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What to see in Sirmione in one day

I nostri consigli da local per scoprire il territorio partendo dal nostro hotel a Lugana di Sirmione Sirmione, perla del Lago di Garda come viene definita dal poeta latino Catullo, offre ai visitatori una combinazione unica di bellezze naturali, storia millenaria e cultura affascinante. Ecco una selezione di alcune attrazioni imperdibili che renderanno indimenticabile il vostro soggiorno.

1. Scaligero Castle

This imposing 13th-century fortress, surrounded by the waters of the lake, is one of the best-preserved examples of a lakeside castle in Italy. The peculiarity is that the village of Sirmione extends right past the drawbridge at the entrance to the castle, thus making Sirmione an island in the past. Its crenellated towers and the drawbridge offer a breathtaking panoramic view of the Sirmione peninsula. Not to be forgotten: a visit to the ancient church of Sant’Anna al ponte, the mother of Mary, right at the entrance to the bridge. Here, merchants who entered the peninsula in the Middle Ages used to stop for a few moments for a prayer, trying to make trade propitious. The church inside is baroque with two 16th-century frescoes made by local artists: they depict Santa Lucia holding her eyes on a saucer and Sans’Alò, protector of markets and trade.

2. Grottoes of Catullus

At the end of the peninsula that extends into Lake Garda are the remains of a large Roman villa from the 1st century AD, mistakenly attributed to the poet Catullus (a villa earlier than the one visible today probably actually belonged to the poet’s Veronese family). This archaeological site, surrounded by centuries-old olive groves, bears witness to the grandeur of Roman architecture on Lake Garda and offers suggestive views of the lake. Not to be forgotten: the observation of the underground cistern in the center of the olive grove, made with a stone that allowed the water to drain so as to collect as much water as possible to feed the thermal system present in the villa – in fact, the water was not taken from the thermal source about 200m from the coast in the Lido delle Bionde area; the thermal water in Sirmione was discovered much later in 1900 when the diver Palumbo cooked some eggs during a dive to demonstrate the temperature at which the water came out.

3. Church of San Pietro in Mavino

Situated on one of the three hills of the peninsula, this church dating back to the 8th century is surrounded by vineyards and olive groves and a Lombard cemetery that is now invisible. Inside you can admire frescoes dating from the 12th to the 16th century, while the Romanesque bell tower, built in 1070, adds a further touch of historical charm. Don’t forget: head towards the high altar, on the left there is a panel of frescoes torn from the wall. Where Saint Michael, the warrior saint, is depicted, against the light you can see some signatures: they are ancient and date back to the passage of the Lanzichenecchi. On the wall on the right instead, in another fresco torn from the wall, there is a rare representation of Saint Anna Metterza, depicting the three generations: Saint Anna, mother of Mary, the Madonna, who in turn holds baby Jesus in her arms.

4. Church of Santa Maria della Neve

Also known as Santa Maria Maggiore, this 15th-century church stands in the heart of the historic center. The terracotta façade and five-arched portico lead to an interior full of votive frescoes and wooden works, including a rare wooden statue of the Madonna enthroned that is said to have been miraculously found in the waters of Lake Garda in front of Sirmione. The interior frescoes all date back to the 16th century and were created by local Lombard-Venetian craftsmen. Don’t forget: at the entrance on the right, after a few steps, you will find two important figures. The lion of San Marco with its waving tail pointing upwards, a symbol of the stable relations between Sirmione and the Republic of Venice; a little further on, a giant human figure fills the entire wall: it is San Cristoforo, from the Greek “bearer of Christ” who is depicted small on his shoulders, thus making him cross the waters (the word pesce in ancient Greek is in fact the anagram of the name of Christ) full of fish, without difficulty. Saint Christopher was also the saint of the “good death” that everyone ingratiated themselves with first upon entering the church, which is why he was the most visible saint of all.

5. Jamaica Beach

This unique beach, characterized by slabs of limestone rock that emerge from the crystalline water of Lake Garda, offers an out of the ordinary bathing experience. An ideal place to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the lake. It is a swimming spot without services: it is therefore advisable to bring everything you need and to pay attention to the seabed that can suddenly become deep. The name Jamaica was given by the locals for the particularly clean and crystalline waters reminiscent of those of the Caribbean. In periods when the lake is low, it is possible to walk along the beach thus doubling the Sirmione peninsula at the point where it extends most into the lake. Don’t forget: to get to this point you can walk along a path directly on the lakeside, very beautiful and relaxing. You will reach a technical plant of the Sirmione spa under which there is a small terminal basin of water with the classic smell of sulfur. Although hordes of tourists bathe here believing they have found the natural origin of Sirmione’s hot water, in reality it is a waste water from the spa itself.

+1 tip: Villa Callas

The summer residence of the famous soprano Maria Callas in the 1950s, this elegant villa represents a piece of musical and local history. Although not open to the public, its façade and surrounding gardens evoke the charm of a bygone era. Legend has it that Callas, in love with Sirmione and its lake, wanted to build a swimming pool in the shape of Lake Garda.

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