The 10 Best Sights & Landmarks in Lake Garda, Lake Garda

The Bastione, a tower of grey stone, located at the foot of Mount Rocchetta, is one the symbols of Riva del Garda, overlooking the city and Lake Garda. It was built in the early XVI century, just after the end of Venetian domination over Riva. It was destroyed in 1703 by the French troops under leadership of general Vendôme, who mined the main body thus rendering it unusable. It’s a few minutes walk from the port of Riva, along a road that winds through the black pinewood of the lower Rocchetta. The path then rises further to the chapel of St. Barbara on the mountainside (610m) and the Rocchetta itself (1520m). The Bastione has recently been restored. Visitors may see the imposing external bodywork and what is left of the inside from a winding staircase. The locations enjoys an excellent view.

Together with the lake, one of the characteristic elements of the Garda Trentino landscape is the rock of Arco, dominating the plain of the River Sarca at the point where it widens. Three paths lead to the castle, which was the residence of the Arco Counts in the Middle Ages; they all leave the village and wind through the olive groves in the hills to reach the castle in a few minutes. Beyond the last town-wall is the Prato della Lizza, a green balcony overlooking the Garda Trentino territory at the foot of the three enormous sides of the Torre Grande, the Prigione del Sasso and Sala degli Affreschi, beautifully frescoed with scenes of games of draughts and battles. At the top, the last refuge in the event of siege, stands the Torre Renghera, whose bell, known as the "renga", called the farmfolk to prayer.

The Lombardy Region officially recognised the Nature Reserve of Manerba del Garda ("Della Rocca, del Sasso e Parco Lacuale") with a regional resolution in April 2016. The park covers a territory of approximately 1,160,000 m2 (include meadows, woodland, trails, vineyards and olive groves), as well as 850,000 m2 of the lake itself. The Reserve was established to preserve and promote the ecosystem and landscape, historical and archeological sites, as well as to support such activities as education and understanding, preservation and divulgation of a unique environment, remarkable for both its history and biodiversity. The Valtenesi Archeological Museum within the Reserve is the information centre for visitor who wish to understand why throughout history humans have chosen to settle in this spectacular setting. The Reserve is always open to the public.

The small Chapel to Saint Barbara (m 625 – h 1,45 from Riva del Garda), was built in 1935 by the miners who worked on the conduits of the Ponale power plant. It is placed in a horrid and daring, yet panoramic position, on the slope of Mount Rocchetta near the start of the penstocks feeding the hydroelectrical plant. The Chapel is visible from afar thanks to nighttime lighting.