The most beautiful and fascinating scenery on Lake Garda since ancient times has been the one on the tip of the Sirmione peninsula.
And it is precisely here, that in the first century BC, a villa was built that still today tells us about the history of this town and of Benaco itself.
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Catullus or not Catullus? The ruins of the Roman villa on Lake Garda
Today called the Grotte di Catullo, the ruins of the villa rise in one of the most panoramic points of the Garda, where it was built for a certainly eminent personality, one of the most spectacular Roman domus; today one of the most important in northern Italy.
It has been preserved over the centuries, and represents an archaeological complex known for its beauty and uniqueness, covering over 20,000 square meters.
Rediscovered in the Renaissance period, already in the fifteenth century it was studied by the humanists of the time who thought it was the villa of Caio Valerio Catullo, the Latin poet who loved Sirmione, so much so that he dedicated overwhelming verses to it.
The history of the Grotte di Catullo over the centuries
To build it, it was necessary to “challenge” the bank of rocks of the Sirmione peninsula, with differences in height to be adjusted and a unique architectural project overlooking the lake.
Nearby the villa there was a large garden, now an olive grove, and a cistern that collected water for the villa. Being in Sirmione, the domus obviously had a spa area, in which there was a heated swimming pool.
For unclear reasons, the huge villa was abandoned as early as the third century after Christ, and part of its decoration and materials were even used to build another villa in Sirmione, the one called Via Antiche Mura.
Subsequently, between the fourth and fifth centuries, its ruins were included in the fortifications that began to surround Sirmione, given the frequent incursions of the barbarians; in this period, was born areas where the dead were buried inside this building.
In the following centuries the caves has been soon covered by wild vegetation, and presented themselves to moderns with the appearance of mysterious caves.
Archaeological excavations began in 1939, along with restorations. According to some modern historians, this residential complex may have been the villa of Catullus’ father. Whoever owned it had probably chosen it for its spectacular view of Lake Garda, and had extended its domus for about 2 hectares – still not all discovered today!
The ravines of the villa still create suggestive glimpses, while a part inside the park has been renovated to house an exhibition and educational space: the museum.
The Archaeological Museum of Sirmione
This structure, active since 1999, houses the finds from the Grottoes of Catullus and also from other Roman villas that stood on Lake Garda – such as the villa in Via Antiche Mura, the villa Desenzano-Faustinella or the villa of Toscolano.
The visit to the archaeological museum is recommended for those who arrive and want to visit the Grotte di Catullo, in a more aware way of the territory and its history. In the spaces there are historical testimonies of Sirmione, from the pile-dwelling era (San Francesco, Porto Galeazzi, Lugana Vecchia, Maraschina) to the medieval churches of San Pietro in Mavinas and San Salvatore.
To date, the villa and the museum, or the entire complex of the Grotte di Catullo, are one of the most visited state archaeological sites in Italy, with over 200,000 visitors a year.
Useful information for visiting the Caves of Catullus
They are open in summer from the last Sunday in March to the last Saturday in October.
The entrances to the archaeological area and museum are possible following the timetables: weekdays – 8.30-19.30 and holidays – 8.30-14.00.
The Grotte di Catullo complex is closed on Tuesdays.
During the winter it can be visited from the last Sunday of October to the last Saturday of March, during the following hours: weekdays – 8.30-17.00 and holidays – 8.30 -14.00.
The museum, during the winter, is open on weekdays – 8.30-19.30 and on holidays – 8.30-14.00.
