Grand Hotel Liberty
Riva del Garda - Viale Carducci 3/5
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Located in the northernmost part of the Lake Benaco, in the province of Trento, Riva del Garda is one of the Trentino Garda villages that attracts tourists on an international scale. Its historic centre preserves sites of considerable interest, whilst the sparkling waters of the lake and the surrounding nature invite lovers of outdoor activities. The town, however, is also chosen by those who practise sports such as windsurfing, thanks to the constant wind, or cycling thanks to its thrilling trails.
Inhabited since Roman times, the history of Riva del Garda follows that of these territories, which saw it dominated by the Scaligeri (from Verona), the Visconti and the Venetians. During Austro-Hungarian rule, Riva del Garda was chosen as the seat of the military fleet and the town’s territory was fortified by the Austrians, as can still be seen from the small forts guarding the harbour and the fortifications erected on Monte Brione.
Today Riva del Garda is a destination that, thanks to its strategic location, its history and rich natural heritage, stands out as the ideal holiday spot for all tastes and requirements. The centre of Riva del Garda is not very large, so a day is enough to visit it at leisure, but if you intend to explore its surroundings as well, a long weekend might be the right choice.
Considered the “pearl of Lake Garda”, Riva del Garda sits nestled between the gentle waters of the lake and the Dolomites of Brenta, offering a fantastic landscape. The historic village, with its narrow cobbled alleyways and colourful houses, still preserves its medieval fortress, the Torre Apponale and the charming little harbour.
Piazza III Novembre was once the economic heart of the town and its arcades housed money changers’ stalls and numerous shops. Today you can admire numerous buildings built in Austro-Hungarian style as well as the ancient Palazzo del Pretorio and the Town Hall of Riva del Garda.
Another beautiful square in the town is Piazza Cavour, which also hosts the Church of Santa Maria Assunta. Built in baroque style, the church we see today is the result of a renovation that took place in the 18th century and boasts a façade on two levels, divided by a cornice, and with a pediment.
Internally the church features a single nave and nine baroque altars. Behind the high altar is an altarpiece depicting the Assumption dating from the 19th century, a work by Giuseppe Craffonara. The bell tower of the church is located on the opposite side of the square and was actually one of the “gates of entry” to the town which, after the construction of the church, was converted into a bell tower.
The Rocca di Riva del Garda is a medieval fortress situated on an artificial islet bathed by the waters of the lake. The fortress was originally built in the 12th century as a defensive structure to protect citizens from possible enemy attacks from the harbour. The complex underwent various restoration works over the years and in the 16th century, during Habsburg rule, it became the residence of the court of the ecclesiastical principality.
The Rocca currently hosts the Alto Garda Museum (MAG), where you can trace the history of the town and its various rulers. A section is also dedicated to the Picture Gallery, with paintings by 19th-century artists, whilst other spaces are dedicated to temporary exhibitions. The central courtyard of the Rocca, meanwhile, is the venue for shows and events throughout the year.
The Torre Apponale is a tower in Riva del Garda built in the 13th century at the behest of the local Bonvicini family with the purpose of monitoring arrivals at the town harbour. In particular, from the tower one could see landings coming from Ponale, a stream in the area, and it is from this fact that the name “Torre Aponale” is derived.
Thanks to its 34-metre height, the tower was also a place of refuge in case of enemy siege. It is still possible today to climb to the top by climbing 165 steps that allow you to admire a magnificent panorama over the lake and surrounding mountains. At the top of the tower is a weather vane, “l’Anzolim de la Tor”, which is a popular symbol of Riva del Garda.
The Church of Santa Maria Inviolata was built in baroque style at the beginning of the 17th century at the behest of Gianangelo Gaudenzio Madruzzo, governor of Riva and Arco, and his wife Alfonsina Gonzaga. The church is considered one of the greatest expressions of Trentino baroque. The religious building features a square plan and an octagonal upper section, with the bell tower slightly detached, and three entrance doors.
The interior features an octagonal plan and is characterised by rich decorations, frescoes and stuccos created by Lombard artist Davide Reti. Above the high altar is a painting of Christ by Pietro Ricchi, known as il Lucchese, whilst on the walls are altarpieces by the painter Jacopo Palma il Giovane.
The Bastion of Riva del Garda is a fortified tower built by the Republic of Venice at the beginning of the 16th century to guard the old harbour of the town. The bastion now sits on a small hill completely surrounded by lush vegetation. To reach it you can take a walk (20/30 minutes) or take the new panoramic lift which in just two minutes takes you from the town centre to the summit. Needless to say, the view from up there is truly spectacular.
Riva del Garda is famous for its cycle paths and numerous routes perfect for cycling enthusiasts. Bike lovers come to the town from all over Europe for its beautiful itineraries. Among the most beautiful routes is certainly the Ponale Trail which connects Riva del Garda with Lake Ledro along a road carved into the rock that was originally built in the 19th century to link the two localities. The Ponale Trail is now no longer open to cars and has become a fantastic cycling and walking route.
The path, which stretches over the waters of Lake Garda, offers truly breathtaking views and can be completed by mountain bike (there are numerous e-bike rental shops in the area) or on foot. The itinerary from Riva del Garda to Ledro is approximately 10 km long, with a total round trip of around 20 km, and has a positive elevation gain of around 780 metres.
Riva del Garda also offers the opportunity to take some moments of relaxation thanks to its beautiful beaches washed by fresh and crystal-clear waters.
In particular, in summer the beaches of Riva del Garda are the ideal place to find shelter from hot days and where you can practise water sports. The most popular beaches are Sabbioni beach, a free stretch of shore characterised by gravel, and Pini beach, also characterised by stones mixed with gravel.
Riva del Garda is a town rich in accommodation facilities of different types and price ranges. Most of the facilities are located in the historic centre, which is the most recommended area during a stay in town as it allows you to have sites of interest, services and many restaurants within reach.
During the fine season, the town is a much sought-after destination by foreign tourists and hotels offering rooms overlooking the lake are always the most requested (even if they are the most expensive). For this reason, we recommend you book your accommodation in advance. Just outside the historic centre, there are many other lodgings such as B&Bs, immersed in greenery, and excellent campsites.
The best way to reach Riva del Garda is certainly by car. For those coming from the Veneto, the town is reachable by taking the A22 (Modena-Brenner) to the Rovereto South/North Lake Garda exit and then taking the SS245. Those coming from Milan should take the A4 to the Peschiera exit and then take the A22 exit towards Brenner until the Rovereto South exit. Those coming from the south can travel along the A22 towards the Brenner and exit at Rovereto South or can take the western Gardesana SS45 highway. The latter is certainly the most panoramic option but also the most congested.
The town does not have a railway station and the nearest one is Rovereto, which is about 23 km from Riva del Garda. Once at Rovereto, you need to take buses from Trentino Trasporti which offer services between the railway station and the towns of Torbole, Riva del Garda and Arco. The town is connected by bus by Verona Transport Company with Desenzano, Peschiera del Garda and Verona. The nearest airport is Verona’s Valerio Catullo, approximately 83 km away.
What's the weather at Riva del Garda? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Riva del Garda for the next few days.
Riva del Garda is a charming town in the province of Trento, situated on the northern shores of Lake Garda. The town lies 200 km from Milan, 120 km from Brescia and 90 km from Desenzano del Garda.
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