A holiday in Desenzano.

Last month I spent some days in Desenzano del Garda.

Desenzano del Garda is the largest town on the southwestern shore of lake Garda. It is the in the region of Lombardy and not far from Brescia.

It was not the first time I visited this town. I think I went there four times.

Desenzano is a good base to visit lots of places on the lake Garda.

There is a castle, a Roman villa and some museums to visit here. Moreover; this town has an interesting old core and some beaches.

One of the nicest spots in Desenzano is the old harbour. It was built for commercial needs around the XV century.

At the old harbour there is a bridge; the ponte "alla veneziana" (the Venetian style bridge) It was erected around 1930.

I like this street. I don' t remember its name. You can find it beside the duomo (cathedral); on its right side.

I am not sure, but it seems to me that fishermen had their houses on this street long ago.

It' s like a street you can see in various Italian sea villages.

Desenzano has an old center worth to explore. It is partly on a hill.

In this picture you can see one of the streets that takes to the castle.

The castle was originally built around the X century and enlarged at the end of the 15th century.

In the 19th century it was used as a barrack (Precisely until 1943).

It is opened to visitors, but I was told there is not much to see inside. Some expositions and other public events are held into the castle.

You can enjoy a very beautiful landscape from the castle area.

Another picture taken from the castle area.

Bar - Ristorante Castellani is a good place to have a large and good pizza. They also serve first courses, as pasta, soups, meats and fish.

This restaurant is hidden in vicolo del Moro; a narrow alley near piazza Matteotti.

Hotel Giardinetto is a small hotel where I booked my room in Desenzano. It is not far from the main square in the town.

The rooms at hotel Giardinetto are modern furnished and the personnel are kind and helpful.

At this hotel they only serve breakfast; a buffet breakfast with lot of food. Cheese, cold cuts, pastries, bread, youghurt and fruits.

Moniga del Garda is a small village; not far from Desenzano. Its name should come from the name of a goddes; Diana Munichia.

There are some beaches in Moniga, but I only explored its old core. I only took some pics that day I was there. I wasn' t in the mood to take pictures.

The main sight in Moniga is the castle. It dates to the X century. It was modified between the XIV and the XV centuries.

The castle was used as a shelter against the enemies for the inhabitants of Moniga.

During the summer the castle hosts several events, as shows, concerts and fairs.

There are some streets with several houses into the castle area.

Another picture taken into the castle precinct.

Sirmione is a nice village situated some kilometers from Desenzano del Garda.

The old center of Sirmione stands on a narrow pensinula.

One of the sight in Sirmione is the castle. It was owned by the Scaligeri family; from Verona. This castle was built around the XIII century in order to protect the village and the harbour.

Another highlight in this village are the Grottoes of Catullus. These are ruins of a large Roman villa. It occupies two hectares at Sirmione' s northern tip.

This construction was associated to Catullus, because the poet Gaius Valerius Catullus had a house in the Sirmione area.

Sirmione also has some thermal springs. The water from these springs is even sold in the whole Italy and maybe abroad.

Across from the castle there is a tiny church; it is saint Anne della Rocca church. It was built in the second half of the 1300 for the garrison of the castle.

As in many old villages one of the things to do is to explore the narrow streets.

The old center is Sirmione is not large.

Saint Mary the major or saint Mary of the snow is Sirmione parish church.

It was built at the end of the XV century on the site of a 8th century Lombard church..

Inside this church you can see a good number of frescoes dated from the XIV to the XVI centuries.

The entrance of the church.

Just outside the church, on its left there is a nice small well.

This is my favourite spot in Sirmione. A private garden with some statues.

Another church worth a visit in Sirmione is the church of san Pietro in Mavino. It is the oldest church in Sirmione.

It was built in the VIII century and finished in the XI century. Inside there are some frescoes dated from the XII to the XVI centuries.

This church is situated on the highest point of the peninsula of Sirmione. It is a bit of a trek to get there.

The only downside of Sirmione is that it can be very crowded at times.

While going back home I spent less than two hours in Torri del Benaco. This lakeside village is some 20 kilometers far from Malcesine.

Even Torri del Benaco has a castle. It houses a museum. It dates to the late 1300. I didn' t visit, but I will do next time I visit this village.

There are also some narrow streets in this village and some nice spots.

There was a party in this street the day I visited Torri del Benaco.

Torri del Benaco has a good choice of shops, cafes and restaurants.

This clock tower served as a meeting place for the politician of Torri; long ago. I suppose they gathered inside it.