Skip menu

Brescia Castle

Overview

A medieval fortress within walking distance of the city centre

Brescia Castle is an excellently preserved medieval fortress from which you can enjoy splendid panoramic views of the city. Sat atop Cidneo hill, which rises up near the historic centre, it is accessible on foot or by car. The second largest fortified complex in Europe, it bore witness to the communal period and Visconti rule. You can admire its Keep, the mighty Prisoners Tower, the massive bastions and Mirabella Tower, the last remnants of the church of Santo Stefano in Arce.

Beyond the moat, it houses the “Luigi Marzoli” Arms Museum, one of Europe’s largest collections of antique weapons and armour. It also boasts the first example of a railway monument in Italy, the “Number 1” locomotive that once travelled the Brescia-Edolo railway line. The Castle was also Italy’s first public astronomical observatory: the Bastione San Marco, where it is located, is a must for all astronomy enthusiasts.

The complex has many underground routes, including the oil storehouses, ancient water reservoirs and the Strada del Soccorso, an ancient escape route. They are all open to visitors, thanks to an excursion calendar organised by the Associazione Speleologica Bresciana.

If you visit on the first weekend of June, you can attend the “Frederick II and the Siege of Brescia” Medieval Festival, which re-enacts the city’s fierce resistance against Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor. 

Hours

Sunday
08:00 am-08:00 pm
Monday
Closed
Tuesday - Saturday
08:00 am-08:00 pm
Reviews
Reviews
()
Ordina per
Brescia Castle

Via del Castello, 9, 25121 Brescia BS, Italia

Call +390302400640 Website

Related articles

Art and culture
View of the city of Bergamo

Bergamo and Brescia Capital of Culture 2023: 13 experiences not to be missed if you are in the city for work

Art and culture
Milan Cathedral

Lombardy: the engine of Italy and a region of culture and charm

UNESCO
Valcamonica: history spanning over 8,000 years

Valcamonica: history spanning over 8,000 years

Art and culture
Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta in Brescia

What to see in Brescia in a day: unmissable attractions and typical dishes

Lakes
Weekend on Lake Garda

Lake Garda, for a magical weekend

Food and wine
Gastronomy in Lombardy: a multitude of souls for a riot of flavours

Gastronomy in Lombardy: a multitude of souls for a riot of flavours

Tours and experiences
Iseo Express Historic Train

Iseo Express Historic Train

City
Milan: much more than the world’s fashion capital

Milan: much more than the world’s fashion capital

Art and culture
Bergamo

Bergamo, medieval heart, contemporary soul

Nature
Milan: cycling along the Navigli with Leonardo da Vinci

Milan: cycling along the Navigli with Leonardo da Vinci

UNESCO
Santa Maria delle Grazie and Leonardo's Last Supper, for a touch of the true Renaissance

Santa Maria delle Grazie and Leonardo's Last Supper, for a touch of the true Renaissance

UNESCO
The industrial village Crespi d'Adda

The industrial village Crespi d'Adda

Mountain
Livigno, Bormio and the Valtelline Valley

Livigno, Bormio and the Valtelline Valley

UNESCO
Rhaetian Railway, the engineering masterpiece crossing part of the Alps

Rhaetian Railway, the engineering masterpiece crossing part of the Alps

Cultural cities
7 cities of art to visit a short distance from Milan

7 cities of art to visit a short distance from Milan

Cultural cities
817419760

2 days in Milan: the itinerary

Nature
Landscapes of Lombardy

Landscapes of Lombardy

Relax and wellness
Bormio and Its Terme

Bormio and Its Terme

Luxury
940236760

Milan's Quadrilatero della Moda

City
Mantua, an aristocratic city steeped in art and history

Mantua, an aristocratic city steeped in art and history

Ops! An error occurred while sharing your content. Please accept profiling cookies to share the page.