Hotel Ambasciatori

Eating and Drinking II

by venteeocho

Still talking cheese, this time from the area dominated by the Adamello massif: the Casolèt. It is derived from the transformation of butter and fresh milk; the result is a raw paste, from the curious parallelepiped shape with a triangular base. It is a cheese to be eaten at the table, being delicate and low in fat. Typical of the Brescia mountains and Begrime, is the Formable, which are small cheeses of around two kilos, in a cylindrical shape, white and soft with a sweet, delicate and, most importantly, unique flavor which bring to mind the taste of alpine herbs.

Other typical flavours today come from artichokes, Mediterranean fruit, once very common here, now abandoned. We can also find delicious truffles in the hilly areas, especially white ones, which can be tried in the autumn-winter period.

The tradition surrounding the areas oils has its roots in medieval times, a period in which the abbeys and powerful families were disputing the land and the olive groves, because oil was a valuable commodity, with curative properties and a religious function. Even today, the mild climate, which is ideal, and the extensive cultivation of olives along the shores of Lake Garda, and Iseo, make olive oil one of Lombardys most typical products. The extra virgin olive oil, produced on Lake Garda, has an exceptional and really unique taste and aroma, which has been recognised by the European Union.
From the areas near to the city and then in the rest of the province, there is vineyard after vineyard. In Brescia, next to the castle walls, there is the biggest productive vineyard in Europe. But every flat area, every hill facing the right direction, with the right slope, and favourable climate is cultivated with vines. An enormous quantity of wine is produced, much of it is top quality. You will be sure to find a bottle to suit, among the white, red and rose wines to accompany the maricond, a traditional soup with flour and breadcrumbs or the brofadei, cubes of wheat and maize flour.

Duomo Vecchio

by Redang

The Old Cathedral of St. Maria Maggiore was pulled down around the 11th-12th centuries, and replaced by a stone building in the European Romanesque style. The Duomo Vecchio (Old Cathedral) is also known as Rotunda.

Brescia

by croisbeauty

"Il Duomo"

The town of Brescia is situated in the region of Lombardy, in fact, it lies on the border in between Lombardy and Veneto.
According to whispers, it was founded by the Ligurians, historiant point says to Gaulish Celts. One thing is for sure, by the 3C BC the city had come under Roman influence, and there are still traces of the crisscross Roman street plan in the old core of the town.

"Torre della Pallata"

The city was a member of the Lombard League, but in 1258 it was captured by the tyrant Ezzelino. Later on it was contested by the Visconti, the Veronese Scaligeri and Malatesta. From 1426 it prospered under Venetian rule.
The whole town was severely damaged in the Second World War.