Torre Apponale, Medieval clock tower in Riva del Garda, Italy

Torre Apponale is a medieval tower on Piazza III Novembre that rises approximately 35 meters and dominates the town's skyline. A staircase winds upward to an observation deck where you can see across Lake Garda and down to the town center below.

The Bonvicini family built the tower in the 13th century, but the Prince-Bishop Federico Vanga initially opposed its construction. Negotiations eventually resulted in a transfer of ownership to the Bishop, allowing the tower to remain.

The angel-shaped weather vane at the peak represents a symbol that locals and visitors recognize as part of the town's identity. Watching it move with the wind from the square below, you understand how a simple tower ornament has become woven into the community's self-image.

Climbing to the platform requires ascending about 165 steps, with views shifting as you make your way up the interior staircase. Visit on a clear day to get the best views across the water and surrounding landscape.

The bell in the belfry, "La Renga", was cast in 1532 and once rang as an alarm for the townspeople. The tower's two clocks sit about 22 metres up on the north-west and south-west sides, and the original entrance was 5.5 metres above the square, reached by a wooden stair that no longer exists.