Riva del Garda
Place of Interest
Water castle at the port
Riva del Garda
Pretty little town on the northern shore of Lake Garda
Idyllic and beautiful, the small town of Riva is embedded in the hills on the northern shore of Lake Garda. The small town is certainly one of the most beautiful villages around the lake and should be a must for tourists at Lake Garda. The well-preserved historic city with its colourful facades and baroque window frames invites you to stroll and linger. Riva del Garda was one of the most important towns at Lake Garda in the Middle Ages – both strategically and economically – and regularly hard-fought. This has not harmed the city – quite the contrary – the historical flavour makes it well worth a visit.
Attractions in Riva
The historic old town of Riva is closed to traffic for the most part – it is recommended to park your car just outside. The focal point and heart of the beautiful city is the Piazza 3. Novembre in the centre. The Torre Apponale, Riva’s landmark – a 34-metre-high town tower from the 14th century – is located directly at the square. To the west of the piazza are the Palazzo del Provveditore and the Palazzo Pretoriale – both also from the 13th and 14th centuries. The square is home to numerous bars and cafes that invite you to linger and enjoy. East of the Piazza 3. Novembre you reach the Rocca di Riva, a powerful moated castle along the waterfront. It was originally built by the Scaliger of Verona in the 12th century and now houses the town museum with an interesting archaeological and historical art collection.
It is also worth visiting the Chiesa dell’Inviolata in the north of the city. From the outside it is relatively inconspicuous, but the interior impresses with rich jewellery and a beautiful dome. In a half-hour walk from the city centre you reach the ruined tower on the eastern slopes of Mount Rocchetta: a nice little stroll which is rewarded by magnificent views over the northern Lake Garda and Riva.
Surroundings of Riva del Garda
Immediately south of Riva begins the old Ponale road. In the middle of the 19th century this long road was carved out through years of painstaking work, foot by foot through the rock. The goal was to create a road link along the west bank. Today the cars pass through a tunnel in the mountain range – the old Ponale road on the other hand is one of the most beautiful and most popular hiking and biking trails along Lake Garda. From the old road you can enjoy a magnificent view over the lake. East of Riva, the Monte Brione, Riva’s local mountain, is wedged between the three cities Riva, Torbole and Arco. No wonder that it is a popular destination for tourists and athletes from all three locations. The many fortifications that show the former strategic importance of the mountain are a particularly interesting feature.
North of Riva you reach the village of Tenne. Here are the towering ruins of a mighty castle from the 12th century, which unfortunately only consist of ruins. Nevertheless, you get a good idea of the power of the former fortress. In the small church of San Lorenzo, the oldest frescoes in Trentino were discovered. Outside of Tenne is the Lago di Tenno, which is worth a visit because of its bright colours and idyllic surroundings. On the way back from Tenno you pass by Varone where a well marked path leads to a spectacular waterfall. The water cascades towards the ground from several openings while sun rays break through the water again and again to ensure a gigantic spectacle.
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