Description of the attraction
Torbole sul Garda is a small town with a population of 2,300, in fact consisting of two settlements - Nago and Torbole. Nago lies on the slopes of Monte Altissimo, while Torbole lies at the mouth of the Sacra River on the eastern shore of Lake Garda, surrounded by the Monte Baldo mountain range. The resort of Riva del Garda lies 5 km from it, and a little further - the town of Arco. Thanks to the influence of the lake and the protection of the surrounding mountains, Torbole sul Garda boasts a temperate climate throughout the year.
The first settlements on the territory of modern Torbole appeared in the Neolithic era. In 1439, the Venetians, in an attempt to establish control over Lake Garda, descended the Adige River all the way to Mori, passing through the Valle del Cameras, and crossed Lake Loppio. A year later, they defeated the Visconti family that ruled here and captured Riva del Garda and the surrounding territories. During World War II, all the cities of Trentino-Alto Adige were part of the Third Reich, and in 1958 the region received autonomy.
Initially, the economy of Torbole sul Garda was based on agriculture and fishing, but after gaining autonomy, tourism began to actively develop here. In 1980, it was in this city that the world windsurfing championship was held, and in 1991 - the world mountain biking championship, which brought Torbole worldwide fame. In recent years, it has become one of the most popular resorts of Lake Garda among outdoor enthusiasts.
But the town is also interesting for its historical monuments. For example, in Nago there are preserved Austro-Hungarian forts, in which a city museum has been created today. Pende Castle, now undergoing restoration, occupies an advantageous strategic position with wonderful views of the lake. Noteworthy is the church of San Vigilio, dating from the 16th century, but mentioned in historical documents since the 13th century.
In Torbole, the Church of San Andrea, built in 1175 and restored during the Baroque era, is worth seeing. On the Piazza Vittorio Veneto square, there is the Casa Alberti house with a fountain, on which there is a bronze plaque in memory of Goethe - the great German poet once visited these places. And on one of the small promenades of Torbole, you can see the Venetian-style Casa del Dazio, which once housed the excise office.
20 km from Torbole, in the town of Rovereto, there is the MART Museum of Contemporary Art, and even further, in Trento, the Buonconsiglio Museum. A simple walk through the surroundings, immersed in century-old olive groves, will give pleasure.
