Culture

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Since ancient times international poets, writers and artists have agreed on declaring Lake Garda as one of the most beautiful places they had ever seen. Many famous scholars and artists from Northern Europe considered Lake Garda as the start of their journey or the "gateway" to discovering the rest of Italy.

Places to visit:

The Civic Museum in Riva del Garda is housed in one of the most interesting buildings in the town, namely La Rocca, which built in 1124, was used at that time as a stronghold. Following its recent restauration it hosts the museum collections, that vary from archeological findings discovered in the nearby palafittes in the Ledro Valley, to a section dedicated to nature, the Picture Gallery with some paintings by Giuseppe Craffonara, a famous painter born in Riva, and documents regarding the history of Riva dating back to the 9th century. The museum can be visited from March to October; Info: tel. +39 0464 573869. www.comune.rivadelgarda.tn.it/museo

The Castle of Drena can be visited all year round. Its high tower seemingly suspended in the sky dominates the extension of the awesome Marocche lunar landscape lying below.

The Castle of Arco is open up to visitors during the tourist season. In 1495, Dürer represented this fascinating site in his famous water-colour painting with frescos from the 14th century and the olive groves stretching out along the foot of the mountain on which it stands.

The fortress of Riva and "Il Bastione" are built in grey stone and sit on the slopes of Mt. Rocchetta.

The ruins of "Castel Penede" can be seen sitting on the rock above Torbole dominating the blue extension of the Lake.

The Castle of Tenno is now private property and rises on a natural mountain crest that frames Lake Garda.