Castel Drena

A Fortress Guarding the Sarca Valley

Castel Drena is an imposing medieval fortress from the 12th century that dominates the Sarca Valley from atop a rocky spur, approximately 15 km from Riva del Garda. Probably built by the family of the Counts of Arco, the castle controlled commercial traffic between the lake and Trentino.

The Museum and Exhibitions

After careful restoration, the castle today hosts a museum with medieval artifacts, ceramics found during excavations, and a permanent exhibition dedicated to the history of the Sarca Valley. The keep, standing over 25 meters tall, offers an extraordinary panoramic view of the valley, Lake Cavedine, and the Dolomites of Brenta.

Events and Activities

During the summer, the castle hosts concerts, theatrical performances, and medieval reenactments in the suggestive interior courtyard. In the surrounding area, visitors can explore the Marocche di Dro, a lunar landscape of erratic boulders left by ancient glacial landslides.