Salo

Salo, in the south-west of the lake is embedded in a long bay and has the longest walkway of any town an the Lake. The historic old town, which dates back to the Middle Ages, is a dense network of streets, alleys and small squares lined with elegant homes, shops, restaurants and bars.

Legend has it that Salo has Etruscan origins, but recorded history begins with the founding of the Roman 'Pagus Salodium'. In the late Medieval period, the town became the most important centre along the eastern lakeshore, partly due to the change of the capital from Maderno to Salò and the influence of Beatrice della Scala, the wife of Bernabò Visconti, the Prince of Milan.

The symbol of the lion is frequently seen throughout the village witnessing the town's fidelity toward the Republic of Venice from1440, for which it later paid the price of French bombing and looting in the battle against Brescia in the C 18th C.

The last chapter of Salò's history was in the period 1943 to 1945 when the Duce Benito Mussolini established the Republic of Salò after the collapse of Italian Fascism.

Why Salo

• Quiet, relaxed, civilised and handy to the upper and lower lake

Our rentals in the Desenzano, Salo, Limone area include villas, apartments and self-catering accommodation in wonderful holiday settings to ensure that your vacation in the area of Lake Garda is a memorable experience.

To do in the Salo area

• Visit the old town, and particularly the Duomo and S.Bernadino church
• Relax by the lakeside or stroll up and down the pedestrian only promenade
• Visit the market on Saturday morning - great designer remnants
• Catch a ferry to Gardone and look around the villas and gardens
• Hike into the nearby hills
• Visit the poet Gabriele D'Annunziato's house Vittoriale at Gardone

Further afield

• Hike up to Monte Pizzocolo or the Valley of the Cartiere (paper makers) at Toscolano
• Drive up the west coast to Gardone, Toscolano, Limone and Riva
• Catch a ferry to Sirmione, Desenzano, Malcesine or Garda