Holiday apartment in Custoza – History, Broccoletto and Vineyards

Custoza lies in the western central part of the Province of Verona, in the area of the moraine hills of Lake Garda. The town combines a rich history with vineyards, regional cuisine and distinctive village festivals.

Holiday apartment in Custoza between the hills and the town centre

Custoza consists of two larger settlements on the hills of Bellavista and Ossario. A small hollow connects them with Piazza XXIV maggio in the centre.

Ossario di Custoza: history in a specific location

The Ossario di Custoza was inaugurated on 24 June 1879, after the remains of almost 2,000 soldiers who had fallen in battle had been exhumed and collected there. The building comprises a crypt, a chapel and a small archaeological museum about the battle. The former custodian’s house of the Ossario di Custoza contains exhibition rooms with multimedia installations about the history of the monument.

Through vineyards, small woods and green areas

The “Cammina Custoza” excursion begins at Piazza di Custoza and follows a route through the vineyards. Along the way, it passes through DOC vineyards, small woods and vegetation-rich areas. For a stay involving outdoor activities, this route offers a practical way to experience the landscape not only through its place name, but through its various sections. The different areas also help you choose between a culturally focused day at the Ossario and a stay centred on the landscape and walking.

Broccoletto di Custoza and regional food culture

A characteristic culinary feature of the area is Broccoletto di Custoza. This vegetable is a Slow Food Presidium and is grown exclusively in the Custoza area. It is harvested by hand between November and February. In the families of Custoza, Broccoletto is traditionally blanched in boiling water for around 20 minutes, seasoned with extra virgin olive oil and served with a hard-boiled egg and salami or fresh sausage.

Festivals, tastings and living performances

For several years, the Festa del Broccoletto has been held in Custoza in January. A producers’ association, restaurateurs and the Pro Loco are involved. In 2026, the Broccoletto di Custoza event series reached its 24th edition and included events and tastings. The “Broccoletto in Piazza” programme offers traditional dishes with Broccoletto in a modern interpretation.

The town’s performing traditions also have their own distinctive character. “Sego de la Vecia” is a tragicomic performance in dialect verse, in which the entire village takes part as performers and which generally takes place every six years. “Il Custoza in festa” is a historic wine festival organised by the wineries of Custoza and reached its 55th edition in 2026.

Getting to Custoza

To travel to Custoza by train, the planned route is to Peschiera del Garda, with a connection to an ATV bus. Those arriving by car should take the Sommacampagna exit on the A4 Milan–Venice motorway. When planning your stay, you can combine these travel options with your preferred experiences: history leads to the Ossario, the “Cammina Custoza” excursion leads through the vineyards and small woods, while Broccoletto, tastings and wine festivals provide a culinary focus.

For further regional orientation: Calmasino, Cavalo, Erbé, Isola Della Scala, Monteforte D'alpone, Pedemonte, Caldiero and Grezzana.

For the higher-level travel overview: Verona.