The city of Brescia, in the Lombardy region of Italy, offers visitors a rich blend of history and culture in a relatively quiet, laid-back town of 200,000. Located about 65 miles east of Milan, Brescia was founded some 3,200 years ago; one of its earliest names was Brixia, meaning “a high place.” The Romans arrived around 200 BC, leaving behind some of the best Roman ruins in northern Italy, including a forum and theater.
Nearby lies the monastic complex of San Salvatore and Santa Giulia, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2011. This archaeological zone – the largest in northern Italy – includes the Brescia City Museum, two Roman townhouses, a Lombard church and a Romanesque chapel, and a Renaissance choir space.
