Between Lake and Mountains, a Unique Place
Campione del Garda is a small gem nestled between the rocky cliffs of the western shore of Lake Garda, within the municipality of Tremosine sul Garda.
Today it is known for its winds, water sports, and natural beauty — but few know that its history dates back to the Middle Ages and to Italy’s great industrial tradition of the 20th century.
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From Medieval Origins to the Venetian Era
The first settlements in Campione date back to the Middle Ages, when the village belonged to the Monastery of San Zeno in Verona.
Its strategic position, protected by the mountains and facing the lake, made it a natural harbor and a crossroads for trade between the plains and the alpine valleys.
During the Venetian Republic’s rule, Campione was part of La Serenissima, which controlled much of Lake Garda for its trade routes to the north.
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The Industrial Dream of the 20th Century
In the early 1900s, Campione entered a new era with the construction of the Campione Cotton Mill, founded in 1896 by entrepreneur Giacomo Feltrinelli.
The factory, powered by hydroelectric turbines and complete with workers’ housing, represented a pioneering example of an industrial village — one of the few of its kind around Lake Garda.
The mill remained active until the 1980s, when Campione began transforming into a center for tourism and water sports.
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From Industry to Wind: A New Beginning
Since the 1990s, Campione del Garda has become an international hub for water sports, thanks to the Pelèr and Ora winds that blow regularly across the lake.
The old industrial buildings have been transformed into modern tourist and residential spaces, giving life to a place where history and modernity coexist in perfect harmony.
Today, Campione welcomes sailors, kitesurfers, and trekking lovers from all over the world — yet it has retained the silence and authenticity of a small village that reinvented itself without losing its soul.
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A World Suspended Between Water and Rock
Walking through the narrow streets of Campione, you can still sense the echo of the factory sirens mixed with the rhythm of the waves.
Campione del Garda tells a story of resilience and beauty, where industrial heritage meets wild nature and the energy of the wind.
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🌬️ Fun Facts
• The name Campione likely comes from campus planus, meaning “flat field,” referring to the small strip of land between lake and mountain.
• Today, the village is home to internationally renowned sailing and kitesurfing schools, as well as modern accommodations like DV Garda Suite, perfect for living Lake Garda to the fullest.