LAKE GARDA

Not far from Salò lies Toscolano Maderno, a hamlet of Etruscan-roman origin which has a large number of sites to visit, a location awaiting to be discovered …

Toscolano Maderno arises from joining Toscolano of Etruscan origin and Maderno of Roman origin. This is the reason why the sites and historical buildings you can visit and admire in Toscolano and Maderno – like the important residential complex among the Roman age villas on the Garda lake, that resembles the renowned Caves of Catullus in Sirmione or the Roman Domus in Desenzano del Garda – are all very different.

Another site to visit is the park of the Roman villa, where two ancient temples lie: one dedicated to Jupiterand one to Bacchus. The first, devoted to Jupiter Ammon, was used as a base for the Madonna del Benaco Sanctuary.

Among the other historical buildings that date back to the Middle Ages, well worth a visit is the Romanic Church in Maderno (XI century) which stands on the central square, and the bell tower of the parish church. It is interesting because it’s the only building remaining of an ancient castle with four towers, surrounded by a double moat.

The famous paper production tradition comes from Toscolano. You can visit the nearby Paper Mill Valley where since the Middle Ages, paper was produced by exploiting the power of the water that from the mountains flows into the Garda. The merit goes to the Dominican friars and to local residents. Thanks to them the uncultivated land was cleared and channels to carry water to the paper mills were built.

Definitely worth visiting is the Paper Museum (Museo della Carta) that exhibits the whole history of these activities, between Renaissance production plants and workshops, ironworks and important printing presses. Inside the Museum you will also be able to see the exhibits of the valley’s archeological excavations and the Renaissance filigree, as well as books printed by the major publishers of the time.

Strolling along the shores of Lake Garda transmits a feeling of relaxation and well-being. At the same time the water sports available on the lake are really many: sailing, canoe, scuba diving, paddle surf, rowing boats…

However, the Toscolano Maderno area offers much more than just the lake: trekking, walks, mountain bike routes, trekking on horses, golf and paragliding.

And for those who wish to bring their four-legged friends on holiday, there is Bau Beach, a beach dedicated to domestic pets.

The centre is doubtlessly beautiful and full of cafes, pubs, bistro’s and restaurants where to enjoy aperitifs, lunches and dinners. Lakeshore Zanardelli is the most well-known Garda “promenade”, it runs alongside the lake and takes you from the entrance of the Maderno Gulf to the Olive tree Lido in Toscolano.

Another site to visit is the anchor recovered from the lake in 2011 that dates back to the First World War. Today the Anchor of the M.A.S. Flotilla is a monument to the war dead.

Among the walks immersed in nature, the Ghirardi Botanical Gardens are a real treasure chest for learning about medicinal plants. Within the Bernini Park stands the oldest tree of the entire lake, a huge Himalayan cedar with a trunk diameter of more than 2 metres. In the Serraglio park, previously a park of the Gonzaga family, there are statues, mulberries and citrus fruits with the inebriating aromas of oranges, lemons and limes.

If you enjoy excursions and wish to see beyond Toscolano Maderno, we recommend climbing onto Monte Pizzocolo or Monte Castello. They are reachable on foot or by e-bike. From the top, a spectacular view overlooking the entire Lake Garda appears!