Riva del Garda
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 22 September 2023
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The lakeside town of Riva del Garda lies at the northern tip of Lake Garda and within the region of Trentino Alto-Adige South Tyrol.
One of the curiosities of Lake Garda is that it covers three official regions of Italy with the other two being Lombardy and Veneto. Despite these regions belonging to the same country, it's striking how different they feel from each other. In Riva for example, the influences of the Austrian culture are strongly felt from the cuisine in the restaurants to the street signs displayed in German. |
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As with every town in the Trentino region, the Italian version of the town's name Riva del Garda has a German equivalent and in this case it's Reiff am Gartsee. Whichever name you prefer to use for the town, it really is one of the premium towns around the lake.
Part of Lake Garda's overall appeal comes from the rugged landscapes created by the cliffs and mountains on either side. Riva del Garda lies at the foot of the gargantuan Monte Rocchetta which soars to a height of 1,575 metres above sea level, just west of the town. You can take a funicular railway part of the way up the mountain to reach a little restaurant called Bastione and enjoy some incredible panoramas down on to the town and across the lake.
In the town itself there's a good deal to explore with the major edifice of interest being the fortress known as La Rocca (not to be confused with the similar name of the mountain). La Rocca was originally built in the 12th century but was adjusted significantly in the intervening years, notably by the Austrians during the town's period of rule by the Austro-Hungarian Empire from 1815 to 1918. The Austrians used La Rocca as a barracks and nowadays it houses the MAG (Museo di Alto Garda) museum with exhibits ranging from archaeological artefacts to historical artworks.
Heading west, away from La Rocca, or in. more simple terms, down to the lake and turning right, you can enjoy the short walk around the Lungolago Marinai d'Italia, a lakeside promenade with its open-air cafes and restaurants. This short walk leads to perhaps the highlight of the town, the beautiful marina area. You can walk all the way around the little harbour with its medieval buildings teeming with life and the delightful array of boats in the port gleaming in the sunshine.
The port area includes the town's main square: Piazza III Novembre. The square was named after the date when Italian forces took over the town in 1918. The most prominent building here is the medieval tower: the 13th century Torre Apponale. A visit to Riva isn't quite complete without making your way to the top of the tower to enjoy some wonderful views out across the lake. Surrounding Piazza III Novembre is an intricate web of historic streets which provides one of the best shopping areas around Lake Garda.
That sense of history is heightened when you enter the centro storico (historic centre) through one of the city gates such as Porta di San Michele or the Porta San Marco. There are further attractive squares such as the little Piazza delle Erbe or the larger Piazza del Brolio which leads out onto La Rocca with the Parrocchia di Santa Maria Assunta church just behind it. The impressive church structure splits the area between Piazza del Brolio and another important square: Piazza Cavour.
Back down at the marina area and just a few steps south of Piazza III Novembre, is where you'll find the imbarcadero. This is the quay from which you can take one of the Lake Garda ferries to some of the other towns around the lake. Highlights in this northern area of the lake include the lakeside towns of Limone sul Garda on the western (Lombardy) side while on the opposite shore you'll find the charming town of Malcesine which belongs to Veneto. If you have a car you can head north and inland to the charming town of Arco or further into the Alps where you'll find the remarkable Lake Tenno with its Caribbean-coloured water.
Part of Lake Garda's overall appeal comes from the rugged landscapes created by the cliffs and mountains on either side. Riva del Garda lies at the foot of the gargantuan Monte Rocchetta which soars to a height of 1,575 metres above sea level, just west of the town. You can take a funicular railway part of the way up the mountain to reach a little restaurant called Bastione and enjoy some incredible panoramas down on to the town and across the lake.
In the town itself there's a good deal to explore with the major edifice of interest being the fortress known as La Rocca (not to be confused with the similar name of the mountain). La Rocca was originally built in the 12th century but was adjusted significantly in the intervening years, notably by the Austrians during the town's period of rule by the Austro-Hungarian Empire from 1815 to 1918. The Austrians used La Rocca as a barracks and nowadays it houses the MAG (Museo di Alto Garda) museum with exhibits ranging from archaeological artefacts to historical artworks.
Heading west, away from La Rocca, or in. more simple terms, down to the lake and turning right, you can enjoy the short walk around the Lungolago Marinai d'Italia, a lakeside promenade with its open-air cafes and restaurants. This short walk leads to perhaps the highlight of the town, the beautiful marina area. You can walk all the way around the little harbour with its medieval buildings teeming with life and the delightful array of boats in the port gleaming in the sunshine.
The port area includes the town's main square: Piazza III Novembre. The square was named after the date when Italian forces took over the town in 1918. The most prominent building here is the medieval tower: the 13th century Torre Apponale. A visit to Riva isn't quite complete without making your way to the top of the tower to enjoy some wonderful views out across the lake. Surrounding Piazza III Novembre is an intricate web of historic streets which provides one of the best shopping areas around Lake Garda.
That sense of history is heightened when you enter the centro storico (historic centre) through one of the city gates such as Porta di San Michele or the Porta San Marco. There are further attractive squares such as the little Piazza delle Erbe or the larger Piazza del Brolio which leads out onto La Rocca with the Parrocchia di Santa Maria Assunta church just behind it. The impressive church structure splits the area between Piazza del Brolio and another important square: Piazza Cavour.
Back down at the marina area and just a few steps south of Piazza III Novembre, is where you'll find the imbarcadero. This is the quay from which you can take one of the Lake Garda ferries to some of the other towns around the lake. Highlights in this northern area of the lake include the lakeside towns of Limone sul Garda on the western (Lombardy) side while on the opposite shore you'll find the charming town of Malcesine which belongs to Veneto. If you have a car you can head north and inland to the charming town of Arco or further into the Alps where you'll find the remarkable Lake Tenno with its Caribbean-coloured water.
Comune di Riva del Garda
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Province: Trento
Region: Trentino Alto Adige South Tyrol Population: 17,742 (source: ISTAT 1 January 2023) Size: 41 km² Elevation: 70 metres Highlights: Piazza III Novembre, La Rocca, Torre Apponale Close by: Lake Tenno, Arco, Nago, Torbole, Canale di Tenno Recommended accommodation: Grand Hotel Liberty |
