Gargnano - Culture
The eighteenth century parish church of San Martino is one of the most impressive, with its elliptical nave, after having visited the church, if you head towards the old town centre you can admire the magnificent Palazzo Feltrinelli, built in 1898 in the Renaissance style and which during the Republic of Salò was the headquarters of Mussolini’s secretary. As a reminder of the raids carried out by the Austrians in 1866 there are cannon balls in the walls of some of the houses near the harbour. The former Palazzo Comunale, or Town Hall, built in 1582, also stands near the harbour where the small lanes wind and cross one another, maintaining the eighteenth century charm of a fishing village. The church of San Francesco was built in 1289 and is currently the seat of the Franciscan monks; just 2 km from the town stands the eleventh century church of San Giacomo di Calino. In San Faustino we can find Villa Feltrinelli, famous for having been the residence of the Duce during the republic of Salò (1943 – 45). Upon reaching Bogliacco you can visit Villa Bettoni, designed at the beginning of the eighteenth century, and the parish church of San Pietro in Agrino from 1419, heading towards Villavetro. After 2 km of road lined by olive groves, you reach the sanctuary dedicated to the ‘Santo Crocefisso’, or Holy Crucifix. Taking the road that leads inland, you head towards the hillside and mountain hamlets, at the heart of the Alto Garda Bresciano Park, until you reach the Valvestino area where you can find the lake of the same name.
