Sirmione

Sirmione is an attractive locality from low Garda, ancient human settlement that conserves a rich history and rises on a long, narrow peninsula that stretches out on the lake.
Back in ancient times Sirmione was already characterized as a centre of great importance, since it was one of the favourite spots for the Roman patrician families to spend their vacations and especially to reinvigorate themselves thanks to the properties of the thermal waters that flow in these areas.
Sirmione possesses a special historical centre, characterized mainly by the old villa thought to belong to the great poet Catullus, who most likely lived there.
Often visited by tourists is the Grotto of Catullus, containing the remains of a once spectacular Roman villa.
Sirmione preserves signs of Byzantine, Lombard and Scaligere rule, and among all the monuments a very important place is occupied by the Rocca Scaligera which dates back to 1400 and had the purpose of defending the territories of the lower part of the lake and whose extraordinary crenulated towers fascinate visitors. Close to the Rocca emerges the Santa Maria Maggiore Church with beautiful frescoes in the interior and the San Pietro Church in Mavino.
The Museum of Sirmione conserves old engravings and images of the Grotto of Catullus, the plastic artist of the Roman villa, numerous frescoes and stuccoes, mosaic pavement, bronze and pottery objects. An important section of the museum is represented by the remains of platafitte settlements of the Bronze age, and remains that trace back to the period of emperor Constantine.