Fornaci romane di Lonato del Garda
Archaeological area with a Roman brick kiln of the 1st–2nd century AD and an antiquarium, on the lower Garda.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Fornaci Romane are located at Fornaci dei Gorghi, in Lonato del Garda. They were discovered between 1985 and 1988 during works for an electrical substation and excavated by the Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici della Lombardia. A further intervention in 2002 brought to light two nearby medieval structures.
The craft complex, used for producing bricks and roof tiles, was active from the first half of the 1st century AD to the beginning of the 2nd century AD, for about a century; it was probably abandoned because the lower areas flooded. Six vertical kilns were identified (two round and four square or rectangular), labelled A to F, together with storerooms, stacks of tiles, everyday pottery of the workers and production waste. In the 14th century other kilns for bricks and lime were built nearby.
Today only Kiln A is visible; it is very well preserved because it stands on a small rise in the ground. It has a circular plan, an underground combustion chamber fed with wood, and a firing chamber with a perforated floor about 6 metres in diameter; it produced only building materials such as tiles, cover tiles (coppi) and bricks. The antiquarium, built around the kiln, displays the bricks recovered in the excavations and explains Roman production techniques.
Highlights
- Kiln A, the only one visible, with a firing floor about 6 m in diameter
- Antiquarium built around the kiln, with bricks from the excavations
- Complex of six kilns for tiles and bricks, 1st–2nd century AD
- Guided tours included in the ticket
Permanent exhibition
- Area archeologica e antiquarium – Visit to Kiln A and the antiquarium, with bricks recovered in the excavations and an explanation of Roman tile and brick production.
- Operated by
- Comune di Lonato del Garda
- Visitors per year
- approx. 1,574
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €2 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €1under 14s, over 65s and holders of the ticket of the Fondazione Ugo Da Como or of the museums of the “Tra Castelli e Musei” circuit |
The guided tour is included in the ticket. The site does not take part in Museum Sunday: on the first Sunday of the month admission is charged. Electronic payments are not accepted.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The site provides no information on accessibility. Dogs are admitted on a lead.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
The kilns' car park is on the right, about 200 m after the third exit of the roundabout.
By car: exit Desenzano del Garda on the A4 motorway, then follow the signs for Castiglione delle Stiviere.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours at 11:00 and 14:00, included in the ticket. Visits and educational workshops for schools by reservation: didattica@lamelagrana.it or 338 933 6451 (Cooperativa La Melagrana), or the Ufficio Turismo of Lonato. Among the school activities, a one-hour guided visit with worksheets (€75 per class) and 2.5-hour workshops (€90 per class) on clay, archaeology and Roman building techniques. |
