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BRESCIA
The Square of the Cathedral
is dedicated to Pope Paul VI and is characterized by the Old
Cathedral “La Rotonda”: here we have a Roman monument
dating back to the 12th Century and built on the remains of
a previous basilica; the difference in land level is due to
the fact that the old building was at the same level of the
old square, in respect to the actual paving seen today; the
building is made up of a compact body surrounded by thick
walls and surmounted by a high cylindrical structure which
camouflages the internal hemispherical dome. The real and
proper Cathedral on the otherhand is a mannerist architecture
begun in 1604.
Next to the Cathedral, we can see the Broletto, the old communal
palace: which was built between 1187 and 1230 in a solid Roman
form, on which some decorative Gothic parts were already grafted.
Presented with elegant three-mullioned and four-mullioned
windows and from which the so called Loggia delle Grida (Announcements
of the laws to the population) stands out; overshadowing the
whole structure there is the imposing Torre del Popolo (People’s
tower) with its typical battlements.
Not too far away, we come across the Piazza del Foro (Fort
Square): the centre of the old Roman City. The important remains
of the Capitolino Temple are still visible – dating
back to 73 AD and being established with a pronaos, a flight
of entry stairs and a rich pediment: there are conspicuous
testimonies of these elements – a Curia (Senate-house)
and the Roman Theatre.
The magnificent Monumental Complex and Museum of S. Giuliare
was opened to the public a little over two years ago, after
an exemplary restoration campaign – between Via Piamarta
and Via dei Musei – which includes the ex 16th Century
church, the Basilica of S. Salvatore and the Convent: other
than housing local collections, it is also possible to visit
the archaeological digs on site and now also a spacious exposition
area, allowing room for up to four simultaneous and autonomous
exhibitions.
The other important City museum is the Tosio Martinengo Art
Gallery, in Via Martinengo, which hosts splendid examples
of 16th Century Brescia School of Art, not to mention the
works of Lorenzo Lotto and Tintoretto.
Keeping in mind art in general, a church of Brescia, the Church
of Saints Nazaro and Celso, houses one of the most beautiful
Altar Pieces by Tiziano, the so called Polittico Averoldi
(Polyptych), dating back to 1520-22 and which marked one of
the first stylistic changes of Veneto artist; sadly at a time
when he had already entered his mature period
Just outside the Centre, you can find the Castle of Medieval
origins, but with added fortification from the 16th Century.
It houses the Renaissance Museum and the War Museum.
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