XXXIII Conference of Hydraulics and Hydraulic Engineering

Brescia

Brescia, called “the lioness of Italy,” is a dynamic, hardworking city whose inhabitants are famous for their tenacity and dedication to work. The city is also able to display a rich heritage of history and art, which spans from prehistoric times to the present. Tourists will be fascinated by the atmosphere created by its airy piazzas and picturesque lanes, its fountains and aristocratic residences, the intimacy of its cloisters and the art treasures waiting to be discovered in its churches and museums.

Too see

Buildings And Monuments

CapitolineTemple and Roman Theater

the temple, constructed in 74 BC enclosed the ancient forum on its north side. A marble staircase leads to the temple façade, formed by 6 columns. Inside the temple, there were 3 cells with marble floors. On the side, there is the theater, constructed in the 1st century BC and renovated in the 2nd century. The theater stands on a hill, in the Greek style, and hosted as many as 15,000 spectators.

The Castle

it is located on the top of the Colle Cidneo, in a scenic position overlooking the city. This was the settlement of the city's first inhabitants and later the Romans built an enormous temple on the site. It is one of the most important fortified complexes in Italy and was constructed in various stages beginning from the 12th century to the Venetian period. It is a true fortified citadel with towers, bulwarks, buildings, courtyards, drawbridges and cellars that can be visited and that house the Museum of Ancient Weapons and the Museo del Risorgimento. The gardens are also worth a visit and, in the summer, the Brescians transform them into a much loved meeting point.

Piazza della Loggia

the piazza was designed in 1433, commissioned by the mayor, Marco Foscari, to give the Brescian nobility a new place to gather. The piazza became the center of the city's political and economic life. It was not completed until a century later. Gradually, the Loggia, Monte Vecchio and Monte Nuovo di Pietà, with its porticos and clock tower were constructed.

The Loggia was the city's public building and is the city hall today. Some of the greatest architects of the day contributed to the design, such as Sansovino and Palladio. The ship's keel dome was destroyed by fire in 1575 and it was only in 1915 that it was decided to rebuild it in lead following the original design. The rich sculptural decorations adorning the palazzo are also worthy of note.

The Monte Vecchio di Pietà (Old Pawnbroker's) is the oldest building on the piazza and is an example of the Venetian Renaissance style. It is decorated with ancient Roman stones found during excavations for the construction of the piazza and arranged in the façade by the city government of the time.

On the side opposite the Loggia, in the center of an elegant Venetian portico, you will find the Clock Tower. This 16th-century tower houses a precious mechanical astronomical clock, plated in gold, portraying the sun and the signs of the zodiac. On the top of the tower, you can see two statues nicknamed “i macc de le ure” (the madmen of the hours), who strike the hours on the bell.

The Broletto

dominated by the 11th-century Torre del Pégol , the monument is one of the most important Medieval Lombard palazzi. What you see today, is the result of various superimposed buildings: the stone part is the oldest, while the terra cotta parts is latter. The palazzo also incorporates the façade of the preceding Romanesque church of Sant’Agostino.

The Grain Market

it is located in Piazzale Arnaldo, one of the most fascinating piazzas of Brescia. The palazzo was used as a grain market and is a magnificent example of how public utility can be combined with great esthetic concepts. The piazza's tall statue commemorates Arnaldo, a 12th-century monk condemned to death as a heretic for having publicly condemned the corruption of the Brescian clergy.

Churches And Museums, Italy

·       The Duomo Vecchio or “Rotonda”: a Romanesque building on a circular plan surmounted by a tambour with conical roof. Its interior consists of a central space formed by eight pilasters that support a majestic dome. From the lower level, one descends to the crypt of San Filastro, constructed using Roman and Byzantine materials from the preceding basilica. The Rotonda contains interesting paintings by Romanino and Moretto and the sarcophagus of Bishop Berardo Maggi (1308).

·       The Duomo Nuovo: construction began in 1604 but was not finished until 1825, when the dome was completed. Due to the slow pace of construction, its style is anything but homogeneous: one notices this immediately in the majestic façade, which has a Baroque lower part and is Neoclassic over the portal. The interior has a Greek cross plan with columns and pilasters supporting an 80-meter high dome. The church preserves many sculptures and paintings from the Renaissance on.

·       San Francesco: an exquisite example of a Franciscan monastery, constructed in the 13th century in a late Romanesque style. Its simple façade encloses a splendid rose window. Even the interior is characterized by a simple style, but it preserves important works, frescoes and paintings including a masterpiece by Romanino. The splendid cloister built in 1394, with its red marble columns, is also worth a visit.

·       Santi Nazario e Celso: This church is worth a visit just for one masterpiece it contains: the Averoldi polyptych by Titian.

·       Santa Maria dei Miracoli: this church is considered a jewel of Lombard Renaissance sculpture. It was constructed to celebrate a miraculous image of the Madonna tat was painted on the wall of a nearby house. The sacred image is now kept in the church's apse. The façade was decorated by master sculptors who worked on the construction of the Loggia during the same period.

·       Brescia City Museum - Monastery of Santa Giulia: this incredible museum is one of the most important complexes of the early middle ages in Northern Italy. Founded in 753 by the Lombard King Desiderio, the monastery was expanded several times until the Renaissance.
The complex contains the Basilica of San Salvatore, of Lombard origin, the Church of Santa Giulia, the Church of Santa Maria in Solario, which houses the Treasure of Santa Giulia, and three Renaissance cloisters. Three Roman villas were discovered under the larger cloister, the Domus dell’Ortaglia. The monastery area was acquired by the Municipality, which has turned it into the “Museo della Città” where one can follow the history of Brescia from the Bronze Age through to the Renaissance.

·       The museum regularly hosts large art shows.

·       Museum of Ancient Weapons: the museum is located in the Castello di Brescia and is one of the most important collections of ancient weapons in Europe. The visitor will find himself surrounded by over 500 weapons and armors fabricated in Italy and Europe from the 15th to the 18th centuries. There are very rare pieces, masterpieces of technique and refinement and many made in Brescia. The museum also contains the remains of a Roman temple found during excavations.

·       Pinacoteca Civica Tosio-Martinengo: this is one of the most important Italian painting collections. The works on display range from the 13th to 18th centuries. The main nucleus consists of paintings by Renaissance Brescian masters such as Foppa, Romanino, Moretto and Savoldo; to these are added masterpieces by Raffaello, Paolo Veneziano, Lotto and others. The Pinacoteca also hosts many works coming from city palazzi and churches. The museum organizes extremely important art exhibits on a regular basis.

·       Museo del Risorgimento: the museum traces the history of Italian Unification from the end of Venetian domination until 1870. The collection contains a great many canvases, prints, letters, announcements, decrees, coins and knickknacks from that period.

Around Brescia

Near to the city of Brescia’s captivating enticements, you will find three enchanting lakes.

Lake Idro is the favoured beauty spot of nature lovers and unites mountain charms with water views; it is located in the Valsabbia mountains and equipped for every kind of water sport, especially sailing and windsurfing. If you love nature and have a taste for adventure, this is the lake of your dreams!
Lake Iseo boasts a magnificent natural setting, untouched and very charming, yet offering all the services required by modern tourism. Because of its privileged position, it enjoys a mild climate throughout the year and allows you to practice every kind of sport, from paragliding to sailing to windsurfing. At the centre of the lake you will find beautiful Montisola, Europe’s largest inhabited lake island, which is completely free from cars.
Lake Garda is Europe’s most important lake with a great deal on offer throughout the year: art (Vittoriale House Museum and the historical villas), fun (water parks, concerts, events, the most fashionable discos), nature (lemon groves, parks, gardens), sports (sailing, windsurfing, water skiing, canyoning, rafting, paragliding, hiking, excursions), and all the most exclusive shopping, offering a variety of sensations, flavours and perfumes which will fill every day of your holiday. And of course outstanding Italian cuisine: as a matter of fact, this area also offers acclaimed typical products such as wines (reds and whites of the highest quality) from around Franciacorta, extra virgin olive oil and tasty traditional fish and meat dishes. Everything for those who seek the best!