Views of Garda: Sirmione

Sirmione is a jewel of art and history, the thin land tongue of Sirmione was defined by the poet Catullus “Pearl of all islands and peninsulas”.

Environment and context of Sirmione

Inserted in a natural environment of great beauty, you can admire the Scaliger Castle, still considered the most beautiful among the surviving castles of the Scaliger age and the archaeological area of the “Caves of Catullus”, splendid remains of a grandiose Roman villa that have become part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Baths of Sirmione, already famous in Roman times for the beneficial and healing properties of the warm waters that flow from the bottom of the lake, are highly appreciated and frequented.

At the end of the Peninsula of Sirmione, in a dominant position the lake and the underlying beach of large white stones, there are the remains of the Roman villa that, for centuries, has been called Grotte di Catullo.

The Caves are among the most fascinating archaeological remains of the Roman era of the whole of northern Italy and enrich the visit to Sirmione. The “Caves”, as they were called in the sixteenth century, are the remains of a large villa, according to the tradition that belonged to the Latin poet Catullus, and erected between the end of the first century A.C. and the beginnings of the first century ad.C.

Sirmione is one of the most charming towns on Lake Garda and is located on the peninsula of the same name. Access to the historic center (of medieval origin) takes place through a drawbridge, between the walls of the Scaliger Castle, erected in 1200. The crenellated towers and walls are the obligatory place of every visit, because from here you can see the entire lake and the hilly panorama that surrounds it. Next to the castle is the dock, in perfect condition.

Past the castle, the ancient church of San Pietro in Mavino is worth a visit, a small jewel immersed in the silence of the olive trees not far from the historic center, probably built by local fishermen in the 700s. Going into the center then you can only be fascinated by the shops, typical restaurants and beautiful houses that have also captured the soul of Maria Callas, who has lived here for a long time.

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