|
|
|
Restaurant in
Sirmione - Photo (c)
NatashaP
|
Sirmione
"Sirmio, jewel of islands and of peninsulas, Whatever
each Neptune carries In the stagnant clear waters and in the vast sea, How
gladly and how happy I see you, Scarcely myself believing myself that I have
left behind Thynia and the Bithynian fields and that I see you in safety. O
what is more blessed than cares freed, When the mind puts down its burden,
And we tired from foreign labor come To our hearth and rest in a longed for
bed? This is that which is the one thing for such great labors. Greetings, O
beautiful Sirmio, and rejoice in your master rejoicing; And you, O Lydian
waves of the lake, Laugh whatever there is of laughter at home."
(Catullus)
the verses of
Catullus roll like waves: he loved and sang of Sirmione as
"the gem of all
the peninsulas".
The details have faded away in the wake of time, but the
Roman poet's spirit still lives in Catullus' Villa and Catullus' Grotte, the
original purpose of which is a secret of lake Garda.
|
|
The eventful history of the Peninsula has had many highs and
lows, but Sirmione never lost its magic.
Be they Romans or Cimbrians, Goths or Avars, Scaligers or
Venetians, all where touched by its fabulous charm.
The island just out on Lake Garda like an arm and the water
mirrors its luminous image.
Not only Catullus, but also Caesaris is said to have stayed
here. In the 8th Century, the Longobards built a convent, Dante came looking for
inspiration, Carducci and Boito spent meaningful hours here.....
The Romans built two castles, two harbors, a settlement
and the gigantic villa that rises on rocks and powerfully towers on the lake. On
the foundations of the old eastern harbor, the Scaligers later built their
famous fortress: a charming, graceful yet strong and imposing catwalk, one of
the most beautiful buildings in the word.
The numerous villas, churches such as
Santa Maria Maggiore's and San Pietro in Mavino's, the wonderful frescoes,
unique portals, belfries, battlements, arches and columns, the hamlets of Lugana
and Colombare, which like inviting gardens lead to the center of the town, all
are slats of the fan known as Sirmione.
|
Sirmione Castle
Photo (c) Mario Giorgini Sirmione
|
|
Sirmione Castle - Photo (c)
Assiolo
|
Sirmione, however, is something more.....
Sirmione, spa and resort, spirit and culture, restaurants and
refined discotheques, thermal baths and
outstanding hotels, gastronomy and pizza, excellent wine, markets and
fashion shops, the International Academy for Literature, Luna park and Gardaland
- a child's paradise - the meeting point of tradition and future....
Here one finds and meets others. Sirmione is simple and
complex, young and old, full of life and movement but also silent and
contemplative, the Eldorado of water sports and a dreamy village in the
twilight. Contrasts. Sirmione is like a fan with many slats, but it remains
unique in its essence.
Sirmione - a forum for conferences and for exchanging ideas -
a place for sports, active live, rest, a place of wine, silence, culture. A
symphony of leisure, tradition and health.
|
Sirmione where contrasts meet.....
An ideal location. Which other place is free from through
traffic and yet linked to the main motorways? Sirmione. Just look around you.
Courtesy in part of Tourist Office Sirmione and
Hotel Mistral
(c) 1997-2008 E. Massetti
TangoItalia - Food Wine Travel in Italy - Home
|
