The old town of Lazise retains intact the medieval charm that its origins have imprinted in the urban system of its streets and squares, enclosed by solid walls and the castello scaligero that guards with the grandeur of its towers. A town of well-established tourist vocation, as are all the towns on the benaco, in addition to the historical beauties and the landscape that surrounds it, it enjoys a wonderful lake walk, paved with waves, almost to confuse the border of the lake with the houses. Along this route, nestled in the embankment of a villa, there is a red Verona marble tombstone that reminds all passers-by that Lazise is the oldest municipality in Italy: "On May 7, 983 A.D. Emperor Otto II granted to the originals of Lazise (18 quibusdam hominibus in land et castro Lazisii morantibus) the privilege to impose transit and fishing rights, the Tolone, the ripatic and to fortify the village with turreted walls". It was in fact Emperor Otto II who on the occasion of the diet summoned to Verona in the year 983 received 18 men representing the population of Lazise (among them there was also the priest Gisemperto) and granted them privileges that in fact meant " administrative autonomy." This fact is historically very important: Otto II was returning from the south of Italy, defeated by Saracens; needed to strengthen its prestige, consolidating ancient alliances. Imperial interest was now aimed at the new emerging social realities, strategically important geographically, militarily and politically, for more effective control of the territory. Before this period it was the custom of the emperors to grant goods and privileges to monasteries and bishops-princes, in exchange for servitude and submission; never had they been made to communities, especially in out-of-town territories. Lazise was the first to have this privilege.
