Desenzano del Garda

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Comune di Desenzano del Garda
Municipal coat of arms
Country	Italy
Region	Lombardy
Province	Brescia (BS)
Mayor

Elevation	m
Area	60 km²
Population
- Total	23, 353
- Density	394/km²
Time zone	CET, UTC+1
Coordinates	45°28′N 10°32′E
Gentilic
Dialing code
Postal code	25015



Website: www.comune.sirmione.bs.it

Desenzano del Garda is a commune in the Province of Brescia, in Lombardy, which borders Lake Garda. It is bordered by other communes of Castiglione delle Stivere, Lonato, Padenghe sul Garda and Sirmione.

1 History
2 Main Sights
3 Tourism
4 Transport
5 Trivia
6 See also
7 External links

[edit] History

Starting from the 1st century BCE, the area of the Garda, including what is now Desenzano del Garda, became a favourite resort for rich families coming from Verona, then the main Roman city in north-eastern Italy.

[edit] Main Sights

The Cathedral of St. Mary Magdalene.

The House of St. Angela Merici.

The Tower of St. Martin (Torre di San Martino).

An archaelogical museum (Museo Civico Archeologico).

Several old-style villas (Villa Romana) and a castle (Duomo).

[edit] Tourism

The city is a popular holiday destination in Southern Europe. It attracts a myriad of tourists from around the immediate area due to its beautiful view of the Alps on the northern shore of Lake Garda, its three large beaches (Desanzanino Beach, Spiagga D'oro Beach, and Porto Rivoltella Beach) and its 27 major hotels.

At the heart of the city is a series of interconnected piazze that house numerous open-air cafés, various shops, "gelaterie" (ice-cream parlors) and several bars.

[edit] Transport

The city has one main port near the Piazza XXV Aprile which operates several ferries around the lake. Also, at the southwestern outskirts of the city is a large train station ('Stazione Ferroviaria') that connects the city to the European railway system.

[edit] Trivia

The town became world wide known on March 13, 1994, when Russian swimming ace Alexander Popov set a world record in the 50m freestyle in Desenzano del Garda's local pool, clocking 21.50.