Piazza Paolo VI

The square of the two Cathedrals

Elegant, ancient and rich in history: Piazza Paolo VI is one of the focal points of Brescia, home to some of the city’s most important historical buildings, including the churches to which it owes its nickname “the square of the two Cathedrals”.

It is overlooked by the Duomo Vecchio (Old Cathedral), also called La Rotonda, and the Duomo Nuovo (New Cathedral). The former, built in the 12th century, is a magnificent example of medieval religious architecture. It houses various relics and works of art, particularly in the Chapel of the Holy Crosses and the Crypt of St Philastrius.

The Duomo Nuovo bears the marks of its construction that lasted from the 17th to the 19th century: Baroque and Rococo-style elements combine on the white marble façade and inside. You are sure to be amazed by the dome, the third largest in Italy after St Peter’s Basilica and Florence Cathedral.

Lastly, the square is home to Palazzo del Broletto, the oldest public building in the city, where public gatherings were held and institutions convened when Brescia was a city-state.