Around Tignale . ART CITIES: BRESCIA

This grandiose square, designed by the Roman architect Marcello Piacentini and inaugurated in 1932, was built on the site of a dilapidated popular quarter which was demolished in order for the city centre to be cleaned  up. The Post Office building and the brick Torrione (high tower) with its imitation loggias dominate the square. The façades of the buildings, the paving of the Quadriportico and the wide arcade are all made from highly-polished marble in two contrasting colours.
The Arengario, a red stone pulpit decorated with bas-reliefs, was erected in front of the geometric flight of steps which links the north-east of the square to the rest, which is at a lower ground level: it was used by public speakers during city assemblies.

Piazza Paolo VI

Formerly Piazza del Duomo
This square, which dates back to the Middle Ages, is the heart of the city; it  contains important historical buildings which symbolize the city's concern with civil rights as well as its religious tradition.
The palace of the Broletto, which incorporates the municipal tower, is the oldest municipal building in the city and was the centre of political life when Brescia was a city-state. It has a square ground plan with an internal courtyard which was built in stages from the Middle Ages up to the XVIIth century, when an open bossed arcade was added to the north side. Nowadays the building houses the Prefecture, a Police station and the administrative offices of the province and council.
The Duomo Nuovo was built between 1604 and 1825: the long history of its construction is reflected in the baroque style of the lower part and the rococo style of its imposing and grandiose façade in white Botticino marble. Note the Renaissance “Arca dei SS Apollonio e Filastrio” of 1710 and the dome.
The Duomo Vecchio, or Rotonda, dating from the XIIth century, is a splendid example of a circular stone building from the Middle Ages and contains several works of art. The former ground level of the city can be observed around it.

This is the most important  complex of remains from the Roman epoch in Lombardia. When Brescia was under Roman rule, this square was the centre both of religious and political life.  The Capitolium Temple, prominently situated at the north end, had an arcade with a double order of columns, as can be seen from the remains of the arches on the former ground level.  The Basilica (the law courts) was situated on the south side: remains of this edifice can be seen incorporated into the nearby houses in Piazza Labus.

Il Monastero di San Salvatore o di Santa Giulia