Grottoes of Catullus

Archeological Site Lake Garda, Italy

Aside from the castle, the main sight of Sirmione is the Grotto of Catullus. Contrary to what the name grotto, meaning cave, would imply, the Grotto of Catullus is not a cave. And though the Grotto of Catullus is said to the be the country villa of Roman poet Catullus, he never actually lived here. Catullus dies in 54BC and the ruins of the villa are dated to around 150AD. The site got its name because it resembled a series of partially collapsed caves when it was discovered in the 15th century. It was Napoleon who carried out the first studies of the villa and excavation and restoration didn’t begin until around 1940. The Soprintendenza Archeologica Della Lombardia purchased the entire site in 1948 and studies and excavations are still being done to learn more about the villa.