Around Lake Garda – Garda Town (Italy)

Garda enjoys an idyllic setting in a picturesque bay on the Riviera degli Olivi. Surrounded by wooded hills, it is watched over by La Rocca (the Old Rock) its ancient guardian.

Getting there

Garda is accessible by public transport; either by ferry or by the bus service which runs between Riva del Garda and Verona (stopping points include Torbole, Malcesine, Torri del Benaco, Bardolino, Lazise, Peschiera).

Tourist Information

The office is located outside the old town, 100m or so down the Via don Gnocchi, not too far from the bus station. It is housed in an orange coloured building, set back from the left hand side of the road.

The Old Town

The Old Town is small and intimate. Its narrow streets are interesting though inevitably reflect the fact that tourism is Garda’s main source of income. A tower, by the 15

century Carlotti Palace, is all that remains of the fortified walls. The Captain’s Palace (14

or 15

century) is thought to have been the residence of the Captain of the Lake during the period of Venetian rule, which ended in 1797. It overlooked a small harbour, now filled in and the site of Piazza Catullo.

At the edge of the Old Town, at the foot of La Rocca, is San Maria Assunta, the parish church of Garda (open 7.30am – 12.00am). Construction began in 1530, but shortage of money delayed its completion until 1762. Following restoration of its façade and bell tower in 1979 and again in 2013, the church presents itself with appealing brightness and freshness. The three sections of the façade are of different periods, with white Verona stone framing the doors and with statues of St. Paul and St. Peter (1886) flanking a rather wonderful contemporary stained glass window. Within there is much to enjoy and admire, all being described with clarity in a free leaflet. Some important buildings are found in the direction of Punta S. Vigilio. Unfortunately these are not pin-pointed on the map provided by the tourist office. Set in parkland, just outside the old town, is the historical Villa Albertini. Although its 16