Garda

Garda, LAGO DI (the Lacus Benaeus of the Romans), the largest lake of Italy, lies between Lombardy and Venetia, its northern end extending into the Austrian Tyrol. Situated 226 feet above sea-level, it has an area of 115 sq. m., a greatest length of 35 miles, a breadth of 2 to 11 miles, and a maximum depth of 967 feet. Its chief tributaries are the Sarca and Ponale, and it is drained by the Mincio, a tributary of the Po. The scenery is grand: at the north end alpine spurs border the lake on both sides, and descend steeply to its shores, but contain within themselves also many beautiful and fertile valleys; farther to the south the country sinks by gentle slopes to the level of the plain of Lombardy. Along the western shore the mulberry, fig, grape, myrtle, and citron are grown in the sheltered gardens, many of them terraced; olives flourish most on the opposite bank. The clear waters of the lake abound in fish of various kinds. Its surface is studded with many islands, and steamers ply between the principal points. The mild climate in the district of the lake, and the beauty of its vicinity, have caused its shores to be lined with beautiful villas; and the district between Gargnano and Salò, called by the people La Riviera, passes for the warmest point in northern Italy. Arco, near the head of the lake, is growing in favour as a winter-resort. The neck of land jutting out for 2 miles from the southern shore, and now called Sermione, is the Sirmio praised by Catullus, who had a country-house here, as the 'darling of peninsulas.'