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Breno, Lombardy

Breno (Camunian: ; obsolete ) is an Italian comune of 4,986 inhabitants in Val Camonica, province of Brescia, in Lombardy.

Geography

It is bounded by other communes of Niardo, Bagolino, Bienno, Braone, Ceto, Cividate Camuno, Condino (TN), Daone (TN), Losine, Malegno, Niardo, Prestine.

The town of Breno stands in a north-south gorge, between the castle hill and the Corno Cerreto, on the left bank of the river Oglio. According to professor Fedele the gorge was once the bed of the Oglio.

History

On top of the castle hill a house dating back to the Neolithic was discovered. In the locality Spinera, at the river Oglio, there is the Sanctuary of Minerva of the first century CE, which was ruined in the fifth century.

In the Middle Ages the Castle of Breno had two towers, one belonging to the Guelph family Ronchi, the other to the Ghibelline family Alberzoni. In the 1397 peace of Breno between Guelphs and Ghibellines, the representatives of the community of Breno sided both with the Ghibellines and the Guelphs.

During the Republic of Venice rule Breno was the seat of the Community of Val Camonica. Breno today is the seat of the Comunità montana di Valle Camonica.

The emblem of the province of Brescia is the group of five blazons: that of Brescia in the center, the town of Chiari, Breno, Verolanuova and Salò.

Monuments and places of interest

Religious architecture

  • Church of the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the 17th century structure in the centre of the town, with frescoes by Antonio Guadagnini. The altars are in marble of Ono San Pietro.
  • Church of Sant'Antonio Abate, preserves notable works of art, particularly the cycle of frescoes created by Romanino.
  • Church of St Maria at the Bridge (or Minerva), from the 14th century. Leaning against the structure is a small temple of Minerva.
  • Church of San Carlo, from the 17th century, with significant number of ex-votos.
  • Church of San Maurizio, an ancient parish.
  • Chapel of St. Apollonia, along the road leading to San Valentino.
  • Church of San Valentino, 15th century construction, interior perhaps Giovanni Pietro da Cemmo.

Military architectures

The Castle of Breno rises over a hill inhabited already in prehistoric times. It was the main bastion for the control of Valle Camonica until the seventeenth century.

Demographics

Demographic trends

Transportation and infrastructure

Breno is served by Breno railway station, located on the Brescia–Iseo–Edolo railway. Situated in the northern part of the town, the station is served by frequent regional train services to and from , and .

Culture

Traditions and folklore

The scütüm are in camunian dialect nicknames, sometimes personal, elsewhere showing the characteristic features of a community. The one which characterize the people of Breno is Maia càrte or Pèla pàsser

Museums

CaMus

The Museo Archeologico della Valle Camonica is located in Breno, also known as the Museo Camuna, and contains artifacts and artworks documenting the history of the region. Among the painting collection, are works by:

References

Bibliography

External links