Castello Padenghe

Castello Padenghe is a medieval fortress in Padenghe sul Garda that stands upon a hill with three defensive towers. Within its perimeter walls lie twelve residential houses connected by cobblestone streets.

The fortress received official recognition in 1154 when Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa granted it to the Bishop of Verona. It formed part of a defensive network across the Valtenesi region built to protect against invasions.

The fortress displays northern Italian military architecture with its squared defense tower and original drawbridge entrance. Today visitors walk through narrow streets that show how people once lived within these protective walls.

The castle is freely accessible without admission fees and visitors can walk through the grounds at their own pace. The cobblestone streets inside are easy to navigate, though the hilltop location means some uphill walking.

The fortress belonged to a network of ten fortifications built across the Valtenesi region during the 10th century. This defensive system was specifically designed to protect against invasions from the north.