Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights
VILLA
Villa Romana
( 030 914 35 47; Via Crocifisso 2; adult/reduced €2/1; 8.30am-7pm Mar-Oct, to 5pm Nov-Feb)
Before the
Versaces and George Clooney, wealthy Roman senators and poets had holiday homes on
the shores of Italy's northern lakes. A case in point is Desenzano's Roman villa, with its
holiday-themed mosaic floors that once extended over a hectare of prime lakeside prop-
erty.
Built over 2000 years ago, it was remodelled in the 2nd century, but continual renova-
tions meant the interiors weren't complete until the 4th century. Wooden walkways snake
through the villa above a colourful collage of black, red, olive and orange mosaic, many
of them depicting scenes of hunting, fishing and chariot riding, garlanded by Garda's
