Monte di Pietà Vecchio, Renaissance building in Piazza della Loggia, Brescia, Italy.
Monte di Pietà Vecchio is a Renaissance building with two identical wings and a facade divided into three levels. A gallery and a Venetian loggia connect these sections together.
Architect Filippo Grassi designed this building between 1484 and 1489 and integrated Roman artifacts directly into the walls. The structure emerged during a period when the city began collecting and preserving ancient remains.
The central gallery displays ancient inscriptions and archaeological fragments that visitors can see today. This collection was groundbreaking because it represented one of the first public lapidary spaces in Europe.
The ground floor houses retail spaces, while the upper levels contain administrative offices. The central area with ancient inscriptions is visible from outside and easily accessible.
Seven small arches supported by thin columns form the loggia of the building. A decorative balcony railing opens through the central arch above the gallery, creating a surprising architectural detail.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
