The merlate wall of town-walls and the towers of the scaligero castle
damage to Lazise, that oriental of the Garda lies on the side, a print;
still today medioeval.
The locality, already inhabited in pre-history, to
the age Roman called " Lasitium". In XII the first century become
the free Common one of the Benaco; step under the Lordship of the Scaligeri that
they reconstructed the fortifications of the XI century and that they made
of Lazise one fvery fortified fort.
Situated in the morain zone, than to
south closes the lake, Lazise is a comfortable line of departure for tours,
walks and towards the green localities, where the veronese nobility, in
the passed centuries, had erected their villas to live in the summer and
autumn.
Between the things not to lose: the scaligero castle, still lived,
with six massive towers and the merlato wall of town-walls. The church of
Saint Nicolo' to the port, that it goes back to the century XI, late repaired, conserve
in the inside frescoes of the '300. Also to the port
customs Veneto of XVI the portal century.
The villa the Pergolana,
situated 1 Km to north of Lazise, along the state one, encloses in if
ancient nail head of a convent that then fell in ruin.
Lazise is very proud of its past. There are impressive
reminders of medieval splendors as well: the magnificent Scaliger castle and
walls that still surround the historic center, now full of shops,
restaurants and bars.
Next to the small harbor is the Dogana Veneta from where
for centuries the Republic of Venice controlled all commerce on Lake Garda.
Near here a Venetian fleet was moored, and to escape enemy hands, the
commander had the ships sunk to the bottom of the lake, where they still
rest.
Also, not too deeply submerged in the lake there are
indications of the prehistoric age: in Pacengo, a quiet lakeside suburb of
Lazise, underwater remains of a large pile-dwelling village have been found.
Since prehistoric times, thousands of years ago, this has
always been a region of commerce and a crossroads for travelers: in fact,
the legendary amber route passed by here. For centuries this has also been a
resort area proven by the splendid stately villas of Lazise, Colo' and
Pacengo.
Today Lazise is an affirmed tourist resort, offering approximately
forty comfortable hotels as well as a dozen or so large, fully equipped
camping sites. There are infrastructures for sport and leisure time
activities, facilities for nautical sports, musical gatherings, and a
multitude of restaurants featuring traditional fare.
Historical sites such as the Dogana Veneta and the
Scaliger Castle often hold prestigious concerts. Every summer tourists can
attend the "Lazise notte classica" (Lazise Classical Night), an important
manifestation of classical and lyrical music. Every two years Lazise hosts
the International Exhibition on apiculture.
Next to the small Lazise harbor behind the Dogana Veneta, is the
small Romanesque church of San Nicolo', with frescoes from the 1300's: on the
outside in a niche there's a painting of the Madonna del Duecento. Many are
the splendid stately mansions found in Lazise, Colo' and Pacengo.
Lake fish, extra-virgin olive oil and wines (the Bardolino,
Bianco di Custoza and Lugana wines are produced close by) are the basis for
the typical lake cuisine: famous is the "risotto alla tinca", excellent the
grilled fish.
It is very pleasant to shop around the narrow medieval
streets where there are boutiques, handicraft shops, wine cellars. Wine and
olive oil can be bought directly in Lazise from the producers that usually permit
sampling of the products beforehand.
