Moniga del Garda
Welcome to Moniga del Garda!
Hello! Today I'm taking you to discover Moniga del Garda, a charming town located in Lombardy, just a few steps from the homonymous lake. With its 2611 inhabitants, the town is famous for the production of rosé wines and extra virgin olive oil DOP Garda.
Physical geography
Moniga del Garda stretches over an area of 9.33 km² and is located within the province of Brescia. It is located in the Garda lake area called Valtenesi and is situated on a hill at about 120 meters above sea level.
Origins of the name
It is not certain how the name 'Moniga del Garda' originated. There are two hypotheses: the first links the name to the nearby Como city of 'Lomaniga' and could derive from the Latin term 'Lumena', to which the suffix "-ica" was added. The other theory refers to the Latin root 'ammonius'.
City of Chiaretto
The name Moniga del Garda is often associated with the Chiaretto rosé wine, typical of the Valtenesi area. It is produced with the Groppello grape and following a special rosé fermentation. Since June 2008, the city has been organizing the national rosé wine festival "Italia in Rosa". This festival offers wine tasting in the suggestive setting of the Moniga castle.
History
The origins of the town are very ancient: in fact, traces of a pile-dwelling dating back to the Early Bronze Age (1800-2000 BC) and a Roman column dating back to the 4th-5th century BC have been discovered.
Symbols
The coat of arms of Moniga del Garda was granted by decree of the President of the Republic on October 8, 1959. The gonfalon is a white and blue flag.
Monuments and places of interest
Castle
On the western side of Moniga del Garda lies the Moniga castle, built during the late Romanesque period and well preserved. It was never inhabited by noble people, but served as a refuge for the population in case of emergencies. For this reason, it was never attacked and maintains its original appearance.
San Martino Vescovo Church
The parish church of Moniga del Garda is dedicated to San Martino and was consecrated on October 13, 1454, by Bishop Ermolao Barbaro il Vecchio. Originally, it was just a chapel that depended on the Manerba parish.
Madonna della Neve Church
The Madonna della Neve church was built in the 16th century in Romanesque style. It was erected to commemorate the miracle that occurred in Rome on August 5, 352. This church dates back to the second half of the sixteenth century and is listed in the documents of the pastoral visit of Bishop Gian Matteo Giberti.
Society
Demographic evolution
The population of Moniga del Garda is very diverse. Here, residents of different ages, regions, and nationalities live together. Thanks to the numerous cultural and social initiatives, the town offers many integration opportunities.
Administration
The Municipality of Moniga del Garda is currently led by Mayor Renato Marcoli, who was elected in 2021 with the center-left civic list.
Conclusion
Moniga del Garda is a small town but offers many opportunities for visitors. Not only is it famous for its wine and extra virgin olive oil but also for its ancient history and monuments. The festival of the national rosé wine exhibition is an important event for all wine lovers. Come and visit us and you won't be disappointed!
