Shipwreck at Lake Garda: significant archaeological discoveries
An important inspection campaign began on September 8, involving expert archaeologists in the discovery of the oldest shipwreck in Lake Garda, the Venetian galley that sank in 1509. This operation, conducted by Archeotecnica of Dorsoduro Venice on behalf of the Superintendency for Archaeological Heritage, Fine Arts, and Landscape for the Provinces of Verona, Rovigo, and Vicenza, aims to assess the condition of the hull and plan protective measures. The wreck, located at a depth of between 24 and 27 meters, approximately 500 meters from the modern port of Lazise, is considered unique on a global scale due to its significance in nautical archaeology.
The official discovery dates back to 1962, but it was first spotted in 1958 by a diver during unrelated research. The vessel measures just under thirty meters in length and has a maximum width of three and a half meters. According to archaeologist Massimo Capulli, its sinking is linked to historical events of the Serenissima and represents an exceptional example of preservation due to the lake’s environmental conditions. In the coming days, experts will proceed with assessing the state of the wreck and undertaking targeted work to partially clean the remains.