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Sirmione, an Italian gem on the shores of Lake Garda, faced urban collapse after receiving 75 tourists in a single weekend, reigniting the debate over mass tourism in the country
Last weekend, the town of Sirmione in northern Italy, experienced unprecedented chaos. With only 8 inhabitants, the city was invaded by 75 tourists during the May 1st holiday. The overcrowding caused the collapse of the urban system and generated criticism from the population.
Historic town on the shores of Lake Garda
Sirmione is known for its historical beauty. Located on the shores of Lake Garda, it attracts visitors interested in the view of the 13th-century castle. During the holiday season, the number of tourists far exceeded the city's capacity.
According to the newspaper Corriere della Sera, scenes of disorganization took over the region. Cars were stuck in crowds, electric buses stopped running and pedestrians waited up to 40 minutes to cross the gates of the historic center.
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On social media, residents and visitors vented their feelings. “Overrun by tourists: chaos, traffic jams and hours of waiting”, reported a user on X (formerly Twitter).
Local criticism and popular outrage
Local groups have harshly criticized the city council, with the “Siamo Sirmione” association calling the weekend the “worst on record.”
In a statement published on Facebook, the group warned of the risk of lasting damage to the city’s image. “This time it was worse than usual, worse than ever: an embarrassing and dangerous situation, the likes of which we had never witnessed before.".
In addition to the difficulties faced by residents and tourists, the discussion has expanded. Marco Merlo, president of the hotel and restaurant association, highlighted the risks to public safety and quality of life. He said he expects greater involvement from the city government in developing joint solutions.
Authorities admit need for measures
Transport advisor Roberto Salaorni ruled out restricting access to the bridge leading to the castle for now. However, he admitted the need for stricter measures to deal with extreme situations.
Among the options considered is the installation of barriers to control the flow of visitors during periods of high demand.
"Control is absolutely necessary”, Salaorni told the Italian newspaper. He stressed that the volume of tourists was not exclusive to Sirmione. Other towns around Lake Garda also saw a significant increase in the number of visitors during the holiday.
Wider problem in Italy
The situation has reignited the debate over mass tourism in Italy. Sirmione now joins destinations such as Capri and Cinque Terre that are also suffering from overcrowding.
The episode showed the limits of local infrastructure and reinforced the urgent need for solutions that reconcile tourism and quality of life.
The final image of the holiday was one of traffic jams, long lines and frustration — both for residents and visitors.
With information from Adventures in History.
