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Castelnuovo del Garda
Municipality
Piazza degli Alpini 4
Castelnuovo del Garda (VR) – 37014
Luogo di timbratura del Lasciapassare incluso nel kit “Viaggio nel tempo”:
Municipal Library
Piazza della Libertà, 2
Historical overview
Archaeological finds suggest that the area has been inhabited since prehistoric times. In ancient times, the site was known under the name of ‘Beneventum’, but later took the name ‘Quadrivium’ due to its geographical position (the town is located between the four cities of Verona, Mantua, Brescia and Trento). In the 12th century, Frederick I, known as Barbarossa, destroyed Quadrivium, so the population decided to build a new fortified settlement called ‘Castrum Novum’, which over time became ‘Castelnuovo’. After passing through various dominations — from the Scaligeri to the Visconti family, and from the Republic of Venice to the Austrian Empire — in 1867 the municipality became known as Castelnuovo di Verona: it acquired its current name in 1970 due to a stretch of land on the shores of Lake Garda. On 11-12 April 1848, the Battle of Castelnuovo occurred, during which many defenceless inhabitants were slaughtered, while the village was sacked and burned by Austrian troops sent by Field-marshall Radetzky.
During the Third War of Independence, a group of soldiers from the 44th Infantry Regiment ‘Forlì’, who had surrendered to the Austrians, managed to save their regiment’s flag during the Battle of Custoza in the village of Oliosi, now a hamlet of Castelnuovo del Garda. This flag went down in history as the tricolour of Oliosi.
City itinerary
The itinerary begins in the city centre, which is easily recognisable thanks to one of Castelnuovo del Garda’s most iconic landmarks: the Torre Viscontea (lit. the Visconti Tower). This is a remnant of the ancient castle that was built in 1387 by Gian Galeazzo Visconti and is located at the centre of a double ring of walls. From here, you can descend to visit the Romanesque Chiesa di Santa Maria Nascente (lit. Church of the Nativity of Mary) and the Monument to the Martyrs of Castelnuovo. This consists of two white marble slabs depicting the innocent victims of the 11 April 1848 massacre. Further on, you will arrive at Palazzo Angelini (Angelini Palace), a unique historical monument which now houses the town hall.
Departing from the church, the route then continues to Oliosi. The walk leads you through historical sites in the above-mentioned hamlet of Castelnuovo del Garda, which is associated with the flag episode that occurred during the Italian Risorgimento. Follow the open-air museum route to see the battle sites, such as Casa Benati (lit. Benati House) and Mount Cricol, both of which are not far from the city centre. These landmarks are also provided with information panels in English and German. The former primary school is also worth visiting, as it has been converted into a museum with an exhibition on the ground floor and educational spaces on the upper floor.
The entire itinerary retraces not only sites of historical and memorial importance, but also places of artistic and scenic value. Castelnuovo del Garda encompasses a vast territory stretching to the shores of Lake Garda. This area offers spontaneous and picturesque landscapes, especially from the top of the hills. One such hill is Colle San Lorenzo, a symbol of the community and home to an ancient fair. This hilltop also hosts the churches of St. Lorenzo and Santa Maria degli Angeli (St. Mary of the Angels).
As well as the 18th-century Villa Mosconi Negri (also known as ‘Il Saletto’) and Villa Borgognoni Tommasi in Sandrà, the area of Castelnuovo also boasts older residences dating back to the 15th century, including Villa Cossali Ridolfi Sella, Villa da Monte Arvedi d’Emilei in Cavalcaselle, and Villa Bagolini between Mongabia and Oliosi.
Finally, Castelnuovo’s territory stretches down to the calm waters of Lake Garda, where a promenade connects Peschiera del Garda and Lazise.
Places of Interest
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