Brixia Roman archeological area

Visit the largest archaeological site in northern Italy

Brescia boasts the largest Roman archaeological area in northern Italy. This important historical heritage lies in the heart of the city and, together with the monastic complex of San Salvatore and Santa Giulia, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011.

The Winged Victory: the symbol of Brescia in the new Capitolium layout

Returning after a two years’ restoration by the Opificio delle Pietre Dure of Florence, the statue of the Winged Victory is now housed in the eastern cell of the Capitolium, in the evocative layout entirely dedicated to it and designed by Spanish architect Juan Navarro Baldeweg.

With an imposing height of 194 cm, the statue is considered one of the most representative works of the Roman period: it reproduces a winged female figure, and although many fragments have been lost, the attention to detail and the incredible plastic effect of the whole are clearly visible.

But let’s take a step back: it was 1826 when the bronze masterpiece, now one of the city’s symbols, was found, along with six imperial heads and hundreds of other artifacts, during archaeological excavations at Brescia’s Roman Temple – an event that crossed national borders and brought many prominent figures to visit; among them, Napoleon III.

The statue was also celebrated by illustrious poets, such as Giosuè Carducci (recall the poem Alla Vittoria, written in 1877 and included in the Odi barbare) and Gabriele d’Annunzio, who even had a copy built of it that is still preserved at the Vittoriale degli Italiani.

For the history of the statue and detailed information, visit vittorialatabrescia.it.

Discover Roman Brixia: from Piazza del Foro to the 1st-century theatre

To jump back in time to Roman Brescia, we start in Piazza del Foro, one of the oldest squares in Brescia, adjacent to Via Musei, and a sort of navel of the city. It formed the crossroads between the ancient Decumanus, the main east-west street in Roman times, and Cardus, the north-south street.

The Foro was the centre of the city’s civil and political life, business, and trade. The square is overlooked by the remains of the Capitolium (73 A.D.) and the Roman Theatre (1st century A.D.), one of the biggest Italian theatres at the time with a capacity of 15,000 spectators.

Opposite the Capitolium Theatre are the small Baroque church of San Zeno al Foro and the remains of the arcade that ran around the perimeter of the square and are an impressive indication of the much lower ground level of the city back in Roman times. On the opposite side, surrounded by historic aristocratic residences, stands the 17th-century Palazzo Martinengo, used today to host temporary exhibitions and home to a wooden scale model of the whole area that shows exactly how it would all have been.

Whilst the Roman Theatre is still under restoration and is only partially open on special occasions, the Capitolium was re-opened to the public in 2013 and is one of the symbols of Roman Brescia.

The UNESCO Corridor

With the new UNESCO Corridor you can travel through 2,500 years of history in just one kilometer!

This is a monumental walk that connects the Archaeological Park of Roman Brescia with the nearby Santa Giulia Museum , unifying the World Heritage area of Brescia.

For the first time ever, a single pedestrian route winds its way through Brescia’s historical monumental architecture. The route is open freely and free of charge to the public. Find out more

The Capitolium: from its origins to the reopening

The Capitolium, commissioned in 73 A.D. by Emperor Vespasian, was dedicated to the worship of Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva, the three Capitoline gods to which was devoted the temple of the same name built on Capitoline Hill in Rome. The sculpted marble comes from the Botticino quarries, a few kilometres from the city, and sits on an earlier temple from the 2nd century B.C., of which only a few signs remain.

The reconstructed fragments of the building give us an idea of the original size of the temple. The original white marble mixed with the pink stone added during the restoration, with the atrium (pronaos) that protects the three large doors and halls, and contain several headstones dating from Roman times.

In the Middle Ages, the temple fell into ruins and was buried by landslides and rubble falling from Cidneo hill behind it. In 1823, portions of the temple and three rooms were rediscovered and rebuilt using the few fragments found by Rodolfo Vantini in collaboration with Giovanni Antonio Labus and Luigi Biasetti. The structure was subsequently turned into the Roman Civic Museum. In 2013, it was reopened to the public. Today, it is one of the most popular museums in Brescia.

The temple exudes an aura of sacredness and power and keeps history alive. Inside, the original coloured marble flooring is perserved, with the tiles arranged in geometric patterns.

Light also contributes to the charm of this fascinating place: in the summer, at dusk, shadows play on the walls; at night, artificial lighting adds to the sense of mystery.

EasyGuide: Brixia. Archaeological Park of Roman Brescia at your fingertips

The visit to Brixia. Archaeological Park of Roman Brescia becomes even more engaging and inclusive thanks to EasyGuide, the innovative free and accessible multimedia guide to be used via your smartphone. No app needed: the contents are immediately accessible by scanning a QR code that will be given to each visitor when purchasing the ticket. It is recommended that you bring your own headphones. For all information, visit the Fondazione Brescia Musei website.

Museo per tutti: activities and experiences for both children and adults

Fondazione Brescia Musei is pleased to present Museo per tutti, a program of activities and guided tours involving many opportunities to experience the city’s historical and artistic heritage. Each activity is specifically designed for children, young people or adults. Discover the complete program!

Children, get ready to have fun with Geronimo Stilton: the first museum app-game is waiting for you!

Back to the present, where culture and technology come together: visiting the civic museums of Brescia is becoming more and more interactive and fun thanks to the new museum app-game starring Geronimo Stilton!

Starting from today, the children’s most beloved mouse is the exceptional companion of the museum’s youngest guests: by taking part in his exciting adventures, they can get closer to the cultural, historical and artistic heritage preserved in Brescia and observe it… in a completely new guide!

From the Santa Giulia Museum with the Archaeological Park and the new home to the Winged Victory in the Capitolium to the Tosio Martinengo Art Gallery and the “Luigi Marzoli” Arms Museum in the Castle: thanks to three digital itineraries accessible via smartphones and tablets, Geronimo Stilton will cross the threshold of a museum for the first time.

The aim of this innovative educational project (of which Fondazione Brescia Musei is proudly the world leader) is to stimulate children’s curiosity through the use of technological tools that are familiar to them.

The initiative, entitled “Geronimo Stilton. Brescia Musei Adventures“, addresses visitors aged 6 and up. For all information, visit the page dedicated to Geronimo Stilton. Brescia Musei Adventures.

Plan your visit to the Roman Brescia Archaeological Park!

For information on tickets and opening hours:

tel. +39 030 8174200
cup@bresciamusei.com
www.bresciamusei.com