Limonaia del Castèl
Museum – Limone sul Garda, Lake Garda
Limonaia del Castèl
The Limonaia del Castèl is a historic lemon house, dating back to the early 18th century, that was initially owned by the Amadei family, followed by the Bertoni, Patuzzi, Girardi, and Polidoro families—some of the wealthiest families in the area. In 1926, it was purchased by Giuseppe Segala and eventually sold to the Municipality of Limone sul Garda in 1995, making it a public heritage site.
The tour of the Limonaia del Castèl lasts about half an hour, during which visitors can learn about the various citrus fruits cultivated on Lake Garda. Depending on the season, the air is filled with the refreshing scent of lemons and other citrus fruits. In addition to lemons, the garden also grows citrons, grapefruits, mandarins, tangerines, chinottos, clementines, and kumquats.
Visitors information
Built in stone, this historic lemon house features a semi-enclosed structure on three sides to ensure the citrus plants are exposed to the southeast, facing the sun. The garden spans multiple terraces, known locally as còle, with three terraces on one side and four on the other, connected by small staircases.
The columns, depending on the season, were covered with wooden or glass panels for protection. During the colder months, fires were sometimes lit inside the limonaia to warm the environment and protect the lemons from frost. After extensive conservation restorations, the Limonaia del Castèl was opened to the public on July 22, 2004.
Today, the Limonaia del Castèl is well-maintained, with citrus cultivation serving local needs rather than commercial purposes. The local administration provides excellent educational services for tourists and visitors. Informative panels explain the history of the limonaia and the different citrus species. At the top level, a television screen shows an illustrative video of the panoramic view from above, detailing the sights and locales along the Lake Garda coast.
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