Malcesine

The comune of Malcesine consists of (from north to south) Navene, Campagnola, Malcesine proper, Val di Sogno and Cassone. It stretches along the Via Gardesana Orientale (Strada Statale 249) and is nestled between Lake Garda and the slopes of Monte Baldo. Malcesine is the northernmost comune on the Veneto shore of the lake, immediately to its north lies Trentino Alto Adige.

Two of the largest islands of Lake Garda are located in Malcesine: The Isola di sogno and the Isola dell'olivo (or Isola degli olivi).

The first recorded inhabitants of the area were Etruscans dating to around 500 BC. After 15 BC, with Tiberius' victory over the Rhaetians, the area came under the control of the Roman Empire. After the fall of Rome, the area was ruled in turn by Ostrogoths, Alemanni and then the Langobards.{{cite web|url=http://www.malcesinepiu.org/lake-garda/HIistory.html|title=History|publisher=Malcesine piu/Comune di Malcesine|access-date=18 August 2013|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130820135814/http://www.malcesinepiu.org/lake-garda/HIistory.html|archive-date=20 August 2013}}

Between the 5th and 6th centuries the Langobards built a castle on the rock where the Castello Scaligero stands today.{{Clarify|date=May 2024|reason=The Longobards were not in Italy in the 5th century/400’s ce, their invasion was in the 6th century}} It was destroyed in 590 by the Franks. They subsequently rebuilt it and in 806 hosted King Pepin. After attacks by Hungarians the castle became part of the holdings of the Bishop of Verona. In 1277, the castle fell to Alberto della Scala and until 1387 remained in the possession of the della Scala family, whose name it still bears. Over the next centuries, castle and town were ruled in succession by the Visconti of Milan (until 1403) and the Republic of Venice (1405-1797). The control of Venice was only interrupted by a brief period (1506–16), when the area was under Imperial rule during the reign of Emperor Maximilian I.

In 1797-98, the area was occupied by the forces of Napoleon Bonaparte after which the Veneto became part of the Austrian Empire. In 1866, Malcesine became part of the Kingdom of Italy.{{cite web|url= http://www.comunemalcesine.it/doc/Museo%20Castello.pdf|title= Castello Scaligero di Malcesine (Italian/German)|publisher=Comune di Malcesine|access-date=18 August 2013}}

The first appearance of the toponym dates back to 9 September 844, when the term Manessicelles results in the testament of the Archdeacon Pacific with the meaning, according to Borsatti,D. G. Borsatti, "Malcesine", La Tipografica Veronese, 1929, p. 26. of the tombs of the dead: this meaning would be corroborated by the discovery of some Etruscan-style burials in the surroundings up area. Over the centuries there are many documentary variants: Manascicines (932), Malesicine (1023), Malesisicis (1154), Malesisinum (1159), Malasilice (1225), Malsexeno (1422), Malsesene (1611) to name but a few of the Maffezzoli.N. Maffezzoli, "Asterischi malcesinesi", Comitato Museo Castelo Scaligero Malcesine, 1990, pp. 9-14. The etymology of the toponym is however uncertain, revolving around the interpretation of Malae silices or Mala silex as "Stone hostile" or "Bad stone", probably referring to the morphology of the territory characterized by steep mountains rising on the lake, or as "Bad paved road" of Roman origin.G. Trimeloni, "Malcesine, Toponimi E Memorie", Tipografia Andreis, 1999, pp. 108-109.

File:Malcesine_and_the_castle.JPG on opposite shore.]]

Malcesine's most prominent landmark is the Castello Scaligero, which has 13th-century fortifications and an older medieval tower in white natural stone. Like the castle of Sirmione at the southern end of the lake, it is named for the della Scala family of Verona who ruled the region in the 13th and 14th centuries, and has the characteristic swallow-tail Ghibelline merlon crenellations. Remnants of an Etruscan tomb have been found within the castle walls. Most of the structures visible today date to the period of the della Scala. The bell of the castle was cast in 1442 and it is still in service.

In September 1786, Johann Wolfgang Goethe was questioned by the local magistrate on suspicion of being an Austrian spy after drawing sketches of the castle, and recalled the incident in his published travel report Italienische Reise (Italian Journey).{{cite web|url= http://www.comunemalcesine.it/doc/Mentzel.pdf|title=Auf Goethes Spuren in Malcesine (German/Italian)|publisher=Comune di Malcesine| year= 1908 |first=Elisabeth |last=Mentzel |access-date=18 August 2013}} During the period of Austrian rule, which ended in 1866 after the Third Italian War of Independence, major renovation work took place inside the castle. The Austrians turned it into a military garrison and the munition store they constructed was later used by the Guardia di Finanza of the Kingdom of Italy as a prison.{{cite web|url= http://www.comunemalcesine.it/doc/Guida%20castello%20e%20Monte%20Baldo.pdf|title=Malcesine: Il castello e il Monte Baldo (Italian)|publisher=Comune di Malcesine|access-date=18 August 2013}} Since 1902, the castle has been a national monument.

Today, the castle contains a small museum on the natural history of Lake Garda (Museo del Garda) and Monte Baldo (Museo del Baldo). One room in the Austrian powder magazine is dedicated to Goethe and his visit.{{cite web|url=http://www.malcesinepiu.org/lake-garda/the-castle.html|title=The castle of Malcesine|publisher=Comune di Malcesine|access-date=18 August 2013|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130819195011/http://www.malcesinepiu.org/lake-garda/the-castle.html|archive-date=19 August 2013}}

Located on the lake shore is the Palazzo dei Capitani. It was constructed by the Scala family between the 13th and 14th centuries on older Roman and Romanesque remains. After being reduced to a simple shell, possibly in an earthquake or by a fire, the building became the property of Francesco Mercanti, from Verona and he passed it on to his heirs. On 18 December 1473, it was sold to Alessandro Miniscalchi. By 1477, the building was already remodelled in the Venetian style. In 1618, Verona purchased the building on the behest of the Republic of Venice for use as the residence of the official called Capitano del Lago. Various further remodelling work followed. The Capitano was the head of the Gardesana dell'Acqua, a regional autonomous territory under Venetian rule.

On 20 March 1854, the comune of Verona effectively ceded the property to the comune of Malcesine and in 1897, Malcesine became the sole owner. It has been a national monument since 1902.{{cite web|url=http://www.comunemalcesine.it/cultstoria-edifici-palazzocapitani.php|title=Il Palazzo dei Capitani (Italian)|publisher=Malcesine piu/Comune di Malcesine|access-date=18 August 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130610060025/http://www.comunemalcesine.it/cultstoria-edifici-palazzocapitani.php|archive-date=10 June 2013}} Today, it is used for exhibitions and events and also houses the public library.

File:Malcesine Castello 2.JPG|Castello Scaligero, Malcesine.

File:Malcesine Goetheherme.jpg|Goethe Memorial, Malcesine.

File:Malcesine 061014 - Palazzo dei Capitani 03.JPG|Garden of the Palazzo dei Capitani, Malcesine.

File:Malcesine-Palazzo-dei-Capitani-CTH.JPG| Palazzo dei Capitani, Malcesine.

Behind Malcesine rises the {{convert|2218|m|0|abbr=on}} high Monte Baldo. A two-stage cable car ride—the second leg using one with rotating cabins—takes passengers to {{convert|1750|m|0|abbr=on}} above sea level.{{cite web|url= http://www.funiviedelbaldo.it/index.php?lang=en|title=Cableway Malcesine Monte Baldo|publisher=Funivia Malcesine Monte Baldo|access-date=18 August 2013}} From there the highest point can be accessed by walking a few kilometres to the south along the ridge.

File:Garda Lake and Monte Baldo Landscapes Panoramas from Funivia Malcesine Monte Baldo Via Navene Vecchia, 12 photo Paolo Villa FOTO6730-FOTO6746.jpg

File:Funicular, lake garda, malcesine to monte baldo.jpg|Cablecar from Malcesine to Monte Baldo. Top Station, ca. 1700m

File:Die Nordseite des Hafens von Malcesine.jpg|Malcesine harbour.

File:Gustav Klimt 042.jpg|Painting of Malcesine harbour by Gustav Klimt, 1913. Destroyed by fire at Schloss Immendorf, 1945.

File:Malcesine from south.jpg|Malcesine from the south.

Pieve di S. Stefano (or parish church of St. Stephen), first mentioned in the 9th century. Today's baroque church dates to the early 18th century and contains several works of art including the altars of SS. Benigno e Caro (Saints Benigno and Caro, 1769) and of the Beata Vergine delle sette allegrezze (Virgin of the Seven Joys, 1771), as well as a tabernacle and the painting Deposizione attributed to Girolamo dai Libri.{{cite web|url= http://www.comune.verona.it/media//_ComVR/Cdr/Dir_mus_mon/Allegati/Mostra.pdf|title=Mostra (Italian)|publisher=Comune di Verona|access-date=18 August 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.comunemalcesine.it/cultstoria-edifici-chiese01.php|title=L'antica Pieve di S. Stefano di Malcesine (Italian)|publisher=Comune di Malcesine|access-date=18 August 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004040314/http://www.comunemalcesine.it/cultstoria-edifici-chiese01.php|archive-date=4 October 2012}}

Santa Maria di Navene is yet another notable church in the town, dating back to the 17th century).{{cite web|url=http://www.comunemalcesine.it/cultstoria-edifici-chiese07.php|title=Chiesa di S. Maria di Navene (Italian)|publisher=Comune di Malcesine|access-date=18 August 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304081936/http://www.comunemalcesine.it/cultstoria-edifici-chiese07.php|archive-date=4 March 2016}}

Whilst Malcesine is not connected to the railway, the town is served by buses.{{cite web|url=http://www.malcesinepiu.org/en/lake-garda.html|title=Means of transport (site uses frames)|publisher=Malcesine piu/Comune di Malcesine|access-date=18 August 2013|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130718073525/http://www.malcesinepiu.org/en/lake-garda.html|archive-date=18 July 2013}} Moreover, there is public transportation by boat, including express hydrofoils, on the lake for passengers as well as a car ferry.{{cite web|url= http://www.navlaghi.it/eng/index.asp|title=Lake Garda public boat transportation |publisher=Gestione Governativa Navigazione Laghi|access-date=18 August 2013}}{{cite web|title=Malcesine, Lake Garda, Italy|url=http://www.lakegardaholidays.co.uk/resorts/malcesine|website=www.lakegardaholidays.co.uk|access-date=30 September 2016}}

{{Weather box| location = Malcesine

|metric first = Yes

|single line = Yes

|Jan avg record high C = 14.4

|Feb avg record high C = 15.2

|Mar avg record high C = 20.4

|Apr avg record high C = 23.0

|May avg record high C = 27.0

|Jun avg record high C = 29.8

|Jul avg record high C = 32.0

|Aug avg record high C = 31.8

|Sep avg record high C = 28.6

|Oct avg record high C = 25.4

|Nov avg record high C = 18.6

|Dec avg record high C = 15.4

|year avg record high C = 32.0

|Jan high C = 9.4

|Feb high C = 10.8

|Mar high C = 13.4

|Apr high C = 16.7

|May high C = 21.3

|Jun high C = 24.8

|Jul high C = 28.0

|Aug high C = 27.5

|Sep high C = 24.0

|Oct high C = 19.4

|Nov high C = 13.5

|Dec high C = 10.0

|year high C = 18.2

|Jan mean C = 6.7

|Feb mean C = 7.7

|Mar mean C = 10.0

|Apr mean C = 13.0

|May mean C = 17.3

|Jun mean C = 20.6

|Jul mean C = 23.7

|Aug mean C = 23.5

|Sep mean C = 20.4

|Oct mean C = 15.8

|Nov mean C = 10.8

|Dec mean C = 7.1

|year mean C = 14.7

|Jan low C = 3.9

|Feb low C = 4.6

|Mar low C = 6.6

|Apr low C = 9.3

|May low C = 13.3

|Jun low C = 16.4

|Jul low C = 19.4

|Aug low C = 19.4

|Sep low C = 16.8

|Oct low C = 12.2

|Nov low C = 8.0

|Dec low C = 4.1

|year low C = 11.2

|Jan avg record low C = -1.0

|Feb avg record low C = 0.0

|Mar avg record low C = 2.2

|Apr avg record low C = 5.4

|May avg record low C = 9.4

|Jun avg record low C = 11.0

|Jul avg record low C = 15.0

|Aug avg record low C = 14.8

|Sep avg record low C = 11.4

|Oct avg record low C = 7.0

|Nov avg record low C = 2.4

|Dec avg record low C = -0.4

|year avg record low C = -1.0

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 43

|Feb precipitation mm = 44

|Mar precipitation mm = 45

|Apr precipitation mm = 48

|May precipitation mm = 62

|Jun precipitation mm = 84

|Jul precipitation mm = 56

|Aug precipitation mm = 82

|Sep precipitation mm = 39

|Oct precipitation mm = 34

|Nov precipitation mm = 86

|Dec precipitation mm = 30

|year precipitation mm = 653

|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm

|Jan precipitation days = 4

|Feb precipitation days = 5

|Mar precipitation days = 5

|Apr precipitation days = 7

|May precipitation days = 8

|Jun precipitation days = 9

|Jul precipitation days = 6

|Aug precipitation days = 7

|Sep precipitation days = 6

|Oct precipitation days = 3

|Nov precipitation days = 6

|Dec precipitation days = 3

|year precipitation days = 69

|Jan sun = 68.2

|Feb sun = 93.2

|Mar sun = 120.9

|Apr sun = 150.0

|May sun = 186.0

|Jun sun = 204.0

|Jul sun = 248.0

|Aug sun = 207.7

|Sep sun = 162.0

|Oct sun = 142.6

|Nov sun = 78.0

|Dec sun = 86.8

|year sun =

|Jand sun = 2.2

|Febd sun = 3.3

|Mard sun = 3.9

|Aprd sun = 5.0

|Mayd sun = 6.0

|Jund sun = 6.8

|Juld sun = 8.0

|Augd sun = 6.7

|Sepd sun = 5.4

|Octd sun = 4.6

|Novd sun = 2.6

|Decd sun = 2.8

|yeard sun =

|source 1 = Archivio climatico Enea-Casaccia{{cite web

| url = http://clisun.casaccia.enea.it/Profili/tabelle/140%20%5BMalcesine%5D%20capoluogo.Txt

| title = Profilo climatico dell'Italia: Malcesine

| language = it

| publisher = Ente per la Nuove tecnologie, l'Energia e l'Ambiente

| access-date = 19 May 2015}}

|date=May 2015}}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.comunemalcesine.it/ Town website]
• [http://www.malcesinepiu.it/ita/ Tourism website]
• [http://www.textlog.de/6766.html From Italienische Reise by J.W.Goethe, 13 September 1786 in Malcesine (German)]

{{Lago di Garda}}

{{Province of Verona}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Cities and towns in Veneto

Category:Populated places on Lake Garda

Category:Borghi più belli d'Italia