Riva del Garda: what to see and what to do

Riva del Garda is located in the north-western corner Garda Lake, on the border between the province of Verona and that of Brescia. Numerous finds from Roman era at Monte San Martino, where a fortified village-sanctuary emerged. By Venetians the construction of Bastion, built at the beginning of the sixteenth century on a pre-existing Medieval fortification. Near the hill of Santa Maria Maddalena, ancient church of the same name and Torrione di San Giovanni. Near Valico di Trat (Punta La Rocca) the remains of the small castle built by Rivani in Middle Ages are still standing to check the passage. During Austro-Hungarian period, the city became a tourist center, among the places of interest, Church of Inviolata, designed by a Portuguese architect with the interior decorated in Baroque style; the complex of Spiaggia degli Olivi; Piazza San Rocco; Gabriele D'Annunzio's home, in Gardone; Pretorio Palace (1375), which under the loggia hosts Roman, Medieval and modern tombstones; la Rocca, fortress on the lake of the twelfth century surrounded by canal with drawbridge and current home of Civic Museum; the Gates in Medieval City Walls and Apponale Tower overlooking the port. Among naturalistic destinations, Tenno Lake, with its Museum of Paleoetnography, and Cascate del Varone. Very nice small village of Pregasina, with spectacular views Garda Lake. Music is an activity that has great space in Riva del Garda, home to two band bodies, a choir, a Civic Music School and the detached headquarters of Conservatory Bonporti of Trento. Among musical events during the year: Musica Riva Festival, linked to International Competition for Young Lyrical Singers - R. Zandonai; Garda Jazz Festival, direct emanation of historic Torbole Jazz, one of the first festivals in Italy and Notte di Fiaba, which closes the summer.