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ROCCA VISCONTEO VENETA E MUSEO ORNITOLOGICO

Where
Lonato del Garda (BS)
Contacts
+39 030 9130060
Official site

Locally known as the Roccait stands on the summit of the Morenic Amphitheatre dominating the southern side of Lake Garda. The western slope of the hill shelters the historical centre of Lonato, the limits of which border the Po valley. The fortification may be considered one of the most important in Lombardy. Its irregular and vaguely triangular form reveals a central structure almost 180 metres in length and approximately 45 metres in width. It is composed of two structures at different levels: the so called Rocca in the upper part, and the lower part called headquarters. Despite the long domination by the Visconti and Scaligeri families, the walled embankment, built with large morenic rocks, has Guelph merlons. On the western side, the Castle may be entered through a gate and drawbridge, which were restored in 1980 thanks to the intervention of the Superintendence of Architectural Works. On the right, a postern allows the passage of a single person, while a niche overhead houses the lion of Saint Mark, symbol of Venetian dominion. Before the entrance, on the right, stand the immense brickwork ramparts, on whose top there are still traces of the niches for the cannons placed in defence of the fortification. Beyond the entrance, on the right again, we can visit the ruins of the guard rooms, through which it is possible to reach the entry to the rampart pill-box. After going up the slope, on the left side it is possible to enter the Headquarters which still show the remains of the chimneys of the barracks (also called quarters) as well as a room provided with a great oven for cooking. Through a pointed archway access may be gained to the northern quarters where, on the far side, it is possible to visit the remains of a look-out and artillery post, brought to light during restoration and consolidation work carried out by volunteers in 1984-1985 on the initiative of Pro Loco. Going along the watchmen's path, from which it is possible to enjoy a spectacular panorama of Lake Garda, we reach the entrance to the Rocchetta, by the side of which stands the solid structure of the keep, with its dungeons. Beyond the entrance, on the western side it is possible to observe the restored look-out Weapons quarters, through which it is now possible to reach the top of the keep, the highest point in the whole castle. The southern side, from which we can get a clear view of the historical centre and great part of the plains, still preserves the remains of some rooms, reduced to floor and side-walls. Parallel to the east side of the Rocchetta rises the lord's dwelling, home, in ancient times, of the captain of the castle. It is a rectangular structure with rooms on two floors; under which a wide basement served as cellar and stores, or stables. Inside the building, the only noteworthy element is the Renaissance fireplace. Recently, at the rear, excavations have brought to light cisterns used to collect and store rainwater, which were also fed by the well which is still visible near to the house. In the north-eastern corner, the emergency door opens with a long and narrow staircase leading to the external base of the castle, here, in 1938, several human skeletons were discovered in a niche. During the same years, the ravelin protecting this door was demolished. The northern side of the Rocchetta is characterised by the remains of some rooms, the function of which is difficult to interpret. Declared a national monument in 1912, today it is a place for conventions and conferences as well as home to an ornithological civil museum.


Opening hours

Da Maggio a Settembre: tutti i giorni 10.00-18.30

Gennaio- Aprile e Ottobre- Dicembre : sabato e domenica 10-12 e 14.30-18.30


Other links

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Fondazione Ugo Da Como
Lonato del Garda Turismo
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Places

CASA DEL PODESTÀ UGO DA COMO

Museums at Lonato del Garda
  • Art & Culture
CASA DEL PODESTÀ UGO DA COMO
87 mt

Torre Civica of Lonato

Sites of interest at Lonato del Garda
  • Art & Culture
Torre Civica Lonato
168 mt

Ugo da Como Foundation

Set on the green morainic hills of Garda, in the heart of the village of Lonato, stands the monumental complex of the Foundation
  • Art & Culture
Ugo da Como Foundation
310 mt

Basilica minore of Lonato

Churches at Lonato del Garda
  • Art & Culture
facciata della Basilica
358 mt

PIEVE ROMANICA DI SAN ZENO

Churches at Lonato del Garda
  • Art & Culture
PIEVE ROMANICA DI SAN ZENO
469 mt

ABBAZIA DI MAGUZZANO

Churches at Lonato del Garda
  • Art & Culture
Abbazia di Maguzzano ph. Renato Roberti
2.82 km

RAMBOTTI ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM

Museums at Desenzano del Garda
  • Art & Culture
RAMBOTTI ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
3.97 km

Palazzo Todeschini

Solemn building with fifteen arches, overlooking a characteristic port of Garda, is now an important venue for conferences
  • Lakes
Palazzo Todeschini and Porto Vecchio in Desenzano
3.97 km

Desenzano del Garda

Desenzano del Garda, a destination cherished by visitors alike in the Lake Garda. The old pier and the Castle with a panoramic view
  • Lakes
Desenzano del Garda
4.24 km

CATHEDRAL

Churches at Desenzano del Garda
  • Religious Tourism
CATHEDRAL
4.39 km

Desenzano Roman Villa

The most important example in Northern Italy of the great late Roman villas
  • Lakes
Roman Villa Of Desenzano
4.4 km

Desenzano Castle

The imposing Castle overlooks the nearby town of Desenzano and today is used for exhibitions, conventions and musical events.
  • Art & Culture
Desenzano Castle
4.41 km

Palazzo Salvadego

  • Art & Culture
Palazzo Salvadego
4.54 km

Rambotti Museum

Located in an area rich in Bronze Age testimonies, it offers a wide panorama of the prehistoric cultures of Garda
  • Lakes
Rambotti Museum
4.7 km

Arzaga Golf Club

On the Lake Garda hills, Arzaga Golf Club is a 15th century building that has been transformed into prestigious golf & spa resorts.
  • Golf
Arzaga Golf Club, Calvagese della Riviera (BS)
5.36 km

FORNACI ROMANE

Archaeological sites at Lonato del Garda
  • Art & Culture
FORNACI ROMANE
5.56 km

VILLA BARBIERI

Dwellings at Padenghe sul Garda
  • Art & Culture
VILLA BARBIERI
5.6 km

PADENGHE CASTLE

Castles at Padenghe sul Garda
  • Art & Culture
PADENGHE CASTLE
5.61 km

SOIANO CASTLE

Castles at Soiano del Lago
  • Art & Culture
SOIANO CASTLE
7.54 km

PARISH CHURCH

Churches at Soiano del Lago
  • Art & Culture
PARISH CHURCH
7.54 km

Activities

E-Mtb Front - 1 Day rent

  • Active & Green
E-Mtb Front - 1 Day rent
4.17 km

E-Mtb Front rent - Half day

  • Active & Green
E-Mtb Front rent - Half day
4.17 km

Where to sleep

BELFIORE

Lonato del Garda
BELFIORE
70 mt

ANNA - UGO DA COMO

Lonato del Garda
ANNA - UGO DA COMO
77 mt

CASA BRUNELLA

Lonato del Garda
CASA BRUNELLA
131 mt

MAISON D'ISABELLA

LONATO DEL GARDA
MAISON D'ISABELLA
164 mt

LA MERIDIANA

LONATO DEL GARDA
LA MERIDIANA
164 mt

FONTANONE APARTMENT

LONATO DEL GARDA
FONTANONE APARTMENT
245 mt

LA PERGOLA DI SANT'ANTONIO

Lonato del Garda
LA PERGOLA DI SANT'ANTONIO
330 mt

GESTIONI PLUS D

Lonato del Garda
GESTIONI PLUS D
354 mt

AL DUOMO

LONATO DEL GARDA
AL DUOMO
377 mt

GEAT TULLIA

Lonato del Garda
GEAT TULLIA
382 mt

FERRARINI PIERGIORGIO

Lonato del Garda
FERRARINI PIERGIORGIO
425 mt

RIVIELLO VINCENZO

Lonato del Garda
RIVIELLO VINCENZO
438 mt

CASA MONIA

Lonato del Garda
CASA MONIA
438 mt

GARDA PARADISE COUNTRY HOUSE

LONATO DEL GARDA
GARDA PARADISE COUNTRY HOUSE
469 mt

EREMUS RELAIS

LONATO DEL GARDA
EREMUS RELAIS
469 mt

CASA GERARDI

Lonato del Garda
CASA GERARDI
474 mt

TDR IMMOBILIARE

LONATO DEL GARDA
TDR IMMOBILIARE
492 mt

CASA CARPANEDA

Lonato del Garda
CASA CARPANEDA
625 mt

CASA CATERINA

Lonato del Garda
CASA CATERINA
667 mt

MANSARDA DOLCE VITA

Lonato del Garda
MANSARDA DOLCE VITA
706 mt