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Peschiera del Garda

Video of Peschiera.

Peschiera del Garda is situated on the southern shore of Lake Garda, which is the largest lake in Italy, and is known for its beautiful beaches, historic center, and stunning views of the lake and surrounding hills. It is a town located in the province of Verona, in the Veneto region of northern Italy. You can get there from Garda town in 25 minutes by bus or 45 minutes by ferryboat.

During the 15th through 17th centuries, the old town was protected by a series of massive walls that were built by the rulers of Venice who controlled this area at that time. These walls are a World Heritage site as declared by UNESCO, which said they are of exceptional historical, architectural and technological significance. Upon entering town, your first impression will be this beautiful marina with its outdoor cafes. It was part of the Venetian fortified harbor.

Just next to the waterfront, you'll see Piazza San Marco with a beautiful building, the Palazzina ex Finanza, constructed in the impressive neoclassical style in the early 20th century. The building was originally used as a barracks for the Italian finance police. We leave the little piazza and wander through the small cluster of little streets.

These three islands created a fortified harbor for the Venetian navy. At one time, Lake Garda was connected to the Adriatic Sea by canals that reached the rivers, Adige and Po. But the Venetians severed that to cut off trade competition from Mantua. Of course, the history here goes back much further, back to the bronze Age with those lake-dwellers, with their homes up on stilts and wooden piles.

Then there were Roman times when the town served as a major military outpost to protect the border of the Roman Empire. We can still see some of the remains of the stone foundation walls of a Roman village. During the Middle Ages it was a strategic location that was fought over by factions including the Lombards, Venetians, and the Austrians, who were driven out in 1859 during the Second Italian War of Independence, when the town was besieged by General Garibaldi, leading shortly after to the Unification of Italy.

After a stroll through these picturesque little lanes, maybe do some shopping, get some refreshments, you walk through Porta Brescia and have a closer look at the walls.

From the bridge there's a fine vista showing how the lake forms a moat, with those huge walls rising above to protect the harbor. And if you have time, you can walk along the walls and explore the various gates and towers

Peschiera del Garda has a population of around 10,000 people and is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors who come to enjoy the town's many attractions, including the 16th-century Venetian walls and fortifications, the historic city center, and the nearby amusement parks such as Gardaland and CanevaWorld.

The town is also a popular destination for water sports enthusiasts, as Lake Garda offers a range of activities such as windsurfing, sailing, and kayaking. The town is easily accessible by train or car and is located approximately halfway between the cities of Milan and Venice, making it a convenient stop for travelers exploring northern Italy.

Peschiera slideshow

Northern Italy

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