Piazzale Arnaldo (Arnaldo Square)
Piazzale Arnaldo (Arnaldo Square)Piazzale Arnaldo, 25121 Brescia
Piazzale Arnaldo (Arnaldo Square) in Brescia is a large historical square, once the “Mercato dei Grani” (Grain Market), famed for its neoclassical arcade and the monument dedicated to Arnaldo of Brescia. Today it’s a lively hub of city nightlife, packed with bars and restaurants.
THE SQUARE
On the eastern side of the historical centre, Piazzale Arnaldo is much more than a square, it’s a crossroads where Brescia reveals its true spirit. Here, the past makes its presence felt and the present lives life to the full: elegant architecture, historical memory, packed bars and restaurants, people meeting.
Created in the 19th century on an agricultural area belonging to the convent of Sant'Afra, the square has survived the centuries by repeatedly reinventing itself. After the suppression of the monastery in 1797, it became a public space. Then came the Ten Days of 1849, with clashes and barricades, and later, in 1976, a terrorist bombing attack that left its mark on the collective memory.
Over time, the piazza changed both name and function, reflecting different periods in the city's history. Today it bears the name of Arnaldo of Brescia, a reformist friar considered a symbol of freedom of thought.
Today Piazzale Arnaldo is pedestrianised and buzzing with bars, restaurants and clubs that make it one of the beating hearts of Brescian nightlife. Perfect for an aperitif, for meeting friends, and for watching the hustle and bustle of the city. And all this against the backdrop of the Ronchi, the eastern hills that frame the square with a breathtaking view.
Built between 1820 and 1823 to a design by Luigi Basiletti and Angelo Vita, the Grain Market is a long porticoed building (112 metres) with 20 arches and two fountains in Botticino marble at each end. Created to regulate the sale of wheat and ease traffic in the city centre, today it’s one of the architectural symbols of the square.
Inaugurated in 1882, the monument celebrates Arnaldo of Brescia, a 12th century friar who challenged corruption in the clergy and paid with his life. The bronze statue is the work of Odoardo Tabacchi, while the neo-Romanesque base with bas-reliefs is by Antonio Tagliaferri.
Today that solitary figure in the centre of the square is more than just a monument, as it represents an idea: freedom of thought and civil courage.
ph fotolive Christian Penocchio