Castellaro Lagusello

Castlàr (in dialect mantovano) stands on a small hill that overlooks a small heart-shaped lake: almost a fairy tale. From the lake and the castle, built around the X century, takes its curious name. Built on a natural hill to the north of the small lake, the castle was defended by massive walls and from ten towers. What remains today, still nearly intact, are the walls, four towers, some stretches of the walkway and two rustic houses medieval. Still today as a time, let's enter in the village through the northern gate, recognizable by the large door and to the clock tower, that seems to guard the passage. Along the route it is possible to admire the church of San Nicola, whose existence is testified by a document of 1145. Continuing finally you reach the main square, where overlooks Villa Arrighi, nineteenth-century residence formed by a part of the Castle. From here, via a short flight of stairs, you can directly access the small lake.

All around the borgo of Castellaro, today became a suburb of the municipality of Monzambano, rise the hills of the morenic amphitheater of Garda, now a natural reserve, which is part the other fascinating historical witness to this unique place. The locality of Fondo Tacoli hosts in fact one of the 111 archaeological sites of lake-dwellings scattered on the Alps and contiguous areas, even dating back to the Bronze Age, which has now become a UNESCO site. After all these findings makes you starving. Before leaving, make sure that you have tried the traditional salami, produced with a particular tanning of garlic and spices, or the capunsei, gnocchetti made with bread crumbs, parmesan, and boiling broth.

BY CAR

• From Mantua: take the SS 236 bis for Marmirolo, continue on the SP 21, SP 27, then continue for Valeggio sul Mincio, then for the SP 28, SP 74 and continue following the signs for Monzambano;
• From the A22 highway: exit at Mantova nord then take the SS 236 bis for Marmirolo, the SP 21, SP 27, and continue for Valeggio sul Mincio, then for the SP 28, SP 74 and follow the signs for Monzambano;
• From the A4 highway: exit at Sirmione and continue towards Pozzolengo, then take the SP 18, SP 74 and follow the signs for Monzambano.

ON THE TRAIN

• Peschiera railway station