Grottoes of Catullus, Archaeological site in Sirmione, Italy.
Located on the Sirmione peninsula tip at Lake Garda, this Roman villa complex spans two hectares with rectangular structures measuring 167 by 105 meters.
Construction of the grand villa began at the end of the first century BC, reaching completion during the first century AD before abandonment in the third century.
The site received its name in the 15th century when scholars connected it to poet Gaius Valerius Catullus, who mentioned Sirmione in his works.
Visitors can access both the archaeological site and museum daily from 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM during summer months, with entry tickets priced at 8 euros.
The complex maintains 1500 olive trees of three varieties, producing Grotte di Catullo extra virgin olive oil from centuries-old groves.
Location: Sirmione
Address: piazzale Orti Manara, 4 25019
Phone: +39030916157
Email: pm-lom.grottedicatullo@beniculturali.it
Website: http://grottedicatullo.beniculturali.it
GPS coordinates: 45.50145,10.60645
Latest update: May 27, 2025 08:39
Italy holds archaeological sites spanning several millennia, offering insights into Etruscan, Greek and Roman civilizations. These locations include necropolises with thousands of tombs, well-preserved Roman villas and ancient settlements along the Mediterranean coast. Many of these sites lie beyond the more familiar destinations and document different aspects of Italian history. The Necropolis of Pantalica near Sortino contains approximately 5,000 rock-cut tombs from the Sicilian Bronze Age, while the Villa of the Mysteries in Pompeii is known for its wall paintings from the first century BCE. Villa del Casale near Piazza Armerina displays Roman floor mosaics covering more than 37,500 square feet (3,500 square meters). Etruscan burial sites like the Tomb of the Orcus in Tarquinia preserve frescoes from the fourth century BCE. The Archaeological Park of Elea-Velia near Ascea includes remains of a Greek colony founded in the sixth century BCE.
Scaligero Castle
1 km
Grotte di Catullo
28 m
Pfahlbausiedlung von Moniga del Garda
5.7 km
Jamaica Beach
119 m
San Pietro in Mavino church
384 m
Spaggia d'Oro
5.5 km
Duomo di Desenzano del Garda
6.2 km
Santa Maria Maggiore church
921 m
Lugana Vecchia
3.8 km
Spiaggia Desenzanino
5.9 km
Giovanni Rambotti Civic Archaeological Museum
6.1 km
Sito palafitticolo San Sivino-Gabbiano
5.5 km
Saint Anne church
1.1 km
Saint Blaise church
5.4 km
Museo archeologico di Sirmione
147 m
Saint George church
5.9 km
Chiesa di San Martino
6.3 km
Saint Catherine church
6.2 km
Spiaggia della Rocca
6 km
Madonna della Villa church
5.2 km
Spiaggia Rivoltelia
5.3 km
Roman villa of Desenzano del Garda
6.2 km
Spiaggia San Sivino
5.1 km
Saint Joseph church
5.5 km
Villa Meneghini-Callas
1 km
Terme di Sirmione
4.2 km
Our Lady of Mount Carmel church
6.2 km
Saint Michael church
5.8 kmReviews
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