The ancient city of Brescia enjoys a wonderful geographical location right between Lake Garda and Lake d'Iseo, nestled between picturesque Lombardy hills covered by vineyards. The region west of the city is called Franciacorta and is famous for producing very quality wines. Known with its industry, Brescia has also a considerable amount of Roman, Medieval and Renaissance monuments, which definitely worth your visit. Although many people think this is a charmless city that can not compare with the elegance and beauty of the other cities in North Italy, the medieval old town of Brescia features some remarkable architecture dating back to the 12th century.

The city centre is concentrated around four old squares, north of the main Corso Palestro Street. The Piazza Mercato is a spacious cobble-stoned square where you can not see any interesting sights but can find a variety of elegant restaurants and well-stocked shops. Piazza della Vittoria differs from all other squares with its austerity, typical for the Fascist period when is was built. Without any doubt the most attractive square in Brescia is Piazza della Loggia, divided from Piazza della Vittoria by the monumental building of the central post office. The square was constructed in the 15th century by the Venetians, who ruled the city in this time and protected it from the attempts of conquest made by Milano. The influence from Venice is most clearly visible in the pretty Loggia, gracefully decorated with imaginative festoons by Palladio and Titian, and in the impressive Torre dell'Orologio, constructed following the model of the bell tower in the Venetian San Marco Square. The north-eastern corner of Piazza della Loggia is occupied by the Porta Bruciata, a well preserved tower-gate which was once a part of the medieval city walls.

South-east of Piazza della Loggia is located the fourth main square - Piazza Paolo VI. One of the few city squares in Europe featuring two cathedrals. The older one, know also as the Rotonda, was built of local stone in the 12th century over the remains of ancient Roman baths and an 8th-century basilica, destroyed by a huge fire in the end of 11th century . The Rotonda, as its name suggests, has a regular circle shape and is partly sunk beneath the present-day ground level, so it is impossible to fully appreciate its proportions from outside. In the nave you can see the excavated remains from the Roman baths and the earlier church through glass panels on the floor. Right opposite the entrance can be seen the graceful figured relief on the tomb of Berardo Maggi. He was a bishop of Brescia during the 13th century, who reconciled the two rivaling city factions of Guelph and Ghibelline. The second cathedral is not so attractive. It is a heavy Renaissance monument in Mannerist style, constructed during the period of almost two centuries.

North-east of Piazza Paolo VI is the place where was the forum of the ancient Roman city of Brixia. Here can be seen the remains of the Roman Theatre (Teatro Romano) and Capitolino - an almost entirely preserved pagan temple from the second half of 1st century AD. The three celle behind the temple are thought to be sanctuaries of the Capitoline trinity, from where comes the name of the entire complex of ancient remains.

East of Capitolino, along Via dei Musei, you will reach the medieval monastery of Santa Giulia, housing now the city museum. The monastery complex consists of 3 interesting churches. The earliest one is San Salvatore, built in 12th century on the place of an earlier 8th-century church, which crypt is well preserved and keeps the relics of Santa Guilia (St. Julia). The 12th-century Santa Maria in Solario was a private Benedictine chapel. It features splendid Renaissance frescoes by Floriano Ferramola. The third church is devoted to Santa Giulia. It was built in the end of the 16th century and has some beautiful paintings by Ferramola too. The museum houses an impressive display of artifacts giving valuable information abour the history of Brescia from the Bronze age to the late Middle Ages. Among the most interesting exponents are the life-size statue of winged Victory found in the excavations of Capitolino and the eight-century crucifix of Desiderius, the king of Lombardy.

North of Piazza Paolo VI and Santa Guilia Monastery is Cydnean Hill, which once was the heart of the Roman city. Later, in the 15th century on its top was built the Castello, a complicated fortress which was later reconstructed by the different rulers of the city - Venetains, Frenchmen and Austrians. At present day the castle houses the largest museum of arms in Italy and a model railway museum. On the western slope of the hill is situated the 16th-century church of San Pietro in Oliveto, surrounded by an olive grove.

Another must-see in Brescia is the city's art gallery Pinacoteca Tosio-Martinengo, situated south-east of the historic centre. It displays an interesting collection of works by some local artists, well arranged in different themes, such as "Nativity" or "Town and Province".