Brescia is famous for being the “Leonessa d’Italia”, “The Lioness of Italy”, but do you know where this name comes from?

Poets like Aleardo Aleardi and Giosuè Carducci described it like this due to the fierceness showed by the city during the “Dieci giornate” (“Ten Days”) - a revolt against the Austrian oppression and which lasted from the 23rd of March until the 1st of April 1849.

At that time, Brescia was subject to the Austrian empire, as was the rest of the Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia. The revolt, which was headed by the patriot Tito Speri, took the Austrian army that retired to the Castle by surprise. This was a strategic point from which the Austrians could control and cannonade the city.

On the 26th of March, Austrian reinforcements arrived and started a battle in Sant’Eufemia where 1000 Austrian soldiers lost against only 300 insurgents.

In the end, General Haynau with other additional troops was able to enter the Castle first, giving more support to the already present compatriots, and from there attacked the city and allowed other soldiers to enter from the main doors.

He also demanded the unconditional surrender of the citizens of Brescia. As these refused, the fighting continued until late night, when the heads of the revolt decided to surrender.

Despite it, the following day, the Austrian troops sacked the city and massacred numerous inhabitants before the surrender could be signed.

Until this day Brescia inhabitants are inspired by the symbol of the lioness and the fierceness showed by their ancestors. ESN Brescia as well dedicated last year'S T-shirt, designed for our ten years anniversary, to this strong animal #getreadytoROAR