Lake Garda Itineraries: Peschiera

Peschiera del Garda, on the southern coast of Lake Garda, is on Verona most western border. The history of Peschiera, thanks to its strategic position over the river Minicio, emissary of Lake Garda, dates back to the prehistory. Remains of pile dwelling settlements were found close to Peschiera. During the Roman Age, Peschiera, which at that time was called Arilica, became an important village whose main activities were fishery and trade along the Via Gallica, an important Roman road linking Mediolanum (Milan) to Verona.
In the middle age the village, which in the mean time took the name Peschiera, again thanks to its position, became an important fortress. At first Verona rulers, the Scala family lords, built here a castle and then, after 1405, with the Venetian domination, an imposing and impregnable fortress with high walls and ramparts over the water was designed by Michele Sanmicheli, Verona most important Renaissance architect.

	Peschiera fortress: designed by the famous architect Michele Sanmicheli in sixteenth century. Together with its military function, Sanmicheli was able to put a great architectural beauty in his creation.

After the fall of Napoleon in 1815, Peschiera, together with Veneto and Lombardy regions, fell under Austrian control, becoming part of the Hapsburg Empire and one of the key points of the "Quadrilateral", a series of fortresses conceived by field marshal Radetsky to keep control over Veneto region and that, together with Verona, Legnago and Mantua, constituted an inexpugnable defensive system. During the battles for Italian Independence, Peschiera again had a leading role. Close to Peschiera del Garda, important and cruel battle were fought: Custoza, San Martino, Solferino.
Today Peschiera is one of the most important tourist centers on Lake Garda, with its hotels, camping, holidays houses. Every year, thousands of tourists spend relaxing holidays on Peschiera trekking and cycling tracks, doing sport on the lake or on its shores.
On the morainic hills surrounding the inland of Peschiera you will find the vineyards that produce Lugana wine, a fresh white wine full of taste and perfumes which is becoming more and more appreciated both in the area, in Verona and all over the world.

For further information on guided sightseeing itineraries on Lake Garda, Peschiera, for a wine tour in Lugana wineries:

info@veronissima.com