The east side of the wide square, which was in the heart of the old city, is occupied by the Tower of "Pégol" and the Loggia delle Grida, incorporated into the Broletto, the Duomo Nuovo (the New Cathedral) and the Duomo Vecchio (the Old Cathedral).
The Duomo Nuovo (the New Cathedral).
Its building began in 1604 and was completed in 1825. The grandiose Botticino marble façade is dominated by the imposing cupola, while the inside has a Greek-cross plan and includes several works of art. The new cathedral stands next to the Duomo Vecchio (the Old Cathedral), which is the most important building of the Lombard Romanesque style. The circular old cathedral was built between the 11th and 12th centuries. In its interior, the sarcophagus of Bishop Berardo Maggi (14th century) deserves attention.
The Broletto.
It is the oldest communal palace in the city. When Brescia was a city-state, the Broletto used to be the centre of political life and, between the 15th and the 18th centuries, it was the residency of Venetian authorities as well.
The building has a large internal courtyard: it presents three sides of medieval period, while on the north side there is a 17th century colonnade. Nowadays, the building houses the Prefecture, a Police station, province and council offices.