Gardone Riviera and Vittoriale degli Italiani

Gardone Riviera is one of the most attractive localities of the Riviera dei Limoni, at the foot of the Alto Garda Bresciano Regional Park, with its greenery and gardens, close to the great complex of the Vittoriale degli Italiani.
The village retains an elegant historic centre, period villas and beautiful hotels, in particular the neoclassical Villa Alba, and a lovely lakeside promenade. The André Heller Botanical Garden is remarkable.
In Gardone there is also the Il Divino Infante Museum, housing more than 200 sculptures dedicated to the Infant Jesus, the Virgin and the Neapolitan crib. (Fri, Sat, Sun, from 3 pm to 7 pm, €7).

Vittoriale degli Italiani

The Vittoriale degli Italiani is one of the most suggestive places in Italy, a famous villa that resembles a small town and even a veritable citadel. It is of great historical, architectural and cultural importance, with beautiful gardens and a superb view over the lake. It was built between 1921 and 1938 with the architect Giancarlo Maroni by the Italian poet Gabriele d’Annunzio where he lived the last years of his life. It houses his mausoleum at the top of the hill..
It is at once a monument, a residence, a mausoleum and a garden-museum, with its gardens, fountains, streets, a house, a library, an orangery, belvederes and an amphitheatre with a view over the lake.
The so-called Prioria room preserves numerous objects and a Museo d’Annunzio Segreto is housed in the underground passages.
The poet wanted to celebrate there his military and patriotic exploits. Thus, two war relics are found here: an S.V.A. aircraft on which on 9 August 1918 d’Annunzio flew over Vienna dropping leaflets announcing the Italian victory, and the bow of the Regia Nave Puglia, a military ship of the same war. There is also the MAS 96, an anti-submarine boat on which d’Annunzio took part in a raid against the Austrians in February 1918.

André Heller Botanical Garden

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Austrian doctor, naturalist and botanist Arthur Hruska decided to settle in Gardone Riviera. He transformed a vineyard to create a garden, using water sources to create streams, lakes, waterfalls and grottoes. He planted trees, flowers, aquatic plants, bamboos, with species from all over the world.
It was bought in 1988 by the artist André Heller. Nowadays there are more than 3000 species, with works by international artists such as Keith Haring, Roy Lichtenstein, Erwin Novak, etc.
It is open every day from March to October, from 9 am to 7 pm.

Information

• Official website of the Vittoriale degli Italiani: www.vittoriale.it
• Wikipedia articles: Vittoriale degli Italiani
• Tourist portals on Gardone: www.visitbrescia.it, www.in-lombardia.it
• Portals on the Vittoriale degli Italiani: www.visitbrescia.it, www.in-lombardia.it
• On the botanical garden: www.in-lombardia.it

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