The Brescia Castle is located on the old settlement on the hill Cidneo, which dates back to the Bronze Age, the ninth century BC. Later on the hill arose the temple to Celtic god Bergimus.
castello di Brescia
In the first century A. D. the Romans erected a monumental temple, which is today visible as the base of the Visconti keep. Christians built here a large cathedral destroyed in the eighteenth century by the explosion of a powder keg. Today the basilica is one of the two front towers, known as Tower Mirabella. Middle Ages brought the rule of Visconti family who rebuilt the castle, and under the Venetian rule Brescia received new city walls. The fortress has been captured by French troops for shot period in 16th and again in 18th centuries.
In the twentieth century, the castle was home to many temporary exhibitions, the zoo, the museum of natural sciences, and finally the revival of an urban park. Today the castle houses the Museo del Risorgimento, Museo delle Armi Luigi Marzoli, containing armor and weapons of the medieval period, the Observatory Cidneo and two large plastic railroads.
Opening hours
Castle Gardens
( everyday ) 8.00-20.00
Museum of Ancient Weapons
Risorgimento Museum
( Tue – Sun )
‘Cidneo’ and ‘Villa D’Alme’ railways and train models
Sundays ( Sep-July )
Comune di Brescia ( Assesorato al Turismo )
Piazza Loggia 6
25121 Brescia
phone: +39 030 2400357
[ photo courtesy of salvofiguccia ]
