5 MYTHS AND CURIOSITIES ABOUT LAKE GARDA

5 MYTHS AND CURIOSITIES ABOUT LAKE GARDA

Lake Garda is a place steeped in popular folklore, thanks to legends and surprising curiosities passed down from generation to generation. Stories of fishermen who swear they have spotted mermaids, of medieval castles that seem haunted at night, of giant silhouettes lurking just beneath the surface of the water... But it is not all fantasy: there are also records in the field of agriculture and recognition from the world of cinema.

We have gathered five curiosities that you most likely do not know about our lake. Make yourself comfortable and let the adventure begin.

How Lake Garda came to be: the history and origin of its name

The River Sarca, rushing impetuously down from the Alpine mountains, noticed the beautiful nymph Garda and fell in love with her. He wanted to marry her and so asked for the blessing of his beloved's father, the mighty god Benaco, who saw in the marriage the opportunity to unite the strength of the mountain with the delicacy of the nymph. From their union our lake was born, named Benaco in honour of the god of the waters, along with the River Mincio, which flowing towards the plain completed the cycle of life.

The name, which remained in use for centuries, changed in the Middle Ages. During the invasions, the Lombards conquered several settlements in the area and called the main town "Warda", meaning "watchtower". Slowly, over the course of decades, the name spread to the entire lake.

Bennie, the monster of Lake Garda: does it really exist?

Everyone knows Nessie, the mythological monster said to live in Loch Ness, in Scotland. Not many people know, however, that Lake Garda also has its own giant protector: Bennie.
The very first accounts date back to the Middle Ages, when fishermen and local residents spotted mysterious creatures beneath the surface of the water, reporting disappearing boats and fishing nets; but the first documented sighting in modern times occurred in 1965, when around ten people claimed to have seen a marine creature of over ten metres emerge and plunge back into the underwater cavities, in the area of the Bay of the Sirens.
Over the years, the monster is said to have been spotted several more times: in 2001, 2013, 2016 and 2018. Mystery expert Armando Bellelli, born in Desenzano del Garda, nicknamed it Bennie in honour of Lake Benaco, describing it as a benevolent guardian of the lake that spends its existence withdrawn in the lake's depths.

The Knights Templar and the Holy Grail: the hidden legend of Lake Garda

What if the Holy Grail were not in the Holy Land but in Desenzano del Garda? It may sound far-fetched, but this is a legend with solid historical roots.
According to researcher Bellelli's analysis, the Cathars, heretics often associated with the Knights Templar, hid in Desenzano during their flight. Let us take a step back.
In 1244, in the south of France, there was a night of clashes. An army loyal to the Pope attacked the last Cathar stronghold and, according to legend, only four of them managed to escape by lowering themselves from the walls and carrying with them a "most powerful relic". They found refuge on the shores of Lake Garda and founded a new community, which grew until 1276 when, during the siege of Sirmione, they were all captured and burned at the stake.
Whether that treasure was truly the Holy Grail we shall never know, but two Cathar churches were built in Desenzano. Could it really be hidden beneath the streets of the town?

The microclimate of Lake Garda: why lemons and olives grow in the North

Yes indeed, the world's northernmost olive groves and lemon orchards are cultivated on the shores of Lake Garda.
Based on its position at the 46th parallel, it should have an Alpine climate, far too cold for typical Mediterranean crops. Yet the enormous body of water creates a unique microclimate: in summer the lake warms up and in winter it acts as a thermostat, slowly releasing heat and preventing frost from threatening the survival of these delicate species.
Human effort also plays a fundamental role, especially in lemon cultivation. Since ancient times, the inhabitants of the shore have been dedicated to building lemon houses (limonaie), true "fixed greenhouses" designed to protect the fruit during the lake's winters.
The olive groves, on the other hand, thanks to a slower and more regular ripening brought about by the microclimate, produce a light oil free from the bitterness typical of southern Italian oils.

Films shot on Lake Garda: the locations that served as sets

The landscape of Lake Garda is truly cinematic. Literally. Many directors have chosen this backdrop as the setting for scenes or entire films.

• Quantum of Solace: amid adrenaline-fuelled chases and high-tension races, James Bond (Daniel Craig) showcases the wild beauty of the Strada della Forra in Tremosine and the roads linking Gargnano, Limone sul Garda, Riva del Garda and Malcesine. Rocky cliffs, sheer drops to the lake, dimly lit tunnels: a truly evocative route;
• The Bad Poet (Il cattivo poeta): Gabriele D'Annunzio (Sergio Castellitto) finds himself in exile at the Vittoriale, a residence still open to visitors in Gardone Riviera, just a few years before the outbreak of World War II. The film allows us to explore the interior rooms of the Villa, the monumental gardens and the same breathtaking views that the poet himself once enjoyed;
• Call Me by Your Name: in this case the main setting is Cremona, but Lake Garda appears in one of the film's most iconic scenes: when the father takes the boys (Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer) to visit the Grotte di Catullo in Sirmione. The intensity of the water provides a backdrop for the feelings the two begin to develop for each other, with Jamaica Beach becoming a symbol of adolescent freedom;
• Schweinskopf al dente: a German comedy following the exploits of Franz Eberhofer (Sebastian Bezzel), who is tasked with acting as bodyguard to his boss while his girlfriend flees to Italy. Limone sul Garda is the village chosen to represent the dolce vita: narrow alleyways, flower-adorned balconies, the lakeside promenade and a pizzeria as a workplace.

Conclusion

If you have made it this far, we are certain you cannot wait to set off for our lake and look at the landscape with fresh eyes. These unusual stories and tales give the lake an atmosphere beyond the ordinary, bordering on fantasy.
Our camping Europa Silvella, with direct beach access, is the perfect set for the film of your nature holiday: and so you too can become the protagonists of your own adventure!

See you soon on Lake Garda! Warm wishes from your #campingwithlove