A bit of history...

The Rocca is surely the most famous place in the village of Manerba, a location that attracts many tourists every year. It is a rocky promontory that dates back to prehistoric times and has been smoothed and eroded by glaciation.

In this area, there was a village protected by walls. Subsequently, the Romans built a kind of acropolis with a temple, probably dedicated to the goddess Minerva, from which the name of the village derives.

"The Medieval Castle" - Drawing taken from the book

"La Rocca di Manerba del Garda tra Storia e Natura" , 2009.

The name of the Rocca comes from a medieval military fortress, at the center of three defensive walls. The innermost wall, from the 13th - 15th century, surrounds the principle tower (mastio), a cistern for the collection of rainwater, and other structures with uncertain functions.

The soldiers probably accessed the highest area by a flight of stairs beyond a wooden door that could have been torn down quickly, in case of danger.

"The ruins on the Rocca" - Photo by Mario Ricevuto (3^B), April 2022.

Subsequently, some defensive walls were built, but then those military buildings were destroyed during a military attack on the Rocca.

Then, likely around the 15th century, the warehouses near the defensive walls were leveled and within the excavation seven tombs were found, thought to be connected to the more ancient graveyard than the religious building near it.

Finally, the Rocca was completely destroyed by the rule of the Republic of Venice, in 1574 because it had become a refuge for bandits .

Page updated

Report abuse