Description of the attraction
Desenzano del Garda is a picturesque resort town in the province of Brescia on the shores of Lake Garda. From the 1st century BC the territory of Garda, including modern Desenzano, became a favorite vacation spot for the wealthy residents of Verona, at that time the main city of the Roman Empire in the northeast of the Apennine Peninsula. But archaeological finds indicate that people lived here long before that: for example, in 1870-1876, pots dating from the Bronze Age were discovered in local peat bogs.
In 1220, Desenzano del Garda became a feudal possession of the Gonfalonieri family, and later a theater of war between the parties of the Guelphs and the Ghibellines. In the 15th century, the city, like most other coastal settlements, became part of the Venetian Republic. The next century was a difficult one for Desenzano, many of whose inhabitants died in the midst of the plague. Only in 1772 did it become an independent commune, but soon it became part of the united Italy. The historical monuments of the city were seriously damaged during the bombing during the Second World War.
Today Desenzano del Garda is a popular resort among southern Europeans. Thousands of tourists come here to admire the views of the Alps and soak up the three pristine beaches - Desenzano Beach, Spiadgia d'Oro and Porta Rivoltella Beach. In addition, the city with its many discos and pubs is the center of the nightlife in the southern part of Lake Garda. During the warmer months, its main squares - Piazza Malvezzi and Piazza Matteotti - are filled with young people at night.
The Archaeological Museum is located right on the shore of the lake with interesting exhibits introducing the ancient history of these places. The nearby ruins of an ancient Roman villa date back to the 4th century BC. In the 10th century, a medieval castle was built in the upper part of the city - from the place where the tower stands, today a wonderful view of the city and the lake opens up. You should definitely see the Church of San Giovanni Decollato, built in 1588 in the town of Capolaterra, and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Maddalena. And if you go along the narrow medieval streets, you can go to the Palazzo Locatelli-Isonni (1785) and the Palazzo Macchioni-Tonoli-Barezani, where the national hero of Italy, Giuseppe Garibaldi, stayed in the middle of the 19th century. On the Piazza Duomo square, there are two more luxurious palaces - Palazzo Alberti Parini and Palazzo Manzini. And in the vicinity of Desenzano there are several so-called pile dwellings, which are part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site “Prehistoric Pile Dwellings of the Alps”.
In summer, the calm waters of Lake Garda around Desenzano offer tourists excellent sailing opportunities, and the beaches are crowded. Along with diving, canoeing and water skiing are also popular. In the immediate vicinity of the town there are amusement parks "Acquapark", "La Quiete" and "South Garda Karting". The surrounding hills are ideal for mountain biking and horseback riding, and the local vineyards produce Lugana wine. Desenzano's winter mild climate is suitable for relaxing walks, cycling and shooting sports.
