When we talk about Italy, we immediately think of pizza, gelato, and, of course, picturesque places. But there’s one place in particular that deserves all our attention: Polpenazze del Garda.
Polpenazze del Garda is a charming village located in the province of Brescia, in the heart of the Valtenesi region, just a few kilometres from Puegnago and Manerba on Lake Garda. It is a place full of history, where narrow streets and old houses tell stories of the past.
History Polpenazze del Garda
The history of Polpenazze village is very old, with evidence of early human settlements from the Bronze Age. Palaeolithic remains have been discovered in the proscribed Lucone Lake, situated between the Cassaga, Brassina and San Pietro hills, drained between the 15th and 17th centuries. The area was inhabited by the Celts, possibly by the Etruscans and eventually by the Romans. A castle was built in the 10th century to defend the region from Hungarian invasions.
In the 15th century, Pope Pius II authorized the formation of the parish of Polpenazze, which until then had been under the jurisdiction of the church of Manerba. Among the notable personalities of Polpenazze was Luigi Filippini (born 1744), a doctor descended from a Valsabbia family who opened a candle factory in the village and was the inventor of an ointment against cancer.
What can you do in Polpenazze del Garda?
Visiting Polpenazze Castle
Polpenazze Castle, built during the Hungarian invasions and destroyed by the Visconti in the 15th century, was allowed to be rebuilt by the Serenissima in 1426. In the 16th century, part of the southern walls were demolished to make way for the new parish church. Today, only the entrance remains of the castle. A tower has been converted into a belfry, and a section of the walls is still visible.
Baroque Church and its Panorama
The parish church of Polpenazze, dedicated to the birth of the Virgin Mary, offers a spectacular view of Lake Garda. Built in the second half of the 16th century, permission for its construction was granted as early as 1400 by Pope Pius II.
What to do in Polpenazze and surroundings
Polpenazze is a nature lover’s paradise, offering opportunities for long walks, country trips, mountain biking and, within easy reach, the beauties of Lake Garda. Thanks to its hilly terrain, Polpenazze is the main producer of olive oil in Valtenesi and a renowned grower of grapes such as Groppello, Marzemino, SanGiovese and Barbera.
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