Civic Archaeological Museum

Manerba del Garda, along the road leading to the top of the Rocca, is home to the Valtenesi Civic Archaeological Museum. It gathers archaeological and landscape evidence that characterizes the history and reality of the town of Manerba, with the precious presence of the Rocca and Sasso Nature Reserve surrounded by the protected waters of the lake park. The building hosting the museum is characterized by a large glass window on the west side, overlooking the lake and surrounding countryside, which not only provides abundant natural light but also emphasizes the strong connection between the complex and the surrounding landscape. Being located within the Rocca and Sasso Nature Reserve is indeed the museum’s key feature. 
Inside, the exhibition path is developed over two levels, aiming to enhance both the archaeological and historical heritage, as well as the landscape and natural aspects of Manerba’s territory. On the ground floor, the archaeological route tells the story of the area through the artifacts found in various contexts. On the first floor, the exhibition on the medieval Rocca is integrated into the naturalistic section, which illustrates the richness and peculiarities of the Rocca and Sasso Nature Reserve of Manerba del Garda. 
Observing the artifacts displayed in the showcases, visitors can explore finds ranging from those unearthed in the Copper Age necropolis of Riparo Valtenesi, beneath the Sasso of Manerba (3300-2300 BC), to everyday objects from the Bronze Age pile-dwelling of San Sivino, Gabbiano (2100-1450 BC), to the burial goods from the Roman necropolis of Campo Olivello (1st-5th century AD), to remains of Roman villas located at the foot of the Rocca and in the area of the parish church of Santa Maria (1st-4th century AD), to artifacts from early medieval buildings found in the parish area (6th-7th century AD), and finally to pottery and weapons uncovered during excavations of the medieval fortification system on the Rocca (11th-16th century AD). The museum serves as the starting and reference point for exploring the archaeological areas of the prehistoric pile-dwelling (since 2011 part of the transnational UNESCO serial site "Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps"), the medieval parish church, and the military fortification of the Rocca. The remains of the latter were incorporated in spring 2000 into the Natural and Archaeological Park, which is an integral part of the Rocca and Sasso Nature Reserve of Manerba del Garda, including the Lake Park, officially recognized by the Lombardy Region in April 2016.