Hidden treasures of culture and nature

Val di Ledro is not only a natural paradise. It is also home to villages and hamlets with an ancient history, where time seems to have stood still, remarkably welcoming and beautifully kept. Some are true architectural gems, others treasure troves of folk art and age-old traditions typical of a valley that, until just a few decades ago, was mysterious and almost inaccessible. All these settlements are today grouped under a single municipality, the Comune di Ledro: from east to west we find Biacesa, Prè, Molina, Mezzolago, Pieve, Bezzecca, Concei with Locca, Enguiso and Lenzumo, and Tiarno di Sotto and Tiarno di Sopra.

The first village you come to when climbing up into Val di Ledro from Riva del Garda is Biacesa, once a strategic junction linking the two valleys thanks to the legendary Strada del Ponale. Now closed to traffic, it offers unique, breathtaking views over Lake Garda: not to be missed!

The hamlet of Prè, meanwhile, is one of the most fascinating for its traditions linked to sun worship. Because of its position, the village remains in shadow throughout the winter, so since ancient times a 'festa del sol' has been celebrated in February to welcome back the sun. Here the traditional craft of the 'broche', or shoe nails, survives to this day: at the Fucina de le Broche, the 'ciuaröi' demonstrate by appointment how shoe nails used to be forged.

Molina di Ledro is home to the famous Pile Dwelling Museum, while in Pieve di Ledro you can visit the Foletto Pharmaceutical Museum, which tells the story of the production of medicines, liqueurs and syrups made from the herbs and fruits of the valley.

But the best-known village is undoubtedly Bezzecca: it was here that Garibaldi uttered his famous 'Obbedisco!' ('I obey!'), in response to General La Marmora, who had ordered him to halt his advance on Trento against the Austrians during the Third Italian War of Independence.