Hello friends. Today I wanted to share with you my visit to the town of Peschiera del Garda in northern Italy. This region evokes memories of ancient times, from the Romans to the Lombards and of course, the powerful Republic of Venice. The gates of this walled city have been guarded for centuries by Venice's main symbol, the winged lion. A relief dating back to 1553 was uncovered during the restoration of one of the gates. The original relief was destroyed at the end of the 18th century during Napoleon’s invasion of Italy. Restoration work on Verona’s gates took place after Peschiera was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. A competition was held to find the best design and a piece of white marble was chosen, just as the Venetians had used centuries ago. The winning design was carved into this stone. The lion is always fixed into the wall with metal hooks. On either side of the lion, the coat of arms of the city of Peschiera can be seen.
The emblem features two silver eels and a golden star. The region was once known as Arilica and the history of its settlements dates back to the second millennium bc. Several pile dwellings from the Bronze Age were also discovered nearby. Arilica became an important center for trade and commerce as a connection point between the Alpine regions and the Po Valley. In the 7th century the Lombards arrived in these lands. Documents from that period mention monasteries engaged in fishing. The word Peschiera refers to fishponds.
The town's fish farms were full of trout and eels and olive groves yielded abundant harvests, allowing for the export of olive oil necessary for lighting. The city prospered. History is made by people and on these walls hang photographs of some Peschiera residents who gained fame in the art of fishing. However, the story that touched me most was that of Signora Rossella. In the 1940s, when she was still a young girl, she helped her father and later went out alone every morning at dawn to fish from her boat. This ritual lasted for over 50 years. Although Garda has become a tourism hub, Rossella never abandoned her profession, fishing alone or with her loyal dog. People distract me from my real work. I must work every day and my best friend is this dear lake, she would say. Signora Rossella continued fishing until last year. For 80 years, this energetic woman considered fishing the work of her life.
I climbed up onto one of the walls. The first walls were built in the Roman style in the 6th century, while the modern five-pointed star shape emerged a thousand years later during the rise of the Republic of Venice. Peschiera is a rare Italian fortress almost entirely surrounded by water and remarkably well-preserved. It was constructed at the outlet of Lake Garda on the Mincio River. Inside the walls are parks, walking paths and rest areas. Popular cycling routes begin here and even families can use these trails.
Today many restoration projects are underway in the town, with ancient ruins being restored. Structures like the Filò and Tagnone bastions remain impressive. The spirit of Venice can be felt here and I even came across a real Venetian gondola. After leaving the center,
I discovered one of the bike paths that run along the Mincio river. I cycled a few kilometers from the lake and the silence and tranquility were wonderful. And so, I conclude today’s tour in this beautiful place.
