Malcesine

Nestling in thick vegetation of typical Mediterranean scrub – composed mainly of olives, cypresses and oleanders – Malcesine is one of the most picturesque and historically most interesting resorts of the east Garda Riviera.

At the end of the 1700`s, Goethe, who was charmed by it, during his time here, on the first stage of his ‘Travels in Italy’, stayed for a while at the local inn behind the Town Hall.

The poet was particularly struck by the beauty of Castello Scaligero, which is built on a rocky outcrop over the water dominating the entire headland, thus enjoying a breathtaking panorama. The structure, which took shape in the XIIIth. century, was partly destroyed then rebuilt, as can be seen by the mixture of styles that characterise the various parts.

Malcesine stands on the slopes of Monte Baldo, considered the ‘Botanical Gardens of Italy’, whose summits are easily reached by the funicular which from the town of Malcesine itself starts the upward slope to an altitude of 1800 metres. Malcesine, with its coloured houses, the enchanting little port and ancient lanes, is a never-ending discovery: it will be a particular surprise to anyone who, following the lakeside, finds himself confronted by the stupendous ‘Val di Sogno’ bay, a real paradise, poetry for the soul.