Duomo vecchio, Romanesque co-cathedral in Piazza del Duomo, Brescia, Italy
The Duomo Vecchio is a co-cathedral featuring a circular design with a large central dome in Brescia. Thick stone walls and multiple chapels arranged around the interior define its layout, while ancient Roman foundations remain visible beneath the structure.
Construction began in 1101 on the site of an earlier basilica, incorporating elements from ancient Roman structures in its foundations. This layering of different periods makes the building a record of continuous religious use across centuries.
The cathedral displays red marble sarcophagi and medieval frescoes that visitors encounter while walking through its interior. These works shape how the space feels and speak to the artistic traditions of the city.
The building opens daily for visitors to walk through at their own pace and explore the interior freely. Plan time to view the various chapels and artworks scattered throughout the space.
The building retains its rare circular floor plan, a design that became unusual in church architecture after the Council of Trent. Few round churches of this type remain standing in Italy today.
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