The sanctuary of Minerva

When thinking about the Valle Camonica, prehistoric rock engravings and early human settlements often come to mind. However, the Romans also left their mark here, founding the Roman city of Civitas Camunnorum in what is now Cividate Camuno. Among the best-preserved Roman remains is the Sanctuary of Minerva, located in Breno, one of the most significant pagan worship sites in the Valle Camonica.

Dedicated to the Roman goddess of wisdom and war, this sanctuary is a crucial testament to the spiritual and cultural history of the region.

The Sanctuary of Minerva originated as an open-air worship site in the 5th century BCE, initially characterized by stone enclosures and a votive fire. With the arrival of the Romans in the 1st century CE, a temple dedicated to Minerva was constructed and later renovated during the Flavian era. The sanctuary became a key center for worship until the Christianization of the 4th century CE, after which it was abandoned and ultimately destroyed by fire in the following century.

Later, a small dock on the Oglio River facilitated the transport of materials from the site, but the area was definitively abandoned in the 13th century following a flood. While the temple's memory faded over time, it lived on in local place names. The sanctuary’s remains were rediscovered in 1986 during public works, rekindling interest in this historical site.

The Roman structure of the Sanctuary of Minerva was built adjacent to the earlier indigenous worship site. It featured a series of rooms aligned against the rock, flanked by two porticoed wings that created a courtyard overlooking the river. A short staircase connected the courtyard to the pronaos and central halls. The interiors were adorned with elegant mosaic floors and vibrant frescoes, creating an atmosphere of splendor.

The main hall was the sanctuary's focal point. It housed an elevated niche that contained a statue of Minerva—a Roman copy of a 5th-century BCE Greek sculpture, crafted in fine marble. The side rooms of the complex included fountains and basins, highlighting the importance of water in Minerva’s worship and creating a sacred environment harmoniously integrated with the surrounding nature.