Riva del Garda, Italy

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Visit Riva del Garda

Riva del Garda is situated at the northern end of Lake Garda in Italy. Known as "Benacus" by the Romans, Riva del Garda, is on a short plain formed in alluvial deposits of the River Varone.

The old town was, in Roman times, a commercial centre of great importance due to its location on the shores of the Garda Lake and within striking distance from the Sarca River. In Roman times Riva del Garda was therefore a regional centre of great economic and military.

In the Middle Ages it was a fiefdom of the Bishop of Trent, but the city was contended by other Italians such the Venetians, the Scaligeri from Verona and the Visconti from Milan, as well as by foreign powers including the Tyrolese, Austrian, Germans and French. However the city was successful always to maintain a certain autonomy, as shown by its medieval statutes of the 13th century.

Because of the quality of its climate and some first-rate sanatoriums (health centres), Riva del Garda was also visited by many literary personalities including Goethe, Nietzsche, Mann, Kafka and several others.

There is now a modern expansion around the old centre of the city and the economy of Riva del Garda now relies primarily on tourism and certain industrial activities.

The favourable climate conditions can be seen in the Mediterranean vegetation that grows in the region: agave, rosemary, prickly pears and the oleander grow spontaneously while among the cultivated plants, the olive-tree is very. Because of the large number of tourists, the protection of the environment is a high priority note the many signs indicating that flowers that cannot be picked...and that it is prohibited to collect snails in spring!

Riva del garda coast line
photo kindly contributed by photographer-manchester.uk.com

Visiting Riva del Garda - a possible cultural itinerary

Your visit to Riva del Garda can start from the Rocca ("Fortress"), founded by the Scaligeri from Verona (XIV century), then restructured by Venetians in the 15th century and also later by the Lords from Trent. In its structure (the quadrangular plan, angular towers, courtyards), the Rocca recalls very closely the other famous Rocca, also founded by the Scaligeri at Sirmione in the 13th century. The fortress is eneterd by the original drawbridge. Within the fort it is also possible to admire the splendid collection of volumes of the Civic Library, and the Civic Museum.

In the port of Riva del Garda you can admire the ruins of the fortifications erected in the Middle Ages in defence of the port itself. The visit to the so-called Apponale Tower is very spectacular. From here you should then visit two palaces inspired by Venetian architecture: the Palazzo Pretorio and Palazzo Vecchio. Continuing on, visit the Piazza San Rocco, which has many monuments and Palaces of medieval and contemporary style (Borgo Castello), due to the restructuring of the centre in the last century.

To really enjoy the Città Vecchia (Old Town), you need to go in the historical centre, where there are some interesting baroque style palaces ("Porta-Torre of San Marco" and "Porta-Torre of San Michele"). Also to admire is the Baroque church called "Della Disciplina" and the "Assuntas" Church. More buildings in Renaissances and Baroque style can be seen in "Viale Roma" with the Chiesa dellInviolata, while a church of medieval origin is the San Michele fuori le mura.

The visit cannot be concluded without a walk on the "Lungomare Brescia", born from the restructuring of some ancient structures dating back to the 19th century and the World War I.

Where to stay in Riva del Garda

Riva del Garda is well-stocked with hotels and other holiday accommodations both for those wishing to practise sports or for the simple enjoyment of a summer holiday.

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