Lombardia: Sirmione (Lake Garda)

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Sirmione is a wonderfully medieval (and walled) town! It’s a spa town located on a long peninsula on the southern shore of Lake Garda. The town has inspired artists and writers for years. It’s hard to believe that this town was once a small fishing village. My first interest in the town (after the gorgeous lake of course) was to see Rocca Scaligera/Scaligera Castle. This 13^th century castle literally rises from the lake in absolute splendour (Dante lived here!)….perfectly fabulous views from the towers and crenellated turrets. Take time to tour the medieval center of town — it’s a lovely place (no cars allowed unless you’re a local or a hotel guest — perfect!). You actually cross the castle bridge to gain entrance….very cool. Shops, bars, restaurants — that’s what you’ll find here. There are two fine chuches worth visiting: the Chiesa Di Santa Maria Maggiore (15^th century), near the castle and with five altars and the Chiesa Di San Pietro in Mavino (11^th century), located on a high on a hill has fine frescoes that date to the 13^th and 14^th centuries. Near to San Pietro in Mavino is the villa (Roman) called Grotte Di Catullo (ruins). This fabulous villa (1^st century BC) is indescribably opulent, gorgeous, romantic — fabulous…..the setting is among olive trees, gardens, panoramic lake views….visit — well worth it just to see the porticoes, mosaic floor, frescoes and the small museum with artifacts found at the villa and along the lake. If you have any kind of respiratory problem — Sirmione is your town — the Stablimento Termale Catullo where you’ll find sulphuric water (steaming) from the lake. Friday is market day in Sirmione.