Brescia - Duomo Vecchio

The "Duomo Vecchio" (aka "Concattedrale invernale di Santa Maria Assunta", "La Rotonda") is a large circular structure erected on the site of a prior basilica in the first half of the 11th century.
This basilica ("Santa Maria Maggiore") was built within the 6th century. When the relics of Saint Filastrio (aka "Saint Philastrius"), the 6th bishop of Brescia and a preacher against the Arians, were transferred to Brescia in 838, a large, still existing crypt was built under that basilica.

The inner diameter of "La Rotonda" is 19,80m. The ambulatory around (from wehere this photo was taken) is 5,50m wide. The circle opens to the presbytery, erected over the old crypt in the 15th century.

Behind the altar (right) stairs lead up to the presbytery and down to the crypt.