Polpenazze Del Garda: Castello, Lucone and Landscapes

Polpenazze Del Garda offers several clear starting points for planning your trip: the Castello, with its views of Lake Garda; trails through the wetland and the hills of Valtenesi; and the archaeological heritage of Lucone. Depending on whether you want to focus on history, landscapes or archaeology, you can explore the area through different themes.

Castello and views of Lake Garda

The Castello di Polpenazze Del Garda was built in the 10th century to defend against Hungarian invasions. From the Castello, there are panoramic views of the moraine hills of Valtenesi and Lake Garda. Its historical function and the views are therefore two aspects of a single point of interest: the building recalls its former defensive role, while the vista takes in the hills and the lake. If you are looking for a historical connection as well as scenery when choosing a destination, this theme leads you to the Castello.

Trails by the wetland and through the hills

The Giro del lago Lucone follows an unpaved road in a wide loop around the wetland of Lago Lucone, returning to the municipality’s built-up area at Tavaredo. Both the wetland encircled by the route and the return point can help you find your way. The unpaved surface is relevant when planning your trip; as trail conditions can change, it is advisable to check the current conditions before setting out. If you are classifying a route by its landscape, its particular focus here is the wetland of Lago Lucone.

Sentiero 801 runs through wooded and grassy sections of the hills as well as agricultural areas with vineyards and olive groves. Another scenic connection leads from Polpenazze Del Garda to Padenghe sul Garda. It runs through fields, olive groves and vineyards on the slopes of Monte Gozzolo and Monte Spigone. The different landscape emphasis is useful for comparison: the Giro describes a loop around the wetland, Sentiero 801 passes through vegetated sections of the hills and agricultural land, and the connection to Padenghe is characterized by fields and the slopes of the two mountains.

Lucone: UNESCO World Heritage and archaeology

Lucone in Polpenazze Del Garda is one of four components of the UNESCO World Heritage site in the Province of Brescia. This makes Lucone part of a wider World Heritage context within the province. During a special opening in 2022, a guided tour covered the excavation site and the basin of the former Lago Lucone, with particular attention to the natural environment in the past and present. During a special opening in 2023, a guided tour of the archaeological excavation site featured pottery and other finds from the most recent excavation campaigns. The tours focused on different aspects: in 2022, the environment of the basin in the past and present; in 2023, finds from recent excavation campaigns. Both tours took place during special openings. If you would like to include Lucone in your plans, check whether and when a suitable program is offered before visiting.

Discover more destinations: Cecina, Gargnano, Vione, Zone, Trenzano, Leno, Parole, Borgo San Giacomo.

For the broader travel overview: Brescia.