Sirmione is known as the pearl of the peninsulas and its name is due to the great Latin poet Valerio Catullus, who legend says possessed a summer residence here. The town is also famous for its thermal waters, which are rich in curative properties. Sirmione is a peninsula that stretches for four kilometres into the Garda Lake. In the highest part there is an archaeological area, with a late imperial Roman villa, which seems to have belonged to the Latin poet Catullus’ relatives: from here it is possible to enjoy the splendid panorama on the other offshores. This combination of nature and history makes Sirmione a unique place.
After the Roman settlement, this site was part of the Longobard kingdom, which was administrated independently from Verona. During the medieval age its castle was built by the Scaliger family. The fortress is located at the entrance of the town and its wooden bridge isolates it from the mainland. The castle was built by Mastino I della Scala, lord of Verona, who wanted to build this fortress as a military landing place. The structure is made up by a set of towers, courtyards and drawbridges, immersed in the lake’s waters. From the XV century until the end of the XVIII century, Sirmione remained under the Venetian dominion.
The historical centre is characterised by narrow streets and very romantic views. The beauty of Sirmione is completed by religious buildings, such as the parish church of Santa Maria Maggiore, dating back to the XV century, and the old parish church of San Pietro in Mavina, which may be traced back to the VIII century. Sirmione was loved by many writers and poets such as Goethe, Lawrence, and Stendhal, who have praised its artistic and natural beauty in their works.
COMPARTE leads visitors on a walking tour, completed by a motorboat trip to admire the town at the water’s edge.