Torre Apponale

Torre Apponale is a medieval tower in Riva del Garda, located in the historical center of the town, in Piazza III Novembre. The name of the tower comes from the ancient road that connected the Ponale creek with Monte Brione.

SHORT HISTORY

Torre Apponale was built in the 13th century by the noble Bonvicini family, with a defensive function, to protect the historical center of Riva del Garda and the town’s port.

Federico Vanga, the prince-bishop of Trento, was against the construction of the tower, and ordered its demolition, but after some negotiations, the Bonvicinis ceded the property to Vanga and kept the feudal benefit.

In the 16th century, the tower was raised to its current height, and became a prison.

In the 1920s, Torre Apponale underwent major restorations and modifications, one of the most important being the removal of the onion-shaped roof and its replacing with a four-pitched roof.

A new cycle of restorations was carried out in 2002, and since then the internal staircase of 165 steps became accessible again for tourists.

ARCHITECTURE

Torre Apponale has a height of 34 meters. The tower has a beautiful clock and a bronze bell which rings only on special occasions. On top, it has a wind vane called Anzolim de la Tor, which has become the symbol of Riva del Garda.

HOW TO GET THERE

Torre Apponale is located about 1.2 kilometers away from the main bus station of Riva del Garda. The closest bus stop for the Line 484, which connects Riva del Garda with other towns on Lake Garda (such as Malcesine and Garda), is in Viale Martiri, about 650 meters away.