Infotrentino

Arco (TN)

ARCO, A PLACE FOR HEALTH TREATMENTS AND WELL-BEING

Arco, is located north of the Altogarda plain, in the last part of the river Sarca valley. This area has a particularly mild climate because it is protected by the mountains and is near lake Garda.

Arco has a long, interesting history. Its population goes back to the Neolithic period and it underwent many historical changes especially between the XI° and XIII° centuries when it was conquered by the Viscontis, then by the Della Scala family and finally by the Republic of Venice. This city is the birthplace of Segantini, a world-famous Italian painter, master of Italian pointillism. In the early 1900s it became one of the most important health treatment centres in the Trentino area thanks to its mild, Mediterranian climate. Today the economy is based mainly on tourism. Arco is also one of the most important rock climbing areas of northern Italy so it is the ideal place for people who love this sport and also for people who love trekking and mountain bike riding.
 

WHAT TO SEE: The collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta, re-built in 1613, is one of the most significant examples of Trentine Renaissance churches. Next to the church is the Baroque style Mosè fountain with a large coat of arms of the Arco family decorating the square that the Counts palazzos overlook. Going up via Vergolano you'll reach the ancient city and going along via Fossa Grande you can admire the residence of Archduke Albert of Austria built in 1873. Skirting the walls of the city you will reach the archducal park called "arboretum". Going along via del Calvario you can go up towards the castle or if you go back along the last part of via Fossa Grande you'll enter into the ancient quarter of Stranfora. You can reach the Castle of Arco  (278 metres) by taking the via Laghel from via Fossa Grande and crossing through an age-old olive grove. Going down from the castle towards via Segantini and via Caproni you will reach the Sant'Apollinare church. By proceeding on this road you will come to Prabi and at the foot of the boulders of the mount, going along a path among the holm-oaks you will go up to the church of San Paolo (12th century) with a hermitage built under the rocks. Opposite from the historical centre, you can see the magnificent iron and glass veranda (1900) of the Kursaal, which is now the Municipal Casino where conventions and exhibitions are held; the Kurpromenad (viale delle Magnolie e delle Palme)WAS ALSO BUILT HERE? On Viale Roma, near the coach station is the Evangelic Trinity church built in 1897. It is in Neogothic style and has an elaborate, polychrome majolica-tiled roof. On the outskirts of Arco, in the town of Caneve, you should see the church of San Rocco (15th-16th centuries), whose inside is decoreted with an important cycle of frescoes dating back to the 15th century. Another noteworthy sacred place is the church of San Martino built up on a knoll among the olive trees in the village bearing the same name. The church is decorated inside with Veronese style (1360) frescoes dating back to the fourteenth century and on the sides of the arch of triumph there are paintings dating back to the late sixteenth century. The altar-piece is exceptionally beautiful. To complete our review of the most significant churches is the Madonna delle Grazie sanctuary with its Franciscan convent in the town of  Ceole, built in 1492 thanks to the generosity of the Earls of Arco.
 

SPORTS:
CANYONING: Friends of Arco - Alpine Guide Service Visa Segantini, 64 - Arco Tel. 0464 532828
HORSE RIDING: Club Ippico S. Giorgio - Arco Tel. 0464 556942  SCUBA DIVING:  Arco Sub Circolo Vela Arco Tel. 340 0045651