Early Medieval Fortifications in Garda Area Explored at Palazzo dei Congressi

“Research and Studies on Early Medieval Fortifications in the Garda Area”: this is the title of the exhibition opening today at 3:00 PM at the Palazzo dei Congressi, as part of the Christmas among the Olive Trees events.

The event, scientifically curated by the team of Professor Gian Pietro Brogiolo and the Archeolab of Padenghe sul Garda, presents a rich series of photographs and drawings to summarize the archaeological research on early medieval times carried out in recent years in the Garda area.

It highlights the crucial role played by the fortifications in that region, from the fall of the Roman Empire through the Lombard era, from the Frankish period to the Ottonian era.

Thanks to the Adelaide ’99 project, initiated by the Municipal Administrations of Garda and Bardolino and the Province of Brescia on the occasion of the millennium of Empress Adelaide of Burgundy‘s death, and similar initiatives by the municipality of Cavaion, numerous important investigations have been conducted over the past three years along the eastern shore of Garda by Brogiolo and his colleagues.

These studies have enabled the redefinition of the map of fortified settlements and a better understanding of the political structure of the past.

Scope of the Research

The research focused on the memories of the early medieval period, which saw the lake assume a strategically significant role in northern Italy.

In fact, Garda, or rather its mighty Rocca, gave its name to the entire lake, replacing the Latin name Benacus.

In particular, the castle, now disappeared (though ongoing excavations are uncovering its remains), became legendary because in April 951, Adelaide of Burgundy was imprisoned there, from which she later escaped in an adventurous flight.

Her “fault” was refusing to marry Adalberto, son of Berengario II, who had probably poisoned her husband Lotario, King of Italy in order to seize the throne.

In support of Adelaide, the Emperor Otto I later intervened in Italy, marrying her.

Adelaide governed the empire for almost half a century, first with her husband Otto I and later alongside her son Otto II and her grandson Otto III.

She died in an aura of sainthood at Seltz on December 16, 999.

The Lombard-Frankish Route

An important part of the exhibition is the illustration of the “Lombard-Frankish route in Garda and Bardolino,” which is marked by adequate signage across the territory.

The route, mapped out last summer, passes through the Garda Parish Church, the bardolinesi churches of San Severo and San Zeno, the country church of San Vito in the Bardolino hinterland, the Rocca, and then the Cisano Parish Church.

The exhibition will be open until Sunday.

It is accessible from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the morning and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the afternoon, but due to organizational reasons, visits are available only by reservation.

Interested visitors must contact the Comune di Garda (phone 045.620.8420) or the Public Library (045.725.6999).