Brescia is also known as “Italy’s Lioness” because of the way it resisted to the Austrian repression back in the days. Brescia has a few amazing historical cafes. Come with us, we are taking you for a tour!
If you have been with us for a while, we already took you for a few good historical cafes tours around Italy. Today we go to Brescia, Italy’s Lioness and visit some of the most ancient cafes in the city. We won’t be able to show you all of them because unfortunately many are no longer in business. But we are quite sure you’ll enjoy this short tour!
The Caffè Impero
This cafe was known as Gran Caffe Nazionale at its opening in 1932 and it’s located in Piazza Vittoria. It goes under the current name since 1935, after having been bought by the Moreschi’s, already owners of other cafes around Brescia.
But this place also has a nickname for the local people, who refer to it as “el café de la ciapet” or “the café of the buttock” as it is located behind a statue. The statue represents a young fascist and is the work of Arturo Dazzi. The Caffè Impero has been closed for 5 years in 2013 for some structural works, but it is today open to the public.
The Caffè Maffio
This cafè was opened in 1860 in Corso Zanardelli. This café was one of the most elegant and it has a lot of rooms located on two floora and multiple mezzanines. The furnishing and the deco were extremely elegant and would feature velvet, marbles, glasses and dark wood.
Even after its renovation in 1927 the place kept representing the trendy place for the most important personalities in the city. In 1937 the place was fully renovated once more, and then again in 1964. After a short period out of business in 1980, the place was back in 1981 and it is today known as Zanardelli 36.
The Caffè Perli
Caffè Perli, was opened in 1727, which made it the most ancient café in the city of Brescia. This café was the meeting point for the upper class and elites. The Caffe Perli was decorated in a very expensive and elaborate manner.
The Perli Brothers were the original owners of the place, which was later sold in 1881.
In 1927 during the Austrian repression the place was under control because of its patrons, most of which were liberals. During the WWII the cafes was hosted partisan secret meetings.
They tore down the place in 1944.
The Caffè Roma
This Café waw opened in 1928 and it was one of the most trending places in the City. It’s located in Corso Zanardelli and the location hosts large spaces.
Caffe Roma, just like Caffe Maffio, had important patrons from Brescia, such as the Count Alessandro Bettoni Cazzago, the popular violin player Giannino Carpi an more.
This place closed for goof in 1949 and its venue has been turned into a bank.
The Caffè della Rossa
This cafè, located in Corso Palestro was one of the most historical ones in Brescia. During the Austrian repression this place was always under the radar of the Austrian police as its costumers were mostly liberal and against the Austrian regime.
A major renovation took place in this cafe in 1888. The new furniture and the décor were very elegant and epensive. Unfortunately the Caffè della Rossa closed its doors in 1928.
It’s such a pity we cannot actually visit all of them. But the ones you can still go to are really worth a visit! Don’t forget to check our blog from time to time to see where we are taking you next time!
