Skip menu

Duomo Vecchio

Overview

The city’s Winter Co-Cathedral

The Duomo vecchio (Old Cathedral) retains its original Romanesque layout, despite extensions over the centuries. Dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta, it is Brescia’s Winter Co-cathedral, which stands adjacent to the Summer Co-Cathedral, the Duomo nuovo (New Cathedral). It was built from the 11th century on the site of the former church of Santa Maria Maggiore de Dom.

The building, nicknamed the Rotunda because of its circular shape with a central layout inspired by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, is made of local Medolo stone and consists of two overlapping cylindrical structures. The lower part is a vast ambulatory, featuring a sequence of twin windows, on which the upper drum is set with smaller windows, interspersed with pilasters. An imposing bell tower was planned at the current entrance, but it collapsed in 1708, making the structure more fragile. It originally had two entrances at street level, leading into the church through a now closed passage once home to the baptismal font. The current entrance dates back to 1571 and was rebuilt in Baroque style following the tower’s collapse.

The building contains renowned works, including a tomb by Bonino da Campione, the organ by Giangiacomo Antegnati, the marble sarcophagus of Berardo Maggi, bishop and first lord of Brescia, and a cycle of paintings by Moretto and Romanino.

Hours

Sunday
09:30 am-10:45 am
02:30 pm-05:45 pm
Monday - Saturday
09:30 am-11:45 am
02:30 pm-05:45 pm
Reviews
Reviews
()
Ordina per
Duomo Vecchio

P.za Paolo VI, 25121 Brescia BS, Italia

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

Art and culture
Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta in Brescia

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

UNESCO
Valcamonica: history spanning over 8,000 years

Valcamonica: history spanning over 8,000 years

Lakes
Weekend on Lake Garda

Lake Garda, for a magical weekend

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

Mountain
Livigno, Bormio and the Valtelline Valley

Livigno, Bormio and the Valtelline Valley

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

City
Mantua, an aristocratic city steeped in art and history

Mantua, an aristocratic city steeped in art and history

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
The industrial village Crespi d'Adda

The industrial village Crespi d'Adda

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

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