Bardolino

Bardolino is situated on Lake Garda at the widest point half-way along the Verona side. Its mild climate allowsof the growth of typical Mediterranean plants: olives, cypresses, oleanders, laurels, and vineyards prosper on the hills which surround the centre, which stretches towards the lake with two characteristic projections, formed over the centuries by the two rivers. It is famous the world over for its “Bardolino” ruby red wine and rosé produced from the vineyards of the surrounding hills. The historic centre dominated by the bell tower of the church of San Severo with its characteristic houses and streets where one can admire masterpieces of art and local history. In recent decades tourism has developed to support the traditional farming economy. Bardolino boasts about sixty hotels with an overall total of 4000 beds. The realm of water sports, here the guest can also go on mountain bike treks, or go cycling, play golf or tennis, go horse riding, because the surrounding hills with their mild climate create the perfect landscape for panoramic outings throughout the year. Bardolino also has a wide range of meeting places with restaurants, coffee shops, ice cream parlours, piano bars, discotheques. It is located about 130 km west of Venice and about 25 km northwest of Verona.

History: Archaeological excavations haven proven the presence of humans in the area since prehistoric times, in the area of Cisano. There also traces of ancient Romans, though the modern settlement dates to the early Middle Ages, when Berengar of Italy (983) had a castle built here. In that period the area was under the suzerainty of the Bobbio Abbey. In the 12th century Bardolino is mentioned as a free commune, and later was under the Scaliger of Verona, who enlarged the fortifications to encompass the whole village. After their fall, it became part of the Republic of Venice which had a marine base here. In 1526 it was sacked by the Landsknechts. Under the Lombardy-Venetia, it was an Austrian administrative center: in 1848 it revolted against them in the wake of the first Piedmontese victories in the First Italian War of Independence. However, later the Austrians retaliated with ravages and shootings. It was annexed to the newly formed Kingdom of Italy in 1866.

Main sights: Church of San Zeno (mid-9th century), one of the few Carolingian edifices in Italy. It has traces of original fresco decorations – Church of San Severo (11th-12th centuries). It has 12th-14th century frescoes, and an early medieval crypt. – Monastery of San Colombano (11th century), a dependency of the Bobbio Abbey. Pieve of Santa Maria, rebuilt in the 12th century above a 7th century early Christian church, which had been in turn constructed over an ancient pagan temple. – City walls (12th century) – Museo Sisàn, dedicated to fishing and bird hunting in the Lake Garda area.

Bardolino Tourist Information  -  Bardolino Hotel Booking

 

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