LAKE GARDA

Just beyond Limone the Lake shore touches on Trentino territory. The boat recrosses the upper tip of the Lake and docks in Terbole - an elegant resort town with panoramic views which is linked to the Sarca plain. During the wars between the "Serenissima" (Venice) and Filippo Maria Visconti, Torbole, and the hamlet of Nago, were stages of historic exploits and battles between the two fleets. In 1439, the Republic of Venice, coming to the aid of Brescia - which was at the time besieged by the Viscount's troupes - transported six galleys and 25 armed ships to the Lake. This incredible undertaking was made possible by sailing up the Adige until Mori (near Rovereto). Then on from here by way of land with the help of 2.000 oxen, hundreds of men, winches, and rollers beneath the keels. The fleet arrived at the Lake after having crossed the pass of San Giovanni, but the voyage had for the most part damaged the boats - Venice was defeated in the Battle of Maderno. The following year, reorganizing the fleet with boats constructed in Torbole, Venicee conquered the Milanese in the northern waters of the Lake. The outcome was the Peace of Cavriana in 1441 under which a series of Garda's centers, Peschiera and Riva, were passed on to Venice. Practically in front of Torbole on the opposite shore, you will find the waterfall of Ponale stream. Affluent of Garda and emissary of the Ledro Lake, it is an important prehistoric settlement.