Rocca di Lonato

On the top of one of the hills overlooking the southern part of Lake Garda stands the Rocca Visconti . This fort was built for military and defense presents itself as one of the greatest of all Lombardy . Its irregular plan is almost 18 meters long and 45 meters wide . Are two bodies which compose it : the Rocchetta , in the higher and what is called the Main Area , below . Dating back to the eleventh century, it was built for defense against barbarian attacks . In the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries was radically restructured in the forms that we see today by the Visconti , lords of Milan. In 1426 it came under the domination of the Gonzaga of Mantua and then under the Republic of Venice, then in 1827 it was sold by the state to private Austrian who demolished the barracks and turned the inner and outer surface of arable land . To access the restored castle you have to go through the door that is located on the south side of the building, with a drawbridge ; on the right of the entrance is opened a postern which allowed the passage of a single person, while in a niche at the top you can see the Lion of St. Mark , the symbol of the Venetian domination . Before entering on the right are still visible niches that housed the guns while passing the entrance on your right , you can still see the remains of the local service gatehouse through which you can reach the casemate of the fortress . Going contrary to the parapet walk to the entrance of the Rocchetta where his side is equipped with the Female Prison . On the eastern side of the Rocchetta is the home of Castellano , who was the one who watched over the entire fortress and it was responsible. Under these premises there is a large basement where there were definitely cellars, warehouses, shelters for the horses. Today, the interior of the house is home to the Museum of Birds opened in 1996. A note on the back of a well here and always have been recently brought to light tanks that were used to collect rainwater .