The San Martino Festival brings free guided tours of the Habsburg fortifications and the photo exhibition Peschiera 1866 to Peschiera del Garda from Sunday 8 to Wednesday 11 November. The exhibition is at the Palazzina Storica, in Parco Catullo. San Martino (Saint Martin) is the town’s patron saint.
Guided tours of Habsburg Peschiera
The tours explore the canals, bridges and architecture of the fortress. They start from Piazzale Betteloni on Sunday 8 November at 10:30 and 15:00, and run again on Wednesday 11 November, the saint’s day, at the same times. They are led by experts from the Historical Documentation Centre of the Peschiera del Garda fortress and from the CTG “El Gran Seregno”. Participation is free.
The Peschiera 1866 photo exhibition
The Historical Documentation Centre, together with the CTG “El Gran Seregno” and under the patronage of the municipality, has set up the exhibition Peschiera 1866 at the Palazzina Storica in Parco Catullo. It features period photographs, faces and views that tell the story of a pivotal phase in the history of the fortress and its surroundings.
Admission is free. Opening hours:
- Sunday 8 November: 15:30–20:00
- Monday 9 and Tuesday 10 November: 14:30–20:00
- Wednesday 11 November: 10:00–20:00
The 2024 festival and other San Martino celebrations
In 2024 the festival ran for four days, from 8 to 11 November, with food stands, the Palio di San Martino on the Canale di Mezzo, the Incendio dei Voltoni fireworks and music show, and the patron saint’s Mass at 18:30.
The Bishop of Tours is also the patron saint of Moniga del Garda, Gargnano and Lazise. In Lonato del Garda, his name is given to the choral series Voci a San Martino, now in its fourth edition. On Sunday 1 November at 17:00 the Coro Marc’Antonio Ingegneri of Verona, conducted by Matteo Valbusa, sings in the church of Maguzzano. On Sunday 15 November at 17:00 the Coro Erica of Paitone, conducted by Enzo Loda, closes the series at the Santuario di San Martino. Admission to both concerts is free.
