SIRMIONE
Sirmione is located on a narrow, 4 km long peninsula, on the south of Lake Garda.
Its natural beauty has been admirad and renowned since ancient times.
Some of the stories Sirmione has to tell come from its archeological findings
in the numerous lake dwellings, the impressive ruins at ""the Grottos of Catullus",
and the Scaligero Fortress. Illustrios poets and famous artists hve experienced
and told to the beauty of Sirmione.
Today Sirmione is one of the Lake Garda's most important tourist attraction and
has a considerable number of high quality hotels for even the most demanding clientele.
Guests in Sirmione can enjoy the many alterantives the area offers, from the
thermal waters, known since ancient times for their curative nature, to the beautiful
Monte Baldo and Alto Garda Bresciano Parks, from the theme parks Gardaland and
Aquapark Canevaworld, to the renowned local cusine.
The Grottos of Catullus: Despite the theory that the ruins of the impressive Roman villa at the far end
of the Sirmione peninsula (know as the grottos) belonged to the well known Latin
poet Gaius Valerius Catullus, who was a member of a rich Veronese family, frequented
the villa in Sirmione.
The castle: The fortified medieval centre is defended by the Scaligera Fortress, strategically
positioned on the only point of access by the land. Sirmione castle is one of
the most cofotifications complete and best preserved in Italy. The two crenellated
towers stand out impressively, a symbol of the power of Mastino I della Scala
who started the first phase of construction of the Fortress around 1259.
Villa Callas: From 1950 to 1959 the famous soprano spent her lve at the side of her husband
Giovan Battista Meneghini in their villa in Sirmione.
San Pietro in Mavino: the most antique church in Sirmione. A great range of frescos were painted inside the church along the side walls.
over the last two centuries the roof has been replastered (dated, as noted by
a graffito, 1827).
Santa Maria Maggiore:Santa maria Maggiore is located inside the Medieval centre. this is one of the
most significant examples of architecture from the 1400s in the lake area and
is noted for its unusual terracotta decorations, the elegant apsidal structure
and the external buttresses. |
