Historic Villas and Properties of Lake Garda: From Luxury Hotels to Archives

Numerous Villas on Lake Garda have been transformed into luxurious hotels or restaurants. We recall, in Sirmione, Villa Cortine, built by Baron Kurt von Koezeritz in 1860, with a neoclassical façade and lush park.

Nearby, also Villa Omodeo (Soiano), which during the period of the Italian Social Republic was the headquarters of the Ministry of Defense, led by Marshal Rodolfo Graziani, has opted for golf, becoming the Garda Golf.

In Valtenesi, the Portesina, a private residence of the undersecretary of Foreign Affairs from the RSI, Serafino Mazzolini, is now a campsite, closed for renovation works for several years.

Developments and Historic Properties in Salò and Surroundings

In Salò, the Villa Simonini, built by Florentine architect Ulisse Stacchini, the same architect of Milan’s Central Station, during the RSI period, when he was Minister of Foreign Affairs, has housed the Laurin of the Rossi family since the 1960s, of which Paolo is president of the hotel owners’ association in Brescia province.

In Gardone Riviera, the villa of Duke Acquarone is today a dependance of the Monte Baldo belonging to the Sari family.

Villa Fiordaliso, built by the Counts Polenghi of Milan, hosted Claretta Petacci, Benito Mussolini’s mistress, during the Social Republic. Now it is a restaurant operated by Peppo Tosetti.

Among those who book to sleep in Petacci’s bed is listed. The nearby Torre Rhuland or S. Marco, belonging to the Fondazione del Vittoriale, is an upscale nightclub.

Accommodations and Historic Buildings

In Fasano, Villa Paradiso, occupied by staff from the German Embassy, is today a beauty farm, operated by the Bagaglino group.

Away from 45 bis, in the former Villa Garda of Breda, used as a convalescent home for German officers, is the splendid Hotel Villa del Sogno.

The San Corona Hospital, for heart patients, was once known as Villa Benvenuti, inhabited by a musician.

The Golfo di Maderno Hotel is the former Palazzo Bianchi, headquarters of the Italian Social Republic Fascist Party led by Alessandro Pavolini.

Same for Villa Giulia in Gargnano, occupied by SS officers accompanying the Duce.

The other Villa Feltrinelli belongs to the University of Milan, which uses it for summer courses.