Sirmione Attractions

2.5km/1.5mi beyond Desenzano on S.S. 11 a road goes off on the left (3.5km/2mi) to the picturesque little town of Sirmione, on a long promontory reaching out into the lake. The Roman poet Catullus (84-54 B.C.) had a villa here. The town which is also visited for its sulphur springs has a large and picturesque castle of the Scaligers (13th century restored); fine view from the tower. About 1km/0.75mi north is the Punta di Sirmione, with a terrace from which there are fine views, built on late Roman substructures ("Grotte di Catullo").