Salò, the most elegant town on Lake Garda
Located on the shores of Lake Garda, Salò enjoys a mild climate and is surrounded by a fabulous landscape. This historical and cultural gem captures every visitor’s heart. It can rightly be called “the most elegant”. The historic centre lives up to this designation: stately palaces and refined boutiques create an atmosphere of class and refinement.
Salò surprises with more than just elegance. The city also has a rich history. Within its walls, you can visit the cathedral, the Palazzo della Magnifica Patria and the Musa museum, true treasures of art and culture. The lakeside promenade also offers a picturesque setting with characteristic buildings and colourful boats. Here you can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for romantic walks or an aperitif at sunset.
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A dip into history
Salò’s origins are uncertain, but it is believed to have been founded by the Etruscans The name Salò is possibly derived from “Salodia”, an Etruscan queen, or from “Saloo”, a lucumon (an Etruscan magistrate). In Roman times Salò was an important trade town and centre for agriculture.
Over the centuries, Salò came under various dominions, including the Visconti, the Sforza and the Republic of Venice. During the Venetian rule, Salò was the capital of a vast territory named “Magnifica Patria” in the second half of the 14th century. In 1797. With the fall of the Republic of Venice (also called the Serenissima), Salò became part of the Kingdom of Italy.
The city falls into disrepute during World War II, when it was chosen as the capital of the Italian Social Republic, a fascist puppet state.
Today, Salò is known for its scenic beauty and historical heritage. The city attracts tourists from all over the world.
Where is Salo located?
Salò is situated on the western shore of Lake Garda, in the heart of the Lombardy region. It lies to the west of Desenzano del Garda and the southwest of Brescia The city overlooks the lakeside bay with the same name and is bordered to the west and south by the Morainic Hills and to the north by Monte San Bartolomeo. Thanks to this privileged position, the Gulf of Salò is extraordinarily beautiful: rolling hills shrouded in lush greenery that overlook a lake with crystal-clear waters. This creates a breathtaking panorama.
Itinerary of what to see in Salò in one day
Do you have only one day to explore Salò? No worries! This itinerary will guide you past the most precious pearls of this enchanting city and provide you with an unforgettable experience. During this unique one-day itinerary, we will take you on an unforgettable walk through Salò: down charming streets, historic palaces and squares, centuries-old churches and Art Nouveau villas. We wander through hidden nooks and enjoy beautiful views of Lake Garda. Salò reveals itself as a true oasis of beauty, enchanting every visitor
The first encounter in the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele.
Our day of discoveries in Salò begins in the recently redesigned Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II. The other side is dominated by the bell tower, also known as the Porta dell’Orologio. This tower leads you to the heart of the historic city centre.
Bell Tower
This imposing structure is the western gateway to Salò and one of the city’s symbols. Originally the 13th-century tower was called, Porta della Fossa or Porta Rocca and was connected to the city walls for defensive purposes. The current appearance of the Porta dell’Orologio dates back to the 17th century. At that time, the clock was added and the name changed to Porta dell’Orologio or Porta Nuova. The lion of St Mark on the facade recalls the period when Salò was under Venetian rule.
Piazza Angelo Zanelli and the church of San Giovanni Battista Decollato
After passing through the Porta dell’Orologio, you will enter in the Via Carlo, a stone’s throw from Piazza Angelo Zanelli, named after the famous sculptor from Salò. It is a charming square with restaurants, bars and evocative monuments. The showpiece is the Casa Bersatti, with its unique serliano or Venetian-style window. This 16th-century window is considered the most beautiful in Salò To the side of Piazza Angelo Zanelli, in a hidden spot, stands the church of San Giovanni Battista Decollato with its irregularly shaped facade. The church, presumably built in the 7th century and completely renovated in 1727, houses two paintings by Zenon Veronese and a small room with a precious reliquary containing a complete body, skulls and other finds.
.Returning to the Via San Carlo, you are greeted by a column with the statue of Salò’s patron saint, San Carlo. To the left of the statue, the historic pasticceria or pastry shop “Vassalli” attracts you with window displays full of sweets.
Stroll past shops – Tassoni Shop & Drink – Palazzi in Via San Carlo
Continue walking down in the Via San Carlo with its elegant boutiques. After about 200 metres, your eye catches, no doubt, a remarkable shop window: a green Fiat 500 filled with little yellow bottles. This is the Tassoni Shop & Drink: the perfect place to taste or buy the Tassoni cedrata, a cedar-based lemonade. This soft drink has been produced at the Tassoni factory in Salò since 1956.
The building at number 17 with decorative bas-reliefs on the windows and the Casa De Paoli at number 3 are definitely worth a look.
Piazza Zanardelli – Via Mattia Butturini
Once past the Piazza Zanardelli, with its statue of the famous Brescian politician Giuseppe Zanardelli, continue walking along a stretch of the Via Mattia Butturini with its 17th century gates. Turn left at the Vicolo Stelle until you reach the Via di Mezzo. It is one of the most characteristic spots in Salò’s historic centre.
Continue to the right into the Via Raffaele Conforti. Then turn left into Via Mattia Butturini. After 50 metres, you will find the Palazzo della Magnifica Patria on the right side.
Discover Salò’s history at the Palazzo della Magnifica Patria
The Palazzo della Magnifica Patria, also called Palazzo del Podestà or Capitano Rettore, is today the seat of Salò’s town hall. Originally, it was the headquarter of the Consiglio della Magnifica Patria. Salò was the capital of this political-administrative entity within the Venetian state, which consisted of 52 municipalities.
The coats of arms of all these municipalities are painted on the vaulted ceiling of the loggia. The lion, the symbol of Venice, is depicted in various ways in the town hall. Under the loggia, you will also find plaques of important people who visited Salò, such as Giuseppe Garibaldi, King Vittorio Emanuele II, Giuseppe Mazzini and Camillo Benso di Cavour.
The old palace was built in 1524 and rebuilt in 1901 after an earthquake.
Upon entering the palace, in the Sala del Consiglio or council chamber, you can admire a beautiful coffered ceiling and a large altarpiece by Giovanni Andrea Bertanza depicting Saint Carlo Borromeo, the patron saint of Salò. The same room also houses a bust of the violin maker Gasparo da Salò, considered the inventor of the violin. The atrium is decorated with frescoes by Angelo Landi, painter from Salò.
Piazza della Vittoria
By the lake, next to the town hall, you can find the Piazza della Vittoria, Salò’s main square. In the middle is standing the imposing war memorial, made in 1930 by the local sculptor Angelo Zanelli. This square is also the docking area for the Navigazione Garda, for those who prefer to come to Salò by boat. Leave the Piazza della Vittoria and take the Via Duomo, which will lead you to the Piazza Duomo.
Duomo di Salò
Do not miss Salò’s duomo or cathedral, dedicated to Santa Maria Annunziata. This is the city’s most important monument. It represents not only one of the city’s architectural gems, it is also the largest church at Lake Garda. It dates from the 15th century and is built in late Gothic style. It was designed by architect Filippo delle Vacche, who was inspired by the church of Sant’Anastasia in Verona. The facade of the cathedral is quite simple and unfinished, but it has a beautiful portal with a rose window above it. The cathedral’s portal was made between 1506 and 1508 by the famous Lombard sculptors Gasparo Cairano and Antonio Mangiacavalli.
The interior of the cathedral houses extraordinary works of art, including:
* The wooden Gothic altarpiece by Bartolomeo di Isola Dovarese di Salò, with images of ten saints, created by Pietro Bussolo.
* The magnificent wooden crucifix by Giovanni Teutonico.
* Paintings by Zenone Veronese, Paolo Veneziano and Romanino.
* Frescoes by Trotti, Palma the Younger and Andrea Celesti.
* The organ from 1546, made by the famous Brescian organ builder Gian Giacomo Antegnati.
The cathedral’s bell tower, a prominent landmark in photographs of Salò, is located on the north side and is the result of several phases of elevation.
In the Piazza Duomo you will also find ‘La Casa del Dolce’, Joseph Barone’s famous ice cream parlour. The long queue is well worth the wait.
Turn left in the Vicolo Campanile, next to the church. Here you can admire the bell tower up close. Continue to the right in the Via Gerolamo Fantoni until you reach the Porta del Carmine.
Porta del Carmine
This 15th-century gate, the only gate on the eastern side of the town, overlooks the square of the same name. The gate has a robust and austere structure. The tympanum is decorated with the lion of St Mark, symbol of the Republic of Venice.
The gate owes its current name, Porta del Carmine, to the Contrada del Carmine in which it is located. The gate originally bore the name Porta di San Giovanni, because of the nearby church of San Giovanni Evangelista in the hamlet of Barbarano. This church could be reached through this gate. Go through the gate and turn right to reach the lake promenade.
The Lungolago Zanardelli: where the lake embraces the city
Loved for its elegant beauty, the Lungolago Zanardelli is one of the most beautiful promenades along Lake Garda. The promenade is named after Giuseppe Zanardelli, a prominent Brescian politician who played an important role in Italian politics in the 19th century. He was minister of justice and public works and moved up to prime minister of Italy.
Located on the shores of Lake Garda, the promenade offers breathtaking views on the azure waters and majestic mountain ranges in the background. The promenade invites you to take a relaxing walk or to sit on one of the benches and enjoy the enchanting scenery. Here you will experience the beauty of Lake Garda at its best.
Along the route, near the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, you will find another statue of Gasparo da Salò, as well as a column with the lion of St Mark.
Where to eat in Salò
Be tempted by Salò’s numerous bars and restaurants, where you can taste local delicacies in a unique atmosphere.
We recommend:
- Civic 7 in the Via Duomo: for a tasty lunch.
- Osteria di Mezzo in the Via di Mezzo : for a culinary experience.
- Osteria dell’Orologio in the Via Mattia Butturini : for a cosy, family atmosphere.
Suggestions for the afternoon
For lovers of history and culture: the Musa
Housed in the beautiful Santa Giustina complex, the MuSa (Museo di Salò) takes you on a fascinating journey through Salò’s history and art. The former church and convent are now a unique setting for a museum that highlights the city’s rich culture. The various halls of the MuSa are arranged chronologically. The trail starts with the origins of Salò and ends with modern times.
You start with a visit to the Archaeological Museum Anton Maria Mucchi, where archaeological finds from Salò and its surroundings are on display. Then you will come through the sections dedicated to the late Middle Ages, the period when Salò was under Venetian rule (with works by Palma il Giovane, Zenone Veronese and Sante Cattaneo) and the famous luthier Gasparo da Salò.
Then you can delve into the history of Salò in the 19th and 20th centuries, including the life of the writer and politician Gabriele d’Annunzio, and finally the period of the Italian Social Republic (RSI) with Salò as its capital. Your visit ends at the Museo del Nastro Azzurro, dedicated to two hundred years of war, and the Civica Raccolta del Disegno, a collection of works by modern artists such as Lucio Fontana and Emilio Vedova.
For lovers of hiking
Start from the center of Salò and take path number 17. After a pleasant walk of about an hour, you will reach the Corna, a breathtaking viewpoint overlooking the Gulf of Salò. Continuing along the path, you will reach the church of San Bartolomeo, surrrounded by the quietness of nature.
Located at an altitude of 528 metres above sea level, the 14th-century church offers an impressive panorama from Desenzano to Peschiera. Next to the church is a majestic horse chestnut tree, offering cooling shade for a refreshing break.
Relax lovers
In summer, do not miss Salò’s irresistible beaches, where you can relax and cool down.
Recommendations near the centre:
At the end of the Gulf of Salò, surrounded by the cypress trees of the cemetery, you will find the idyllic beaches Mulino Beach and Mokai Beach.
Access to the pebble and gravel Mulino beach is free. Are you a shade lover? Then this beach is perfect for you! In the afternoon, the entire beach is bathed in refreshing shade. In addition, the presence of a diving school makes it an ideal spot for divers.
If you prefer to avoid the stones, there opt for the comfortable jetties where you can sunbathe.
Mokai Beach, on the other hand, is an oasis of comfort, equipped with sunbeds, parasols, various services and a kiosk bar.
One day in Salò will never be enough to fully enjoy all its beauty and timeless charm. Nevertheless, thisitinerary description of what to see in Salò in 1 day will give you an unforgettable first impression of this pearl on Lake Garda.
Extra tip: If you visit Salò on a Saturday, do not miss the weekly market, one of the largest at Lake Garda. It takes place from 8 am to 1 pm near the sports square and Due Pini shopping centre.
Places of interest near Salò
Be enchanted by the charm of the Vittoriale degli Italiani
The Vittoriale degli Italiani is a monumental complex located in Gardone Riviera on Lake Garda. Immerse yourself in a whirlwind of history, art, nature and myth on the 9-hectare estate. Admire the unique collection of buildings, streets, squares, an open-air theatre, gardens and a pond, which all together create an unforgettable experience. The Vittoriale is an open-air museum where you can delve into the life and work of poet-soldier Gabriele d’Annunzio, amid relics, works of art and evocative images.
Isola del Garda
Isola del Garda, also known as Isola Borghese, is the largest island in Lake Garda. Located in the southwestern part of the lake, not far from San Felice del Benaco, it extends over an area of about 10 hectares.
It is an oasis of rich Mediterranean vegetation, with cypress, olive and lemon trees surrounding an elegant neo-Gothic Venetian-style villa.
The island is open to the public from March to October. A visit consists of a boat trip to the island and a fascinating tour of about two hours, in the villa, the gardens and the park.
