Tours on Lake Garda: Sirmione

Sirmione is often called the pearl of the lake. Its magic atmospheres were already described in Catullus' poems in first century before Christ. Catullus was born here, and probably lived in the beautiful villa on the extreme tip of Sirmione peninsula. It was the biggest Roman villa in Northern Italy and its impressive remains, today called Catullus Grotto, can be admired. Catullus is considered one of the most important Roman poets, the first, in a culture which considered important topics only war and mythology, who wrote verses talking about common human feelings: love and friendship, something that nowadays we give for granted when thinking about poetry, but which was a real revolution more than two thousand years ago.

Scala Castle
In Sirmione can also be admired the Castle built by the Scala family closing the entrance to Sirmione Peninsula. It is a very unusual castle built over water, with its walls enclosing a small protected harbor. Sirmione castle is exceptionally well preserved and can be visited. From its high walls and towers can be admired a beautiful panorama over Sirmione village and Lake Garda.

Maria Callas
Maria Callas, world most famous soprano, after her debut at the Arena Opera Festival in Verona in 1949, lived here with her husband, Giovan Battista Meneghini, the man she met while staying in Verona, before leaving him for her troubled love story with Aristotle Onassis. Today, the places were she lived can be seen in Sirmione village.

For further information on guided itineraries on Lake Garda, in Sirmione, Catullus Grotto or to book a sightseeing guided tour:

info@veronissima.com