A symbol of the city. The Brescia fortress is located at the site where the city’s first settlement began, on Cidneo Hill. Touring the fortress, highlighted by its round tower (Torre Mirabella), is fascinating. Access is via pathways, walls, scenic viewpoints, and interesting gardens in their own right. Inside the fortress are rooms and museums, including one of Europe’s largest arms museums and the Risorgimento Museum (dedicated to the unification movement). Underground tours are also available. All of these elements tell the story of the city’s past under various rulers, including the Venetians, Austrians, and French.