Manerba del Garda

Manerba, a village in lower Valtenesi, includes the entire promontory jutting into the lake at San Sivino. Ideal for a stay, relaxing and hospital, Manerba has many hotels and modern facilities.

The name Manerba probably derives from a temple dedicated to the Greek goddess of knowledge and olive trees, Minerva, built on the area later occupied by the fortress.
Legend has it that the goddess stayed here, hence the name “Valle degli Ateniesi” (Valley of the Athenians) or Valtenesi and taught the population how to grow olives. The area was inhabited in prehistoric times as many archaeological findings show.

It was also a Roman settlement. The history of Manerba is closely linked to the fortress or Rocca built in 110. In 776 it was the scene of the capitulation of the Longobards, led by Cacone, nephew of King Desiderio, against Charlemagne. Only some ruins now remain of the fortress. After the inhabitants of Brescia reconquered Valtenesi from Verona, the fortress was destroyed in 1279, because it had been used by the Ghibellini. It was definitively destroyed in 1575 after a decree by the administrator of the Veneto, Giacomo Soranzo, because it was being used as a refuge by the Zamari band of plunderers.