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A view of the lake from the Castello scaligero, Malcesine Photo By Dguendel

Top 10 Remarquable Facts about Lago di Garda

Lago di Garda is the largest lake in Italy. It is a popular holiday located in northern Italy about halfway between Brescia and Verona, and between Venice and Milan on the edge of the Dolomites. The lake and its shoreline are divided between the provinces of Verona, Brescia, and Trentino.

It is known for its crystal-clean water. The name Garda which the lake has been named comes from the town of the same name. it is evolved from the Germanic word Warda which means place of the guard, place of observation or place of safety.

1. Lake Garda is Italy鈥檚 Biggest Lake

Lake Garda By Zairon

Lake Garda is Italy鈥檚 biggest lake. The Lake has an area of approximately 370 Square kilometres and it is 65 Meters above sea level. The circumference of the lake is around 160 kilometres and also it has a maximum depth of a whopping 350 meters. Due to its enormity, it is unsurprising that it is split between the three provinces of Verona, Brescia and Trento. Even though it鈥檚 only the 36 largest lakes in all of Europe, it鈥檚 the second largest Lake in southern Europe as well.

2. It lies on the Edge of a Famous Mountain Range

Lake Garda is located in a mountainous area, especially the northern part of the lake and it is much narrower than the southern part. The lake borders the famous mountain range known as the Dolomites. It is part of the southern limestone Alps and is known for its peculiarly shaped peaks.

The lake has the shape of a moraine valley and this makes it likely that it was formed during the old Stone Age or even Paleolithic due to the movement of a massive glacier.

3. The Naming of the Lake

Lake Garda By Zairon

During Roman times the lake was known as Lacus Benacus and it was even the site of a famous battle referred to as the Battle of Lake Benacus. The battle was fought in the year 236 A.D, and the Romans defeated the Alamanni, a collection of German tribes on the shores of Lake Garda.

The name Garda is derived from a mention of Garda in the 8^th century of the town hence the lake was given the same name 鈥淕arda鈥�. Ironically, the name is derived from the Germanic word 鈥淲arda鈥� which means place of guard or place of observation.

4. There鈥檚 a Magnificent 19^th Century Building on the Largest Island

The largest of the 5 islands already got develop in the year 1220, when St. Francis of Assisi founded a monastery on it. It is believed it has been used earlier as a Roman burial ground. The original structure has been replaced by a residential villa in the 19^th century in the amazing Venetian neogothic style hence few remains of the original structure.

The island has been opened as a tourist attraction since the year 2001. The Villa Borghese Cavazza is owned by the family which owns the island and still lives on it.

5. Has an Endemic Fish that only Survives in Lake Garda

One of the Remarquable facts and interesting as well is that Lake Garda has a fish that lives in it that doesn鈥檛 like any other location. The Salmo Carpio is endemic to the lake and is also sometimes referred to as the Carpione.

Many attempts to take it to several lakes have been unsuccessful since lake Garda is its home and seems it will forever be. Due to overfishing and pollution in the lake, the fish is now considered to be an endangered species.

6. Popular Tourist Destination

In Italy, Lake Garda is one of the most popular tourist destinations. It is estimated over 22 million people visit the lake and its surroundings every single year. You get to have different activities to enjoy in Lake Garda and its surrounding. The northern part of the lake near the towns of Riva and Torbole is suitable for surfing, sailing, or even Kiteboarding. Since there is a special type of wind that blows down the slopes of the Dolomites it creates the perfect conditions.

A famous park in Italy called Gardaland is as well located along the southwest shore of the lake hence making lake Garda a popular tourist destination. Not forgetting the most stunning views, picturesque villages, and fresh mountain air, which make Lake Garda one of the best places to spend your holiday as a tourist. 

7. The Lake only has One Outlet

Lake Garda By Zairon

One of the Remarquable and interesting facts about Lake Garda is that it has only 1 outlet, unlike other lakes. However, it has numerous inlets and the largest tributary to the Lake is the Sarca River. The outlet of the Lake is the Mincio River in the utmost southern part of the lake.

8. There are 5 Large Islands on the Lake

In lake Garde there are numerous very small islands however, there are five major ones.  The major islands include Isola del Garda, Isola San Biagio, Isola dell鈥橭livo, Isola di Sogno and Isola di Trimelone. The biggest of the five is Isola del Garda which is located on the western shore of the lake.

9. A 13th-Century Castle Stands on the South of the Lake

Malcesine, Castello scaligero Photo by Zairon

Their many amazing facts about lake Garda, one of the amazing facts is the best-preserved castles in Italy can be found on the south Shore of the lake. The Scaligero Castle is located in a commune called Sirmione.

This little town is located on a peninsula and has a historical centre. The peninsula divides the southern shore of Lake Garda. The castle is the centerpiece of the town and dates back to the 13^th century. It is one of the wonderful and best places to visit anytime you get to Italy.

10. Ancient Roman Villa at the South of the Lake

Not only the Sirmione is the historical center, Roman Villa located on the northernmost end of the same peninsula does as well. This structure was built during the reign of the first Roman Emperor in history, Augustus Caesar, at the end of the 1^st century B.C. and the 1^st century A.D. The structure was called Grottoes of Catullus and was more of a Roman Spa.