Torri del Benaco, Lago di Garda

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I think Torri was my most favourite resort in the southern part of Lake Garda. It is part of the so-called "Riviera degli Ulivi" (Olive Riviera) and was an ancient fortified city as its Roman name Castrum Turrium signifies. Apart from its colourful harbour it had quaint little cafe squares tucked away in its streets, a Scaligeri castle (1388) with its own lemon grove being cultivated along one of its exterior walls. Monday was market day in Torri too so it was quite colourful and busy - the market was around the castello area and stretched along the narrow streets too.

This ancient fishing village is quite charming with its small port, square, narrow streets and old buildings. It is surrounded by olive groves and you can find hotels, camping sites, and tourist resorts there.

A ferry service for cars, buses and passengers that unites Torri and Maderno (on the west shore) is available all year round, so on our tour from Malcesine back to Lazise we passed by Torri del Benaco.

From place to place, vaulted passages allow to walk through a block of houses and to connect the main street with the back street. In full summer, when the sun hits hard, they must be cool oasis ! Even in May, it is nice to find a refreshing shade.

Near the end of the street, close to the small port, this four levels pink house stands proudly with its arched windows. The angles are reinforced with freestones, arranged alternatively on each face of the house.

If you drive on the main road across Torri del Benaco, you will have the nice sight given on the previous photo. If you walk to the back street, closer to the lake, it is even quieter and on both sides of the narrow street, stand brightly colored houses.

Not far from the port (but in Torri del Benaco, nothing is far from anything !) small, quiet houses are lined along the street. When you gaze at these houses, wouldn't you prefer to live there than in our place ? I bet yes !

Close to the port but a little further, another piazzetta is even quieter than the harbor one. In the back ground of the photo, there seems to be a chapel. On the right, the house bears a carved slat of marble that reminds what occurred here in the past !

Torri del Benaco's round harbor is a marvel ! It is small but its curves are very aesthetic. I do not know how it is in the high season (may be it is better not to know !) but in early may, it is absolutely perfect : this is not a deserted town but it is possible to park every where, to dine every where as nothing is booked out …

Actually one of the many castels that the Scaligeri have built around the Lago de Garda, at the time of their splendor ! We had not visited it as there it was time for lunch and after lunch, it was time to drive further around the lake. Sorry ! Next time !

The ancient Roman name of the lake was "lacus Benacus", this old name is still in several topographic names around the lake while the 1000 years younger name "Garda" is of Germanic origin. Torri del Benaco is a resort typical for the Veneto part of the lake, consisting of a small charming old centre and a castle (on the Southern walls of the castle are lemon trees growing) and lots of family run small hotels around. From here a car ferry crosses the lake to Maderno at the Lombardia shore.