Lake Garda
Lake Garda is located in northern Italy, at the foot of the Alpine mountain ranges. It is the largest freshwater body of water in the country, its area reaches 370 km². The lake, located about halfway between Venice and Milan, adjoins the territories of three Italian provinces, but the inhabitants of the lakeside towns and villages have united into a special informal community of Garda. There is a magical aura of antiquity hovering over the densely built-up shores of the lake, here at every step the mossy towers of medieval fortresses rise, Renaissance palaces, Byzantine basilicas curled with ivy, ascetic churches founded by famous saintly ascetics hide in the green of olive trees. Excellent tourist infrastructure, girdling Garda, includes nature reserves and botanical gardens, amusement parks, restored monuments of history and architecture, theaters, museums and, of course, perfectly equipped beach areas.
Video: Lake Garda
Contents- Highlights
- History of Lake Garda
- Geography
- Climate
- Resort towns and attractions
Islands on Lake Garda - Local cuisine
- Where to stay
- Transportation
- How to get there
Highlights
The shores of Lake Garda are home to dozens of historic towns and colorful villages, many dating back to Roman times. The squares of the ancient towns are adorned with majestic Gothic cathedrals. Hundreds of UNESCO World Heritage Sites can be seen here. Travelers staying in the apartments, may well be amazed to learn from the hospitable owner that the house was built by his ancestors in the XVI century, and the olive trees in the garden under the windows were planted by unknown people in the days of the Roman Emperor Caracalla – about two thousand years ago. Despite the fact that in the middle of the XIX century by order of the Austrian Emperor, who owned Northern Italy, in the area of Lake Garda was demolished many medieval citadels and defensive walls, there are still many picturesque castles. They are located in the ancient settlements that dot the lake’s surroundings, some rising lonely on the coastal hills.
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In winter, busy ski resorts open in the villages on the alpine foothills, while lakeside resort life comes to a standstill. From November to March, most hotels, restaurants and cafes around Garda are closed. This is the best time for informative excursions and walks through the hushed streets of medieval towns. In an hour and a half or two hours from any lakeside hotel you can drive to Venice or Milan to see the treasures of the famous museums of these cities.
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History of Lake Garda
Judging by the findings of archaeologists, people built settlements on the shores of Lake Garda already in the Middle Paleolithic period, about 120 thousand years ago. Stone tools of that period are found on the abundant flint slopes of the mountain ranges Baldo and Stevo, rising above the lake. It is likely that tribes of primitive hunters settled here much earlier, but their traces have long since been erased by glaciers sliding down the alpine ranges.
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After the collapse of the Roman Empire, the Lombards, who migrated from Germany, settled on the shores of Lake Garda. By the 9th century, powerful ducates – duchies and counties – had emerged here, with centers in Verona, Trento and Brescia. In the XII-XIV centuries in Verona ruled the dynasty of the Signori della Scala. Its powerful representatives went down in history under the name of the Scaligers. The rulers of Verona built on the banks of the Garda unrivaled in medieval Italy multi-kilometer line of dozens of castles and watchtowers, arsenals and coastal fortifications, known as the defensive chain Serraglio (Serraglio). These powerful bastions protected the lakeside valleys to the southwest, from where Verona was threatened by the hostile dukes of Milan and Mantua. Today, the castles and other well-preserved fortifications have been turned into tourist attractions, attracting millions of travelers.
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At first Fortune smiled on the brave Venetians – they captured the city of Riva del Garda. But soon Milanese ships destroyed the enemy flotilla near the harbor of Desenzano del Garda. In 1565, the famous painter Tintoretto depicted the episode of the furious battle on Lake Garda in a magnificent battle painting that adorns the Great Council Hall in the Doge’s Palace in Venice.
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The military confrontation on the shores of the lake continued until the Austrian monarch Maximilian I Habsburg, who held the title of Holy Roman Emperor, intervened. His regular troops seized the entire Garda Riviera, and for several decades a peaceful life reigned on the coast. By the early 19th century, after a series of wars, including the Spanish Succession and Napoleonic wars, the southwestern shores of the lake were ceded to the French and the northeastern shores to the Austrians.
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In 1943, at the turning point of World War II, Italian fascist leader Benito Mussolini fled from Rome to the Lombard town of Gargnano, 50 kilometers west of the Garda coast. Here the Duce founded the Italian Social Republic. Part of its territory fell on the western Riviera of Garda. On the lakeside villa Mussolini had a government. April 30, 1945 to the shores of Garda came to the 10th Mountain Division of the United States, and in the skies above the lake was the last air battle of Anglo-American fighters with aircraft Luftwaffe and Italian fascists based in northern Italy. From that time on, a long-awaited peace came to the Riviera.
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Geography
The lake is 51.6 km long, with 16.7 km separating the shores at its widest point. The depth of the lake reaches 346 meters. Two dozen mountain streams, rivulets and brooks flow into the Garda. Among them there is a kind of attraction – the Aril river, the shortest in the country, its length from the underground source to the mouth is only 75 meters. The turbulent Aril flows through the resort village of Cassone. On its way its fast waters, enclosed in a beautiful granite embankment, turn the wheels of mills and oil mills. Several rather powerful springs are found at the bottom of the lake. One of these bottom springs spews hot sulphurous water. Only one river, the Mincho, flows out of Garda; it is navigable and is a tributary of the full-flowing Po River.
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Climate
The peculiar location creates in the Lake Garda area a unique for the Alpine foothills Mediterranean microclimate with hot summers and rather warm winters. Italian meteorologists claim that the southwestern shore of the lake, called the Gardone Riviera, has the mildest climate north of the Apennines. Even heat-loving citrus and palm trees grow here, which is unusual for these latitudes. In the northern mountainous areas the climate is alpine. From December to February air temperature on the shores of Garda rarely falls below +6…+8 °С. Spring is early here, in March-April the air warms up to +14…+18 °С. Resort season lasts from May to September, all this period the daytime air temperature is +22 … +26 ° C, in August days can be up to +29 … +30 ° C.
.The temperature of the lake water at the beaches in summer is +21…+23 ° C, in August this figure reaches +25 ° C.
.The surface of Garda freezes very rarely. The last time when the lake was covered with ice was in the winter of 1709.
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Resort towns and attractions
The coast of Lake Garda is so densely built up that only the locals can tell where one resort town ends and another begins. The coastal streets are lined with shady promenades stretching over the beaches. Some old buildings rise straight out of the water, reminiscent of Venice. The most popular resort towns on the shores of Garda are Desenzano del Garda, Peschiera, Lacise, Malcesine, Riva del Garda and Torbole. The southwestern shore belonging to Verona is called the Olive Riviera, the eastern shore is called the Lemon Riviera.
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The first regular passenger services between the lakeside towns were organized at the beginning of the century before last. In the 30s of the XIX century the waters of the lake were navigated by an unusual passenger ship “L’amico a prora”. It sailed, and approached the moorings with the help of a rowing wheel, which was driven by eight horses on board through a system of gears. Today, the real lakeside landmark is the 47-meter passenger steamer “Zanardelli”, launched in June 1903. The venerable antique ship, which managed to participate in two world wars, is still sailing today, only the worn-out coal-fired steam boilers have been replaced by a modern diesel engine. Taking a cruise on the Garda aboard the “Zanardelli” is a real adventure for travelers.
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In the vicinity of the lake attractions are countless, tourists are attracted by ancient Roman buildings, medieval castles and monasteries, palaces and town halls of the Renaissance, numerous churches and cathedrals. Back in the XV century the Venetian aristocrat and scientist-historian Marin Sanudo the Younger, who wrote the famous chronicle “Life of the Doge”, compiled a historical and geographical description of the cities located near Lake Garda. This book can be considered the first guide to the local attractions, because for the past 500 years there has been little change.
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In the coastal town of Sirmione, located on the peninsula of the same name, stands the tourist attraction of the Lake Garda resorts – the well-preserved castle of the Counts della Scala, built in the XIII century. About a kilometer away from it, on the elevated northern promontory of the peninsula, delving into the lake surface, are the picturesque ruins of a villa, built in the I century B.C. It is said that the Roman poet Gaius Valerius Catullus, a contemporary of Julius Caesar, lived here. In any case, these places are sung in the poems of the poet, a native of Verona. This location is known as the Grotte di Catullo. There is an archaeological museum with artifacts found during excavations, and thermae, households and dwellings are open for inspection. Fragments of wall frescoes and mosaic floors have been preserved in some of them. The complex of buildings, garden and olive grove occupy about two hectares. The three-story villa, made of hewn stone, was abandoned, and in the XII century the upper two floors were dismantled for the construction of the family castle of the Signori della Scala.
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The amusement park is open for visits from 10:00 to 17:00. The entrance fee for the whole day is 46 €.
. There are five islands on the lake with underwater landscapes tempting to scuba divers. The largest of them is Garda Island, a kilometer long and 60-100 meters wide. It lies 0.2 kilometers from the lighthouse at the tip of Capo San Fermo cape on the western shore of the lake. The history of the island, fatefully linked to Russia, is curious.
Islands on Lake Garda
Garda Island
Another option for exploring the island is a day cruise on Lake Garda on the yacht “Siora Veronica”, owned by the owners of the palace. The sailboat leaves the harbor of Malcesine at 09:00. After a cruise around the lake, the yacht arrives at the island of Garda, where a guided tour takes place. Then the guests sail to the town of Portese, where lunch tables are set for them in an elite restaurant. After dinner, the boat ride continues, tourists go ashore in the port of Malcesine at 18:00. The cost of the cruise is 80 € per person, for a child of 6-15 years is required to pay 35 €.
.San Biagio Island
Local cuisine
Chefs at lakeside restaurants compete to prepare a variety of freshwater fish dishes. On the menu are delicacies from burbot, eel, carp. There are 25 species of fish in Lake Garda, including endemic salmon. The queen of the feast is lake trout.
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The coast grows oranges and lemons, olives, a variety of vegetables, dozens of varieties of grapes. All this is presented in the city markets. Farmers sell more than a hundred kinds of cheese, wonderful cured meats and sausages, and olive oil. Wine cellars in many villages have tasting rooms. For example, in the town of Bordolino you can go on an excursion to the cellars of the Zeni family winery. There is a wine museum, a store and a tasting room. There are 12 types of red and white table wines for free tasting. For tasting expensive vintage wines you have to pay 2,5 € per glass. The wines under the Zeni family brand are sold all over the country. In the winery’s store they can be bought inexpensively, from 7 € per bottle.
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The coastline is home to a huge number of cafes and restaurants, of which more than a dozen are Michelin-starred. Prices in expensive establishments range from 70-160 € per person. In mid-range restaurants you can have a full meal for 47-115 €, in budget restaurants – from 25 €.
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Where to stay
There are more than 2300 hotels and apartments in the resorts of Lake Garda. An order of magnitude larger figure characterizes the number of private guest houses and cozy mini-hotels. Wealthy travelers have the opportunity to rent luxury villas or settle in the royal rooms of luxury hotels. Budget travelers will also find affordable accommodation here.
.In the ratings of luxury resort hotels in Garda, compiled according to guest reviews in 2019, in the first five – romantic hotel Lefay Resort & Spa Lago di Garda 5 *, located right at the water cut on the western shore of the lake in the town of Navazzo. In high season the cost of accommodation here starts from 585 € per room per night.
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On the eastern shore, in the village of Torri del Benaco, is Hotel Pai 3*. This charming hotel is located in a restored village manor of the XVIII century with an olive garden. The hotel is designed for family vacations, the spacious rooms have two bedrooms, kitchenette and all amenities. The village market, stores and trattoria, the beach and the marina are just a stone’s throw away. The accommodation costs from 115 € per night.
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Inexpensive accommodation is available in private apartments, which are rented out in season by locals. On the shore of the lake such accommodation will cost 65-75 €. As a rule, the price includes breakfast.
The rates listed here will help you to choose the right type of hotel, the prices are typical for a similar range of hotels all along the coast of Lake Garda in the tourist season.
.Transportation
Water transport is represented by fast catamarans, hydrofoils, passenger ferries capable of carrying travelers’ cars. Between coastal towns and villages there are boats. The cost of a ticket is 6-8 €. An hour cruise on the lake on a pleasure boat will cost 10 €.
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How to get there
There are trains from Verona to Desenzano del Garda. The duration of the trip is 40 minutes and the ticket price is €10.
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Many tourists traveling to Lake Garda fly into the airports of Venice or Milan. These cities are connected to Garda by convenient bus and train connections. Trains from Milan to Venice and back stop at the train stations of the lakeside resort towns of Desenzano del Garda and Peschiero del Garda.
.From Milan airport to the southern shore of Garda is about 160 km, from Venice airport to the resorts on the eastern shore of the lake is 150 km.
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