San Martino della Battaglia Archaeological Area
A monumental complex and ossuary of the 1859 battle. A 64-metre panoramic tower, Risorgimento museum and a chapel with historic frescoes among the moraine hills of Lake Garda.
The Monumental Tower of San Martino
The Archaeological Area of San Martino della Battaglia stands on the hill that was the site of the famous battle of 24 June 1859, a crucial episode of the Italian Risorgimento. The monumental tower, 64 metres high, was begun in 1880 and inaugurated on 15 October 1893 in the presence of King Umberto I and Queen Margherita.
What to See
The complex has three parts. The Monumental Tower, 64 metres high, was raised in memory of Victor Emmanuel II and of all those who fought for the unification of Italy: inside, a 490-metre route climbs to the panoramic terrace past bronze statues and Risorgimento frescoes. The Museum, built in 1939 behind the tower, displays cannons, weapons, uniforms and topographical maps from the battle. The Ossuary Chapel, a short walk away along a tree-lined avenue, holds 1,274 skulls in its apse and the bones of 2,619 fallen soldiers in its crypt, laid to rest with no distinction of nationality. From the top of the tower there is an extraordinary panorama over Lake Garda, the morainic hills and the Po Valley, reaching the Apennines on the clearest days.
Practical Information
Opening hours — 17 March to 15 October, daily 9.00-12.30 and 14.30-19.00, on Sundays non-stop 9.00-19.00. From mid-October to 8 December and from 26 December to 6 January, Tuesday to Sunday 9.00-12.30 and 14.00-17.30; from 8 to 26 December and from 7 January to 16 March, Saturdays and Sundays only, same hours. Last admission is half an hour before closing.
Tickets — museum and tower 10 € full price, 8 € reduced (ages 11-18, over 65s and groups), free for children. The combined ticket for the three museums (San Martino plus the Rocca and the Battle Museum in Solferino) costs 12 € and is valid for 30 days.
Getting there — San Martino della Battaglia is a hamlet of Desenzano del Garda, a few minutes from the Sirmione exit on the A4 motorway. Free parking on site. Information: +39 030 9910370, solferinoesanmartino.it.
Hours and prices checked on the official website of the Società Solferino e San Martino on 30 August 2026.
