The stilt houses on Lake Ledro
Besides the beauty of nature and the variety of sports activities, Lake Ledro is world famous for the pile dwelling settlements originating from the Bronze Age. Since 1929, there have in fact been discovered more than 10,000 prehistoric stilts in its waters, unmistakable evidence of a huge and structured community. Let’s find out more about that.
The prehistoric pile dwellings
4,000 years ago, the shores of Lake Ledro were already inhabited. In 1929, due to the lowering of the water level in the course of the activation of the hydroelectric power station at Riva del Garda, a huge number of traces of the Bronze Age were found. Excavations began immediately, at first by the University of Padua, later by the Tridentine Museum of Natural Sciences. The village in Ledro is one of the biggest pile dwelling settlements in Europe, to the extent that it was included in the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2011.
The stilt house museum on Lake Ledro
During the Seventies, in order to bring out this enormous heritage, the Stilt House Museum on Lake Ledro was founded as a territorial branch of the MuSe – Science Museum of Trento. Some of the ingenious craft products of the pile dwelling village are displayed there, among which the remains of a wooden canoe. To the delight of young and old alike, there is also the full reconstruction of four huts, completely equipped with furniture and furnishings, so that we may gain insight into prehistoric life and understand how our ancestors lived.
The pile dwellings in Trentino and further peculiarities
However, the pile dwellings on Lake Ledro are not the only ones in Trentino. A few dozen kilometres away (and this is definitely evidence that this area is one of the cradles of Alpine life), there are the pile dwellings of Fiavé. Those stilt houses, which were discovered in the middle of the 19th century during peat extraction works, are also part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are explained in a museum which can be reaches in a 30 minutes’ walk starting from the residential area of Fiavé.
Events and activities for boys and girls
In summer, the stilt house museum on Lake Ledro comes alive thanks to the with imitative archaeology workshops, guided tours, activities, concerts and events. These initiatives address mainly the younger visitors coming with their families. The activities don’t only take place inside the museum but also in its surroundings: at the Biotope of Lake Ampola, at the Garibaldi and Great War Museum, in Tremalzo and at the ringing station in Casèt, at the Museo Folletto and at Ledro Land Art.
Family travel? Discover what to do with children at Lake Ledro
Accommodation
The ideal starting point to discover Lake Ledro and its surroundings are undoubtedly Casa Lucia and Residence Toli, the holiday flat complex of Crosina Holiday. We have more than 20 flats set up and equipped in order to guarantee your holiday with maximum comfort. If you are travelling with young children, we can put a crib, high chair and wide outdoor spaces where to play in safety at your disposal… and Residence Toli is one of the few structures who have a heated pool. We are waiting for you!
