The Lioness of Italy: A Brescia Walking Tour

Brescia’s layer upon layer of fascinating history makes it particularly rewarding for those who wish to be more than the average tourist. On this walking tour, you’ll explore the city’s 2,000-year evolution, from its origins as a Gallic settlement to its days as a Lombard duchy that produced influential kings.

Starting at the imposing Castello di Brescia (Brescia Castle), you’ll find out how the city earned its nickname ”The Lioness of Italy” during the 1849 rebellion against Austro-Hungarian occupiers. From there, you’ll wander past ancient Roman ruins, medieval squares, and Renaissance palaces that tell Brescia’s story.

I’ll show you the remains of the Roman Basilica and Teatro Roman (Roman Theatre) in the Parco Archeologico di Brixia Romana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and archaeological park. You’ll hear the story of the Lombards at Santa Giulia Museum, and experience the quiet spirituality and beauty of the tenth-century Duomo Vecchio (Old Cathedral). This comprehensive introduction to Brescia that’s peppered with compelling tales of rebellion ends at Torre della Pallata, a medieval tower.

On this 90-minute tour, you can look forward to:

• Admiring Brescia Castle, nicknamed the ”Falcon of Italy,” and learning about its strategic importance throughout centuries of conquest and occupation
• Visiting Piazza Paolo VI, a unique square with two cathedrals – the rounded 11th-century Old Cathedral and the massive Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta
• Examining the elaborate astronomical clock tower, Torre dell’Orologio, with its peculiar mechanical bell ringers
• Finding out how the city played a crucial role in Italian unification during the Risorgimento movement
• Wandering through Piazza della Loggia, designed by Venetian rulers in the 1400s, with its Renaissance architecture and poignant memorials
• Strolling along Corso Goffredo Mameli where you’ll find plenty of shops to peruse and cafés for a quick or lengthy break

By the end of this tour, you’ll have a sense of why Brescia has captivated visitors and conquerors alike for over two millennia.