Sights in Garda at Lake Garda, Italy
Palazzo del Capitano della Serenissima
The Gothic canted bay windows give the game away: this charming palazzo was built under Venetian rule. It was the seat of the representative of the ‘Serenissima’, as Venice was called at the time, who presided over the council of the lakeside towns. Originally the port was right in front of it (as can still be seen today in Lazise), but the old basin was filled in to create a square now teeming with pedestrians: Piazza Catullo.
Rocca di Garda
The name Garda is derived from the Germanic word ‘wardon’, which means to observe. And from this high vantage point – the rock towers 200 m above the lake – there are excellent views of the surrounding area. Yet the wonderful panoramic vistas which delight the visitor today were a serious matter for the rulers of the past, who had built the castle as an impregnable fortress that was supposed to last for centuries. Behind the parish church of Santa Maria Maggiore a signposted hiking trail leads up to the castle, of which only a few remnants remain. A striking feature is a walled seat that looks just like a throne.
Santa Maria Maggiore
Garda’s parish church is located outside the original town walls. The earlier 8th century Lombardic structure at the site was probably the castle chapel: the church is located directly below the Rocca. The 15th century cloister is well worth visiting.
Cimitero Militare Tedesco – German military cemetery
A German military cemetery from the Second World War is located in Costermano, 4 km in the interior. It is the third largest of its kind in Italy. The 22,000 dead who lie at rest here died in various parts of northern Italy. To get to the cemetery turn right just before the entrance to Garda (signposted).
Eremo di Rocca
A one-hour walk from Garda (or a 15-minutes walk from Rocca di Garda) takes you to this Camaldolese hermitage which was built in 1673. The monastery is still home today to 10 monks of the Camaldolese branch of the Benedictine order.
Orto Botanico di Monate Baldo
This botanical garden was built over the site of an old seedling nursery. The decision was taken not to include plants from other latitudes; the only species seen here are domestic. Why? Because the garden intends to do justice to the rich flora of Monte Baldo, which itself is also known as the Garden of Europe.
Punta San Vigilio
The peninsula lies straight to the west of Garda. A large olive grove lines the charming bay of Baia delle Sirene, where you can go sunbathing and swimming at a luxury price. There’s also a programme of children’s entertainment. A public beach with quite a lot of rocks is located just to the north of this spot. In 1540 the famous fortress architect Michele Sanmicheli built the Guarienti-Brenzone villa on the headland.
San Zeno di Montagna
A panoramic road leads from Garda to Costermano and from there to the mountain village of San Zeno, situated 25 km to the north. This outing is particularly rewarding for all the gourmets among you: San Zeno features an exquisite place to dine in the Casa degli Spiriti, situated in a hairpin bend. The view from the dining room and sun deck down over the lake is gorgeous and the restaurant boasts an award-winning cuisine. San Zeno is not the tranquil mountain village you might expect from the lengthy route, but a winter sports resort.
