Brescia

Brescia, Italy

Prosperous and lively, Brescia is Lombardy’s second biggest city, a university town with a modern business area (Brescia Due). Located between two of Italy’s most famous lakes, Lake Garda and Lake Iseo, Brescia is often overlooked by visitors who bypass the city itself and head straight to the undeniably beautiful lakes. A great pity, as Brescia boasts one of the most beautiful historic centres in the region, and some of the best Roman and Lombard remains in northern Italy.

Population:

197,000

Currency:

1 euro (€) = 100 cents

Emergency Numbers:

113 Police Emergency
115 Fire Brigade
118 Medical Help (Ambulance)

Opening Hours:

Shops are generally open 9am-12:30pm or 1pm and 4pm-7:30pm. Street markets are open 8am-1pm.

Newspapers:

Giornale di Brescia
Bresciaoggi
Corriere della Sera
La Repubblica

The City

Brescia is an utter delight. Known as a city for culture lovers because of its architecture, museums and exhibitions, it’s perfect for strolling. Small, with much of the historic centre pedestrianized, it is full of ancient buildings and piazzas, and attractive shops. Unlike in many other cities, the modern business development has been kept out of the city’s heart, giving the historic centre a great visual appeal. Founded by the Gauls, the city became part of the Roman Empire in the 2nd century BC. It enjoyed great prosperity in the Middle Ages, and in 1426 it was conquered by the Venetian Republic, who governed for nearly 400 years.

Throughout the city centre there are superb examples of Brescia’s heritage: stunning Roman remains, Medieval churches and streets, and beautifully-decorated Renaissance and Baroque palaces.
As a university town, Brescia has a lively atmosphere, particularly in the Medieval area, north of the historic centre: here you will find a plethora of tiny cafés, restaurants, and small international stores, many serving Brescia’s immigrant community.

Do & See

The Brescia area is particularly well known for its lake landscapes - Lake Garda and Lake Iseo are reachable in less than one hour, and it's recommended to visit them for their atmospheric, breathtaking natural beauty. Here, with old castles emerging from water and greenery, you're likely to see unforgettable views.
The center of Brescia also boasts Roman remains, Medieval and Baroque churches, and extensive collections of artworks, preserving the memory of Italy's diverse history and architecture.
Moreover, Brescia is a popular destination for children and fun-lovers, near to the huge Gardaland amusement park, and to a refreshing water park for the summer.

Dining

Brescian cuisine is well-known for its authenticity and its richness. Thanks to the city's history and the natural diversity of the surrounding area – rivers, lakes, plains, and mountains – the range of different local produce is huge: meat, fish, cheese, olive oil and of course wines from the famous Franciacorta region. Many of the popular dishes on offer have been eaten since the 15th century, such as grilled meats, rich meat stews, risotto, and polenta. The area north of the historic centre has a number of very cheap trattorie, popular with students and workers.

Cafes

Italian cuisine is famous for its delicious ice creams and coffee, and Brescia has many options for you to enjoy an espresso in the sun or a breakfast cappuccino. Fun fact: Italians usually don't drink cappuccino after 12pm, and many chefs will be emotionally challenged if you dare ordering one while eating your main courses at lunch or dinner. Try out different coffee drinks and find your favourite one.