Leaving Milan behind, we continued our journey home, but there was one last magical stop waiting for us. We headed towards Sirmione, as we had decided to spend the night in this picturesque town. After checking into our accommodation, we immediately set off to explore the old town on the shores of Lake Garda. After the elegant, but sometimes aloof and commercial atmosphere of Lake Como, Lake Garda seemed much friendlier and more human. And the old town of Sirmione, with its narrow streets and castles built on the water, was particularly atmospheric and captivating.
The Lake Garda region has attracted people since ancient times, as the basin formed during the Ice Age offered not only protection but also abundant food. According to archaeological findings, communities lived on the Sirmione peninsula as early as the Stone Age, seeking refuge in houses built on stilts on the shores. This unique point of land jutting into the lake was also strategically invaluable, as it controlled the entire traffic of the southern basin of the lake.
In Roman times, Sirmione became a popular resort for the elite, where the richest families of the empire built huge villas for their relaxation. According to legend, the famous poet Catullus also had one of his favorite homes here, and the monumental ruins at the end of the peninsula are still called by his name today. The Romans loved this place not only for the view, but also for the sulphurous medicinal waters that gushed from the depths, which were already used for health purposes at that time.
During the turbulent centuries of migration and the Middle Ages, the defensive role of the lakeside settlements became more important, and Sirmione became an important fortress. In the thirteenth century, the Scaligeri family of Verona took control of the area and built the impressive water castle that still serves as the city gate today. This unique structure, with its massive bastions and inner harbor, was a masterpiece of military technology of the time and ensured the Scaligers’ supremacy over the southern part of Lake Garda for centuries.
At the beginning of the fifteenth century, the Republic of Venice extended its power to the lake region, and Sirmione became part of this maritime power. Under Venetian rule, lakeside trade and fishing flourished, and the town maintained its military importance on the border with the Duchy of Milan. It was during this period that the old town took shape, with its narrow streets and charming squares that combine Mediterranean and Alpine styles.
In modern times, Lake Garda and Sirmione have gradually transformed into an internationally renowned tourist centre, while preserving their historical integrity. At the end of the nineteenth century, the healing powers of the sulphurous springs were rediscovered, which led to a revival of spa culture and the construction of elegant hotels. Today, the lake area offers a unique blend of natural beauty and a rich historical heritage, where walking among ancient ruins and medieval castle walls allows one to truly experience the magic of Italy’s past.
