Castiglione delle Stiviere is approximately 40 km from Mantua, and about the same distance from Brescia. Visitors may get there by car (Highway A2 [Exit Mantua], Highway A4 [Exit Desenzano del Garda]), by bus (departing from Mantua or Brescia), or by the train services that run from Mantua and Brescia Stations.
Located in the heart of the natural amphitheatre formed by the Morainic Garda hills, Castiglione delle Stiviere is graced by the nearby lake, and has a mild climate all year round.
This tour starts from the car park in Piazzale della Repubblica, which has 2 disabled parking bays. Take the sidewalk on your left until it makes a junction with Via Chiassi, then proceed up to Piazza Dallò, keeping to the left hand side.
Past the Square, head on toward Via Pretorio, which is overlooked by the Palazzo del Principe at the junction of Via Ordanino and Via Trento. Stay on the same sidewalk, and whilst proceeding onwards toward Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, we recommend visitors to take some time to admire the Chiesa del Rosario, which lies to their left. Keep walking on and you will be approaching the main entrance of the Museo della Croce Rossa (The Red Cross Museum), which is housed inside Palazzo Longhi , and can be reached using the pedestrian crossing. The Museum also has a second, more easily accessible entrance on the side of Via Siviglia. Visits require some assistance, as a few steps are present on the ground floor.
The tour continues from the corner of Via Garibaldi and Via Trento. Passing through Via Ordanino involves moving slightly downhill, so keep on the left hand side until you reach Piazza San Luigi which has a Sacred Shrine, the Santuario di San Luigi Gonzaga at the top.
Walk across the pedestrianised area, then proceed along the protected walkway on the left of Via Marta Tana , and you will find Casa Nodali at No.12, and only a few more steps away, on the right, a Tourist Board Office. Proceed to the end of the street to the Museo Aloisiano, home of the Congregazione delle Vergini di Gesù since 1608. The route is then slightly uphill toward Via Perati; along its right side, as it heads towards Via Boschetti, the sidewalk up to the junction with Via Marconi narrows down to a mere 76 cm. Turning left into a wide but relatively steep cobbled street, you will see the front of the Duomo – the Cathedral.
The tour heads now to Via Marconi - walk along the compacted sidewalk running along the right side at the same level of the highway - where another Casa Nodali is situated. Go straight on until you reach Piazza Dallò, follow the smooth marble pathway to avoid the cobbles, and then return toward Via Chiassi which leads back to Piazzale Repubblica car park.
Piazzale Repubblica has disabled parking bays, and gives access to parco Pastore, which is open at the following times throughout the entire year: Summer 8am through 8pm, Winter 8am through 4.30 pm. Please note that some of the pathways in the park are made of well-compacted gravel and are lined by benches, wooden picnic tables and children’s recreational areas.