ITINERARY – BRESCIA
Cloister of the Corpo di
Cristo’s Monastery
Cloister of the Corpo di Cristo’s Monastery
The Church of the Santissimo Corpo di Cristo – also known as the church of San Cristo – is located on the top of the staircase that leads from Via Musei first to the Church and then to the Castle of Brescia. The building and adjoining monastic complex date back to the second half of the fifteenth century and were built by the non-religious movement of the Gesuati who, following the example of St. Francis, dedicated themselves to prayer and care of the sick while remaining laymen.
The orientation of the church is peculiar, in a north-south direction, contrary to the traditional east-west, with the foundations of the apse placed three meters below street level; this is due to the particular conformation of the Cidneo hill and to ensure more space for the facade of the church, as well as an adequate churchyard at the end of the staircase. The Church of the Santissimo Corpo di Cristo is one of the few city churches to have preserved almost entirely its original appearance. The interior, with a single hall, presents a riot of colors and figures that unfold from the walls to the ceiling, so as to be defined as the “Sistine Chapel of Brescia”. The cycles of frescoes date back to 1565 by Fra Benedetto da Marone, painter of the Gesuati, who promoted the transformation of the church. The monastic complex is now led by the Xaverians and retains the three original cloisters.

Info and opening hours
- Via Giovanni Piamarta, 9, Brescia
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Every day 08.30 - 18.30
Free admission