Rivers and lakes of Italy. Italian lakes

When they say "lakes in Italy", they primarily mean Garda, Lago Maggiore and Como. Experienced travelers and geography experts will also name Varese, Lugano, Iseo, Trasimeno, Omodeo. But in Italy there are over one and a half thousand fresh water bodies. Of these, the lion's share is small. They were formed as a result of the damming of the riverbed by an ancient glacier. But there are lakes of a different origin in Italy. For example, lagoons. They were formed by cutting off a certain area from the sea with spits. An example of a lagoon lake in Italy is the beautiful Lesina. in calderas extinct volcanoes reservoirs are also formed. Most famous lake this origin is Albano. It is located twenty kilometers from Rome, at the foot of Monte Cavo.

In this article we will talk about the main lakes of Italy. These fresh waters are an alternative to seaside resorts and are well suited for those people who cannot stand the heat.

Great Lakes of Italy

Photos of these brilliant blue reservoirs adorn all guidebooks around the country. Like a necklace of precious sapphires, they are scattered on the southern slopes of the Alps. The massive mountain system reliably closes Garda, Como and Lago Maggiore from the northern winds, forming a unique Mediterranean climate. Lemons and oranges ripen here, the region is famous for its winemaking and olive oil. In addition to this, medieval castles and baroque palaces, Romanesque churches and incomparable Italian flavor await travelers. The Great Lakes include the country's largest lakes, Garda, Como, Maggiore, Lugano and Iseo. But there are smaller reservoirs, no less picturesque.

garda

Most large lake in Italy, located near Verona. Crystal clear water, insanely beautiful scenery, unique climate attract many travelers from all over the world. Rest on is considered even more prestigious than on seaside resorts. The banks of this reservoir are covered with ancient towns. The most famous of them is Sirmione. He was famous in antiquity thanks to thermal springs. The town is located on a peninsula far into the water.

Tourist attractions of Sirmione are the ancient villa "Grotto Catullus", the medieval churches of Santa Maria Maggiore and San Pietro in Mavino. On the northern shore of the lake is Riva del Garda with excellent beaches. It is worth taking a short trip on a tourist boat with a stop at different resorts- Limone, Torbole, Bardolino, Desenzano, Malcesine and others. And Castelnuovo del Garda should be devoted to the whole day. After all, there is an amusement park "Gardaland" with an oceanarium.

Como

"The standard of a prestigious holiday" - such is the glory of this lake in Italy. In the era of the Roman Empire, the poet Virgil had his villas here, and today George Clooney and other celebrities. The third largest Italian Lake Como is easier to get from Milan - just forty kilometers due north. The reservoir got its name from the town. But besides the village of Como, the shores of the lake are dotted with other resorts: Lecco, Varenna, Cernobbio, Menaggio, Laglio and others. The climate here is even and mild. Air temperature in tourist season(May-October) - from +22 to +28 degrees. Como is considered the deepest lake not only in Italy, but throughout Western Europe(up to 410 meters).

But this is not what attracts tourists, but luxurious villas that make up a single whole with no less marvelous landscape. Como has repeatedly become the backdrop for films. But rest here is for hedonists and lovers of a relaxing pastime, unlike Garda, which "specializes" in windsurfing. Como's must-sees include the following: interesting places: the villas of Melzi and Serbelloni in Bellagio, the Basilica of Santa Euphemia and the fort on the island of Comacino, the Castello di Vezio in Varenna, the Pionian Abbey of the seventh century.

Lago Maggiore

The name of the second largest body of water is simply translated as "Big Lake". It is shared between Italy and Switzerland. Maggiore is also the border between the regions of Piedmont and Lombardy. There are many resorts on the shores of the lake. In Switzerland, these are Locarno and Ascona. Best Views open from the western (Piedmontese) shore of the lake in Italy. There are resorts Verbania, Cannobio, Intra, Stresa. In Lombardy, the famous places of Sesto Calende, Besozzo, Angera. The most popular tourist attraction is the Borromeo archipelago, especially Isola Bella. Almost all of its territory is luxury palace cardinal, now a museum. Boats from Intra, Pallanza, Laveno and Stresa leave for the archipelago during the tourist season. But there are other islands on Lago Maggiore: rocky Castelli di Cannero and Izulin with an excellent beach. The Mount of the Holy Trinity, towering over Ghiffa, is included in the UNESCO List because of the baroque chapel located here.

Lago Albano

The dimensions of this lake in Italy are small: three and a half kilometers by two. The famous reservoir makes the palace of the Pope Castel Gandolfo. Lacus Albanus enjoyed fame even in ancient times. In 395 BC, the Romans cut a tunnel to regulate the water level in the lake. And in the fifteenth century it was glorified in his "Commentaries" by Pope Pius II.

Lake Albano has volcanic origin. It is located in two calderas. The easiest way to get there is from Rome. Only twenty-five kilometers separate it from it. Connoisseurs of mountain biking love to relax on Lago Albano, because it has a very beautiful shores. The ancient canal near Castel Gandolfo hosts kayaking and team rowing competitions.

Lake Braies (Italy)

This reservoir is considered the pearl of the Alto Adige region. This alpine lake lies at an altitude of almost one and a half thousand meters above sea level. On all sides, the water surface is surrounded by rocky cliffs of dolomites. The lake was formed as a result of damming by a landslide. This natural landmark rests at the foot of the Croda del Becco mountain. The lake attracts tourists with its turquoise smooth surface and incomparable alpine nature. Despite the elevated location, in summer you can swim in it. The lake encircles hiking trail, there is a pier and tourist boats run. To get to Braies, a lake in Italy, reviews recommend from Bolzano, which is located in the province of South Tyrol. A hundred kilometers separate the reservoir from this city.

Italy is famous not only for its cities, islands and historical sites, but also for its lakes. Some of them are more famous, some less so, but they definitely deserve to take a closer look at them, devoting a separate post to the topic.

…Located in the very north of Italy, not far from Milan, Lake Como- one of the main attractions of these places.

Lake Como

The lake owes its popularity to the extraordinary beauty of the surroundings, thanks to which it was considered prestigious to have a villa here since the time of the Roman Empire. It is no coincidence that Virgil and Pliny the Younger chose these places for themselves, and in our time, no less than famous people modernity, including, for example, George Clooney. Moreover, many of the readers, we are sure, are already familiar with Como in absentia. The lake is often used as a natural location for the filming of Hollywood films: Casino Royale and Ocean's 12 are among them.

Lake Garda

Lake Garda is the largest and most visited in Italy. Picturesque villages, medieval castles and developed infrastructure entertainment is unlikely to leave anyone indifferent. Surrounding landscape Lake Garda very diverse with beaches along the South Shore and cliffs in the north. Pure water Garda allows you to safely swim, sail, windsurf and even fishing. On the lake is the most big park children's entertainment in Italy - Gardaland, an aquarium and a water park, making the destination ideal for couples with children. And if you want variety and shopping, Venice and Milan are relatively close to Garda.

Building a villa on Lake Como was considered prestigious back in ancient Rome.

Lake Maggiore

The north of Italy, rich in natural beauty, is famous for its many beautiful lakes, among which is the pearl of Maggiore. Located just half an hour from international airport Milan and west of Como, Maggiore It is part of two Italian provinces at once - Lombardy and Piedmont, and also enters the territory of neighboring Switzerland. The landscape of the surroundings of the lake - the hills in its southern part and the mountains in the North protect Maggiore from the winds, creating a mild microclimate on its shores. The three islands in the center of Maggiore and the thousand-year-old Angers Castle are popular and visited by visitors.

Lake Bolsena

located in Central Italy – lake bolsena- is located in the caldera of an extinct volcano and is known as the fifth largest in the country. The town of the same name Bolsena, the main settlement on the lake, is famous for its beautiful medieval center and its fortress. There are several islands on the lake, and the surrounding villages are famous for their picturesque nature and excellent cuisine.

Massaciuccoli (Massaciuccoli)

Lake Massaciuccoli is not large, but it is one of the favorite lakes of Italians. Part of the lake is reserved for the reserve, while the other - located closer to the sea - faces the small town of Torre del Lago, known due to its association with the name of the famous Italian composer Giacomo Puccini. The latter’s villa currently serves as the composer’s museum, and these places are also the center of the famous summer opera festival, held in an open theater overlooking Lake Massaciuccoli.

trasimene lake

Lake Trasimene is the largest in Central Italy, and its area is 128 square kilometers. However, despite its size, the lake is not particularly deep, averaging 6.7 m. trasimene lake entered the annals of history thanks to the June 24, 217 BC held here. battle between the armies of Hannibal and the Romans. The latter, moreover, suffered a crushing defeat. Today, the surroundings of the lake are popular due to a number of picturesque villages and towns, the most interesting of which is Castiglione del Lago with a medieval center and castle. Numerous beaches stretch along the shores of the lake.

Lake Orta

small Lake Orta with an area of ​​​​only 18 square kilometers is located in northern Italy in Piedmont and was once famous as a center of poets and artists. From the charming village of San Giulio, you can take a trip to the island in the middle of the lake or climb the sacred mountain, where there are sanctuaries built in 1591 and small chapels dedicated to St. Francis.

Just half an hour drive from Milan is Lake Garda, which is one of the favorite vacation spots not only for tourists, but also for the Italians themselves. It is located very conveniently, which will allow not only to spend quality rest in these parts, but also to visit nearby tourist areas like Venice or Verona.

Take a look at the wonderful photos of Lake Garda, find out how to relax in this wonderful corner of Italy, where to stay and how to get there.

Description

Garda is considered the largest lake in Italy: it covers an area of ​​​​more than 370 square kilometers, and the length coastline is about 130 km. The greatest depth is 340 meters. The lake connects three provinces - Trentino, Lombardy and Veneto.

The ancient Romans called the lake Benaco, and its modern name is consonant with the town of the same name in the province of Verona, and translated from German as "guard" or "observation".

Holidays on Lake Garda are considered elite, so you should not be surprised if you easily meet one of the celebrities on a walk.

The coast of the lake in the days of the ancient Romans was perceived as an elite vacation spot: it here noble citizens built their villas. One of these famous villas - "Grotto Catullus", was built near Sirmione, where at that time there were thermal springs.

Mass tourism began to develop in the middle of the XIX century, when began laying new roads and routes, develop hotel business.

Weather

The northern part of the lake is more windy and harsh(due to proximity to the Alps), the temperature is lower here, although there are no cold winds. This is due to the fact that Mountain peaks do not let in cold air.

The southern side of the lake enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate.. In the summer months, the air temperature is kept within 28-34 degrees, but there is no sweltering heat here.

The most comfortable water temperature in Lake Garda happens from June to September- at this time, the water warms up to 27 degrees. The lake is characterized by the phenomenon of standing waves (waves that occur when it is completely calm), which makes this place attractive for surfers.

One of the main attractions of Italy is. You will find a description with a photo of this majestic structure on the pages of our website.

Resorts

On the shores of Lake Garda are scattered picturesque villages and small towns which are attractive in terms of tourism.

• Sirmione- a small town that has gained particular popularity among tourists. The main attraction of the city is the Scaliger Castle, which was built in the Middle Ages (the cost of the entrance ticket is 6 euros). Fans of meditation and relaxation can visit the SPA resort and the mineral springs located here.

• Salo. The city with the original name in the bay of the same name was almost completely destroyed during the earthquake of 1900 and rebuilt. famous big amount entertainment on the water. Among the sights are the dachas of the members of the Government of the Italian Republic and the personal residence of Mussolini.

• Malcesine. The town on the eastern shore of the lake is not only distinguished by its beauty, but is also associated with the life of the poet Johann Goethe, who lived here for several years. Tourists can visit the city museums or take the funicular up to the top of Mount Baldo (1 lift - 4 euros).

Accommodation

Guests arriving on vacation in these picturesque places can choose for themselves which type of accommodation is most convenient for them.

Small hotels located on the lake, apartments, villas or houses - all this is available for every tourist, and designed for every taste and price category.

small one-storey villa can be rented for 218 euros per week, apartments for 4-6 people will cost 310-380 per week, and a house or villa with a pool can be rented for a price of 420 euros for 7 days.

The best hotels on Lake Garda (Italy):

• Grand Hotel Terme 5* (from 167 euros per day).
• Grand Fasano 5 * (from 220 euros per day).
• Gardaland Hotel Resort 4* (from 110 euros per day).
• Villa Maria 4 * (from 86 euros per day).

The best apartments: Residence Panorama La Forca (from 650 euros per week).

Local cuisine: features, dishes, prices

The cuisine of this region is dishes prepared in the tradition of Lombardy and Veneto A: Most recipes include meat, freshwater fish and olive oil.

Traditional dishes- polenta carbonara (based on various types of cheese and cornmeal), trout with citrus fruits, tortellini (the thinnest dough and meat filling), bro bruza (broth with olive oil and toasted flour).

The average check in restaurants is within 15-17 euros during the day and 25-30 euros in the evening (excluding alcoholic beverages).

Best Restaurants:

• Trattoria Pie di Castello (Riva del Garda). The original establishment on the northern shore of the lake. It specializes in the preparation of meat dishes marinated in a special way. Attendance is very high, so it is better to book a table in advance. Address: Via al Cingol Ros, 38.
• Grifone (Sirmione). Perfectly prepared fish or meat flambé, lamb meat, dishes of local and European cuisines will satisfy even the most sophisticated gourmets. Address: Via Gaetano Bocchio 4.
• Villa Boselli (near Mantua). The peculiarity of this restaurant is that it is possible to order a "tasting menu", i. mini portions of all selected dishes. Address: Volta Mantovana, via Boselli, 6.
• Piccolo Mondo (Cave del Garda). A fish restaurant where you can taste dishes from the freshest trout, fresh Sicilian shrimps, sea scallops baked in breadcrumbs. The address is via Riviera Carducci 6.

On the map

Entertainment and attractions

In each village located on the lake, there are many places that will be of interest to guests.

Grotto of Catullus

The ancient villa of the poet Gaius Valerius Catullus, who lived in the 1st century BC, is almost the oldest building on the lake. The ruins of the villa were discovered in the 15th century, and not in the best condition.

Subsequently the building was cleared of a layer of dirt, and now numerous tourists can take a walk through the old villa and the olive grove adjacent to it.

Park "Gardaland"

One of the highlights of this area is thematic amusement park"Gardaland", which received the title of "Italian Disneyland". The park will be of particular interest to families with children - there are no such attractions and entertainment in any other park. amusement park Italy.

Gardaland was opened in 1972, and since then new venues have appeared in the park and various entertainment shows have been invented. It may seem that Numerous myths and fairy tales came to life in the park: guests will be interested to visit magic castle Merlin and explore Egyptian pyramids, take part in a pirate sea battle or a jousting tournament,

• Address: Loc. Ronchi - 37014 Castelnuovo del Garda
• Peak time (June to August) the park is open daily(from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.), and in the rest of the months it closes at 7 p.m.
• Entrance ticket price for adults is 35 euros, for children - 30 euros. Children, whose height is not higher than 1 meter, can have fun in the park absolutely free of charge.

Sigurta Park

This green oasis is an example of garden and park architecture. Many types of trees and flowers (there are about 30 thousand species of tulips or roses alone!), 80 artificially created ponds and grottoes, garden of medicinal plants.

• The park complex daily, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m..
• The cost of entering the territory: 12 euros for adults and 6 euros for children under 12 years old.

Safari Park "Natura-Viva"

Here it will be interesting for adventure lovers: you can make safari car ride, during which you can see walking rhinos or giraffes. The especially brave can experience incredible sensations, once in real world dinosaurs. In addition, a regular zoo is open on the territory of the park.

• Park opening hours coincides with high season(from March to November), working hours - from 9 to 18.30 daily.
• The cost of entrance tickets for adults - 20 euros, for children - 14 euros.

Tourists who prefer leisure, can do windsurfing, yachting, rowing, mountain climbing. Another sport that is gaining popularity is mountain biking. In each city there are rental points for mountain bikes and related equipment, in mountainous areas equipped with special cycle tracks. Bicycle rental for 1 hour will cost 25 euros.

Deposit for the yacht - 200 euros, rental price for 1 hour - 50-60, and if you take a yacht for the whole day, then you need to pay 230-250 euros. True, it is better to make such walks in the morning, because in the afternoon the waves rise and the skiing is not so comfortable.

A beach holiday on the lake will give you many pleasant moments. Sand and pebble beaches, sandy entry into the water.

How to get there?

To get to Lake Garda, you must first get to Verona or Venice(Allitalia airline). Further by rail drive to Treviso (closest to Garda) or Trieste. You can continue the journey to the place by car (or by taxi). The trip by car takes about 3 hours.

You can also get from Verona to Garda by train., which departs from railway station. The journey will take no more than half an hour (20-25 minutes), the ticket price is 4 euros.

Verona and Garda connects and bus service (routes no. 162 or 163) The travel time is approximately 45 minutes. The ticket costs 3-4 euros.

Holidays on Lake Garda are for everyone: lovers active image life, fans of the relaxed beach holiday who come for new experiences or fans of shopping. And you can definitely be sure that the impressions of this vacation will remain in your memory for a long time and will evoke only the warmest memories.

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There are no long and full-flowing rivers in Italy, but rather mountain streams flowing directly into the sea or forming small river systems. Only rivers form a developed network Northern Italy, year-round fed by glacial melt waters and heavy rainfall

There are no long and full-flowing rivers in Italy, but rather mountain streams flowing directly into the sea or forming small river systems. A developed network is formed only by the rivers of Northern Italy, all year round fed by melted glacial waters and heavy rainfall. The water resources of the country as a whole are estimated at 155 billion m 3, not counting 13 billion m 3 groundwater flowing into the sea. More than half of all water resources is in northern Italy.

About 1/4 of the country's territory is occupied by the basin of its longest (652 km) and deep river- By. It originates in the Kotta Alps, flows through the entire Podan Plain and flows into the Adriatic Sea, forming a vast delta growing every year. From the turbid waters of the Po, such a quantity of suspended particles is deposited rocks that in some places in the lower reaches of its channel lies above the surrounding plain. This required the construction of numerous dams to protect against floods, which are not uncommon here. It is navigable from the mouth to the city of Cremona. A whole network of shipping channels is woven into its delta.

The left tributaries of the Po are more full-flowing, feeding in summer with alpine melted glacial waters. Many of them have dams and reservoirs. Apennine tributaries - small mountain rivers, the most full-flowing spring and rainy autumn. The rest of the rivers of Northern Italy that are not part of the Po system (Adige, the second longest after Po, Piave, Tagliamento, Reno, etc.), are most full-flowing in June as a result of melting winter snow and summer rains.

On the border between dry plains alpine foothills and the lowland stretches a line of sources - fountains, emerging above the clay impervious horizon from aquifers and permeable layers - limestone, gravel, sand. Fountains feed some tributaries of the Po, irrigate meadows and rice fields, and are used to supply water to settlements.

Rivers peninsula- Mediterranean type, i.e. they are full-flowing in autumn and winter and shallow in summer. Among them, the Tiber stands out in length (405 km). It is navigable only in the section from Rome to the mouth. Through a system of canals, lakes, tributaries, the Tiber is connected with another relatively major river peninsula - Arno.

The Tiber, Arno, and especially the rivers of northeastern Italy are notorious for their floods, sometimes of catastrophic proportions, as in 1966. Floods most often occur in rainy autumn. They have become more frequent over the past decades. Floods are caused not only by natural causes, but also by active, far from always thoughtful human intervention in the environment.

Devastating floods occur during winter rains and on short rivers (fiumars) that dry up in summer in Calabria, Basilicata, and Sicily.

Italian rivers have long been used by man as a source of electricity, for irrigation, water supply, and on a small scale for navigation. The flow of many rivers, especially alpine ones, is regulated by artificial reservoirs. Italy's hydropower resources technically available for development, estimated at 56 billion kWh, are almost completely used by existing hydroelectric power plants. More than 60% of water resources are concentrated in the Alps.

in the foothills and mountainous areas The Alps are located extensive (from 50 to 370 sq. km) and deep (more than 400 m) lakes of glacial origin: Lago Maggiore, Lugano, Como, Iseo, Garda, etc. Open to the south and protected from the north by mountains, lake basins have a soft and a healthy climate. There are many world-class resorts on the shores of alpine lakes. In addition to large lakes in the Alps, about 3,000 small, amazingly picturesque lakes, also of glacial origin, are scattered near the snow cover.

On Adriatic coast there are small lakes with salt water - former lagoons, fenced off from the sea sandbars. Some of them produce salt.

The lakes of Central Italy - Bolsena, Vico, Bracciano, Albano, Nemi - are filled with water craters of extinct volcanoes. There are also lakes of karst (Matese) and tectonic (Trazimeno) origin in Italy.

The natural hydrographic system of the country has changed a lot over the centuries. economic activity person. From the time of the Greek colonists, Etruscans and Romans, and up to the present day, aqueducts, navigable and irrigation canals, dams, dams were built here, artificial reservoirs, swamps and lakes were drained (for example, the Tuscan Maremma, Lake Fucino). Intensive exploitation inland waters led to their pollution, especially in northern Italy. Many rivers have become dangerous to use for water supply. Some of them are contaminated with trace elements; so, there is an increased content of heavy metals in the river, Entella, arsenic - in the river. Ombrone. The Po River is even called the "gutter" of the Podan Plain, and regarding the maximum pollution of the river. Arno Italians bitterly joke: "Arno is bacteriologically pure, even microbes do not survive in it." Avoid pollution and alpine lakes especially Lago Maggiore. Back in 1970, an action plan was developed aimed at protecting water resources, regulating the use of rivers, protecting banks, but in the conditions of capitalist management, and besides, in a period of deep economic crisis this plan was never put into practice.

Lake Garda- most big lake in Italy, located near southern foot Alps in a basin of glacial-tectonic origin. The area of ​​the lake is 370 km2, and its depth reaches 346 meters. The lake is located in three areas at once: Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige. From the Garda flows the river Mincio, which is the left tributary of the Po.

Lake Garda has attracted travelers since ancient times with its picturesque and attractive landscapes. This amazing place combines the solar energy of the southern seas and the enveloping melancholy of the north. Settlements around Garda existed as early as bronze age. In the Roman era, the lake was called Benacus.
In 568, these places were conquered by the Lombards, and in 963, the lands around Garda were subjugated by the army of the Roman emperor Otto I. In the 12th century, Verona and Guelph troops fought for power over the lake.
In the XIV century, Garda was owned by the Dukes of Milan, and in the XV century, total control over the lake passed to Venice.
In 1797, the territories around Garda were captured by Napoleon. In 1815 the lake became part of the Lombardo-Venetian Kingdom of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. During the national liberation movement led by Garibaldi, the lake was conquered by the Italians, only Northern part remained Austrian and was annexed to Italy after World War I.

Sirmione. A small old town on a peninsula deep into Lake Garda. Sirmione is home to the Scaliger Castle, built in the 13th century and belonging to the Scaliger dynasty of Verona. No less famous are the ruins of the villa of the ancient Roman poet Valerio Catulla. Sirmione - perfect place for those who want to combine a vacation at sea with treatment and wellness procedures. In 1889, a Venetian diver named Procopio descended 20 meters into Lake Garda and discovered the healing spring of Sirmione. And already in 1900, a thermal center was erected on this site. Today, the hot springs of Sirmione feed the pools of two complexes: Catullo Spa, located in the very center of the ancient city, and Virgillio Spa, which opened in 1987, specializes in the treatment of bronchopneumopathy.

Desenzano. Located in the southeast of the lake picturesque place from where it opens great view on the lake In Desenzano, ancient Roman ruins have been preserved, medieval castle and the 16th-century cathedral, which houses Gianbattista Tiepolo's The Last Supper. It is also worth noting that Desenzano has the most intense nightlife on the lake: there are discos for every taste.

Lazise. The place is famous primarily for the fact that not far from it there are three theme parks that will be of interest to tourists of all ages. The most famous of them, Gardaland amusement park is the largest in Italy. This is the Italian analogue of Disneyland, but it is not a copy of it: all attractions are unique. Another park, this is Sigurta Park - beautiful place for a walk where huge area are picturesque artificial ponds and grottoes, flower beds and labyrinths. Natura Viva Park is also a safari park where animals such as lions, tigers, giraffes, zebras, monkeys live in free enclosures, a zoo with exotic animals, a terrarium, and a dinosaur park.

Bardolino. A small resort town located about 4 km south of Lake Garda, surrounded by orchards, olive groves and vineyards. Combination ancient architecture with amazing beauty of nature give the landscape a unique charm.

Malcesine. One of the most amazingly beautiful places in east coast Lake Garda. The ancient town, as if grown out of medieval poems and novels, is located on a coastal hill. In the very center of the city there is a medieval castle, winding streets immersed in flowers, descending directly to the water - and all this against the backdrop of the piercing emerald-blue surface of the lake and the majestic alpine cliffs. These places are associated with the name of the great Goethe, who visited Garda in the 80s of the XVIII century. Museums of the city cherish their historical heritage. Sports lovers can practice windsurfing, sailing, water skiing, skydiving.

Torbole. This unique town, located on the Brescia coast of Lake Garda, has been known as a tourist center since the 15th century, when travelers began to stop here, amazed by the beauty of this place. The mild climate, the air saturated with the smells of cedars, lemon and orange trees, the calm rhythm of life will help you forget stress and fuss for a while big city. Due to its location in a very windy area, and the virtual ban on the use of most types of motor boats, Torbole became international center windsurfing and yachting, and this real paradise for lovers sailing species sports.

Riva del Garda. The resort town of Riva del Garda is located on the northwestern coast of Lake Garda and is located between two peaks: Rocchetta (1575 m) and Baldo (2218 m). This location makes the resort one of the most picturesque in Garda.

Limone. This place is located near Riva del Garda and was once just a fishing village. The name Limone does not come from the name of citrus, as is commonly believed, but from the Latin "limes" - border. The fact is that not far from Limone was the border between Italy and Austria. Now Limone is a fairly well-known resort that, like Torbole, attracts windsurfers and yachting enthusiasts.

Lake Como(second name Lario) - the third largest lake in Italy and the most deep lake Europe: its depth reaches 410 meters. The length of Como is 47 km, and maximum width is 4 km. The lake, shaped like an inverted “Y”, is located 40 km from Milan at an altitude of 199 m above sea level, framed by limestone and granite mountains up to 600 m high from the south and 2400 m from the north.
The shores of the lake are covered with lush vegetation, among which vines, fig trees, pomegranates, olives, chestnuts and oleanders predominate. Numerous towns and villages are scattered along the coast - Como, Lecco, Cernobbio, Bellagio, Menaggio, Varenna, etc. It is from the name of the city of Como that the lake got its current name.
Lake Como has always been famous for its villas. In antiquity, Virgil and Pliny the Younger had villas on the banks of the Como, and in our time, George Clooney, Gianni Versace and many other celebrities have acquired real estate in the area. Villa Balbianello is widely known, located on the western shore, not far from the only island on the lake - Comacina. It was built in 1787 and spent his last days famous Italian traveler Guido Moncino.
It is worth noting another famous attraction of Lake Como - sacred mountains Ossuccio, located on the west coast, near the island of Comacina. These hills are famous for their fifteen Baroque chapels built between 1635 and 1710. All chapels are on the way to the Monastery of the Glorification of the Virgin Mary. In 2003, the Sacred Mountains of Ossuccio were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Lake Como is famous not only for its cultural attractions. At Cape Lavedo, near the town of Lenno, a fragment for the Hollywood movie "Star Wars" was filmed. The beauty of the lake can also be seen in the films "Ocean's Twelve" and "Casino Royale".

Como. This ancient city became part of the Roman Empire in 193 BC. Center modern city is the coastal square of Cavour, and the most significant building is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore from white marble, founded in 1399 and completed three and a half centuries later by the Baroque architect Yuvara. However, the most ancient church in the city is the church of San Carpoforo (4th century), which stands on the site of the Roman temple of Mercury. It is worth noting that the famous Italian physicist Alessandro Volta was born in Como, whose museum is located in the city.

Tremezzo. A small resort town on the western shore of the lake, 20 km from Como. Konrad Adenauer, the former Chancellor of Germany, liked to relax in this place. Tremezzo is home to the famous Villa Carlotta, which was built by the Marquis of Milan Giorgio Clerici in 1690 and covers an area of ​​almost 70,000 m2. Later, the villa was sold to the banker Giambattista Sommariva, who in 1818 was visited by the famous writer Stendhal. In 1843 Princess Marianne von Nassau buys the villa and gives it as a wedding gift to her daughter Carlotta, from where the villa gets its current name. Now the villa is a hotel.

Cernobbio. In that resort town, which is located very close to Switzerland is Villa d'Este, built in 1568 by Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio. In 1816-17, the villa belonged to the ex-wife of the Prince of Wales. It was during that period that English-style gardens appeared at the villa, where you can stroll to this day. Now it is a 5* hotel.

bellagio. Bellagio is also famous, first of all, for its villas. One of them, Villa Melzi, was built in the neoclassical style by the architect Giocondo Albertolli in 1808-10 as summer residence Francesco Melzi, Vice President of the Italian Republic under Napoleon. The huge landscape ensemble includes a greenhouse, a chapel, statues and a Japanese garden. In the 19th century, writer Stendhal and composer Franz Liszt were seen among the guests of this villa. The second villa bears the name of Serbelloni. It was built in the 19th century in neoclassical style. Becoming a hotel in 1873, it became one of the most prestigious hotels in Europe.

menaggio. Also an ancient town located on the lake. The first mentions date back to 196 BC. Known for the fact that it was in Menaggio that Mussolini was captured when he tried to hide after the defeat in World War II.

Lake Maggiore(it is less commonly called Lake Verbano or Lake Locarno) is the second largest in Italy. Its length is 60 km, and the maximum width reaches 10 km. The lake is located on the territory of two countries - Italy and Switzerland. total area Maggiore is 212 km2, of which 80% are in Italy.
Many rivers flow into the lake, among which are Maggia, Toche, Tresa, Giona and Cannobino. Separately, it is worth highlighting the Ticino River, which flows into the lake on Swiss territory, and then flows out of it already on Italian territory, in order to then join the Po near Pavia.
proximity of cultural and historical centers Italy determined the wide popularity of these places far beyond the borders of the country. East coast lake is part of the province of Lombardy and is known natural parks, architectural monuments, including the thousand-year-old Andzhersky castle, and West Side the lake, on which the most famous resorts are concentrated, is part of the province of Piedmont.
It is worth noting the Borromean Islands, which are located on the Italian part of Lake Maggiore. Their name comes from the Borromean family, who acquired them in the 14th century and still owns some of them to this day. The archipelago consists of three large islands (Isla Bella, Isla Madre and Iso dei Pescatori) and two small islets: San Giovanni and Malghera.

Bella Island, named after the Countess Isabella Borromeo, originally consisted of only bare rocks. However, between 1650 and 1671, Viitaliano Borromeo built a magnificent summer palace on the island and planted a magnificent garden consisting of 10 terraces, which required a huge amount of soil, which was specially transported to the island.

Madre Island - largest island by area. Its history is connected with Lancillotto Borromeo, who in 1501 decided to grow citrus fruits brought from Liguria on the island. In the 16th century, the Borromean Palace was erected on the island, and in the 18th century, an English-style park was created on the site of the former citrus orchards.
Island dei Pescatori (Fishermen's Island) was also called the Upper Island. Unlike the islands of Bella and Madre, dei Pescatori no longer belongs to the Borromeo family. Now the island is a fishing village with a population of about 50 people.
As for the small islands, the islet of San Giovanni was originally called San Angelo. The Borromeo family tried for a long time to acquire it and, ultimately, achieved their goal in 1632, after which a palace with a park complex was erected on the island. The very small island of Malghera is located between the islands of Bella and dei Pescatori. It is distinguished by lush and lush vegetation.

The most famous resorts are located on the western shore of the lake: Stresa, Verbania, Baveno, Cannobio - the best hotels are concentrated here, it is from here that the most beautiful views to the lake and islands.

Stresa. A small town with a population of about 5,000 people, the first mention of which dates back to 998. In the 15th century, Stresa developed thanks to fishing, and later belonged to the Borromeo family. In 1906, thanks to the construction of a tunnel under the Simplon Pass, Stresa received a railway connection with other cities of Piedmont, which served as an impetus for the development of tourism. Now Stresa is one of the most famous resorts on the lake, which attracts tourists with excellent hotels, old villas and mild climate.
One of the most famous guests of Stresa was Ernest Hemingway, who visited these places in 1948. The fact is that part of the action of his novel "Farewell to Arms" takes place in the Grand Hotel des Il Borromeo. In 2002, Stresa hosted the 10th Hemingway International Conference. The town of Stresa is also famous in politics: in 1935, an agreement was signed here between France, Italy and Great Britain on the creation of a joint front to fight Nazi Germany, and in 1958, a conference of EU member states was held in Stresa, at which the foundations of a common agricultural European Union policy.
Stresa also hosts the famous international festival "Music Weeks", which takes place every year in the summer.
There are several famous villas in Stresa. Villa Ducale, built in 1770 and owned by Giacomo Filippo Bolongaro, passed to the Italian philosopher Antonio Rosemini-Serbati in 1848. Now it houses the International science Center Rosemini. It is also worth noting Villa del Orto, built in 1900 and a large palace and park ensemble Pallavicino, which is located between Stresa and Belgirate.

Verbania. Another popular resort on Lake Maggiore. Sights worth noting include the 18th-century Dunyani Palace, the 19th-century Villa Taranto and the Rural Virgin Church.

Baveno. A small town in the province of Verbania. Of the sights - the ensemble of the baptismal and parish church and the Romanesque style. To the northwest of Baveno are the famous quarries of red granite, from which the columns in the Dome Cathedral and the gallery of Victor Emmanuel in Milan, the church of St. Paul outside the city walls in Rome, and other monuments are made.

Cannobio. The first mention of Cannobio dates back to 909. In ancient times, the city was the center of the silk industry. Gorgeous central square of the city named after Victor Emmanuel III, not far from which is the Santuario della Pieta, a church in which drops of blood unexpectedly appeared on the image of the Virgin Mary in 1522, which, according to legend, saved the city from the plague. In the northern part of the city there is a large sand beach, marked blue flag EU for cleanliness.