Its name derives from the Latin “lacus” which means lacustrine village.
Lazise in fact was originally a group of stilt houses beyond that Roman village and market.
Between 888 and 961, during the reign of Berengar II of Italy and his son, the town was subject only to the monarch, that is, it was a “free villa” not subject to some feudatory.
In 961, Italy was invaded by German troops, who descended the valley of the Adige to camp on the shores of Garda.

In 983, the Holy Roman Emperor Otto I granted Lazise the right to fortify itself and establish trading rights.
It is considered as the first and oldest comune in Italy, and perhaps all of Europe.
The medieval Church of Saint Nicolò has frescoes dating from the 12th century, by the school of Giotto.
The customs house from the 16th century was constructed to control trade on the lake.
 During the 13th and 14th centuries, Lazise was occupied by the Scaligeri of Verona who built the castle and encircled the town with walls.

In 1405, it came under Venetian Republic rule until Napoleon conquered northern Italy in 1796.

After the Congress of Vienna (1815) it entered a period of Austrian rule, until in 1866, it was incorporated into the Kingdom of Italy.

The 14th century La Pergolana villa, a kilometre north of Lazise, hosts a famous honey festival during the first weekend of October.
Its name derives from the Latin “lacus” which means lacustrine village. Lazise in fact was originally a group of stilt houses beyond that Roman village and market. Between 888 and 961, during the reign of Berengar II of Italy and his son, the town was subject only to the monarch, that is, it was a “free villa” not subject to some feudatory. In 961, Italy was invaded by German troops, who descended the valley of the Adige to camp on the shores of Garda.
In 983, the Holy Roman Emperor Otto I granted Lazise the right to fortify itself and establish trading rights. It is considered as the first and oldest comune in Italy, and perhaps all of Europe. The medieval Church of Saint Nicolò has frescoes dating from the 12th century, by the school of Giotto. The customs house from the 16th century was constructed to control trade on the lake.  During the 13th and 14th centuries, Lazise was occupied by the Scaligeri of Verona who built the castle and encircled the town with walls.
In 1405, it came under Venetian Republic rule until Napoleon conquered northern Italy in 1796.
After the Congress of Vienna (1815) it entered a period of Austrian rule, until in 1866, it was incorporated into the Kingdom of Italy.
The 14th century La Pergolana villa, a kilometre north of Lazise, hosts a famous honey festival during the first weekend of October.
Lazise