Exhibit organized by Marco Bona Castellotti and Antonio Giuliano. Hercules the Founder is a new type of exhibit that analyzes the passage from the pagan legend of Hercules to its revival by the Christian church in the Middle Ages and up to the 16th century. The exhibit is an opportunity to review the legend through a precious selection of medieval and Renaissance archeological works that depict some of the themes tied to the figure of Hercules. With this exhibit, Hercules returns to Brescia, the city that he supposedly founded. The origins of Brescia are a thing of legend: some attribute it to Hercules and others say it was Troe who escaped from Troy in flames and arrived in the place where Brescia now stands, where he founded Altilia (which means the other Ilio, which is the ancient name for Troy).

Due to its exhibition layout and location, the Santa Giulia Museum is a unique venue in Europe. The museum is inside an ancient Benedictine convent built during the Longobard period and dedicated to Saints Salvatore and Giulia.
Enlarged and remodeled over the centuries, the convent and its many constructions built over time are an admirable example of the architecture and figurative art from the early Middle Ages to the late Renaissance and beyond, with stunning archeological areas, cloisters, and frescoed chapels. Inside, the museum layout takes you on a journey through the archeology, history and art of Brescia, from prehistoric times up until today.

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