The Duomo Nuovo (“New Cathedral”) of Brescia, like the Duomo Vecchio, was built on top of an older structure, in this case the early Christian San Pietro de Dom Cathedral. The construction took a long time. Work began in 1604, but the church was not completed until 1825. Behind the impressive facade is an interior decorated with various masterpieces.
Duomo Nuovo Brescia
Address, opening hours and entrance fee
Address: Piazza Paolo VI – 25121 Brescia (tel. +39 03042714). Metro: Vittoria. Opening hours: From 07.30 to 12.00 and from 15.00 to 19.00. Entrance fee: Free.
History and Description
Like the Duomo Vecchio, the Duomo Nuovo was built on a pre-existing early Christian basilica. The construction took a long time (from the 17th to the 19th century), which explains why there are several different architectural styles on display.
The church itself was built in the 17th century, but the facade was erected a century later. The neo-classicist dome designed by Cagnola was only realized by Rodolfo Vantini in 1823.
The also neo-classical interior has a Greek floor plan.
What to see
The most important works of art include a wooden crucifix (1502) and a bronze monument to Paolo VI from 1984. The latter was created by Raffaele Scorzelli, while the crucifix was the work of Francesco Giolfino. Some of the original colors of the crucifix have disappeared. The altar the crucifix rests on was made in the early 18th century.
Next to the crucifix is another, German, sculpture representing the Dormitio Virginis (“Dormition of the Virgin”), or the death of Mary.
The bronze urn at the base of the altar contains the mortal remains of St. Anatalone, the first bishop of Brescia.
Il Moretto painted the fresco “Sacrifice of Isaac” (1530-1535), while Palma il Giovane was responsible for the “Saints Carlo and Francesco with Bishop Giorgi” (1627). The front of the organ was painted by Romanino.
The “Sarcophagus of Saints Apollonio and Filastrio” dates from 1510.