Artogne

Welcome to the province of Brescia: let's discover the territory in a friendly way!

Hello everyone! Today I will introduce you to the province of Brescia, one of the most important and fascinating provinces of Lombardy, located in northern Italy. The province of Brescia has a population of over one million inhabitants and covers an area of over 4784 km². The capital of the province is Brescia, a city that has illuminated the cultural history of Italy since ancient times.

Physical geography

The province of Brescia boasts a very diverse territory, ranging from large lakes to plateaus, from mountains to valleys. The province is famous for its three main lakes - Lake Garda, Lake Iseo and Lake Idro - and for the other numerous smaller mountain lakes. Moreover, the province of Brescia is also famous for its three main valleys: Val Camonica, Valtrompia and Valle Sabbia. There are also many other valuable areas, including the Bassa Bresciana, a plain south of the city, and hilly areas that extend east towards Veneto and west towards Franciacorta.

The province of Brescia presents a unique variety of ecosystems in Europe. In fact, the territory contains all types of biomes, from landscapes similar to the Mediterranean scrub to perennial snows of the Adamello, with the largest glacier of the Italian Alps.

Province of Brescia: between lakes, valleys and cultural wonders.

Valleys

Val Camonica, cut by the Oglio River, is located in the northwestern part of the province. It stretches from the Adamello Group to Lake Iseo and constitutes about 25% of the total area of the province. Val Trompia, a mountain basin of the Mella River, extends between the villages of Villa Carcina and Collio. Finally, Valle Sabbia, the second largest, includes the villages from Serle to Bagolino along the course of the Chiese River.

All three valleys converge at the Passo di Crocedomini, a point of union that takes its name from the "cross" formed by the union of the three basins. The connecting artery between the three valleys is the ex-State Road 345 delle Tre Valli, while Maniva, not far from Crocedomini Pass, represents another border area between the three valleys.

In addition to the main valleys, there are also numerous small valleys in the provincial territory, about 26, often tributaries of a greater one.

The province of Brescia is characterized by a great variety of geomorphology and geology, different from valley to valley. Many of the present rock faces are of limestone origin.

In any case, nature is always the perfect backdrop for discovering the beauty of Brescian villages. There are indeed many things to do in the province of Brescia: walks in the mountains, skiing sessions on the area's slopes and, of course, visits to the cities and villages of the province.

The beauties of the Brescian province

The province of Brescia is famous for its cities, monuments, culture and history. Here are some of the wonderful things to see in the province of Brescia!

Brescia

Brescia is known for being a city rich in history and culture. Among its most famous places we find Piazza della Loggia, Piazza della Vittoria, the Old Cathedral and the Cathedral of Brescia. The city is also famous for the Castle, the Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie, the Church of San Faustino and the modern art museum Santa Giulia.

Gargnano

Gargnano is a small village situated on the shore of Lake Garda, where you can find enchanting places like Palazzo Bettoni, the Church of San Francesco and the famous Villa Feltrinelli.

Lake Iseo

Lake Iseo is the least known lake of Lombardy, but no less beautiful than the others. Here you can admire fantastic works such as The Floating Piers by artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude, which was set up in 2016.

Franciacorta

Franciacorta is famous for its sparkling wines, its castles and its panoramic views. It is a hilly area located southwest of Brescia.

Val Camonica

Val Camonica is rich in prehistoric rock art, and for this reason, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979.

These are just a few of the most famous places, but the province of Brescia has many other beauties to discover.

Sports and activities

The province of Brescia is also famous for its outdoor activities. Thanks to its geographical location, the province offers multiple opportunities for adrenaline-fueled fun such as skiing, trekking, mountain biking, windsurfing and much more.

Skiing

The province of Brescia offers incredible opportunities for winter sports and ski lovers. Here you can find developed ski slopes such as those of Monte Campione, Maniva Ski, Ponte di Legno, and Temù.

Walks and trekking

The province of Brescia offers many opportunities for walks and trekking. There are many mountain walks, including the famous Sentiero delle Orobie, which crosses the Orobie Alps from Lombardy to Valcamonica.

Water activities

Water sports are very popular in the province of Brescia thanks to the presence of large lakes. You can take a boat trip to admire the panoramic beauties of Lake Garda, Iseo, and Idro, or practice windsurfing.

Conclusion

The province of Brescia is a true paradise for nature lovers and those who want to discover the beauty of the Italian territory. Here it is possible to breathe fresh air, immerse yourself in history and culture, enjoy natural beauty and practice outdoor sports. The province of Brescia is definitely an ideal destination for travel and holidays.

Chiara Russo
Wrote by Chiara Russo
Updated Monday, Feb 28, 2022