THE ROCCA
Together with Bastione, the Rocca is the symbol of Riva del Garda. An old medieval castle on the sweet waters of Lake Garda, with its beauty it overlooks a spot turned into the emblem of this town and its beautiful steep alleys.
At first, the Rocca, built in 1124, doesn’t seem so impressive. Several transformations throughout the centuries has turned it into what it is nowadays: an elegant castle with stone and mortar walls surrounded by basic gardens. Here it’s pleasant to stroll out and appreciate the view in front of us in amazement: the landscape is fabulous. You could have, and love, the same magical view from the fortified main tower in the Rocca. Chronicles from the past with wonderful pictures tell us about a more lavish building: gardens with scented roses, double crenellated surrounding walls, some corner towers, the fish farms.
Crossing the small entrance bridge on the drain, it seems like you are entering another atmosphere, a fairy tale! And there your imagination goes, figuring out to be a Renaissance lady like in one of Hayez’s paintings!
MAG
As for art, do you know that Hayez’, Pietro Ricchi’, Vincenzo Vela’s works (and many more) can be closely experienced inside the Rocca premises? This little medieval castle is in fact the Mag – Alto Garda Museum location as well. It comprises the Riva del Garda Museum and the G. Segantini City Art Gallery, situated at the foot of Arco castle. In the gallery it is possible to appreciate landscapes depicted by great painters who were fascinated by glimpses of Lake Garda in the 1800s. But there is much more. The broad archeological exhibition area makes us live the emotion of watching closely precious artefacts of international relevance dating back to the Bronze Age! Moreover, every year temporary exhibitions enhance the great heritage of this museum you can’t miss visiting!
For the little ones there is INvento, a tour-workshop created for the kids to learn having fun! Creativity, tests and a lot of games in a convenient area for children and families, because culture can be funny and open to everybody as well! For the little ones (actually, I would like this for me as well!) many leisure activities; for little Sherlock Holmes we have INvento Enigma (from 7 to 12 years old) where they will have to sharpen their wits and solve riddles. Or more, INvento Puzzle (from 3 to 15 years old), where puzzles of some works in the museum must be completed.
In case the visit to Mag and the stroll around Riva del Garda got you more tired than expected, never mind! We have INvento relax!! Suggested age? 0 – 100 years old! Because it’s never too early or too late to enjoy relaxing moments on a comfortable beanbag created with boat sails while listening to a tale or watching a video inside the museum.
STROLLING AROUND THE TOWN
A walk around Riva del Garda means a full immersion in another world, as suspended between past and future. Walking here and there, you will get to the Rocca. Here, going around the castle and the museum and up to the fortified tower, the view in front of us will be green mountains, sky and water melted together towards the horizon. And this will make you say: “Bless my soul! The paradise is here and I’m living it precisely now!”
