Peschiera del Garda, Peschiera del Garda

A touristic area situated right on Lake Garda, Peschiera welcomes visitors with a lovely pedestrian precinct full of shops. The origins of this settlement have been lost over time, as is the case for many of its neighbors. The remains of pile-dwellings discovered next to the mouth of the Mincio are testimony to the fact. Owned by Ezzelino in 1235, Peschiera saw the battles of many wars between the 15th and 18th Centuries when Austrians and French clashed. In 1848 it was one of the "sides" in the quadrilateral with Mantova, Legnano and Verona. Peschiera has since leant its name to many war events up to the first world war. It is therefore quite understandable that the town has seen a number of reinforcements, from the Venetians, to Napoleon, to the Austrians. Today, the bastions have become terraces for pleasant walks, and openings such as Porta Brescia and Porta Verona have been preserved. The Palazzina del Comando del Presidio is worth a visit as it was here that after the defeat of Caporetto, the defense of Piave was determined. Also worth mentioning are the Villa Paradiso, a 17th-century construction with portico and loggia next to the railway bridge.