Travel Guide of Riva del Garda, Trentino Alto Adige, Italy
Riva del Garda is a city in Trentino-Alto Adige, an elegant historic resort town situated at the northern tip of Lake Garda in Trentino. Riva del Garda is the pearl of Garda Trentino, with mediterranean climate, wide and sunny free beaches, enchanting panorama are the ingredients for an unforgettable and repeatable holiday on Lake Garda at any time.
Picturesque Riva lies on the northern shores of Lake Garda at the foot of Mt. Brione. Because of its scenic beauty, warm and sunny climate, and direct rail access from Austria and Bavaria, Riva is a hub for international tourism. The scents in Riva del Garda are of olive oil, lemon juice, bay leaves and fine wine, mountain traditions and Mediterranean ease.
Nestling between Lake Garda and the Brenta Dolomites, Riva del Garda is the very epicentre of Garda Trentino: a charming little town that ascends the rugged cliffs and (with its panoramic lift) reaches up to the fortress of “Il Bastione”, whose grey stone walls proudly watch over the lively community below. And there is plenty to be found there – climbing and kitesurfing, art exhibitions and open-air concerts, cheese tastings and winery visits.
Since the second half of the 19th century the town became popular with European royalty and American billionaires. Crown Prince of Austria-Hungary Francesco Ferdinando, Russian Great Duchess Olga Alexandrova and American businessman Alfred Vanderbilt I, were frequent visitors to this charming lakeside town. Lavish buildings surrounded by evergreen parks were constructed to accommodate and entertain Riva’s distinguished guests.
In the past, illustrious people, such as Nietzsche, Kafka, the Mann brothers, were guests of the city. Still today the majority of visitors are German and Russian nationality. Today, as then, hospitality on the shores of Garda Trentino is sought after and at the same time familiar. The hotels offer maximum comfort and innovation, together with warm family hospitality and characteristic restaurants.
Riva del Garda is one of the most important holiday destinations in northern Italy. Riva has plenty of accommodation both in the winding streets of the old town and along the lakefront. Two of the top Lake Garda resorts are Riva del Garda on the northern end of the lake and the resort of Garda in the south. Neighbouring resorts have a little bit more of an active lifestyle. Arco is set back a little way from the lake and is a favourite for rockclimbers, while the lakeside resort of Torbole is more popular with windsurfers.
Riva del Garda is the main center of the Garda Trentino area. Here the holiday embraces a thousand experiences. Sport is the main motivation for holidays: sailing and windsurfing first of all, but also walking, cycling, mountain biking, tennis, rowing. The climate favors the typical vegetation of the Mediterranean area: lemons, olive trees, laurels and palm trees, a true Mediterranean oasis at the foot of the Brenta Dolomites.
History
The second biggest settlement on Lake Garda with nearly 16000 inhabitants, Riva del Garda has long been seen as a strategically important town. The town controlled the northern half of the lake and also had an influence on trade routes north and south coming and going over the Alps. Therefore that much of its history and its important sights relate to wars and fortifications.
The first settlements in the Riva del Garda area date back to the Neolithic, and more precisely to the Bronze Age and the Iron Age. Numerous finds date back to the Roman era; it is known that a nautical college existed in Ripa and that a certain Metellio, a military tribune, had something built (perhaps a castle) in the highest part in a locality known locally as “Marocco” (stone). Important excavations at Monte San Martino (or Luna), near the hamlet of Campi, have brought to light a fortified village-sanctuary from the pre-Roman and Roman times. the small church of San Martino will function, much venerated in the Lombard period.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Riva changed hands several times following the dominations of the Goths, Lombards and Franks. It soon enters the sphere of influence of the Prince Bishop of Trento, while remaining a free municipality with its own statutes. The periods of Veronese, Visconti and Venetian Scaligera domination follow, alternating with periods of domination by the Prince Bishop of Trento. Of the Venetians is the construction of the Bastion, built at the beginning of the sixteenth century on a pre-existing medieval fortification, on the hill known as the Germandri.
From the seventeenth century Riva del Garda will constantly be part of the Episcopal Principality of Trento, following the fate of Trentino from the Napoleonic to the Habsburg domination until the passage to Italy in 1919.
During the Austro-Hungarian period, the city became, as well as a tourist center, also the headquarters of the military flotilla of the Kuk Kriegsmarine on Lake Garda. The city and the surrounding area were also fortified by the Austrians (the forts guarding the port and overlooking the town are still visible today and in good condition, as well as the forts erected on Mount Brione and on the Strada del Ponale, all part of Riva’s Subrayon III.), becoming a stronghold never conquered by the Royal Italian Army, until the retreat of the Imperial Army at the end of the First World War in November 1918.
Riva was the terminus for the 24 kilometres (15 miles) long Mori–Arco–Riva railway line, opened in 1891. However, the railway line closed in 1936 and the railway terminus has been converted into a restaurant.
Main Attractions
Riva, starting from the Renaissance, began to become an important stop on excursions on Lake Garda, and perhaps Andrea Mantegna was among the first visitors to frequent the town. Around 1824 a Lombard shipping company launched a steamship in Desenzano, when a border still separated the north and south of Lake Garda, and Riva was one of the stopovers planned for its lake cruises.
Starting from about the mid- nineteenth century, it reached international tourist importance, together with the nearby Arco, becoming a place of stay for Central European visitors.. In 1891 a great impulse came from the inauguration of the new Mori-Arco-Riva railway which, despite being narrow-gauge, connected the north of Lake Garda to the Brenner Railway, with its terminus at the Rovereto station, inaugurated in 1859.
The Museo Civico is located in the Rocca, a medieval fortress with quadrangular bastions, placed on the lake, bounded by a canal with drawbridge. It was the fortress of the noble family Scaligeri (1124), who became the Lords of Verona. It was rebuilt several times and it was used by the Austrians as barracks in the 18th century. It is frequently the seat of cultural activities, especially during the summer months. The medieval Torre Apponale was is a medieval tower first mentioned in 1273, but probably older. It belonged to the first fortress of Riva, that no longer exists. Modifications were made in 1555 and it was raised to 34 metres (112 ft). The Piazza III Novembre is situated between the tower and the harbour. The city hall comprises the Palazzo Pretorio from 1375 (the former cantonal courthouse) and the Palazzo del Provveditore (the governor’s palace), built between 1472 and 1485.
The city gates Porta San Marco (11th century), built by the Venetians, and Porta San Michele (13th century), at the Piazza Cavour, are remnants of the medieval city walls. The Porta San Michele has a small battlemented belfry for the parochial church of Maria Assunta. This church was originally a romanesque-gothic building from the 14th century (attested by a medieval relief at its southern side), but was rebuilt in baroque style in 1728. It has a single nave and nine baroque altars. The altarpieces were made by local artists, such as Ignazio Martino Oliari da Riva, Giuseppe Craffonara da Riva and Giovanni Caliari da Verona. The fresco in the dome is by the 17th century Baroque painter Giuseppe Alberti.
The church Chiesa dell’Inviolata, dominating the Largo Marconi, is considered among the most beautiful baroque churches in Trentino. It is an octagonal building with the belfry next to it. It contains the altarpieces “San Carlo Borromeo” and “San Gerolamo” by the Mannerist painter Palma il Giovane. In the middle of the octagonal dome is a Baroque fresco “The coronation of Maria in Heaven”.
Places of geological interest in the vicinity include Tenno Lake, Lago di Ledro (with its paleoethnographic museum), and the Varone falls.
Apponale Tower
The origins are uncertain, it was probably built by the noble Rivan Bonvicini family around 1200. The building had defensive functions and was later transformed into a prison. In 1555 it was raised, and during the twentieth century it underwent further modifications. Today it houses a bell called “La Renga” and a clock. With its 34 meters it is one of the tallest buildings in the historic center. From its top you can enjoy the view of the entire town and the surrounding areas.
Praetorian Palace
Built under the Scaliger domination in the 14th century, it was the residence of the city regents who from here administered the city on behalf of the lords of Verona. Over the centuries it underwent various transformations and ended up being incorporated into other adjacent buildings. Today it houses some municipal offices.
Varone waterfalls
The waterfalls reach a height of almost 100 meters and originate from the Magnone stream, which flows under the Ravizze valley and descends towards Lake Garda. Its waters are fed by the underground leaks of Lake Tenno which for a short stretch penetrates the mountain and then forms the waterfall. The name Varone instead originates from the small town of Varone (a hamlet of Riva del Garda located a short distance away. The Varone Waterfall was inaugurated on June 20, 1874; godparents were the King of Saxony, Giovanni, and Prince Nicholas of Montenegro, who were on holiday near Riva del Garda, has since become a must visit for all tourists and is still considered one of the proud citizens today.
Church of the Inviolata
The works of its construction began in 1603 and ended in 1639, while its consecration dates back to 1633. A convent was also built next to the church which was assigned to the order of the Gerolimini. Strongly desired by Gianangelo Gaudenzio Madruzzo governor of Riva and his wife Alfonsina Gonzaga, its design was assigned to the architect Pier Maria Bagnadore. The church has a characteristic octagonal plan and is built in Baroque style, inside there are stuccos, frescoes and valuable paintings. The artists who over time worked for the decorations are: Davide Reti who took care of the stuccos, Martino Teofilo Polacco painted the altars, while Pietro Ricchi completed some frescoes and paintings.of particular value are the works performed by Jacopo Negretti known as Palma il Giovane and by Guido Reti to whom the Crucifix with the Magdalene is attributed.
Archpriest Church (Parish Church of S. Maria Assunta)
The first historical references in which the church is mentioned date back to the end of 1100. In further sources this is indicated as the seat of a college of religious. In the first half of the 18th century the church of Santa Maria will be rebuilt by the architect Cipriano Tacchi di Zelbio. Inside there are paintings by important artists of the time including the “Madonna del Rosario” by Giambettino Cignaroli, “The martyrdom of San Giovanni Nepomuceno” by Giovanni Battista Buratto and the altarpiece of the Assumption of the Virgin attributed to Giuseppe Craffonara.
Bastion
Fortification built during the period of Venetian domination on Riva, it was completed in 1509. Situated on Monte Englo, it overlooks the town of Riva. Among its functions was that of guarding the access roads both on land and on the lake. It suffered extensive damage following the Napoleonic invasions and was probably destroyed by General Vendôme. In recent times it has been partially restored and can be visited inside. From this place you can enjoy an excellent view.
Rocca – Alto Garda Museum (MAG) (Rocca of Riva del Garda)
Ancient castle of medieval origin, it is mentioned for the first time in a document dating back to 1124. Over time it underwent various transformations, by the Scaligeri and Venetians. Later it was used as a residence by the bishop Bernardo Clesio who made several improvements to make it more comfortable. for a period it was also used as a home by the prince bishop of trento Cristoforo Madruzzo who also transformed it into a bishopric. In this period numerous valuable frescoes were made. From 1852 it was converted into a military barracks by the Austro-Hungarian army.
Today it houses the Alto Garda Museum (MAG) inside there are various areas and workshops dedicated to local history. The art gallery contained within it preserves the works of various artists of the 19th century, including: Pietro Ricchi, Vincenzo Vela and Francesco Hayez.there is also an archaeological section and one that traces the history of the Lower Sarca. Finally, there is a section dedicated to the war of liberation with a permanent exhibition on the Basso Sarca Resistance. On request it is also possible to climb the Mastio, the highest tower, from which to admire the town of Riva.
Religious architectures
Church of Santa Maria Assunta, archpriest.
Church of the Inviolata. With a central plan and an interior decorated in Baroque style, tradition has it that it was designed by a Portuguese architect.
Porta di San Giuseppe, once the church of San Giuseppe and now reduced to a road passage. It represents one of the oldest religious buildings in the city.
Church of San Rocco, dating back to the 16th century, in the area of the Morocco district and close to the town hall.
Church of San Tommaso di Canterbury in the locality of San Tommaso.
Church of San Giorgio in the hamlet of Pregasina.
Church of San Rocco Nuova, parish church in the hamlet of Campi.
Church of San Rocco vecchia, subsidiary in the hamlet of Campi.
Church of the Annunciation of Mary in the hamlet of Varone.
Church of Sant’Alessandro, in the hamlet of Sant’Alessandro.
Civil architectures
Palazzo Pretorio, from 1375. Under the loggia it houses Roman, medieval and modern tombstones.
Doors in the medieval walls.
Torre Apponale, overlooking the port.
Ponale hydroelectric power station, hotel Sole, the Olivi beach complex, Piazza San Rocco and kindergarten. All works by the Rivan architect Giancarlo Maroni, known for his most famous project, the Vittoriale by Gabriele D’Annunzio in Gardone Riviera.
Villino Campi, in Art Nouveau style, belonged to Luigi de Campi and from the second decade of the 21st century became a center for scientific enhancement of Garda.
Military architectures
Rocca di Riva del Garda, a 12th century fortress on the lake surrounded by a canal with a bridge that was once a drawbridge. La Rocca is the seat of the MAG Alto Garda Museum.
Bastione, a Venetian fortress built on the slopes of Mount Rocchetta at a height of about 160 m.
Forte Garda, one of the Austrian fortifications on the Italian border, located on Mount Brione
Forte San Nicolò, under Mount Brione near the port.
Forte Sant’Alessandro
Battery out of the way
Tagliata del Ponale, located on the homonymous road that connected Riva with the Ledro Valley, then transformed into a path.
Surrounding
Being a tourist resort there are many points of interest in the vicinity of Riva. From Lake Tenno (6 km to the north), you can enjoy a wide view of the Basso Sarca, Lake Ledro (5 km to the west) maintains an interesting museum of stilts, the Ponale road, an ancient road that connected Ledro to Riva del Garda has become an important cycle path, the Varone waterfalls (3 km north) are interesting from a geological point of view and from the hamlet of Pregasina you can enjoy a particular view of the lake. On Mount San Martino there is an archaeological sitedatable to the Bronze Age.
Along the long lake of the Brescia side, the famous Gardesana Occidentale, you will come across villages that offer truly thrilling views of the lake: Tremosine, Tignale, Campione del Garda, Limone, Toscolano Maderno, the elegant Gardone Riviera and Salò. Along the east bank, after the beautiful Venetian towns of Torri del Benaco, Malcesine, Bardolino
The famous Gardaland and the other theme parks that have sprung up in the area. An unmissable trip is the one on Monte Baldo reachable by cable car and a destination for paragliding enthusiasts in summer and skiing in winter.
Outdoor activities
With its two harbours, Riva del Garda is equipped for sailing and windsurfing. Rock climbing and mountain biking are also practiced. Skiing is also quite practiced, with a couple of ski-resorts located just 20-30 driving minutes from the town and other 3-4 about 45-60 minutes away. Via ferrata for rock climbing Via dell´Amicizia, which is 650 meters high, ends at the height of 1200 meters (route starts approximatively at the middle of the mountain at about 600 meters above the town) and lasts about 2:40 hrs on average.
Events
Musica Riva Festival
MusicaRivafestival is the most important musical event that takes place on the shores of Garda Trentino. In the editions of the early 21st century various youth orchestras were present (such as the Youth Orchestra of the Americas, the Luigi Cherubini Youth Orchestra of Riccardo Muti, the Junge Philharmonie Salzburg) with masters such as Yuri Ahronovitch and Isaac Karabtchevsky. Events such as the tribute to Puccini were held in 2008. Among the artists arrived in Riva Yuri Ahronovitch, Aldo Ciccolini, Gloria Gaynor, the Red Army Chorus, Paul Simon, Renato Bruson, Plácido Domingo, Gilberto Gil,Giancarlo
Garda Jazz Festival
The Garda Jazz Festival is a review of Jazz music that involves various centers of the Trentino Garda area such as Nago-Torbole, Arco, Drena, Riva del Garda, Dro and Tenno born in 2000. The collaboration with some clubs and pubs for the creation of the Jazz Cafes has become a tradition and involves musicians from all over Northern Italy.
RadioIncontri
The RadioIncontri were held every year in late spring. They were an event in which the main national radio broadcasters gather to meet the public and discuss issues related to radio. The event was conceived by Renzo Ceresa and Massimo Cirri.
Fairy tale night
It is the event that every year closes the summer by coloring and lighting the town of Riva del Garda with joy, and the light-heartedness of dances, games, theater and music. The event involves the entire town and culminates with the fireworks display over the gulf. The first edition of the event dates back to 1950, with time the parade of allegorical floats,it turns into a real competition for decorated and illuminated boats, which took the name of “fairytale night”. In subsequent editions, pyrotechnic fires were added to the allegorical parade, which had a great success, also due to their novelty.
Garda Trentino Bike Festival
Festival that attracts bicycle enthusiasts from all over Europe. Over 150 exhibitors from the sector meet here to give the opportunity to try and / or buy their products. Performances and competitions are also held during the days of the festival.