Lake Garda is one of those places that almost everyone recognises: sparkling blue water, dramatic mountains, colourful villages and the unmistakable feeling of la dolce vita. But we might have some facts you did not know.
1. Lake Garda was once known as Benaco
Before we called it Lake Garda, the Romans knew it as Lacus Benacus, or simply Benaco. The ancient name still lives on today in places like Torri del Benaco and San Felice del Benaco.
So when you see “Benaco” on a road sign around the lake, you’re seeing a name that has been here for almost 2,000 years.
To honour this ancient name, we called our most unique room “Benaco”. From here, you can enjoy a front-row view of the timeless beauty of Lake Garda.
2. Lake Garda is deeper than the Eiffel Tower is tall
This is one of those facts that sounds almost impossible. Lake Garda reaches a maximum depth of 346 metres. For comparison, the Eiffel Tower is around 330 metres tall.
So imagine placing the Eiffel Tower into the deepest part of Lake Garda. The very top would still be underwater.
And there’s another fascinating detail: the surface of Garda is about 65 metres above sea level, while its deepest point is roughly 281 metres below sea level.
3. Lake Garda has its own winds – and they have names
One of the most fascinating things about Garda is that the locals don’t simply talk about “the wind”.
They talk about the winds.
The two most famous are the Pelèr, which generally arrives from the north in the morning, and the Ora, which blows from the south in the afternoon. Their remarkably regular patterns have helped make the northern part of Lake Garda a paradise for sailing and windsurfing.
And these aren’t the only ones. Garda has a whole collection of local wind names, including the Balinot, Vinessa and Ponale.
So if someone tells you, “The Ora is coming,” don’t expect a philosophical Italian saying.
They’re checking the weather.
4. There is a fish in Lake Garda that exists nowhere else in the world
Lake Garda is home to the carpione (Salmo carpio), a rare fish that is naturally found only in these waters.
It has lived in Lake Garda for centuries and is particularly associated with its deeper, cooler waters. Historical records place its reproduction at depths of around 200 metres.
A true symbol of the lake’s unique ecosystem, the carpione is one of the many little treasures that make Lake Garda unlike anywhere else in the world.
5. People swim in Lake Garda on January 1st
Lake Garda may be famous for its summer swimming, but for some brave locals, the swimming season never ends.
Every January 1st, groups of swimmers around the lake take the plunge into the cold winter water as a way of celebrating the New Year. It has become a tradition in several lakeside communities, with people gathering on the shore, counting down and then running into the water together.
And this isn’t exactly Mediterranean summer swimming. In January, the water temperature can be only a few degrees above freezing.
For the swimmers, though, it’s about more than simply surviving the cold. It’s a way to start the new year with energy, courage and a story to tell.
