Exploring the picturesque village of Solferino in just one day is an unforgettable experience in which you combine history, natural beauty and culture.
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Solferino is a small town that every Italian and Italian lover should visit. It is a place where one of the most crucial pages of Italian history was written and where the idea of the International Red Cross, one of the most important humanitarian organisations in the world, was born.
Solferino is located in the Morainic Hills of Lake Garda and has been awarded with the Orange Flag by the Italian Touring Club. It is famous for the Battle of Solferino and San Martino, that took place in 1859 during the Second Independence Italian War.
In this one day itinerary we will guide you through the most important places of interest in Solferino, giving you a complete overview of this beautiful village. You will discover the charm of its historical monuments and breathtaking views of Lake Garda and the surrounding hills.
Where is Solferino?
Solferino is situated in the Lombardy region in northern Italy, in the province of Mantua, a few kilometres from Lake Garda. Its geographical position is nestled among the Morainic Hills and offers extraordinary panoramic views.
Itinerary of what to see in one day in Solferino
We invite you to immerse yourself in an exciting walk to discover this enchanting place, revealing its main attractions, secret treasures and everything that makes Solferino unforgettable for a wonderful one day experience.
Starting in the upper part: the Piazza Castello with the Gonzaga Tower and the Church of San Nicola
After parking the car in the Piazza Castello you begin your walk through the upper part of Solferino. Since medieval times, the Piazza Castello or Castle Square has been one of the most beautiful squares in the province of Mantua from which you can see Lake Garda and the Monte Baldo.
There are still two imposing witnesses of the old castle: the Gonzaga Tower or Watchtower with its distinctive pointed dome and the Church of San Nicola.
From March to December, every second Sunday of the month, the 16th-century Piazza Castello hosts the Market of curiosities, antiques and handcrafts.
Leave the Piazza Castello and continue your walk to the Rocca of Solferino. After a short climb in the Rocca park you reach the base of the Rocca, a square tower with a height of 23 metres.
Built in the year 1022, the Rocca has always played a strategic role in controlling the territory, hence his nickname “the Spy of Italy”. We strongly advise everyone to go inside the Rocca and walk along the suggestive wooden ramp that leads to the Hall of Sovereigns. Continue towards the terrace where you can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding area. From this privileged perspective, you will fully understand why the Rocca has been called “the Spy of Italy”.
Continue to the Red Cross Memorial
By following the path with the cypress trees, at the other side, you arrive at the Red Cross Memorial. Why is it located in Solferino? Henry Dunant, a Swiss businessman and philanthropist, was coincidentally witness of the bloody battle. He arrived the day after and found a considerable massacre with many dead and wounded people.
Dunant wanted to help the victims and together with the women of Solferino and the surrounding villages and took care of the soldiers without regard to their origin or nationality. Hence the impressive insight of Henry Dunant: “We are all brothers” and this wonderful humanitarian motto gave birth to the idea of the Red Cross.
The Memorial was erected in 1959 to commemorate the initiative of Henry Dunant.
On one side, a red cross is surrounded by symbolic arms and hands that refer to Dunant’s motto: “All Brothers”. On the other side you can see marble blocks with the name of all the countries that today make part of the International Red Cross, the Red Crescent (Muslim countries) and the Red Crystal (Israel).
After your visit, return to the Piazza Castello, from where you can continue your walk towards the lower part of Solferino or you can go by car to avoid the climb on the way back. Before starting the walk in the lower part, we suggest you to have lunch in one of the many restaurants or trattorias to taste the capunsèl, also known as “bread dumpling”, the typical first dish of Solferino.
Walk in the lower part: History Museum and statue of Henry Dunant
The History Museum opened its doors in 1931 and is located near the Ossuary park. It is the place to learn more about the history of the Risorgimento (the period leading to unification of Italy) and beyond. It houses a vast collection of relics, armaments and memorabilia related to the French and Austrian armies that fought here in 1859 but also contains a significant part of the Italian history between 1796 and 1870.
Next to the valuable iconographic and documentary material, the Museum offers an extensive exhibition of uniforms, weapons, prints, drawings and personal objects of the brave fighters. This rich collection allows you to immerse yourself in the live and stories of those who took part in this historical events. In the small garden next to the Museum, opposite the Ossuary Square with its imposing column dedicated to the fallen soldiers, stands the majestic bronze statue of Henry Dunant..
The statue of Henry Dunant was inaugurated on June the 21st 2014 in the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Convention of Geneva in 1864 and the foundation of the Italian Red Cross. The monument is unique and is a symbol of peace. The left hand of Dunant is a closed fist and symbolises “never again war”.
The right hand, instead, is open and is a sign of invitation. At his feet you will find a book ‘Souvenir de Solferino’ in which he describes what he experienced in Solferino, a flag and a briefcase, symbols that narrates the person of Dunant.
Final stage of the walk: the Ossuary Church
We recommend you to enter this church only after having completed the route described above to better understand the significance of the immense tragedy that took place here. After the Battle of Solferino and San Martino, the number of fallen soldiers was so high that it became necessary to bury them in large mass graves.
Over the following years, it happened several times that rain or agricultural work unearthed the remains of some buried soldiers. To solve this problem, they decided to undertake the difficult task to unearth and transfer the bones to the Ossuary Churchof Solferino and the Ossuary Chapel of San Martino della Battaglia.
More than one thousand four hundred skulls and seven thousand bones of fallen soldiers were placed here without regard to rank, race or nationality. A heartbreaking “spectacle” that makes us realise that “we are all brothers” because death equalizes all persons.
These ossuaries are a sort of library of human lives, which form the foundations of the Italian tricolour.
Insider tip: the small lake, Solferino’s hidden gem
You cannot miss the small lake in the Via Prati, which you can reach by continuing the walk in the Via dei Francesi and turning right into the Via Francesco Giuseppe. This unknown pearl offers spectacular scenes in all seasons of the year. It is a former peat bog, which is now a protected area, a secluded place surrounded by trees and habitat for many animals. It is the ideal place for birdwatchers, photography lovers and fishing enthusiasts.
To end on a high note, we suggest you to go to the Piazza Torelli, passing through the Via Garibaldi. This square, where Solferino’s town hall is located, is the beating heart of the village. It is the place where locals meet to have an aperitif or eat an ice cream in the historic ice cream parlour and pastry shop.
This is the Solferino that invites visitors to spend an entire day, where they can enjoy the many wonders with their own eyes and heart. Here, the simple and intense emotions that nature and history offer, come into its own.
Places of interest near Solferino
Desenzano
Desenzano, the capital of Lake Garda is situated at a few kilometres from Solferino. In the hamlet of San Martino della Battaglia you can continue the historical tour in the museum complex with the tower, museum and Ossuary chapel.
If you would like to visit this town, we recommend our itinerary:”What to see in one day in Desenzano“.
Cavour Water Park
During the summer season, you can end your day at the Cavour Water Park, which is a 15-minute drive from Solferino. Within this 150,000 square metre oasis, numerous slides and pools, a lagoon and a sandy beach surrounded by palm trees are waiting for you.
Tickets can be conveniently purchased online: Click here
