Palazzo Martinengo is a grand, 17th-century palace that is now occupied by two contrasting collections. See the Roman forum of ancient Brixia as it would have stood during its 1st century heyday thanks to striking projections and survey the works of regional artists in the Civic Art Gallery.
Travelers with an interest in ancient Rome won’t want to miss Brixia Light Box, housed within Palazzo Martinengo. Descend into the basement of the palace to experience a virtual recreation of an ancient Roman forum as it would have appeared during the time of the Flavian dynasty. Light projections are used to showcase the layout and appearance of the millennia-old settlement, while fascinating displays of ancient archaeological artifacts help reveal more about life here in Roman times.
Next, explore the rich collection of the Civic Art Gallery. Spread across 25 different rooms, the museum’s exhibits span the 13th to 20th centuries. See paintings by Brescian artists including Renaissance masters Savoldo, Romanino and Moretto. Many very famous Italian artists also have works within the collection. Examine a portrait by the great Tintoretto and pieces by the highly productive Raphael.
While most space is given over to Italian artists, they aren’t the only nationality represented. Works by German artists, including printmaker extraordinaire Albrecht Dürer and his lauded predecessor Martin Schongauer, are also on show as part of a wider exhibition focused on the development of printmaking and graphic arts.
Don’t leave without seeing Giorgio Morandi’s well-known still life paintings. Morandi famously completed a series of still life paintings, all depicting similar though not quite the exact same arrangements of objects including a vase, bowl and cup set on a table. Other works in the series are now part of the collection of esteemed museums, such as the Tate in the U.K. and Washington D.C.’s The Phillips Collection.
Check with Palazzo Martinengo before your visit to see if the museum is open it may be closed for renovations. The palazzo is located in central Brescia, less than 10 minutes’ walk from the Vittoria metro station.
