The archaeological heritage of the City of Brescia comprises approximately 13,000 artefacts displayed and stored at the monumental complex of Santa Giulia, home to the City Museum, and at the archaeological site of the Capitoline temple. A portion of the materials was donated by private individuals, with the majority of the exhibits originating from finds and archaeological excavations carried out in the city and in the surrounding area since the nineteenth century. In the Capitoline archaeological area, in which there are ongoing restoration and enhancement works, you can visiy the main temple of the city, which was inaugurated in 73 DC and has been the home of the national museum since 1830, with one of the richest collections of north Italian epigraphs. Here you can still see the original polychrome marble floors and some furnishings of the ancient temple, such as altars and statues. A multimedia installation introduces visitors to the site. Overlooking the Capitoline archaeological area is the noble palace of Maggi Gambara, which was built over the ruins of the Roman theatre, partially visitable today. In the Santa Giulia City Museum, the story of the city and surrounding area is told from the fourth century BC until the nineteenth century. You can also visit the Domus dell'Ortaglia archaeological area (700 sqm), which comprises two houses from the imperial age rich in mosaics and frescoes, the Lombard church of San Salvatore, the Romanesque Oratory of Santa Maria in Solario and, of course, the Renaissance church dedicated to Saint Julia. Among the oldest archaeological finds, of great importance are the silver medallions from the Manerbio area and Cenomani horse trappings dating from the beginning of the first century BC. The Roman period is documented by numerous finds that often relate to the main buildings of the Capitoline area, including the sanctuary beneath the Capitoline temple and datable to the first century BC. Of considerable importance are the numerous bronzes found in 1826 at the Capitoline site, among which the statue of Winged Victory, six busts in gilded bronze and numerous ornamental frames. Lombard and Carolingian age belong numerous grave goods, weapons, jewelry and furnishings, in addition to the so-called Cross of Desire, which was part of the treasure of the monastery. Of the Lombard and Carolingian ages are numerous funerary objects such as weapons, jewellery and adornments, as well as the so-called ‘Cross of Desireì, which was part of the original monastery treasure. Since 2011, the monastery of Santa Giulia and the archaeological area of the Capitolium have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List under the title of ‘The Longobards in Italy, Places of Power (568–774 AD)’. The collections and archaeological sites are part of the Civic Museums of Art, History and the Sciences, which provide an educational service of workshops and thematic visits and a photographic archive.
For information and bookings
Tel. (+39) 030.2977834
Educational service
Tel. (+39) 030.2977841
Archaeological service
From Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 5pm
Tel. (+39) 030.2977804 - Fax (+39) 030.2400733
Capitoline Archaeological Area
Open:
From Tuesday to Sunday: 10-13/14-17
Closed:
Mondays
