The southern area of Lake Garda, where the hu Altomincio Village is located, boasts a wealth of incredible biodiversity that is protected by the Mincio Park, awaiting be discovered on foot, by bicycle or boat. These are also lands historically inhabited by great noble families, who created wonderful gardens for their palaces.
Sigurtà Park
If you drive or, even better, bike along the roads that run alongside the emerald green waters of the Mincio river, you’ll discover an area rich in wild and fascinating flora that gently unravels until it melts into Lake Garda. This area is famous for its delicious tortellini and for its bridges, which inspired the director Luchino Visconti who shot some scenes of his film Senso (1954) in Borghetto sul Mincio. Another marvel not to be missed is the Villa Maffei, famous for its spectacular garden, the Parco Giardino Sigurtà. This park, considered to be one of the five most beautiful gardens in the world, is a work of art for its botanical variety and unique landscape. You’ll find enchantment in the transparency of the water gardens, in the harmonious colours of the flower beds and the unique atmosphere along its paths. Founded in 1617 and used as headquarters for Napoleon III in 1859, the park covers an impressive 50 hectares, offering almost 10 km of pathways to explore: even the most energetic children will struggle to walk the entire length of the gigantic emerald green lawn, but then they’ll captivated and enchanted by the hedge maze. Let them play while you lie back on the grass and watch the clouds go by. There are vairous forms of transport to facilitate your visit: bicycle, train, shuttle or golf cart, all available for hire. There are many iconic areas in the park but the sight of the Viale delle Rose (Avenue of the Roses) silhouetted against the backdrop of the Castello di Valeggio is worth every penny of the admission fee. Check the website for the flowering months of irises, roses, water lilies, lotus flowers and hundreds of other plants.
Giardino Giusti
Partially hidden among the palaces of Verona, the Giardino Giusti is one of the most beautiful late Renaissance Italian gardens. The garden, celebrated for its harmonious elegance, invites you in along a central avenue bordered by cypress trees, which divides the space into two sections and creates a intriguing play of perspectives. The famous hedge maze is a jewel, where you will lose yourself among Roman inscriptions, fountains and mythological statues. If you’re looking for a breathtaking view, follow the path that slopes up to the left, through a grove and some picturesque caves, to reach the belvedere. From here, the view of the Adige will leave you speechless, adding poetry to a day spent in beautiful Verona. Don’t leave the garden without visiting the rooms of the exceptionally elegant 20th-century Apartment, which captures the history of the Giusti family’s life in the early 1920s.
Mincio Park
Established in 1984, the Mincio Park runs alongside the River Mincio, which has a total length of 73 km and crosses the area between Lake Garda and the River Po. The park covers an area of 15,492 hectares and incorporates other protected areas, including the Valli del Mincio Nature Reserve to the south-west, the Vallazza Nature Reserve to the south-east and, in the upper Mincio, the Castellaro Lagusello Nature Reserve. Due to its vast size, which encompasses numerous municipalities, the park is free to visit at any time and there’s no need to book. However, if you would like help from an expert guide, contact the educational-tourist secretary of the regional park authority ([email protected]). Another nature reserve, the Bosco della Fontana State Nature Reserve is managed by the Carabinieri Biodiversity department. This place was once the hunting grounds of the noble Gonzaga family and preserves the last fragment of the oak forests that once dominated the plain. Contact the Barcaioli del Mincio river cruise company for evocative trips to discover the river.
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