Ancient Rome on the shores of Lake Garda
A journey through ruins, flavours and millenary suggestions
When we think of ancient Rome, majestic temples, the Colosseum and sumptuous banquets come to mind. But few know that the shores of Lake Garda were also a privileged destination for rest and pleasure for Roman patricians. From Sirmione to Desenzano, up to Lazise and Bardolino, Benaco still preserves traces of that past, among mosaics, villas and scents that seem to have never completely vanished.
Grotte di Catullo: relaxation and luxury with a lake view
In Sirmione, at the tip of the peninsula, stand the remains of the Roman villa known as the Grotte di Catullo. They were not caves, but an immense residence with private baths, panoramic views and gardens. Here the patricians relaxed among aromatic vapors, spiced wines and focaccias seasoned with perfumed oil.
A walk among these ruins, even today, evokes the atmosphere of an imperial banquet. And it is precisely with that inspiration that the gastronomic proposals of FeelGarda are born: Garda extra virgin olive oil, delicate and fruity, perfect to savor with rustic bread or to season a focaccia as it was used two thousand years ago.
Wine, culture and civilization
The Romans also brought viticulture to the hills of Garda. Amphorae, presses and remains of cellars testify to how widespread and appreciated local wine production was. Wine was not just a drink: it was culture, exchange, identity.
FeelGarda celebrates this tradition with labels such as Chiaretto di Bardolino and Lugana , wines that are born in the same places where the Romans toasted at sunset, perhaps accompanied by aromatic honey or aged cheeses, just like in imperial banquets.
Bread, fish and ancient flavours
In Roman kitchens, bread baked in wood-fired ovens, oil, preserved fish and aromatic herbs were the protagonists. Nothing closer to what you can still taste today along the Garda: artisan bread, fillets of lake fish in EVO oil, lime or chestnut honey.
FeelGarda offers all this in tasting boxes designed for those who want to experience the taste like a true Roman from the north. A combination to try? Crunchy breadsticks, Garda oil, a jar of whitefish in olive oil , a glass of fresh Lugana and a teaspoon of wildflower honey at the end of the meal. A simple table, but rich in history.
Archeogusto: when the palate tells
Visiting an archaeological site is a journey through time. But what if you could not only see but also taste history? A picnic overlooking the lake can become a small Roman banquet, where every flavor tells a story: from wine to preserves, from bread to spices.
With FeelGarda you can bring all this to the table: a selection of local products that reflect the habits of a civilization that has made food and conviviality a true art.
