Civic Archaeological Museum of Valtenesi

The Civic Archaeological Museum of Valtenesi is the main archaeological museum of the southern Brescian Garda. Inaugurated in 2009, it is located in Piazza Garibaldi 25 in Manerba del Garda and is run directly by the Municipality in collaboration with the Lombardy Archaeological Superintendence. Admission is free.

What you can see

The museum spans two floors and tells — through original finds, reconstructions, illustrated panels and multimedia — the human and environmental history of the Valtenesi and the Rocca di Manerba from prehistory to the Middle Ages. The main collection comes from excavations of the prehistoric pile dwellings of Lake Garda, part of the serial site “Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps” inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2011.

The three sections

• The Rocca — section dedicated to the medieval castle and fortifications destroyed in 1574 by the Republic of Venice
• The Sasso — finds from prehistoric settlements and Bronze Age pile-dwelling villages
• The Church of Santa Maria — medieval finds, ceramics, coins and liturgical objects from Manerba’s Romanesque parish church

Nature Reserve and Lake Park

The museum is the official information point for the Regional Nature Reserve of the Rocca, Sasso and Lake Park — over 150 hectares of protected area including the Rocca promontory (216 m), nature trails and lake park. Inside the museum you can request free maps, educational materials and information about the marked trails.

Practical info

• Address: Piazza Garibaldi 25, 25080 Manerba del Garda (BS)
• Phone: +39 339 613 7247
• Email: museo@comune.manerbadelgarda.bs.it
• Official website: museoroccamanerba.it
• Admission: free
• Visit duration: 1 — 1.5 hours

Opening hours

Summer season (April — October)
Monday to Sunday: 9:00 — 13:00 / 14:00 — 18:00
Closed on Tuesday

Winter season (November — April)
Wednesday — Friday: 9:00 — 13:00
Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 — 12:30 / 13:30 — 17:00
Closed Monday and Tuesday

The Nature Reserve is freely accessible all year round.

Events and activities

The museum regularly organises educational workshops for schools, families and summer camps, conferences, temporary exhibitions (painting, photography, experimental archaeology) and themed guided tours. Recurring series include “Thursdays at the Museum, between history and archaeology” and seasonal photo exhibitions. Updated calendar on museoroccamanerba.it and social channels @museoarcheologicovaltenesi (Facebook and Instagram).

How to get there

By car: A4 Milan-Venice motorway, Desenzano del Garda exit, then SP572 towards Salò (about 15 km). Parking in Piazza Garibaldi or adjacent lots. By train: Desenzano FS station (15 km), then LN026 bus line or taxi.

Combine with

Take advantage of your visit to discover the rest of the area: the Rocca di Manerba and its panoramic trails, San Biagio Island (reachable on foot when the lake is low), the beaches and Bay of the Sirens at the foot of the Rocca, and the full guide to Manerba del Garda.

Information from the official website museoroccamanerba.it and the Municipality of Manerba del Garda. For updated hours and confirmations always check the official source.