Sirmione sul Garda (14.02.2010)
Look at the lake and its bright green coast gives a lovely feeling of freedom.
It may seem incredible as the eye can take a break from the giant pool of water framed. We are part of that frame, the frame of humanity that is reflected in the blue, to search for the remains of a great past.
Sirmione is silhouetted against a pink sky in the morning, bright and white defender of Garda. We look at it from Desenzano, our tour bus runs along the coast, we get to our destination, the great fortified castle, the romantic caves of Catullus.
Off the bus in the country and begin to wander through the picturesque streets and the houses small and colorful. We come to some houses on the shore of the lake, just behind the castle. There are reed beds and pebble beaches where the waves are refracted. We turn, behind us there is a city teeming with life today as it was in the past. In front of us the blue veil of the lake.
And now we are in the green, just above the town. Grass and trees around us, their color is mixed with that of the surf. The branches and leaves quietly bend in the wind. Several trails wind through these clearings in miniature, and all tend towards the extreme tip of the peninsula. We follow them, immersing ourselves in the green, brown and gray in the tune of the rocks, until our eyes are unable to see the pearly white of old buildings. These are the ghosts of so-called "Grotte di Catullo."
Introduction: a brief historical overview.
Source on the extreme tip of a peninsula that extends south of Lake Garda,
Sirmione is a center that blooms and blooms continuously, from the most distant epochs of history to the present day. The site on which stands the city has traces of human settlement since the Neolithic, but the first urbanization of some significance dates back to the first century BC
Sirmione was then the residence of a noble family of the Valerii, who owns the poet Catullus (87-54 BC), who made famous the resort in one of his carmina.
The city's importance in Roman times was also determined by the presence of an important rest stop for travelers, the so-called Mansio
Sirmione, which are also referred to in 'Antonine Itinerary (III century AD).
Under the Lombards
Sirmione is a citadel fortified with a political and legal autonomy. The District of
Sirmione is in fact controlled directly by the king, and it benefited from exemptions and other privileges. Battery life is lost by Charlemagne but
Sirmione will always keep a leading position in defense and control of transport on the lake, and a special relationship with the sovereign and the courts.
In the thirteenth century the castle was erected, carried out by Mastino I della Scala, which remains a military garrison until the nineteenth century, even after the real defensive role is taken from Peschiera, while during the fifteenth century is to establish an economic and political ties with the Republic of Venice, that link will not break until the capitulation of the Venetian Republic in 1797.
Sirmione, the tourist is a discovery after the war, when they began to be exploited the possibilities of sulphurous waters that flow in the area. Consequently, there was also a significant urban development, which has contributed to a town of
Sirmione is sought from the point of view than purely historical tourism.
The Grotte di Catullo
This beautiful complex of ruins is right on the tip of the peninsula of
Sirmione.
"Caves" is a term to indicate Renaissance collapsed structures, and in most cases covered with earth or ivy. This, due to the inclination of the land is located on several levels, achieved through a series of massive cuts in the rock
According to the tradition of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries they are the remains of the residence of the poet Sirmionese We have no evidence yet that it will. No doubt stayed in
Sirmione Catullo, as evidenced by the verses of the Carmen XXXI.
Sirmione, the pearl of the peninsulas and islands,
of all of them, lying on a clear lake or sea
without borders, the Neptune offers fresh water and salt,
with what pleasure, what joy to see you back;
I am persuaded to have scarcely left the Tinia and the districts of Bitinta,
Thee and look into all peace.
But there is nothing more liberated from the happiness of troubles,
when the mind lays the burden and tired
a trip to foreign regions, we returned to our home
and we lie in bed I want?
This, in return for so many hardships, is the only satisfaction.
Hi, sweet
Sirmione, celebrates his master,
and you, the waves of Lake Lydia, festeggiatelo:
you want a burst of laughter, all the laughter you have.
In the nineteenth century were carried out the first archaeological excavations of the area by the Veronese Girolamo Orti Manara, who published the results in a 'work of '56. Manara's research are particularly careful and precise and have been completed with the detailed plans.
The Superintendent began its excavation and restoration between 1939 and 1940. What has emerged are two overlapping structures: a villa dating back to the first century BC and a second century AD, probably belonged to a member of the family of Valeri .. Including two jutting sources on the short sides of the complex, the villa extends to almost two hectares. It 'sure it was in use until the end of the century, and it is equally certain that in the fifth century had already been abandoned.
The site now ranks at the archaeological site itself is said Antiquarium. Tourists who visit the caves you can find all the most interesting material came to light during archaeological excavations. These are everyday objects, but also artistic. Among them appear very beautiful frescoes painted with marine scenes, and a representative of a poet. What is your Catullus, one to whom tradition has assigned the possession of the beautiful villa?
The Castle or Rocca Scaligera
The imposing structure that overlooks the lake, the Castle of
Sirmione has been for centuries an outpost of fundamental importance for the control of the water. It has a dock still in perfect condition which is a rare example of a fortification for the exclusive use of the port. In general, the impact on the rest of the area is urbanized by posting large, imposing, but also harmony.
The castle was built during the XIII century by Mastino della Scala, but the porch we can still find a Roman lapidary. You can access the walls, from which you can admire the dock perfectly fortified favorite haunt fleet Scala. It was further reinforced when, in 1405,
Sirmione was annexed to the Republic of Venice, which opted for a general renewal of the fortifications of the castle.
Overall, the castle of
Sirmione is one of the best preserved in Italy. Visitors are allowed to enter through the drawbridge and walk on imposing crenellated walls along the walkways, after climbing 146 steps to reach the well keep the main!