Breno, Lombardy

Breno [ˈbreːno] (Camunian: Bré; obsolete German: Brenn) is an Italian comune of 4,986 inhabitants[2] in Val Camonica, province of Brescia, in Lombardy.

For other uses, see Breno.
Breno

Bré
Comune
Comune di Breno
Location of Breno
Breno
Location of Breno in Italy
Breno
Breno (Lombardy)
Coordinates: 45°57′31″N 10°18′20″E
CountryItaly
RegionLombardy
ProvinceBrescia (BS)
FrazioniAstrio, Campogrande, Degna, Gaver, Mezzarro, Montepiano, Pescarzo, Ponte della Madonna
Government
 • MayorSandro Farisoglio (center-left)
Area
 • Total58 km2 (22 sq mi)
Elevation
343 m (1,125 ft)
Population
 (2011)[2]
 • Total4,986
 • Density86/km2 (220/sq mi)
Demonym(s)Brenesi
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
25043
Dialing code0364
Patron saintSaint Valentine
Saint dayFebruary the 14th
WebsiteOfficial website, Official website

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
Sanctuary of Minerva
See also: Val Camonica

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
Castle of Breno
BIM of Valle Camonica
Villa Ronchi
Ex voto in San Velentino
Frescoes of Romanino in the Church of Sant'Antonio Abate

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

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
  1. "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Istat. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  2. ISTAT Archived March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine

Bibliography
  • Panazza, Gaetano; Araldo Bertolini (2004). Arte in Val Camonica - vol 5 (in Italian). Brescia: Industrie grafiche bresciane.
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