Holiday apartment in Castellaro Lagusello: castle, lake and moraine landscape

Castellaro Lagusello is a destination for you if you would like to combine historic townscapes, water and nature observation in one trip. The fortified village lies near a small lake of glacial moraine origin and is dominated by a castle. Choosing a holiday apartment in Castellaro Lagusello therefore involves a clear question: are you primarily looking for a combination of village history, lake and landscape, or would you also like to plan routes and events?

Holiday apartment in Castellaro Lagusello: lake, history and nature

Castellaro Lagusello – Fondo Tacoli is component 1363-098 of the World Heritage Site “Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps”. The castle dates from the period 1100–1200 and was built at the behest of the Scaligeri, the lords of Verona, to defend the area. The castle complex retains the almost intact circuit of walls, four towers, several sections of the battlements and two medieval rustic houses.

A distinctive feature of the townscape is the Torre Campanaria di Castellaro Lagusello bell tower. It is approximately 24 metres high. The tower has five richly decorated bronze bells, all dating from between the middle of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century. From the top, the view extends across the surrounding moraine hills, the heart-shaped lake and the village.

The prehistoric period is also closely connected with the lake. On the western shore, at Fondo Tacoli, there was a Bronze Age pile-dwelling settlement, while a second one stood on the eastern shore at Fondo Pezzalunga. Fondo Tacoli was continuously inhabited from the beginning of the Middle Bronze Age through advanced phases of the Late Bronze Age, from the 16th to the 13th century BC. The garden at Villa Arrighi still has a battlement walkway offering an impressive view of the lake. Napoleon Bonaparte stayed there twice in 1796 and again in 1859, immediately after the Battle of Solferino.

Landscape for nature observation and walks

The Site of Community Importance (SCI) “Complesso Morenico di Castellaro Lagusello” covers 271 hectares of areas of natural interest on the moraine hills of Monzambano and Cavriana. The Riserva Regionale Complesso Morenico di Castellaro Lagusello is home to more than 50 breeding bird species, including great crested grebe, little bittern, penduline tit and “cannaiola verdognola”. This gives nature enthusiasts an independent landscape focus alongside the historic village.

For walks, additional routes follow unpaved roads towards Monte Tondo and paths through downy oak or Turkey oak forests. A path created by the park approaches the wetland partly along an unpaved road and partly via a wooden boardwalk. The lake can be accessed through the gate at Via Castello 49, 46040 Castellaro Lagusello MN. There is no entrance fee to access the village.

Cycle route and village events

Those wishing to explore the surrounding area by bicycle can take Ciclovia 6 – Corridoio morenico alto, a 20.8-kilometre cycle loop through Cavriana, Castellaro Lagusello, Monzambano and Ponti sul Mincio. The varied landscapes and towns along the route make it an opportunity in its own right to structure your stay without losing sight of the historic village setting and the lake.

Seasonal events are also part of the character of the village. At the end of April, the flower market “I Fiori di Castellaro” brings Castellaro Lagusello to life. From June to September, the first Saturday of each month is dedicated to the “Sabato del Borgo”. As part of the “Sabato del Borgo”, night-time visits to the Riserva di Castellaro were possible. Depending on your travel dates, you can therefore use the combination of cultural experiences, nature trails, cycling and village events as a guide when choosing your holiday apartment or holiday home.

For further orientation: Piubega, Virgilio, Curtatone, Medole, Castellucchio, Poggio Rusco, Moglia and Davini.

For the overarching travel overview: Mantua.