Il Duomo Vecchio of Brescia

The Duomo Vecchio of Brescia, with its extraordinary Romanesque architecture and rich artistic and religious heritage, is one of the city’s most important landmarks. Its history, dating back to the 11th century, intertwines with Brescia’s own story, making it a symbol of continuity between past and present. Visiting the Rotonda, as locals call it, offers a journey through centuries of history, art and faith in one of Brescia’s most iconic and fascinating buildings.

The Duomo Vecchio of Brescia, officially known as the Rotonda (due to its circular shape) or the Co-Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, is one of the most renowned Romanesque churches in Italy. Built in the 11th century, its distinctive circular layout is one of its most emblematic features.

Located in the heart of Brescia’s historic center in Piazza Paolo VI, the church stands beside the newer cathedral, the Duomo Nuovo. The architectural contrast between the two reflects centuries of urban evolution and offers one of the most beloved viewpoints in Brescia.

The Rotonda is one of the largest circular Romanesque buildings in existence, constructed in 1100 by a guild of masons. Its massive and compact design conveys an immediate sense of solidity and grandeur. To enter, visitors must descend a flight of stairs, as the cathedral lies at a lower level than the surrounding square, a result of Brescia’s urban development over centuries, with layers of construction raising the city’s ground level.

A significant historical feature of the cathedral is the tomb of Bishop Berardo Maggi, located at the entrance. Made of Verona red marble, the tomb symbolizes Maggi’s influence as both a bishop and Brescia’s first Lord. Inside the cathedral, visitors can also find the funerary monument of Bishop Balduino Lambertini, further cementing the church’s connection to the city’s religious and political figures.

The Duomo Vecchio is filled with artistic treasures reflecting different historical periods and styles. Notable features include the 14th-century main altar and a 16th-century organ crafted by renowned organ builder Giangiacomo Antegnati.

The cathedral also preserves a painting by Francesco Maffei, which documents the original tower of the Duomo Vecchio before its collapse in 1708.

Works by prominent Brescian artists, including Moretto and Romanino, are also on display, alongside 13th-century frescoes and paintings by Palma il Giovane, Grazio Cossali and Pietro Marone. These artistic layers illustrate the cathedral’s evolution, beginning with remnants of the 6th-century Early Christian basilica upon which the Rotonda was built.

One of the cathedral’s most revered treasures is the Treasure of the Holy Crosses, which includes relics and fragments of the True Cross. These sacred artifacts are housed in a triple-locked safe in a chapel to the left of the main altar, drawing significant attention from visitors, especially during religious celebrations.

The Crypt of San Filastrio, a fundamental part of the Duomo Vecchio, connects the building to the earlier basilica. This ancient and atmospheric crypt offers a glimpse into Brescia’s Christian origins and the central role this church has played in the city’s religious history.