History

Punta San Vigilio lies at the tip of Monte Baldo, stretching gracefully into the waters of Lake Garda, right at the point where the lake is at its widest and most open. From this unique position, one can enjoy sweeping views that span nearly the entire lake.

This small, picturesque headland is dominated by a magnificent Renaissance villa, built in the 16th century at the will of the jurisconsult and humanist Agostino Brenzoni. The design of the villa was entrusted to the renowned Veronese architect Michele Sanmicheli, and the complex was completed in 1540.

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In the late 18th century, Canon Marai described it beautifully:

“In this location there is no knowledge of the harsh December or the dreadful February: bay-trees, myrtles, oranges, and aloe flourish spontaneously. The building atop the hill, by Sanmicheli, features a stacked loggia that overlooks the landscape. Perhaps even the most celebrated corners of ancient Greece or Italy never offered a view so enchanting.”

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The area's mild climate supports the growth of many Mediterranean plants, making the villa and its surroundings a true hymn to contemplative life. The gardens that embrace the main building abound with cypresses, olive trees, and lemon trees vegetation typical of the Garda region alongside agave and oleander, evergreens that evoke an eternal spring.

At Punta San Vigilio, two spiritual testimonies coexist in harmony: the pagan, represented by a collection of Roman statues and inscriptions in Latin and Italian that adorn the garden; and the Christian, embodied by a small, intimate church.

At the heart of the chapel lie two sepulchral slabs: those of Agostino Brenzoni and his beloved companion, a testament to their wish to be buried in the place they cherished most.