Castelnuovo del Garda
Castelnuovo del Garda is a village belonging to the province of Verona and it is partially washed by lake Garda. Its main resource is definitely tourism, especially because of the numerous amusement parks, Gardaland above all.
Inhabitants: 12.469
Height: 130m above sea level
Surface: 34,68 km2
Province: Verona
Historical outline
Like most villages by lake Garda, also in Castelnuovo it is possible to see pile-work rests proving the presence of men since the past.
Castelnuovo, under the name of Beneventum, belonged to the Romans and it was eventually called Quadrivium, name deriving from its position just in the middle of the square area formed by Mantova, Verona, Brescia and Trento.
Quadrivium was destroyed in 1154 by the troops headed by Federico Barbarossa. The population built a new fortalice calling it Castrum Novum, which eventually became Castelnuovo.
It was ruled by the Visconti family till 1405, and then it underwent the domination of Venice. The historical Angelini Palace accomodated Napoleon during one of his travels to Italy.
During the bloody fights for independence from the Austrian Empire, Castelnuovo suffered heavy losses.
After several dominations, since 1867 it was named Castelnuovo di Verona and in 1970 it finally acquired the present name.
What to see
Churches
Little Church of the Virgin of the Angels. It is located on St. Lorenzo hill. It is characterized by walls covered with many ex-votos.
Church of S. Maria. An octagonal-planned church characterized by a beautiful bell tower in a Roman style.
Parish Church of S. Andrea – XVIII century
Church of San Filippo and San Giacomo – XVIII century
Villa Cossali Sella
Elegant villa of the XVI century characterized by a wide-arched porch and a pigeon tower.
Villa Rizzini Salvelli
Fascinating building located downtown. It is surrounded by a big park.
Villa Valcerea
This fine villa stands in the outskirts of town, at the border with Valeggio sul Mincio. It is characterized by a big wood-fired oven to cook bread.
Villa Arvedi d’Emilei
Built between the XVII and the XII century.
Today it hosts a winery in the suburb of Cavalcaselle.
Villa Negri Mosconi
It probably dates back to the XVI century; the villa was built downtown by the Counts Selettei of Sandrà. Inside the villa there are an oratory, a lodge and an elegant greenhouse.
Definitely worth attention is the park characterized by green pines, bay-trees, cypresses and many statues.
The Castle
It was built in 1387 on behalf of Giangaleazzo Visconti; it stands in a dominant position in the town centre. In the middle of the second wall, the present great tower was built.
Sights
Gardaland
Gardaland is number one amusement park in Italy: every year more than 3 million people go there. It is located in Ronchi, near Castelnuovo del Garda and it spreads over a surface of 600.000 square metres.
The idea of building an American style amusement park came from the entrepreneur Fulvio Furini after coming back from one of his trips to the Stases.
Since 1975, year of the inauguration, Gardaland has never stopped its “evolution”: many new attractions have been constantly built and renewed for a larger and larger number of visitors.
Inside the park there are mechanical and water attractions and since 2003 Gardaland has been the first Italian park with theme structures.
Events
Carnival of Castelnuovo
In Castelnuovo del Garda the Carnival is very famous and appreciated.
Exhibitions, concerts and other events liven up the atmosphere along coloured and decorated streets. The final day of the feast is on Shrove Tuesday, when the float parade reminds of the most famous Carnivals in the world.
Feast of the grape harvest
It traditionally aimed at increasing the production and selling of local wine, but afterwards it has turned into an eventful feast, with exhibitions, meetings and cultural debates about wine and grape.
During the latest years the contest “Vino Bardolino D.O.C. e Bardolino Chiaretto D.O.C.” has become more and more important.
Feast of the Flag
It evokes an episode of the third independence war occurred on the 24th of June 1886 in Oliosi. A group of soldiers of the 44th infantry regiment I battalion was surrounded by the enemy; the soldiers occupied a farmhouse where they were able to resist strongly. When they understood they would never be able to make it, they divided the flag among the presents in order to prevent it from falling into enemy hands.
Feast of Cavalcaselle
It is one of the most ancient feasts and it’s linked to the seasonal transhumance of the shepherds with their sheeps and cows from Mount Baldo and the mountains of Trentino to Scarpin, passing across the Mincio river.
Christmas events
At Christmas many bands perform and people exchange greetings in Castelnuovo. At Epiphany the most beautiful stable is awarded and people can enjoy music and get gifts in the main square.
Sport
ASD Castelnuovo Sandrà is the local football team. It was founded in 2005 when the teams of Castelnuovo and Sandrà were merged. Since 2010 the team has got into the Serie D, which is the highest level in the Amateur National League championship.
Household names connected to Castelnuovo
The battle of Castelnuovo occurred on the 11th of April 1848: the Austrian army’s artillery and cavalry drove back 400 Lombard volunteers who had tried to resist the enemy from inside the town walls. The troops of the Austrian prince Thurn und Taxis sacked and destroyed the village.
Typical products
“Moro del Castel” is the typical local wine and it comes from the vineyards cultivated on the surrounding morenic hills.
After the ripening this wine looks ruby red and it smells like spice and ripe fruit.
Camper park
Rest area for campers in Cavalcaselle at Shell Area, 3 kms far from the A4 highway exit Peschiera. Water, catch basin, electricity, toilet with showers, garage, gpl.
Tel. 045.6450778
Info
Tourist information Office A.P.T. RIVIERA DEGLI OLIVI
Lungolago Regina Adelaide,3
7016 Garda (Vr)
Tel. 045.7255194
Fax 045.7256720