USEFUL INFORMATION
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MARKET DAY: Saturday
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PORT: Porto Battelli - Lungolago Zanardelli
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PHARMACIES: Benaco Storica - Via Nazario Sauro, 7; Centrale - Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 16; De Paoli - Via San Carlo, 7
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HOSPITAL: Ospedale di Salò - Piazza Sergio Bresciani, 5
HISTORY
Salò is one of the largest towns on Lake Garda.
This town became famous in 1943 when the Italian Social Republic, also known as the Republic of Salò, was founded here. The Foreign Ministry office that issued the press releases of the Republic was located here, even though formally the capital was Rome.
The decision to make Salò the capital was due to the fact that Germany, at the time, also stretched over Trentino Alto Adige, reaching as far as Limone sul Garda. Having the command centre here also allowed the Germans greater control over Benito Mussolini's actions and in addition there was little partisan presence that could have interfered in Nazi decisions and strategies.
In the short term, most public buildings became strategic and occupied by political and administrative functions, only to dissolve with the end of the Second World War.
The heart of Salò is a network of streets, alleys and small squares with stately residences, buildings of great historical and artistic value, elegant shops and restaurants. The lakeside promenade of Salò runs along the entire gulf and offers pleasant walks in a beautiful pedestrian area among the lake, inviting shop windows, cafés, ice-cream shops and characteristic restaurants.
