Il Vittoriale degli Italiani ---

Nestled between the Brescia shores of Lake Garda and the hills behind it, the Vittoriale is unique and astounding: a complex of buildings, gardens, paths, squares, theaters, and waterways. A sort of wonderland, where nothing is left to chance and symbolism dominates every smallest detail. Desired by writer and poet Gabriele D'Annunzio, it came to life between 1921 and 1938, starting from a villa that once belonged to a German doctor. Already from the majestic entrance you can understand the emphatic and baroque style that dominates it: a path leads uphill towards the Prioria, the poet's house-museum, and further up towards the military ship Puglia (yes, you understood correctly, a real ship!) and the Mausoleum where he is buried. The other route instead leads to the gardens, to the Arengo and to the lemon house on the shores of the lake. But many