The Caves of Catullus

Despite the theory that the ruins of the impressive Roman villa at the far end of the Sirmione peninsula (know as the grottos) belonged to the well known Latin poet Gaius Valerius Catullus, who was a member of a rich Veronese family, frequented the villa in Sirmione.

Te archeological ruins, wich cover an area of more thean 20,000 square meters, are in a luxuriant olive grove and have a wonderful view of the lake.

The villa has three levels and is divided into various areas which are still easily recognisable: the baths, the pillars and arches which it is believed once housed shops, the famous triple window grotto and the horse grotto, the two larger halls known as the giant's hall and the double criptoportico hall, charatised by around sixty columns.

The findings of the archeological dig (jewellery, coins, fragments of mosaics, frescos and stucco work which once covered the columns) are kept in the Antiquarium at the entrance to the grotto park.