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Salò Lakeside
- Category What to do Lake Garda and Verona
Agriturismo - Where to stay overnight
Salò is rightly regarded as one of the most refined gems on the Brescia shore of Lake Garda. Its historic “core” is a maze of narrow lanes, tiny courts and arcaded streets lined with 15th‑ and 16th‑century palazzi, Venetian‑style loggias, stylish boutiques, artisan workshops and water‑front restaurants. Strolling here means retracing the story of the “Magnifica Patria” – the federation of Garda towns that enjoyed wide autonomy under the Venetian Republic from 1426 to 1797.
The Salò lakefront promenade stretches for more than 2.5 km around the whole gulf, one of the largest on the lake. First laid out in 1906 and repeatedly enhanced, it now offers a fully traffic‑free esplanade paved in granite and marble, flanked by rows of palms, oleanders and Lebanese cedars. Historic liberty‑style cafés, craft gelaterie and chic wine bars punctuate the walk – perfect at sunset, when pink light turns the water into a shimmering mirror.
A regeneration plan launched in the 1990s – partly completed – removed almost all car traffic, renewed the paving of the old lanes, refurbished the Piazzetta del Municipio (dominated by the 18th‑century Palazzo della Magnifica Patria) and envisioned a pedestrian footbridge that, once built via project financing, will link the promenade to the public gardens in via Brunati.
Standing out along the lakefront is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Annunziata (1453‑1509), a splendid example of late‑Venetian Gothic with an unfinished façade in Malcesine stone. Inside you can admire Paolo Veneziano’s Altarpiece, Romanino’s Annunciation and the finely inlaid choir stalls by Bernardino Zenoni. The small square in front of the Duomo comes alive each July with the “Estate Musicale di Salò”, a festival that draws baroque orchestras, brass ensembles and world‑class soloists to the lakeside.
