Official Information
Official website: https://museilombardia.cultura.gov.it/musei/grotte-di-catullo-e-museo-archeologico-di-sirmione/
Official tickets: https://portale.museiitaliani.it/b2c/buyTicketless/94d71038-1cb0-4896-9894-7debc1fc7a3e
Address: Piazzale Orti Manara 4, 25019 Sirmione (BS), Italy
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Opening Hours
The Grotte di Catullo archaeological area and its on-site museum typically operate with the following schedule: Monday usually closed; Tuesday to Sunday generally open from about 08:30 to 19:30 in spring and summer, with reduced hours in autumn and winter. Last ticket sales are about 60 minutes before closing time. Hours can change due to the season, maintenance, or special events, so always confirm on the official website or Musei Italiani portal before you visit.
The Grotte di Catullo occupies the dramatic tip of the Sirmione peninsula on Lake Garda, preserving the vast ruins of a grand Roman villa built between the late 1st century BCE and the 1st century CE. The site gets its name, “grotte,” from the cave-like state of the villa ruins when they were overgrown and explored in the Renaissance. The poet Catullus is associated with Sirmione, although it is uncertain if he ever owned this villa. Today, this heritage site covers several hectares atop a rocky promontory surrounded by olive groves and sweeping lake views. Visitors can walk through a network of ancient corridors, courtyards and terraces, including sections of the Roman baths and panoramic loggias that once looked out over Monte Baldo and the Veronese shore. Informative panels and visual reconstructions help visitors imagine the villa in its prime. Near the entrance, a compact archaeological museum displays finds from excavations, including mosaics, frescoes, ceramics, glass, and daily items, telling the story of elite Roman life on the lake. Because the site is mostly outdoors and the walk from Sirmione’s historic center is exposed, bring sun protection, good shoes and water, especially in summer. Seasonal shuttles may be available. A combination ticket with Sirmione’s Rocca Scaligera is convenient for those wishing to explore both major monuments. For the most up-to-date visitor details, including any extraordinary closures or weather-related schedule changes, always check the official sites and national Musei Italiani portal.