In addition to its churches, museums, monuments and historic buildings, Brescia has more to offer. Below is a brief description of the smaller and lesser known attractions, including towers, city gates and fountains.
Other Attractions Brescia
Castle
The Castle of Brescia was built on the site of an impressive Roman temple. The hill on which the castle stands has been increasingly secured since the Middle Ages. The Torre Mirabella was followed by the Mastio Visconteo in the 13th century and then the Bastions. Today it houses two museums (the Museo del Risorgimento and the Weapons Museum). From the garden one has a magnificent view of the surroundings.
Arco del Granarolo
The Arco Del Granarolo (Via X Giornate, 71) is an arch along the portico of the Via X Giornate. The arch was built in 1822, to a design by Rodolfo Vantini. The four busts were sculpted by Giovanni Fantoni. On either side of the arch are two winged lions of San Marco.
Torre Teofila
The Torre Teofila (Via IV Novembre) is an ancient city tower, of which unfortunately only part is still visible. That part is incorporated into the Palazzo Martinengo Palatini, which was built in the 15th century on the adjacent Piazza del Mercato. The tower itself was built in the 12th century and was part of the Porta Sant’Agata. The plaque on the tower refers to two heroic freedom fighters.
Torre della Pallata
The Torre della Pallata stands at the corner of Corso Mameli and Via Pace. Its name probably comes from a palisade, which stood there as a defensive structure. In 1497, a fountain was built in front of the tower, but it released wine instead of water.
Torre dell’Orologio
The Torre Dell’Orologio was built in the mid-16th century and stands in the Piazza della Loggia. The architect of the building was Lodovico Beretta, a native of Brescia himself. The clock indicates the hours, the lunar times and the signs of the zodiac.
Torre del Pegol
The Torre Del Pegol (Piazza Paolo VI, 29) is a medieval tower built against the Palazzo Broletto. It is 54 meters high and has been rebuilt many times over the centuries. The brick tower consists of 4 bays, the lower of which is made of white stone. A spiral staircase designed in the 16th century by Dionisio Bolda leads to the top.
(Torre di) Porta Bruciata
The Porta Bruciata stands in the Piazza della Loggia and is also called Torre di Porta Bruciata. It was built around the 12th century. The second name is due to a fire in 1184, which destroyed much of the complex. The tower is about 30 meters high and consists of four floors. In Roman times there was also a gate here, called Porta Milanese.
(Torre di) Porta Paganora
The Torre di Porta Paganora is an ancient city tower built in the 14th century by the Visconti as a fortification of the Cittadella Nuova. Although half hidden behind the porticos and the Teatro Grande, this gate still exists. Its name refers to the Pagani (“pagans”), meaning the Hungarians who terrorized half of Europe in the 10th century. Address: Via X Giornate, 36.