Top 20 Castles around Arco

A drawbridge connects the entrance to the castle with a brick bridge that leads from the bank over the moat. Where the name comes from and whether the bridge is even called that 🤷‍♂️🤔

Porto Canale della Rocca is a well-protected harbor for fishing boats, around the Rocca di Riva.

The Rocca di Riva is considered to be the most important sight in Riva. The fortress was first mentioned in 1124. Over the centuries, the castle's owners changed several times and the fortress was repeatedly modified. Today, the Rocca di Riva houses the Museo Alto Garda, which displays historical documentation of the city of Riva, as well as archaeological finds from the Copper Age, around 4000 - 3000 BC.

The origins of the castle, first mentioned in 1393 as Castrum novum, date back to the 12th century. The date of the Rocca's creation is generally equated with 1124, when the Bishop of Trento, Altmann von Lurngau, granted the inhabitants of the town of Riva permission to build a castle. However, it cannot be said with certainty whether this was the Rocca or the so-called old castle located further west in the area of today's port, of which no trace remains today.[1] Under Prince-Bishop Egno of Eppan, the complex came under the control of the Counts of Arco at the end of the 13th century, who then tried in vain to assert their hereditary claims to the town and the castle. In any case, Count Odorico Panziera of Arco had it expanded, but had to refrain from making further demands after Bishop Henry II threatened to excommunicate him. In the following period, Riva briefly fell under the control of the Count of Tyrol Meinhard II. But as early as 1293, the Tyroleans were displaced by the Scaligers, who were able to take possession of Riva again in 1303, but had to give way to the Scaligers under Mastino II for the second time in 1343.[2][3] The Scaligers significantly expanded the moated castle. Together with the Scaliger castles in Sirmione, Lazise and Peschiera del Garda, it was intended to ensure control over the most important ports on the lake. During the expansion, the existing buildings, such as the keep, were integrated into the Scaliger castle. Its planimetry with the almost square outline, an inner courtyard and the four towers is unique in Trentino. It was surrounded by a second, lower defensive wall, which served as a moat wall and probably lasted until the middle of the 18th century. In addition to the still existing access bridge, there was a second, somewhat smaller drawbridge on the east side of the castle.[4] At the end of the 14th century, the Viscontis ended the rule of the Scaligers after Bishop Albert of Ortenburg allied himself with the Milanese Duke Gian Galeazzo Visconti to drive the Veronese ruling family out of Riva. But the Viscontis also quickly became tired of it and Ortenburg's successor, Bishop Georg von Lichtenstein, who had allied himself with the Carraresi from Padua, managed to regain possession of Riva and the Rocca in 1404. Two years later, Gian Galeazzo's son, Giovanni Maria Visconti, plundered the town and castle with his troops. In 1407, Duke Friedrich IV had the Rocca occupied before it fell back under the control of the Prince-Bishops of Trent.[5][6] In the war between the Republic of Venice and the Viscontis, the Prince-Bishopric of Trent supported the Milanese dukes. After the first failed attempt to destroy the Milanese fleet on Lake Garda in the operation Galeas per montes, a second Venetian fleet achieved a decisive victory over the Milanese off Riva in April 1440. At the end of May 1440, the Rocca, still held by the Milanese and the bishop's troops, finally fell into the hands of the Venetians after a four-week siege. During the Venetian period, which lasted until 1509, the Rocca was repaired and equipped with additional guns. Together with the bastion, which was slightly higher to the west, it formed the central defensive bulwark of the Venetians in Riva.[7] Source https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocca_di_Riva

Located directly at the harbor. However, you cannot completely walk around the fortress (the door is locked).

From here you have a great view down to Lake Garda. Further down the road is a nice snack restaurant.

The thorough restoration of recent years has brought to light some ancient structures and made space for the Municipal Museum, where important testimonies of local history, art and culture are kept.

The excellent path is very steep and paved with pebbles, it is better to take a detour via the tar road! The ruins on the rock are definitely worth a visit!