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46°29'54.1"N 11°21'17.2"E
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46.498349, 11.354765
Distance
Highlights
The unique cultural mix of Bolzano
Bolzano is a place where the traditions of the past intertwine with the challenges of the future, and a clear reflection of the meeting and exchange of different cultures. Architecture-wise, the unique contrast between the old town and the new town, separated by the Talvera river, while in art, you have Giotto's paintings and works of the Gothic school, so spend some time here listening to the mix of languages that characterise this city, and become immersed in a unique cultural mix. Here, Mediterranean and Alpine meet, north and south, different traditions, countries and cultures creating an irresistible and unique combination.
Tyrolean cuisine and Mediterranean flavours
While you're here, you might catch one of the numerous events that enliven the gateway city to the Dolomites in every season. In any case, you should take one of the cable cars from the city centre into the hills surrounding the South Tyrolean capital in just a few minutes, including Colle and the Renon plateau.
When you get back, allow yourself to be enchanted by the different architectural styles as you stroll along the acardes, over 300 metres long which serve as the commercial heart of the old town. Before you move on, make sure you sample the perfect combination of Tyrolean cuisine and Mediterranean flavours in the many restaurants in the city streets, where they combine traditional dishes with wines from the many vineyards and wineries located in the valley.
Ponte Arche
With its alpine climate is located in the southwestern Trentino, Ponte Arche lies about halfway between the Brenta-Dolomites and Lago di Garda. The area around the village is well-suited for exploring on foot, for example to the summit of the Monte Casale mountain, most famous viewpoint of the Giudicarie Esteriori. From there a magnificent panoramic view over seven mountain lakes and the impressive peaks of the Brenta-Dolomites and the Adamello-Presanella-Alps. The name of the village, Ponte Arche, comes from the old bridge (“Ponte” in Italian) across the Sarca River, which connected the villages right and left of the river. Ponte Arche is the economic and social centre of the whole Giudicarie Esteriori region.
Riva Del Garda
As you arrive above the shores of Lake Garda, you can look forward to a day of deep history and culture in Riva Del Garda. The Museo Civico is located in the Rocca, a medieval fortress with quadrangular bastions, placed on the lake and surrounded by a canal with drawbridge. It was the fortress of the noble family Scaligeri (1124), who became the Lords of Verona. It was rebuilt several times and it was used by the Austrians as barracks in the 18th century. These days, it is used for cultural activities, especially during the summer months. The medieval Torre Apponale was is a medieval tower first mentioned in 1273, but is probably older than that. It belonged to the first fortress of Riva, which no longer exists.
The Piazza III Novembre is situated between the tower and the harbour. The city hall comprises the Palazzo Pretorio from 1375 (the former cantonal courthouse) and the Palazzo del Provveditore (the governor's palace), built between 1472 and 1485. Places of geological interest in the vicinity include Tenno Lake, Lago di Ledro (with its paleoethnographic museum), and the Varone falls.
Torre Apponale tower and city
Built by the Venetians, the city gates Porta San Marco (11th century), and Porta San Michele (13th century), at the Piazza Cavour, are remnants of the medieval city walls. The Porta San Michele has a small battlemented belfry for the parochial church of Maria Assunta. This church was originally a romanesque-gothic building from the 14th century, but was rebuilt in baroque style in 1728. The fresco in the dome is by the 17th century Baroque painter Giuseppe Alberti.
