Lemon houses and citrus fruits of Lake Garda

For more than four centuries the Lake Garda area, particularly the western shore in the stretch from Toscolano Maderno to Limone, has seen intense production of lemons and oranges.

The mild climate and the building of the first lemon houses in the 17th century favored the citrus trade, which was made even more prosperous thanks to the demand from Central European countries that could thus get the fruit in a shorter time and at a lower cost than those produced in Sicily. With the Unification of Italy cultivation was no longer profitable, and was gradually abandoned: many of the hundreds of lemon houses thus fell into disuse.

What remains today of the historic lemon houses on Lake Garda, those imposing terraced structures? Municipalities, agencies, and private individuals are working on their safeguarding, and some lemon houses have been arranged and opened to the public through individual or guided tours. Here are the lemon houses not to be missed!

Pra dela Fam, the queen of the lemon houses

Pra dela Fam is a splendid gulf that appears when you least expect it between two tunnels in the territory of Tignale. There where the Gardesana road makes a curve and the lake, the coastal road and the sheer rock create an incredible sight. The bar, beach and the historic lemon house are surrounded by a peaceful oasis right on the lake. Pra dela Fam is a true paradise, a corner you will hardly forget.

The Pra dela Fam lemon house has been recovered by the local Mountain Community since 1985. Three terraces of the 18th century citrus garden with explanatory maps and historic photographs are now open to the public, and it is also possible to buy typical local products.

For allinfo on openings and visitsgo to the official site.

The celebrated Garda lemon houses: La Malora and the Limonaia del Castel

The lemon houses are unique example of architecture. Other Garda towns hold lemon houses open to the public, such as Gargnano, where terracing for citrus production played a key role in the local economy. Among the lemon houses that can be visited today “La Malora” stands out, which is still in operation. Find out timetables and openings on the official website!

There is also a visitable lemon house in Limone del Garda: it is the Limonaia del Castel, brought back into use thanks to the intervention of the municipal administration! Built in the early 18th century, the lemon house has undergone several transformations. Today some seventy citrus fruits are grown, including citrons, lemons, oranges, chinottos and many others.

Want to learn more about opening hours, reservations and tours? Visit the official website!

Local citrons: the citron of Salò

Surprises do not end there! In Salò you can still taste the ancient Salò fruit par excellence: the Citrus Medica, better known as the Citron of Salò.

It originated from this Lake Garda town and later spread to other parts of Italy, particularly to the western Ligurian Riviera where it is called ‘cedrino’ (i.e. little citron). After years of decline on the shores of Benaco, the Giacominis managed to repatriate the fruit to its land of origin.

The story is very interesting and deserves to be told. Having found some cedar of Salò trees in two manor houses between Menton and the provinces of Savona and Imperia, Tiziano and Monica cut three scions and grafted them onto a bitter orange tree, a grumelo tree, and a volkamer lemon tree respectively.

That was a successful grafting that after several years and a number of organoleptic tests carried out by the Pastori Institute of Brescia led to obtaining the passport and certification: the citron of Salò is officially back on Salodian and Benaco soil! For all information visit the Visit Salò Facebook page.