Via Torre, 2, 25015 San Martino della Battaglia BS
On the trail of history in San Martino
A few kilometers from Desenzano sul Garda there is San Martino della Battaglia, one of the most popular places on the Brescia side of Lake Garda. The Tower of San Martino della Battaglia is one of the symbolic places of the Italian Risorgimento, in commemoration of the fallen in the fight for the Independence and Unification of Italy. If you are spending a holiday on Lake Garda, you absolutely must dedicate half a day to visiting the Tower of San Martino della Battaglia which, in addition to being a place of great historical importance, is also panoramically fascinating.
HISTORY
San Martino, in fact, on 24 June 1859 was the scene of a bitter battle between the Sardinian Army and the Austrians, which saw the first winners and countless human lives lost on both sides. The Tower, in memory of all those who lost their lives fighting for King Vittorio Emanuele II (to whom the Tower is dedicated) was erected in 1880 and inaugurated in 1893 in the presence of King Umberto I, Queen Margherita, the Prince of Naples and the Duke of Aosta. A true memorial to the Motherland; it is no coincidence that the tricolor flag flies on the top of the Tower, which is about 64 meters high. The summit and the suggestive panorama of the lower Garda, the Po valley, and the morainic hills, can be reached thanks to a flight of spiral stairs inside the structure. Inside the tower there are also many artistic beauties such as bronze busts and frescoes dating back to the Risorgimento era.
TO VISIT
In addition to the Tower, a visit to the Museum is recommended, where finds from the battle and the related historical period are kept, such as weapons, uniforms, cannons, everyday objects, and to the Ossuary Church of San Martino, where the apse houses 1274 skulls and the crypt the remains of 2619 fallen. The monumental complex is made up of a tower, ossuary and museum, but once this visit is complete, it is also possible to visit nearby Solferino, another point of great historical memory, where the battle of San Martino ended.
WITH THE CHILDREN
The visit to the Tower of San Martino della Battaglia is suitable for everyone, including the little ones. Those wishing to take a break will find a small shaded area, set up with wooden tables, behind the Museum. There are also vending machines with drinks and snacks.
A suggestion: although the temperatures in the Garda area are generally quite mild, in summer they can reach peaks of intense heat. In these cases, especially if you will reach these places with children, the advice is to prefer the less hot days and hours.
