The “Grotte di Catullo” are located in Sirmione on the southern end of Lake Garda. The remains of this North Italian manor house are impressive. Despite the fact that the Roman poet Catullus had a property in the Sirmione area, it is by no means certain that this villa was it.

Due to excavation works started between the two world wars and finished only recently, the underlying principle of the construction can now be seen. It is characterised by order and symmetry even when it comes to space distribution. The villa has a rectangular layout, covering an area of more than two hectares. For its construction, the ground had to be levelled on a wide area. The main floor has suffered damages, while the middle and ground floor are well-preserved.

The villa was built during the Augustan age, more precisely, between the end of the 1st century B.C. and the start of the 1st century A.D.; it seems however to have been abandoned in the 4th century. After this era, the villa was uninhabited, and the building started to deteriorate.

The Grotte can only be reached on foot via a 1 km walk from Sirmione castle or by the tourist train parting in front of the entrance of the “Terme di Sirmione” (Thermal Springs of Sirmione).

The associated museum is close to the excavation site, at the Piazzale Orti Manara, and has the same opening times. Further information is available on the website of the excavation site