Lake Garda - Italian Lake Garda Italy Tour Information
From Garda's Nature to the Veronese Mountain
Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy, a region surrounded by high mountains, lush vegetation, and charming villages and towns spread along its shore.
Rising above the lake is Monte Baldo, a real "Hortus Europa" with the wealth of flora that it boasts on its two slopes: the western one overlooking Lake Garda and the eastern one, descending in terraces to the valley of the Adige River, then continuing rumbling up terraces to Lessinia towards the Regional Nature Park.
Among this region's attractions is Albisano, a breathtaking terrace situated over Lake Garda, and nearby to San Zeno di Montagna, a village containing characteristic, historical and architectural buildings in an evocative, panoramic position over the lake. Descended from this point is Biasa, with another group of traditional houses situated within the bounds of an olive grove, and Castelletto, over Lake Garda. A short 10 km away from this point is Malcesine, with its historical center gathered around the castle (see picture).
From here it is possible to go up Monte Baldo by cableway, which takes you up in two stretches to the 1720 metres-high Tredes Pini, a spectacular and scenic "leap" which enables you to absorb the considerable majesty of the Benacense area.
Archeology in the Gardesano Interior
Archeological sites in the Garda hinterland and in the west of the Province of Verona have uncovered evidence dating back to prehistoric times, to the Bronze and Iron Age, as well as some Roman settlements and Romanic Art.
From Garda, is the peninsula of S. Vigilio and the "Castei
Area", situated on the first northern slopes to view the rock carvings on M. Bre and M. Luppia, which testify to the presence of mankind from the Iron Age untill the present
day (Griselle and Cavalieri Stone). Going back to Garda, up to Costermano and on to Rivoli, is a vital stop to visit the ruins of a prehistoric and medieval
settlement on the Rocca.
A few kilometres further on is the village of Cavaion, in which is the notable Archeological Museum and the
nearby pile-dwelling area of Ca' Nova where a Bronze Age settlement was brought to light. Passing through Sega, crossing the Adige River and going in the direction of Ceraino, is the prehistoric shelter of Soman, south of Dolcè.
One of the region's historic treasures, lying in the direction of Sant'Ambrogio di Valpolicella, is the pre-Romanic Parish Church of S. Giorgio, which conserves the artistic little church and cloisters, containing Roman
artefacts. From this point, it is possible to travel through the whole Valpolicella area, perhaps stopping off at S. Floriano to admire the Romanic Parish Church, and proceeding on to Verona, where there is the Archeological Museum of the Roman Theatre and numerous Roman Monuments (Arena, Porta Leoni, Ponte Pietra, etc.).