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Peschiera del Garda ☀️ Lake Garda (what to see, info, beaches)
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What to do and see in Peschiera del Garda. (Video) Discover the most beautiful beaches of Peschiera del Garda.
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- Peschiera del Garda
- The history of Peschiera
- Old Town
- Military Hospital (Barracks XX Maggio)
- Austrian Palleria
- Ferdinando di Savoia square
- Voltoni Bridge
- Catullo's Park
- Commander's Palace
- Querini Bastion
- St. Mark's square
- Peschiera del Garda (video):
Peschiera del Garda
Peschiera del Garda is one of the symbol cities of the entire Lake Garda, located to the south is historically called the "Pentagon" and has been awarded since 2017 as one of the UNESCO World Heritage cities given its historical importance dictated by the grandeur and importance of its fortress. Peschiera is also the border between the Veronese and Brescia shores, and there is also a railway stop that makes it attractive for trips out of town (Verona is only 25km away) or as a starting point to circumnavigate the lake by ferry.
The history of Peschiera
As already mentioned Peschiera is located in an extremely strategic position and thanks to it has always been at the center of attention since ancient times. The first settlements in the area even arrive from the Bronze Age, then becoming a Roman fortress, a Scaliger fortress, an important pole for the Serenissima of Venice and then passing from 1815 to the Lombard-Venetian kingdom and becoming one of the fortresses that made up Quadrilateral, or the defensive system designed by the Austrians which also had Mantua, Legnago and Verona as its hinges.
A real fortress, therefore, with walls that surround the town and that made it impregnable. After being in the hands of the Austrians, Peschiera passed to Italy starting in 1866 with the Treaty of Prague, maintaining the beauty that, to this day, is still reflected in the aforementioned high fortified walls built and raised throughout its history.
Old Town
What to see in Peschiera del Garda? One cannot fail to start from what made it a UNESCO World Heritage Site: its fortress. The historic center is located right inside it which can be accessed by passing through the Verona gate which is in fact the ancient gate of the fortress city. As you can see on this door there is the great coat of arms of the Lion of the Serenissima with a Latin wording that reads as follows:
"Disce haec moneat praecelsa leonis imago ne stimvles cev leo in hoste vigent"
All clear isn't it? The literal translation is "That you know this sublime image of the lion dissuades you from provoking the Venetians, since against the enemy they have the vigor of the lion".
The second entrance, located south-west from that of Verona, is represented by Porta Brescia (dated 1770) from which you will immediately enter the fortress to explore the alleys and the whole medieval village.
Proceeding towards the center of Peschiera and fully exploring the fortress, you can then observe various monuments and historic buildings full of history, as well as explore the bridges. Below is the list of what is absolutely not to be missed.
Military Hospital (Barracks XX Maggio)
Complex that cannot be visited (except from the outside), built by the Habsburgs to equip Peschiera with a bomb-proof hospital to treat soldiers. The works for its finalization required 7 years, after which Peschiera became "Italian" again, converting the hospital into what was at the time a military prison.
Austrian Palleria
A name that already tells a lot about this particular building: it was used by the Habsburgs just as a "warehouse" for the cannonballs used in the past. A real ammunition depot ready for use.
La Palleria is also easily recognizable thanks to the particular marble courtyard.
Ferdinando di Savoia square
Formerly Piazza delle Armi, it is one of the cornerstones of Peschiera del Garda where you can also visit the church built near the year 1000.
Voltoni Bridge
This bridge is one of the most recognized symbols of Peschiera del Garda. Built in 1556 with the characteristic five arches, it can be traveled either on foot or by boat, passing right under one of the aforementioned five arches.
Catullo's Park
This small park represents a green lung within the Peschiera islet. Historically, this strip of land was dedicated to the world of agriculture, in fact the vegetables useful for subsistence life were grown here. Over time it has been redeveloped and used as a city park.
Commander's Palace
Inside the former Military District there is perhaps the most important building, historically speaking, of this small town on Lake Garda: Historic Building or Palazzo del Comandante. Built in 1853 by the Austrians to make it housing dedicated to military officers and the commander: the officers resided on the first floor, while the entire second floor was designed for the commander. As anticipated, it is a true piece of Italian history because right inside one of its rooms (which can be visited as it is a museum), King Vittorio Emanuele III held the "Inter-allied Convention" which led to the Italian resistance on the Piave and the consequent victory of WWI. In fact, right here is the museum dedicated to the first great war.
Querini Bastion
The Querini Bastion was one of the dthe two sides of the entrance to the fortress passing through the lake, a real access route consisting of him and the twin bastion, demolished in 1906 and therefore not visible in our times. From the top of the Querini Bastion it is however possible to observe the port of Peschiera as well as the lake itself.
St. Mark's square
Characteristic central square of Peschiera where you can observe various historical symbols of the town such as the two obelisks and the 1500s, the Palazzo del Provveditore and the arch with the clock.
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