Description of the attraction
Peschiera del Garda lies in the southernmost part of Lake Garda on the Verona side. Situated on the slopes of the moraine hills where the Mincio River flows out of Garda, this city has ancient roots - once it was called Arylika, in which the Celtic origin is clearly guessed.
Even in the Bronze Age, these territories were inhabited by people - in prehistoric times, an important trade center between Europeans and the Mediterranean regions was located on the site of today's Peschiera. The first settlements date back to 1500-1100 BC. In the 1st century BC. the Romans conquered these lands, then the Gauls came to their place, and even later - at the end of the 7th century - the Lombards. It was then that Peschiera, which was an important strategic and commercial center, also became an administrative center. In 1378, the Visconti family seized power in the city, and in the middle of the 15th century, by order of the Venetian Republic, it was taken by Francesco Sforza. Finally, at the beginning of the 19th century, under the rule of the Austrians, Peschiera, along with Verona, Mantua and Legnano, became part of the so-called Quadrilatero, a defensive system created by the Austrians. Only in the second half of the 19th century did the city join the united Italy.
Today, Peschiera del Garda's economy is largely driven by the tourism industry - it attracts outdoor enthusiasts, beach enthusiasts and families with children, attracted by the nearby amusement parks of Gardaland and Caneva World. In addition, the city has a thermal complex "Parco Termale del Garda". The production of wine and olive oil is also a source of income for local residents.
It is best to start your acquaintance with the sights of Peschiera by visiting the ancient Porta Verona gate, built in 1553 by the architect Michele Sanmicheli, just behind the bridge over the Mincio River. Near the gate are the former artillery barracks, erected in the middle of the 19th century. In the main square of Peschiera, you can see Padiglione degli Uffichiali - the Officer's Pavilion, built in 1856. It was in this neoclassical building that the Habsburg officers were housed. A little further there are infantry barracks. On the same square, there is another military facility - the Commander's Building, built in 1854 and now occupied by a small military museum. On the road that leads to the old center of Peschiera, you can see the Voltoni Bridge, built between the bastions of San Marco and Cantarane. And at the gates of Porta Brescia are the Feltrini and Tognon bastions with the park of the same name. It is also worth seeing the military prison in Piazza d'Armi, located in the building of an old hospital from the mid-19th century. The church of San Martino is built next to the prison, and the majestic Rocca Scaligera rises a little further. Finally, just 2 km from Peschiera are the Frassino Monastery and the Monastery of the Lesser Franciscan Order.
