Punta San Virgilio

It stretches into the lake right at its widest point, from where it practically dominates all of Garda. To the left are the southern shores of the lake, including Rocca di Manerba; to the right, after Garda Island is the Salò Gulf, Gardone and Maderno. To one side of the headland a little bay known as “delle sirene” opens up and on the other a picturesque little port, opposite the “della stella” rocks. At the very end of the point where the park ends is the Villa San Vigilio, the ruins of a roman belvedere, a greenhouse of oranges and lemons, a palace and a small church. Along the lake, next to the port is the “Locanda San Vigilio” which has welcomed guests since the 15th Century. The point is also home to the staff accomodation and an extensive wood of olive trees and cypresses, some of which line the road which leads to the Villa from the Gardasana Road. This area enjoys an eternal springtime that favours the growth of countless mediterranean plants, including agave.

From the point you can access an arched opening that joins the Locanda and the Antica Taverna. A little courtyard leads onto a second square looking onto the lake. From here you face the church in the shade of the magestic trees that are reflected in the water. The interior of the church is decorated with great paintings representing scenes from the Passion of Christ and a marble statue with the inscription “En somni explanatio” (Here is the explanation of the dream). D’Annunzio found this motto to be so significant to San Vigilio that he suggested that the Count Guarienti adopted it for the Locanda. In the centre of the floor of the church are two gravestones that bear witness to the fact that Agostino Brenzoni wanted to be buried here, in the place that he loved so much. There are many legends about San Vigilio and its name, one of which that tells of a saintly hermit who had this land bestowed upon him by Carlo Magno after the fall of the French. He was supposed to have lived and died here leaving his name to the land.