10 Things to do in Lonato del Garda That You Shouldn't Miss

Nestled amongst the stunning Southern hills of Lake Garda, in the heart of the historical centre of Lonato, lies the home of the Ugo Da Como Foundation with the castle (Rocca Visconteo Veneta) and the house-museum (Casa del Podestà). An evocative visit takes you through the furnished rooms of the house, also to a stunning library filled with a precious ancient book collection. The house is surrounded by splendid private gardens and the last step of the visit takes you up to the Visconti-Venetian fortress, admired by Napoleon.

The "Casa del Podesta" was erected towards in the mid fifteenth century as the residence of the representative of the Republic of Venice in Lonato, a territory which was under Venetian domination for almost 350 years. The House of the Podesta or chief magistrate belonged to Venice until the Treaty of Campoformio in 1797, when it became Austrian propriety and was turned into a military barracks. In the second half of the nineteenth century the building passed at the ends at the Town Hall of Lonato which took not interested in it, using it as poorhouse for the town poorest families. In 1906 the Liberal deputy Ugo Da Como bought it at a public auction and submitted it to a radical restoration based on the historicist recovery of the original style: appointing Antonio Tagliaferri, the most important Brescia architect of the period, as supervisor of the works.

The Parco la Quiete in Lonato di Garda offers many opportunities to relax and enjoy yourselves, such as going for long walks along the grassy pathways, swimming in one of the three pools, suitable also for children, or taking advantage of the sports areas. There are picnic and barbecue areas, as well as the Canne Al Vento restaurant and pizzeria, open every day.