia. It takes place over four days, starts in Brescia, travels to Rome and returns nonstop to Brescia. The route follows normal roads that are open to traffic.

Other places

Sirmione, Bassanega, Campione Del Garda, Cunettone Di Salo, Desenzano Del Garda, Gardoncino Di Manerba, Gardone Riviera, Gargnano, Liano, Limone Sul Garda, Manerba Del Garda, Moniga Del Garda, Padenghe Sul Garda, Puegnago Del Garda, Salo, San Felice Del Benaco, Soiano Del Lago, Tignale, Tremosine, Vesio, Voiandes, Anfo, Crone, Parole, Vesta, Idro, Voltino, Iseo, Ponte Di Legno, Bedizzole, Sulzano, Sale Marasino, Rezzato, Pozzolengo, Pisogne, Paratico, Montichiari, Corte Franca, Clusane, Castegnato, Raffa, Carpenedolo, Brescia, Roncadelle, Ponte San Marco, Calvagese Della Riviera, Provaglio D'iseo, Borno, Zone, Castel Mella, Castenedolo, Vallio Terme, Lozio, San Martino Della Battaglia, Sabbio Chiese, Darfo Boario Terme, Torbole Casaglia, Polpenazze Del Garda, Gottolengo, Artogne, Capriolo, Erbusco, Monticelli Brusati, Montirone, Muscoline, Ome, Passirano, Prevalle, Roe' Volciano, Acquafredda, Piovere, Rivoltella, Pieve Vecchia, Colombare, San Paolo, Azzano Mella, Lonato Del Garda, Borgosatollo, Collio, Nuvolento, Vestone, Calcinato, Cevo, Breno, Leno, Rodengo-Saiano, Cazzago San Martino, Orzivecchi, Marone, Coccaglio, Temù, Gambara, Monte Isola, Verolavecchia, Bozze-Calchera-Villa, San Colombano, San Vigilio, Vezza D'oglio, Casto, Barghe, Paitone, Fornaci, Pertica Alta, Travagliato, Arias, Gaino, Offlaga, Provezze, Cecina, Edolo, Gavardo, Cologne, Castello, Tre Capitelli, Toscolano Maderno, Pregasio, Orzinuovi, Magasa, Bagolino, Manerbio, Bari, Verolanuova, Adro, Ghedi, Piancogno, Pontevico, Vobarno, Picedo, Solarolo, Supiane, Colombaro-Timoline, Casaccie, Malonno, Mura, Chiari, San Giuseppe, Villa Dalegno, Cerveno, San Gervasio Bresciano, Palazzolo Sull'oglio, Moerna, Vione, Porzano, Siviano, Braone, Bovezzo, Cimbergo, Roina, Villanuova Sul Clisi, Gussago, Bornato, Arveaco, Drugolo, Capo di Ponte, Rovato, Gardola, Gratacasolo, Ronco, Trebbio, Nigoline Bonomelli, Collebeato, Paderno Franciacorta, Lavenone, Esine, Capovalle, Marcheno, Rudiano, Trenzano, Serle, Monno, Niardo, Flero, Ceto, Valle Dorizzo, Pilzone, Castel Venzago, Angolo Terme, Calvisano, Borgo San Giacomo, Dello.

The linked places take you to additional pages in the regional selection.

To the higher-level travel overview: Lombardy.