Desenzano del Garda

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
Desenzano del Garda
—  Comune  —
Comune di Desenzano del Garda
Desenzano Harbour
Desenzano del Garda is located in Italy
Desenzano del Garda
Location of Desenzano del Garda in Italy
Coordinates: 45°28′N 10°32′E / 45.467°N 10.533°E / 45.467; 10.533Coordinates: 45°28′N 10°32′E / 45.467°N 10.533°E / 45.467; 10.533
Country Italy
Region Lombardy
Province Brescia (BS)
Frazioni Rivoltella, Vaccarolo, San Martino della Battaglia
Government
 - Mayor Felice Anelli
Area
 - Total 60.10 km2 (23.2 sq mi)
Elevation 96 m (315 ft)
Population (30 April 2009)
 - Total 26,840
 - Density 446.6/km2 (1,156.7/sq mi)
 - Demonym Desenzanesi
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 - Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 25015
Dialing code 030
Website Official website
Map of Lake Garda showing the position of Desenzano.

Desenzano del Garda is a town and comune in the province of Brescia, in Lombardy, Italy, which borders Lake Garda. It is bordered by other communes of Castiglione delle Stiviere, Lonato, Padenghe sul Garda and Sirmione.

Contents

[edit] History

Starting from the 1st century BC, the area of the Garda, including what is now Desenzano del Garda, became a favourite resort for rich families coming from Verona, then the main Roman city in north-eastern Italy.

[edit] Main sights

  • The Cathedral of St. Mary Magdalene.
  • The House of St. Angela Merici.
  • The Tower of St. Martin (Torre di San Martino).
  • An archaeological museum (Museo Civico Archeologico).
  • Several old-style villas (Villa Romana) and a castle.

[edit] Tourism

The city is a popular holiday destination in Southern Europe. It attracts a myriad of tourists from around the immediate area due to its beautiful view of the Alps on the southern shore of Lake Garda, its three large beaches (Desanzanino Beach, Spiagga D'oro Beach, and Porto Rivoltella Beach) and its 27 major hotels. Desenzano is the heart of night life of southern Garda Lake with several discos and pubs. In the summertime its main squares, "piazza Malvezzi" and "piazza Matteotti" are crowded all night by young and partying people.

At the heart of the city is a series of interconnected piazze that house numerous open-air cafés, various shops, "gelaterie" (ice-cream parlors) and several bars.

[edit] Transport

The city has one main port near the Piazza XXV Aprile which operates several ferries around the lake. Also, at the southwestern outskirts of the city is a large train station ('Stazione Ferroviaria') that connects the city to the European railway system.

[edit] Trivia

The town became known world wide on March 13, 1994, when Russian swimming ace Alexander Popov set a world record in the 50m freestyle in Desenzano del Garda's local pool, clocking 21.64s.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links