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Capitolium of Brescia

Vespasian's 73 AD Capitoline temple in Brescia, rebuilt over a frescoed Republican-era sanctuary.

  • Brescia
  • Archaeological site
Plan your visit
Where
Brescia
Best for
Vespasian's Capitolium
Allow
1 hour

Vespasian dedicated this temple in 73 AD to the Capitoline Triad, Jupiter, Juno and Minerva, and its Corinthian porch still fronts Brescia's Roman forum after archaeologists partially rebuilt the columns around the original bases in the 1930s.

Beneath the temple, excavations reached a Republican-era sanctuary whose painted walls, uncovered layer by layer, are counted among the oldest surviving frescoes in northern Italy; a fourth underground room from the first century BC opened to visitors only in 2015. The site anchors Brescia's UNESCO listing, granted in 2011 as part of the Longobards in Italy inscription, and the adjoining Roman theater ruins are still visible just behind the temple's three chambers, each aligned exactly with the forum below.

Five things worth finding

If you see nothing else, see these.

  1. The Corinthian porchVespasian, dedicated 73 AD; columns reassembled 1935 to 1938

    Six Corinthian columns on the front, partly rebuilt in brick around the original bases. The original inscription naming Vespasian is on the pediment.Facing the forum along Via dei Musei

  2. The three cellae and their floorsRoman

    Each cella held an altar for Jupiter, Juno or Minerva. The central and left cellae keep marble and breccia floors with mosaics, and the central one holds a wall of Roman altars and inscriptions.Behind the porch

  3. The Republican sanctuary with painted wallsRepublican, 1st century BC

    An older cella lies below the temple, with some of the oldest frescoes in northern Italy, cleaned and opened to visitors after restoration.Beneath the imperial temple

  4. The one complete columnRoman

    Entirely white and never topped up with brick, it is the only column that survives to its full height. In the early 1800s it was the only thing sticking out of the ground.First column on the left of the porch

  5. The Roman theater behind the templeRoman

    Part of the same Roman public complex, the theater completes the picture of Brescia’s ancient civic center.Immediately behind the Capitolium

Plan your visit

Everything you need before you go.

Booking
No booking needed
Time needed
1 hour
Best time
A weekday morning, combined with Santa Giulia next door
Getting there
In central Brescia on Via dei Musei, a short walk from the train station or a stop on the Brescia metro line.

Usually visited on a combined ticket with the Santa Giulia museum and Roman theater; confirm bundle pricing with Brescia Musei.

Look down through the glass floor panels near the porch: the Republican sanctuary's frescoes are visible from above without a separate ticket to the underground room.

Official website
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Good to know

How long should you spend at the Capitolium of Brescia?

About an hour for the temple, the underground Republican sanctuary and a look at the forum paving. If you add the theater ruins, stretch it a little. Most people pair it with Santa Giulia next door.

Is the Capitolium of Brescia worth visiting?

Yes. It is the best-preserved Roman temple of the Brescia forum, and together with the nearby theater it forms the most important Roman public ruins in northern Italy. It is also part of Brescia’s UNESCO listing for the Longobards in Italy.

Can you see the Capitolium and Santa Giulia in one day?

Easily, and it is the best way to do it. The Capitolium is on Via dei Musei in the old Roman center, and the Santa Giulia monastery museum is next door. Do the Capitolium first, then spend the rest of the morning or afternoon at Santa Giulia.

More to see nearby

Same city first, then the nearest across the region.

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