GN Magazine – September 2026
Welcome to the digital edition of GN Magazine – September 2026. Here you will find the complete English translations of the main articles published in the print edition, bringing the history, culture, and events of Lake Garda to our international readers.
Editorial: Summer at the Finish Line, The Resilience of Lake Garda and Future Challenges
As we reach the closing stretch of the summer season, it is time to take stock of our lake basin. It has been a summer marked by prolonged, torrid heat that tested the entire territory, yet Lake Garda has once again demonstrated the extraordinary resilience of its water resources and tourism appeal. As keenly highlighted by Filippo Gavazzoni in his in-depth analysis, careful and synergistic management between AIPO, the Mincio Consortium, and the Garda Community—combined with the basin’s vast natural volume—succeeded in maintaining stable and efficient lake levels, confronting drought with scientific foresight and pragmatism.
Alongside major environmental themes, this issue is enriched by the valuable voices of our editorial team. A prominent place is held by the insights of Mariateresa Martini, who guides us along a two-fold cultural journey: first, discovering the “Tourist” exhibition at the MuSa in Salò, exploring Garda’s collective memory and heritage of hospitality; and second, the fascinating opening part of her reflections on the “Power of Machines”, a historical and philosophical look at the impact of technology on contemporary society.
The history and heritage of Lake Garda unfold further through the storytelling of Michele Nocera, tracing the development of thermalism in Sirmione and its visionary pioneers, and Domenico Fava, who evokes the memory of Saint Daniel Comboni and the historic Tešöl lemon house in Limone sul Garda. At the Fortress of Lonato del Garda, the Fondazione Ugo Da Como presents Benàcus, a compelling photographic exhibition by Giorgio Attilio Mutti, while Osvaldo Pippa uncovers the history and architectural recovery of Lonato’s Risorgimento Gates. We then embark on Giancarlo Ganzerla‘s epic chronicle of the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway and his tribute in Solferino to Luigi Lonardi, concluding with botanical wisdom on Echinacea from the Green Witch and timeless puppet traditions recounted by Fulvia Marai.
Furthermore, all articles in this issue are available in full English translations right here on Gardanotes.com, accessible directly by scanning the dedicated QR Code printed across the magazine’s pages.
An issue filled with inspiring reads as we bid farewell to summer and ease into the rhythms of autumn.
Enjoy reading and have a wonderful September!
Luca Delpozzo, Editor-in-Chief
September 2026 Articles
Select an article below to read the full translation:
Desenzano del Garda Mayors in the 1900s: The Historic 1919 Elections and Political Rebirth
In the aftermath of the First World War, the municipal governance of Desenzano del Garda entered a pivotal era with the general elections of November 16, 1919 under acting mayor Lorenzo Papa. Conducted under universal male suffrage, the elections witnessed the emergence of new mass political movements, notably the Italian Socialist Party and Don Luigi…
Water Management on Lake Garda: Summer 2026 Climate and Water Balance
Water Management on Lake Garda faced a defining test during the summer of 2026, as intense, persistent heatwaves pushed climatic conditions across northern Italy to historical extremes. While the Po River saw its flow drop close to all-time record lows with seawater intruding significantly up the delta, Lake Garda maintained a water volume close to…
Curzio Malaparte: A Cursed Tuscan and His Final Literary Journey
Curzio Malaparte (Kurt Erich Suckert) remains one of the most provocative, nonconformist literary giants of 20th-century Italian culture, immortalized in his masterpieces Kaputt, The Skin, and Maledetti Toscani. Reflecting on the fierce pride, sharp wit, and unyielding independence of Prato and Tuscan heritage, Malaparte dismantled hypocrisy with unsparing intellect. In his final months following his…
TOURIST! Exhibition at MuSa Salò: The Charm of Lake Garda Travel
The TOURIST! Exhibition at MuSa Salò welcomes visitors with Stendhal’s famous words—“probably the most beautiful landscape in the world”—and Goethe’s 1786 sketches of Torbole, tracing two centuries of allure across Lake Garda from Romanticism to the Belle Époque. Open until October 4, 2026 at the MuSa (Museo di Salò), the exhibition curated by P. Boifava…
A Book for Don Gianni Capra: The Beloved Provost Who Transformed Salò
A new landmark publication honours Don Gianni Capra, who served as provost and parish priest of Salò from 1965 to 1971, leaving an indelible legacy of dialogue, humility, and pastoral renewal. Published through the joint dedication of the Parish, Municipality, and Ateneo di Salò, the volume gathers historical conference proceedings and archival writings from the…
The Power of Machines: Technology, Society, and Environment in 16th-Century Trentino
The Power of Machines transformed Renaissance society, reshaping the delicate balance between humanity, natural resources, and technological progress. In the evocative setting of Palazzo delle Albere in Trento, a landmark exhibition and scholarly symposium explored the dramatic events of the 1525 Peasant Revolts and the advent of water-powered machinery. During the 16th century, the harnessing…
Churches of Canneto sull’Oglio: Sacred Architecture in Photography
The cultural association of Canneto sull’Oglio presents “Churches of Canneto”, an inspiring photographic exhibition celebrating the sacred art, bell towers, and devotional heritage of the Oglio Po territory. Through captivating contemporary shots and archival documentation, the exhibition guides visitors through centuries of sacred architecture, from rural votive chapels to parish sanctuaries, honoring the communal identity…
Thermalism in Sirmione: Count Rambaldo di Collalto and Modern Expansion
The history of Thermalism in Sirmione experienced a momentous transformation in 1987 when Prince Manfredo di Collalto assumed the presidency of Terme di Sirmione, succeeding Count Rambaldo di Collalto, who had guided the company with visionary leadership since 1946. Alongside Vice Presidents Franco Gnutti and Dr. Francesco Cerioli, the administration initiated pioneering clinical research and…
Adriana’s Memories: Nando, Golden Anniversaries, and Mandolin Melodies
In Adriana’s Memories, the warm nostalgia of Lake Garda lives through music, enduring friendship, and community celebrations. Remembering her dear friend Nando on his 50th wedding anniversary with Silvana, Adriana recounts Sunday afternoons filled with mandolin strumming, polyphonic singing, and laughter, preserving the intimate, heartwarming soul of lake village life. From “Adriana’s Memories”. Read more…
Saint Daniel Comboni and the Historic Tešöl Lemon House in Limone sul Garda
The life of Saint Daniel Comboni remains deeply intertwined with the ancient Tešöl lemon house in Limone sul Garda, where the future missionary and Apostle of Africa was born on March 15, 1831. Perched on the rugged terraces overlooking Lake Garda, the Tešöl (derived from tesa, a place of shelter and net-setting) dates back to…
Happy Birthday Radio Lonato: The Golden Era of Canale 93 and Free Radios
The birth of private broadcasting on Lake Garda comes vividly alive in Happy Birthday Radio Lonato, recounting the pioneering summer of 1977 when Radio Mela (103 MHz) began relaying Vasco Rossi’s famous Punto Radio from Zocca. Founded by Franco Stuani and powered by a 15-metre mast transmitting 250 watts across the Po Valley and Garda…
Benàcus: Lake Garda and Its Morainic Hills in the Photography of Giorgio Attilio Mutti
The monumental Rocca di Lonato del Garda hosts “Benàcus: Lake Garda and Its Morainic Hills in the Photography of Giorgio Attilio Mutti”, an extraordinary exhibition presented by the Fondazione Ugo Da Como from September 11, 2026 to January 6, 2027. Featuring fifty evocative photographs spanning forty years of dedicated observation, the exhibition curated by Costanza…
Madonna of San Polo: The History, Sacred Spring, and Devotional Sanctuary
The spiritual sanctuary of the Madonna of San Polo in Lonato del Garda traces its origins to the late 1980s, gaining official recognition and episcopal blessings from the Curia of Verona under Bishop Andrea Veggio. Surrounded by tranquil woodland, the sanctuary houses the sacred spring and bas-relief of the Virgin Mary holding the world enveloped…
The Historic Gates of Lonato: Porta Corlo and the Risorgimento Columns
The urban history of The Historic Gates of Lonato reveals centuries of fortification, destruction, and civic memory, from Berengario I’s 10th-century concession to the devastating 1339 siege between Lodrisio Visconti and Azzone Visconti. While the medieval fortifications were dismantled in 1817, elegant 19th-century Risorgimento gates with wrought-iron railings and white stone pillars replaced them. After…
Sips of Poetry: Dialect Poems and Soulful Voices of Lake Garda
Sips of Poetry returns in September to celebrate the lyrical beauty and timeless charm of Lake Garda’s regional dialects, uniting Brescian, Veronese, and Trentino traditions. This month’s collection features works by beloved authors including Berta Mazzi Robbi (Cissà ‘ndoe), Franca Brianza (El supermercato and El bidèl), Velise Bonfante (El mür and Ciòca umbrìe), Franca Grisoni…
Trans-Siberian Railway: Friulian Builders and the Epic Circum-Baikal Route
The construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway stands as one of the greatest engineering feats in human history, forged through the extraordinary skill and sacrifice of thousands of Italian stone-cutters and Friulian miners. The most perilous sector was the Circum-Baikal line (Krugobaykalskaya), skirting the crystalline, mountainous shores of Lake Baikal. Here, Italian master stonemasons carved dozens…
Solferino Honors Luigi Lonardi: Remembering the Artist, Mayor, and Cultural Leader
On Sunday, September 6, 2026, the historic hilltop town of Solferino gathers in tribute to Luigi Lonardi, a passionate artist, cultural researcher, and esteemed mayor (1999–2004) who dedicated his life to preserving local identity. Celebrated at the Spia d’Italia tower with an Alpine fanfare and mountain choirs, the commemoration honors Lonardi’s extensive historical volumes on…
The Port of Toscolano: Strategic Papermaking Hub of the Venetian Republic
The Port of Toscolano served as the vibrant economic and logistic gateway of the Valle delle Cartiere from the 14th to the 18th century, anchoring Toscolano as the premier papermaking district of the Venetian Republic. From this picturesque harbor, heavy barks and sail-driven burchi transported reams of watermarked paper across the lake into the Mincio…
Goethe as a Scientist: Botanical and Anatomical Discoveries on Lake Garda
When Johann Wolfgang von Goethe arrived on Lake Garda in September 1786, his journey was guided as much by scientific inquiry as by literary passion: Goethe as a Scientist sought to understand the living morphology of nature. Immersing himself in the sub-Mediterranean flora of Torbole and Malcesine, Goethe observed how descending southward altered the structure…
Salò Remembers with Affection and Gratitude Aurelio Nastuzzo
The city of Salò remembers with affection and gratitude Aurelio Nastuzzo, who passed away in early August 2026, leaving an indelible imprint on the cultural and civic life of the Riviera del Garda. Awarded the prestigious Golden Magnifica Patria medal in 1999, Nastuzzo dedicated decades of voluntary service to the Duomo of Salò, spearheaded the…
The Hens of Fosse Castello: Humorous Tales from Desenzano Castle
The Hens of Fosse Castello in Desenzano del Garda continue their charming, unpredictable adventures below the centuries-old battlements of the medieval fortress. From an original lively flock of fifteen American bantam hens, their daily excursions into Piazza Malvezzi and the castle parking lot bewildered motorists and delighted passersby. Even after the proud rooster was relocated,…
Was Pinocchio Really a Puppet? The Art of Puppets, Marionettes, and Puppetry Relatives
Was Pinocchio really a puppet? In Italian language and theatre history, the distinction between burattini (hand glove puppets controlled from below) and marionette (string or wire marionettes controlled from above) reveals a fascinating cultural journey. While Carlo Collodi called Pinocchio a burattino, the wooden boy who moves without strings belongs to the broader universe of…
Achillea Millefolium: The Healing Powers of Yarrow and September Green Living
Achillea Millefolium, commonly known as yarrow, takes centre stage in September as a resilient aromatic perennial belonging to the Asteraceae family. With its delicate, feathery foliage and dense corymbs of white or pink blossoms blooming from May to October, yarrow is a champion for garden biodiversity, attracting vital pollinating bees and butterflies. Long prized in…
