Discovering DESENZANO
Risorgimento Park:
The tower and ossuary of San Martino
The monument complex commemorates the battle fought here on 24 June 1859 between the Austrian army and the Franco-Piedmontese forces.
At the entrance to the 64-metre-high tower, visitors are greeted by statues of the key figures in the unification of Italy, whilst the frescoes lining the ramp depict scenes from the Risorgimento.
From the terrace, you can enjoy a sweeping view.
The museum displays weapons, artefacts and documents, as well as items used by the soldiers. The ossuary chapel houses the remains of thousands of fallen soldiers.
The beaches
The beaches, which attract thousands of tourists every year, stretch along the entire coastline: Desenzanino Beach, Spiaggia d’Oro in Rivoltella, Fornasette Beach, Madonna della Villa Beach, as well as Feltrinelli Beach and the beach at Rivoltella harbour.
They are all accessible by public transport and, above all, they all have the assurance that the water is monitored.
Some also feature toilet facilities, green spaces, parasol hire, sports pitches and much more to ensure everyone’s comfort and enjoyment.
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The Lakeside Promenade
At dawn, at dusk, in the evening or during the day: the lake changes colour at every moment of the day, and the best places to observe these changes and marvelling at them are the footpaths that run alongside the lake.
From this point of view, the recent opening of the new lakeside promenade linking Desenzano to Rivoltella has been of great significance.
The same applies to the lakeside promenade that runs from Desenzanino Beach to Desenzano Harbour and leads directly to all the squares and streets of the historic centre.
The Roman Villa
The Roman Villa in Desenzano was built at the end of the 1st century BC and has retained all its charm and historic grandeur.
With over 240 square metres of exquisitely crafted polychrome mosaics, the Villa is a jewel in the crown of Desenzano’s cultural and historical heritage: it features scenes depicting cherubs harvesting grapes or racing in chariots, maenads and satyrs, wild animals and allegorical figures.
The first owner, Flavius Magnus Decentius, was the brother of Emperor Magnentius, from whom the name of the town of Desenzano is said to derive.
The Cathedral
The church, dedicated to St Mary Magdalene, was built on the ruins of the old parish church between 1586 and 1611, based on a design by the architect Giulio Todeschini.
The façade features Baroque decorative elements, whilst the interior, with its three-nave basilica-style layout, is one of the finest examples of late Renaissance architecture in the province of Brescia.
Inside, the works of Andrea Celesti, a leading figure in 17th-century Venetian painting, stand out, including a large ‘Resurrection“.
In the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, visitors can admire *The Last Supper*, a remarkable work dating from 1738.
The Castle and its street
The castle overlooking the town, built on a castrum Originally built to defend against the barbarian invasions, it was rebuilt in the Middle Ages and reinforced in the 15th century.
The original walls are in themselves marvellous sights well worth visiting; furthermore, the castle often hosts major exhibitions by internationally renowned artists or events of great interest to tourists and local residents alike.
The street below, Via Castello, is also very distinctive because of its layout and the many businesses that bring it to life.
The Squares
Piazza Cappelletti, Piazza Malvezzi and Piazza Matteotti are the three main squares in the historic centre, from which you can enjoy breathtaking views, make use of the services offered by the local businesses, and admire the monuments dedicated to people or events that have shaped national and local history.
Piazza Garibaldi is another splendid square situated in the highest part of Desenzano, in the Capolaterra area. There are also Piazza Ex Deodara and Piazza degli Alpini in Rivoltella, and Piazza per la Concordia in San Martino.
The Old Port
The small harbour (known as “Old Harbour“), which is first mentioned as early as 1274, was extended during the Venetian Republic to serve the thriving grain market.
It is one of the most photographed and Instagrammed places in Italy, thanks to its natural and architectural features.
From the Ponte della Veneziana, which spans the harbour, you can enjoy the best view of Palazzo Todeschini, the statue of Saint Angela Merici and, in the background, the medieval castle.
The Lighthouse and the Harbour
The lighthouse is the quintessential symbol of Desenzano; it features in almost all the town’s logos and is the main attraction for tourists.
The lighthouse lantern, consisting of a dioptric device fuelled by paraffin, remained in use until 1903, when electric lighting was introduced, having already been in use in the town of Desenzano since 1899.
To this day, the building serves as a landmark for the whole community and is the point of arrival for the boats and ships moored in the harbour.
Rambotti Archaeological Museum
The museum, named after Giovanni Rambotti, houses an extraordinary collection of Bronze Age archaeological artefacts that document the development of pile-dwelling settlements on the shores of Lake Garda.
This is an interactive museum that offers sensory experiences which transport visitors back to prehistoric times, thanks in part to state-of-the-art technology.
On display in the museum are artefacts from the Lavagnone pile-dwelling site, the most recent of which is an ancient dugout canoe.