Toscolano-Maderno, Italian comune
Toscolano-Maderno is a small town on the western shore of Lake Garda in the Province of Brescia. The settlement spreads along the lakeside with old buildings, quiet squares, a harbor with views of surrounding hills, and lemon groves that dot the landscape.
The area was settled in ancient times and contains remains of a Roman villa from the first century with mosaics and frescoes. Later, from the 1300s through the 1700s, the town became known for paper production that was distributed across Europe.
The town formed from two separate communities, Toscolano in the north and Maderno in the south, which merged in 1928. The paper-making tradition that flourished here from the 1300s shaped local identity and continues to influence how residents and visitors understand the area today.
The town is easy to explore on foot since main attractions are close together and the terrain is flat. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water, especially if you plan to hike the Valley of the Paper Mills trails or the surrounding hills.
A notable feature is the well-marked trail through the Valley of the Paper Mills, a two-hour walk past abandoned paper factories that uniquely blends nature and industrial heritage. This path reveals how the landscape itself tells the area's story.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
