Costermano
Costermano si trova sulle colline moreniche che dominano il lago di Garda, nell'entroterra veronese tra Bardolino e Garda, in una...
Обновлено 12 июля 2026
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История Costermano
The morainic hills above Lake Garda
Costermano occupies an elevated position above the lake shore, on a system of morainic hills formed during the glaciations that shaped the entire Garda basin. This modest but distinctive altitude, setting the municipality apart from the lakeside towns, offers notable panoramic points over the lake, the Garda Prealps and, on clearer days, as far as the Po plain to the south. The agricultural landscape characterising the territory, made of terraced olive groves, vineyards and cypresses, is typical of the Veronese Garda hinterland and offers a quieter alternative to the summer crowds of Bardolino and Garda, while still remaining minutes by car from the lakeshore and its tourist services.
The German military cemetery
The best-known and most-visited site in Costermano is the large German military cemetery, built between 1956 and 1967 and managed by the Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge, the German association responsible for the care of war graves abroad. The memorial holds the remains of over 22,000 German and other-nationality fallen of the Second World War, brought from military cemeteries and burial sites scattered across northern Italy, arranged in fifteen sectors decorated with heather, the site's symbolic plant. It is the largest German military cemetery in Italy and one of the country's principal memorial sites of the conflict, a destination for quiet, reflective visits rather than conventional tourism, open all year and visited by relatives, historians and those interested in 20th-century history.
Oil, wine and hillside produce
Costermano's territory is an integral part of the Garda extra-virgin olive oil production area, protected by a designation of origin, and of the wine zones linked to Bardolino and other labels from the Veronese hinterland. The terraced olive groves covering the hillsides represent not only an economic resource but also a defining feature of the landscape, particularly striking during the spring blossom and the autumn harvest. Numerous local farms offer tastings and visits to oil mills, an activity that provides close insight into the traditional production techniques of the Veronese Garda. This agricultural vocation coexists with the tourist accommodation offer, made up mainly of agriturismi, villas and small hotels set among the green hills.
The historic centre and hamlets
The municipal main village retains a modestly sized historic core, with the parish church and a number of stone buildings typical of Garda rural architecture, while the municipal territory includes several hamlets and localities scattered across the hills, each with its own character. Walking between these small settlements, often linked by scenic lanes, reveals lesser-known corners compared to the shoreline's tourist centres, with stone courtyards, small oratories and lake viewpoints away from the summer traffic. It is not a major monumental heritage, but the quality of the landscape and the tranquillity make up for the lack of grand architectural attractions, offering a more authentic experience of the Garda hinterland.
A quiet base for exploring Garda
Thanks to its location, Costermano is a convenient starting point for exploring the main attractions of the Veronese Garda: Bardolino with its lakeside promenade and museums dedicated to wine and oil, Garda with its historic centre facing directly onto the water, and further north Torri del Benaco with its Scaliger castle. Staying in the hills of Costermano allows for a milder summer climate compared to the shore, generally lower prices and a less crowded setting, while still remaining minutes from the beaches and main tourist services of the lake. It is a choice favoured by those seeking a more relaxed, agriculturally rooted version of Garda.
Experiences not to miss
- Visit the German military cemetery with quiet reflection
- Walk among the terraced olive groves with lake views
- Taste extra-virgin olive oil and Bardolino wine at local farms
- Admire the panorama over Lake Garda from the highest hills
- Reach the historic centres of Garda and Bardolino within minutes
Пути · Trovido Route
