An imposing fortress overlooking Lake Garda, one of the best-preserved house museums in Lombardy, an extraordinary library with over 52,000 volumes, a constantly evolving cultural center, and a new design pavilion that reinterprets the dialogue between ancient and contemporary.
The monumental complex of the Rocca di Lonato del Garda (BS) is now one of the most significant examples of excellence in the cultural landscape of Northern Italy, thanks to the vision and tireless work of the Fondazione Ugo Da Como, a national reference point for studies on the 19th century and a member of the Rete dell’800 Lombardo (Lombardy 19th Century Network).
Guardian of a centuries-old historical heritage and at the same time a vital laboratory of culture, the Rocca offers an experience that combines panorama, memory, and innovation, confirming its status as a destination of absolute prestige.
An iconic panorama, one of the largest fortresses in Northern Italy
Perched atop the morainic amphitheater overlooking Lake Garda, the Rocca offers one of the most breathtaking views of the lake and the Brescia plain.
Its crenellated walls, watchtowers, guard walkways, and the charming Rocchetta make it one of the largest and most fascinating fortifications in northern Italy.
Its ancient origins—perhaps Roman, certainly medieval—tell the story of eight centuries of events, up to its skilful restoration in the 20th century by Senator and patron Ugo Da Como, who made it a National Monument in 1912.
Inside, the Casa del Capitano now houses the Civic Ornithological Museum, with a unique collection of around 700 specimens of Italian birdlife: a rare and precious scientific heritage.
Ugo Da Como Foundation: cultural excellence that brings history to life
The Foundation, born from the visionary legacy of Senator Da Como (1869–1941), continues to stand out for its dynamic and high-profile approach to cultural enhancement.
Not simply a custodian, but a driving force for research, study, and dissemination, the Foundation manages a monumental and collection complex of absolute value: historical architecture, art collections, scientific collections, and one of the most impressive libraries in northern Italy.
The Podestà House Museum: one of Lombardy’s most extraordinary historic residences
Next to the Rocca stands the Podestà House Museum, a museum of excellence recognized by the Lombardy Region and a wonderful example of an early 20th-century “house museum.”
Restored by Antonio Tagliaferri and transformed by Ugo Da Como into a refined “museum to live in,” the house preserves its original furnishings, polychrome ceilings, frescoes, sculptures, paintings, and period objects, offering a total immersion in the cultured bourgeois life of the early 20th century.
Its extraordinary private library of 52,000 volumes, one of the richest in northern Italy, also houses a unique treasure: 48 autographed letters from Ugo Foscolo to Countess Marzia Martinengo.
Visits are always guided, with the option of an augmented reality experience narrated by the voice of Ugo Da Como himself.
A fortress buzzing with events, art, culture, and creativity
Thanks to a carefully curated and increasingly sophisticated program, the Rocca di Lonato is now a true cultural center of excellence, capable of attracting a diverse audience with iconic events such as:
- Easter Monday at the Rocca (April 6, 2026)
- Fiori nella Rocca (April 10-12, 2026), one of the most eagerly awaited flower shows in Italy
- Lonato in Festival, dedicated to street art, music, and theater
- Fiabe nella Rocca, designed for families and children
Each event transforms the spaces—gardens, courtyards, frescoed rooms—into an immersive, multisensory environment where history and beauty become an experience.
An ideal museum for children and schools: where knowledge becomes play
The Rocca is also a model of cultural education: workshops on ancient painting, courses on apothecary techniques, narrative workshops on myths and legends, and explorations dedicated to the history of writing.
Here, heritage becomes an educational adventure, making La Rocca a center of educational excellence for schools of all levels.
The Citadel of Culture: a unique and ever-growing heritage
Over the last fifteen years, the Foundation has expanded its heritage with extraordinary acquisitions, such as:
- the Tagliaferri Donation, an impressive archive of documents, projects, and drawings by architects Antonio and Giovanni Tagliaferri;
- the prestigious Nocivelli Collection of treatises and texts on architecture, antiquities, and archaeology, with works ranging from 1483 to the designs of Frank Lloyd Wright.
A heritage that transforms Lonato into the Citadel of Culture dreamed of by Ugo Da Como, now a point of reference for scholars, architects, and enthusiasts.
Exhibitions of excellence: a place that produces research
Two major exhibitions reinforce the role of the Rocca as a temple of culture and learning:
Garda fin de siècle
Until January 18, 2026: original drawings, designs, and documents by Antonio Tagliaferri related to the main construction sites on Lake Garda. A refined exhibition that sheds light on a crucial period in the architecture and rebirth of the area.
Arnaldo. The dream for a controversial monument
In the House Museum: a journey through the genesis of the monument to Arnaldo da Brescia through works by Odoardo Tabacchi and Tagliaferri, in the context of the celebrations Arnaldo da Brescia. Martyr and rebel.
The new Events Pavilion: architectural excellence combining design and history
A symbol of the Rocca’s ability to innovate while respecting its heritage, the new Events Pavilion, designed by TOP TAG Milano, is an essential and refined glass house that blends harmoniously with its medieval surroundings.
Made of glass, wood, and steel, with an evocative green roof and completely transparent walls overlooking the olive tree garden, the Pavilion is an ideal venue for:
- corporate events
- ceremonies and civil weddings
- exclusive private events
A “silent” architecture but one with great personality, perfect for those looking for a unique and unrepeatable location.
Visitor information
- Castle only: from €6 (reduced from €4)
- Combined ticket for the Castle + Podestà’s House: from €12 (reduced from €7) Guided tour of the House Museum compulsory; free visit to the Fortress.
The Fortress is open all year round (except Christmas and New Year’s Eve).
A dip into the past…
