Galee e castello – Navigation, Malcesine, and the Castle
An impressive sail welcomes visitors to the large room dedicated to the history of navigation on Lake Garda. The sail serves as a screen, onto which an animated film is projected: the overland transport of a Venetian fleet from the Adige Valley – a daring and reckless endeavor in 1439 to gain control over Lake Garda. The more recent history of navigation on the lake, from its beginnings to the present day, is displayed with over 20 boat models attached vertically to two walls painted blue. In this way, they become the surface of the lake. The exhibited archaeological finds come from a Venetian galley that sank more than 500 years ago in the waters off Lazise after being set on fire by its own sailors. Its remains were recovered in the 1960s and are still being studied. The new design of the exhibition spaces invites visitors to admire these finds as they deserve.
The history and events from long ago are told by key figures, power holders, mercenaries, and soldiers, depicted life-size on the walls of the halls. Visitors can listen to their stories at audio stations. The same applies to a series of historical characters who bring the history of Malcesine to life, from its origins as a fortified village to the present day.
The second exhibition room is entirely devoted to the themes of the castle and the adjacent village: A three-dimensional, translucent model illustrates the construction phases of the castle. The story of the village revolves around this installation, with historical maps showing the first depictions and the daily life of the people of Malcesine.
