Caserma della Gola o Grande e Piazza d’Armi

Napoleon Bonaparte mistrusted the attachment of urban fortifications, contrary to what had been demonstrated up to that time, and wanted to have in the Rocca d’Anfo and not Brescia a square that could be left to itself and could resist an artillery attack.

The Batteria della Gola or Grande Battery is positioned at the foot of the upper portion of the Rocca d’Anfo and develops horizontally, parallel to the shore and marking the profile of the lake. It was designed and built as if it were a Parisian residential palace and the soldiers’ quarters and rooms were located inside.

In the Report for the State of Defence of 8 September 1813, the completion and operation of this portion of the fortress, along with the structures that make up the upper part of the fortress, is highlighted.

Under the Piazza d’Armi there is a cistern that can hold two hundred and sixteen thousand litres of water.