Garda Island, also known as Borghese Cavazza Island, is close to the town of Salò on Lake Garda. Today the island is owned by the Cavazza family, which lives all year round in this beautiful historical Venetian neogothic manor that was built at the beginning of the 20th century. The manor is surrounded by marvelous Italian and English-style gardens. Tours of this beautiful island, for groups of between 25 and 60 persons, will begin on May 1, 2002. The motorboat to the island leaves from Barbarano di Salò or Gardone Riviera, and the trip takes about 10 minutes. The visita guidata in three languages (Italian, English and German) is approximately 2 hours long and illustrates the history of the island, from the 19th to the 20th century, and its many legends.
The tour begins with a lovely stroll through the gardens in front of the villa. It then continues with a visit of two rooms in the home and is followed by refreshments offered by the owner, where guests can also have a taste of delicious local products such as wine and olive oil. The owner of the garda island, assisted by several guides, personally conducts the tour. For more information, please contact: Tel. +39 (0)365 913711 Fax: +39 (0)365 954355 E-mail: info@lagodigardamagazine.com
Valtenesi, originally a district of the Santa Maria di Manerba Parochial Church, extends approximately 40 square kilometers in the south-western area of the morainic terrain of Lake Garda. There are about 12000 inhabitants who live in seven communities: San Felice del Benaco, Puegnago del Garda, Polpenazze del Garda, Soiano del Lago, Manerba, Moniga del Garda and Padenghe sul Garda.
The Carmine Sanctuary in San Felice del Benaco was built by the Carmelites on the site of a previous chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Grace. It was consecrated in 1482. lt was abandoned owing to the suppression of the Religious Orders which took place in 1770. In 1952 the Carmelites were able to return and they restored it to its original state, uncovering the precious frescoes in the process. Today it attracts a constant stream of visitors who are drawn to it because of its artistic importance and through devotion to the amazing statue of the Madonna, Patroness and Queen of the Valtenesi region.
The architecture is a pleasing blend of Romanesque gothic and the style typical of the Veneto and Lombardy. There follows a description, starting on the left hand side, of the outstanding series of fifteenth and sixteenth century frescoes.