Peschiera del Garda

Peschiera del Garda is a town situated at the southern end of the lake Garda

where the waters of Garda merge to form the river Mincio. Location of major importance since prehistoric times for its strategic location and road to the lake is in central position between the cities of Brescia, Verona, Mantova and Trento. The original center of Peschiera del Garda is composed of two islands that together form the fortress, surrounded by massive walls and crossed by the “canale di mezzo“, this is bounded by two driveways that connect the two islands, one of the two is formed along the perimeter wall, towards the hinterland and the Mincio, obtaining under it five low arches that let flow the waters of the “canale di mezzo” (middle channel) on the outside of the fortress. Peschiera is one of the main touristic and religious (santuario Madonna del Frassino) locality of Garda lake, with a seasonal pattern that covers almost the whole year like the rest of the lower lake, facilitated by roads and proximity to places of tourist interest. Less known that Desenzano and Sirmione, however it offers a great number of services, hotels, restaurants, bars, shops, sports, etc.

TERRITORY OF PESCHIERA DEL GARDA

Province: Verona
Hamlets: Broglie, Dolci, San Benedetto di Lugana
Surrounding municipalities: Castelnuovo del Garda, Desenzano del Garda (Bs), Ponti sul Mincio (Mn), Pozzolengo (Bs), Sirmione (Bs), Valeggio sul Mincio
Altitude: 68 m s.l.m. – Population: 9.847 – Inhabitants name: arilicensi

Peschiera del Garda is the western town of Veneto, located about 25 km from Verona and borders Sirmione and it is the far south town of the lake, at the center of its territory the river Mincio, which carries the waters of the lake to feed the lakes of Mantova passing through the amphitheater of the morainic hills. Its hamlets San Benedetto di Lugana is towards the lake, while Boschetti, Broglie and Dolci are inside, it is encountered on the way to Ponti sul Mincio. Its historic center is bounded by the wall that has changed the natural course of the river being at the center of it from here, following the course of the Mincio, we enter in the park of nature that continues to Mantua. Peschiera is one of the three countries with the highest attendance of Lake Garda and is well served by the road that connects all the countries of the lake, from the Milan-Venice, railways and inland waterways and lakes; once there was also the terminus of the line Mantova -Peschiera.

HISTORY OF PESCHIERA DEL GARDA

The territory of Peschiera del Garda has always found the interest of the people since the Bronze Age, thanks to its geographical position of communication between the Alps and the Po plain, like the rest of the Garda, but here the conditions had to be favorable since they found at least seven dwelling villages including two large, with various exhibits. In Roman times the town was called Arilica and was an important military center, merchant and fishing, which was the main activity of the place, even at that time there was an association of boatmen transporting goods and people on the lake and the Mincio, as well as navigation was via Gallica between Bergamo and Verona. At the turn of the eighth and ninth centuries the town’s name changes to Peschiera. In the second half of the thirteenth century was elected Captain of the People Leonardino Scale (Mastino I) and then the link with Verona and Scaligers becomes strong, Peschiera del Garda becomes an important control on the Mincio and the lake, it is with them that the town is supplied using walls of the fortifications before the Romans. In 1440, The Most Serene Republic takes hold of Peschiera and in 1549 the greatly strengthens a project of Guidobaldo della Rovere will follow then other designers. Additions and changes to the fortifications were carried out in particular by the Austrians who took it over in 1815, were built benquattordici strong exterior, a large barracks within the walls was restored and the area of the fortress, the railway came in 1854 and 1866 switches Italy, but already at that time had been cut down some of the fourteen external forts, so now there are only seven, and even some in their villages on the road to Dolci and to go to San Benedetto.

LOCAL PRODUCTS OF PESCHIERA DEL GARDA

Bardolino wine, Custoza wine, Lake fish