Palazzolo Sull'oglio

Towers, churches and defensive structures

The Torre del Popolo was built between 1813 and 1830 on the circular Mirabella Tower, part of the old Rocha Magna fortifications. Including its statue, it is about 92 metres high. With its circular ground plan, it is considered Europe’s tallest civic bell tower. Its construction period, predecessor structure and current height each give the tower a distinct connection to the history of the town.

The Antica Pieve also tells the story of several construction phases: the former parish church is now known as the Auditorium San Fedele and is the last of three churches built one after another on the same site over the centuries. The first church on the site dates to the second half of the 5th century. The Antica Pieve is open during the day. If you would like to combine your visit with a church service, make arrangements with the parish in advance.

The Chiesa Parrocchiale di Santa Maria Assunta was built between 1751 and 1782 to a design by Massari of Venice. The church also houses a polyptych by Vincenzo Civerchio dating from 1525. It is open during the day; if your visit depends on a specific time slot, check the opening hours in advance.

Structures from the historic defensive system have been preserved in Mura. The Rocchetta is a square tower, with loopholes and stone supports for a protective grating visible on it. Its exterior area is freely accessible and wheelchair accessible. The Torre Rotonda di Mura stands at the highest point of Mura. Group visits to this tower can be booked by email.

Other notable landmarks include the Ponte Romano and the Rocha Magna Castle. The Ponte Romano is the oldest of the five bridges over the Oglio. Rocha Magna Castle was built on the river’s left bank between the 9th and 10th centuries. The Teatro Sociale now has about 140 seats.

Museums and remembrance

The Museo San Fedele was established in 1995 from a collection of historic typewriters that Mario Pedrali had gathered from around the world. In another wing of Palazzo Zamara, the museum also displays numerous Sterzi motorcycles. This motorcycle brand was founded in Palazzolo sull'Oglio in the 1930s. The same museum thus brings together the history of an internationally assembled collection and that of a brand founded locally.

The Museo dei Ricordi di Guerra contains more than 1,000 objects from the Risorgimento, the African campaign and the two world wars. The Pietre d’Inciampo commemorate victims of the Nazi dictatorship. They are freely accessible on foot and by wheelchair. The museum collection and the memorial stones thus represent different forms of remembrance: a military history collection and commemoration of those persecuted.

Park, cycle route and getting there

The Parco delle Tre Ville takes its name from three villas built in this area between the 19th and 20th centuries. The park combines architecture and landscape. Villa Lanfranchi is a notable example of the Italian Liberty style. Those interested in architectural history will find another architectural landmark here, in addition to the towers and churches.

The Ciclovia del fiume Oglio runs for 92.5 kilometres from Paratico to Seniga. Its first section leads from Paratico to Palazzolo sull'Oglio and has the greatest elevation changes of the entire route. This information is useful when planning the stages of the cycle route: the first section has a different elevation profile from the rest of the route.

Palazzolo Sull'oglio railway station is on the Brescia–Bergamo regional railway line. Check connections before travelling. Together with the named attractions and the cycle route, the town offers various starting points for planning your trip, without implying any particular order in which to visit them.

Discover more destinations: Trenzano, Gratacasolo, Malonno, Fornaci, Rodengo-Saiano, Niardo, Monte Isola, Angolo Terme.

For the main travel overview: Brescia.