MAG Museo Alto Garda

About the museum

The MAG Museo Alto Garda is housed in the Rocca of Riva del Garda, a castle on the lake whose construction was authorised in 1124 by Bishop Altemanno. In ancient documents it appears as castrum novum, to distinguish it from an older castle; for a long time it was a stronghold of primary importance for the defence of the town, the residence of the bishop and the captain and, under Austrian rule, a barracks. From the museum a climb leads to the Mastio, the main tower, from which the town and the lake can be seen.

The civic museum's collections document the Alto Garda area and are arranged in three permanent sections. The Pinacoteca, rearranged in 2025, traces the art of the Garda region from the 14th century to the avant-gardes of the early 20th century, with works by Pietro Ricchi, Giuseppe Craffonara, Vincenzo Vela and Francesco Hayez, and a section devoted to maps and views of the lake. The archaeology section covers the period from the Palaeolithic to the early Middle Ages and includes the celebrated Copper Age statue-stelae of Arco, finds from the lake dwellings of Ledro and Fiavé and the Raetian-Roman sanctuary of Monte San Martino. The history section, in the attic, tells the story of the Basso Sarca from prehistory to the Second World War, through periods of foreign rule, the railway, health tourism and Austro-Hungarian fortifications.

The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions and INvento, a permanent workshop route with educational stations and a reading corner for children and families. The MAG also includes the Torre Apponale in the historic centre and Forte Garda on Monte Brione.

Highlights

• Copper Age statue-stelae of Arco
• Finds from the lake dwellings of Ledro and Fiavé and from the sanctuary of Monte San Martino
• Picture gallery with works by Pietro Ricchi, Vincenzo Vela and Francesco Hayez
• Climb to the Mastio of the Rocca, with a view of Lake Garda
• INvento, a workshop space for children and families
• History section with the multimedia exhibition “Achtung Banditen”

Permanent exhibitions

• Pinacoteca – Route through the figurative art of the Garda region from the 14th century to the early 20th-century avant-gardes, rearranged in 2025, with a section on maps and views of the lake.
• Archeologia e territorio – Finds from the Palaeolithic to the early Middle Ages, including the statue-stelae of Arco, the lake dwellings of Ledro and Fiavé and the sanctuary of Monte San Martino.
• Storia e territorio – History of the Basso Sarca from prehistory to the Second World War, including the multimedia exhibition “Achtung Banditen” on the Resistance.

Operated by

Comune di Riva del Garda

Visitors per year

approx. 62,000

Admission & discounts

Free admission also for tourist guides, police officers and journalists with an ID card, and for holders of the Crew card and Trentino Guest Card. The Forti del Monte Brione have free admission. The Museum Pass (€22) is accepted.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Since 2026 the museum has offered a tactile route to make the collections accessible to people with disabilities as well.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

INvento is a permanent workshop route for children and families, with educational stations and a reading corner with illustrated books on art, archaeology and history. Free admission up to 15 years and a family rate.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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