Riva del Garda

Riva del Garda, a comune (municipality) in the Trento province (about 15,000 inhabitants), is situated on the slopes of the Brione and Rocchetta mounts, in the north-western corner of Lake Garda, the largest in the whole Italy. The local economy gets its resources basically from tourism, but there are also flourishing commercial and industrial activities. The area, already famous in Roman times due to its harbour, was under Episcopal power between 800 and 1000. In the following centuries, several lords- the Scaligeris and Viscontis- followed one after the other in power, until the area was annexed to the Republic of Venice. In the XVI century, the territory was acquired by Trento, but after the XVIII-century French-Spanish invasions, it became part of the Hapsburg territories. It became part of Italy in 1918, after the end of the World War I. Riva del Garda is included among the most prestigious tourist resorts of the Bel Paese: the unspoilt lake landscape offered to visitors explains the constancy with which every year its good hotels, restaurants, guesthouses and bed & breakfasts are invariably crowded with guests. Moreover, some places of truly cultural and architectural interest are added to the splendour of this panorama: for example, the famous Rocca Romanica (Romanesque fortress), colourfully surrounded by waters of the Benaco lake, the characteristic Apponale Tower, placed side by side to the imposing Praetorian Palace, the massive Bastion massif, erected at the foot of Mount Rocchetta, and the spectacular gates of the ancient medieval Walls. Finally, the prestigious City museum and the peculiar Baroque church devoted to the “Inviolata” (Virgin) are very much appreciated by the admirers of this enchanting city.