Castiglione delle Stiviere Hotels - Lombardy

Nestling amidst the Moreniche hills, in the gentle countryside of Lombardy, between Mantova and Lake Garda, lies Castiglione delle Stiviere, small town which became an important center of power during the Gonzaga dominion.

Although it was Ferrante Gonzaga who first decided to create a principality here, it was his son, Luigi Gonzaga, proclaimed Saint in 1726, who made Castiglione delle Stiviere a famous destination of pilgrimage. The town's magnificent baroque basilica is dedicated to the saint. In the Collegio delle Vergini di Gesù, a Aloysius Museum has been created, so as to house a series of artworks and documents illustrating the life of San Luigi (Saint Aloysius) and the Gonzaga dynasty. Also to be seen: the 18th century cathedral and the nearby Parco Pastore, this latter a veritable natural oasis.

A stroll through the historic center of the town gives visitors the perfect opportunity to admire the architecture of Castiglione, walking past a succession of aristocratic palazzi built here during the 18th and 19th centuries. In 1862, Henry Duvant chose Castiglione delle Stiviere for the inauguration of his International Red Cross. Today, a museum has been created in the town, dedicated to the work of this important humanitarian organisation.