Description of the attraction
Garda is a tiny tourist town in the province of Verona, lying on the eastern shore of Lake Garda, 32 km from the city of Verona. This is the smallest settlement in the province and the most, if I may say so, medieval. Finds made in the middle of the 20th century suggest that this area was inhabited by people even in prehistoric times. Traces of ancient Roman settlements have been found at Cape San Vigilio. In the 10th century, King Berengarius II forcibly kept Queen Adelaide in Garda, and in 1162 the Bishop of Verona hid here for a whole year. At the end of the 12th century, the city passed into the power of the Scaliger family, then became the fiefdom of the Visconti family, and even later became part of the Venetian Republic.
The main attraction of Garda is its historic center with narrow streets, a promenade and old buildings - Villa Bacelli-Alberini from the 16th century, the Gothic Venetian Palazzo dei Capitani from the 14th century, Villa Carlotti-Canossa, in which the writer Gabriel d 'once lived. Annunzio, and the 18th century church of Santa Maria Assunta. Rocca di Garda Castle rises 300 meters above the city - from where it stands, a wonderful view of the surroundings and the lake opens up. Nearby is the monastery of the Carmelite Order, built in the 15th century, and a little further, at the eastern gate of the city, is the Church of Santo Stefano with a painting from the 16th century depicting the martyrdom of Saint Stephen.
The beautiful promontory of Punta San Vigilio, whose name comes from the name of Saint Vigil, bishop of Trento from 385 to 402, is of constant interest among tourists. In 1540, Count Agostino Brenzoni built a villa here - since then, many famous people have stayed here, such as the Russian Emperor Alexander II, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Spanish King Juan Carlos and members of the English royal family. Also noteworthy are the rock carvings that can be found on the cape and in the surrounding area.
In summer, Garda is a true paradise for water sports enthusiasts. Perhaps the most popular is sailing: the beaches of the town are home to many training centers and clubs where you can master the art of sailing. They can also book a sightseeing tour along the coast. The beaches themselves are ideal for sunbathing, while the calm waters of Lake Garda are ideal for swimming. Those interested can also try diving or water skiing. For those who are attracted to hiking, mountain biking and Nordic walking, there are many routes in the vicinity of Garda of varying difficulty. In winter, jogging along the embankments becomes very popular among city residents. The Malcesine ski slopes are also an hour's drive from Garda.
