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A historic building with a green dome and a bell tower, surrounded by a cobblestone square. 1
An archway leading to a large, historic building with a dome and multiple arches. 2
A historic building with a dome and arches, illuminated at night. 3
By Italia in Tour
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Overview

    • Explore the hidden and mysterious history of Brescia
    • Hear stories of crime — justice — and faith from an expert guide
    • Visit the main landmarks — including the Palazzo del Broletto and the ancient loggias
    • Learn about the Catholic Inquisition and its repression up close

Activity location

    • Brescia
    • Brescia, Lombardia, Italy

Meeting/Redemption Point

    • In front of Palazzo del Broletto, Via Cardinal Querini, 9, 25121 Brescia BS, Italy
    • Brescia, Lombardia, Italy

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What's included, what's not

  • Inclusions
    Guided walking tour in the historic old town of Brescia to learn about the city's dark history
  • Inclusions
    Tales of real historical events and dark legends
  • Inclusions
    Stop at iconic landmarks, including Palazzo del Broletto and Loggia delle Grida
  • Inclusions
    Stories of public convictions and executions
  • Inclusions
    Stories about Lombroso's followers and the macabre archives
  • Inclusions
    Exploration of the Santa Giulia corpse sieve
  • Inclusions
    In-depth look at the influence of the Christian Inquisition

Know before you book

    • In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, activities services are not subject to the right of withdrawal. Supplier cancellation policy will apply.
    • This activity is provided by a professional trader (a party acting within their trade, business or profession).

What you can expect

  • Brescia, a city of elegant squares and frescoed churches, however, hides a dark side made up of public condemnations, legends, and disturbing stories.

    Under the Loggia delle Grida, the names of those sentenced to death were shouted, while the crowd watched the executions as if it were a show. We will talk about the gallows, a symbol of relentless justice, and about crimes that have marked the city's history.

    We will talk about Lombroso's follower, who studied the skulls of criminals and created a macabre archive of murderers and thieves. And there is no shortage of chilling episodes, such as those who were studied alive, or the drain for corpses at Santa Giulia, where they tried to make the skeletons surface as quickly as possible.

    To complete the picture, the shadow of the Christian Inquisition, which influenced punishments and trials, intertwining with fear and superstition.

    This noir itinerary will take us through squares, churches, and loggias to rediscover a different Brescia: one where justice, blood, and faith mixed to become legend.

    Meeting point: In front of Palazzo del Broletto, Via Cardinal Querini, 9, 25121 Brescia BS, Italy

    Tour duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

    All our guided visits are conducted by licensed tour guides.

    Please arrive 10 minutes before the start of the tour. The tours start with the utmost punctuality.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    • Brescia
    • Brescia, Lombardia, Italy

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    • In front of Palazzo del Broletto, Via Cardinal Querini, 9, 25121 Brescia BS, Italy
    • Brescia, Lombardia, Italy