A brief history of Manerba

In the Middle Ages, Manerba and Valtenesi were at the centre of a crossroads of terrestrial and lake communication routes, which made the territory extremely advantageous in times of peace but also vulnerable in times of war. Precisely for this reason, medieval castles arose along the lake, as points of defence and refuge for the local populations. The tower of the Manerba Castle, one of the most representative buildings, marks the heart of our city and symbolically connects the towers of all the municipalities of the Valtenesi, creating a path of protection that united the defence forces.

The Manerba Castle, in particular, was built in the 12ᵗʰ–13ᵗʰ century, on an ancient early medieval fortification and a Neolithic settlement. Its privileged position on the Rocca di Manerba, an imposing rock formation overlooking the lake, rendered this an effective defensive bulwark during the conflicts between the Guelphs and Ghibellines. In the 16ᵗʰ century, it became a refuge for bandits and outlaws, so much so that the Serenissima Republic of Venice was forced to destroy its walls in 1576 to prevent it from becoming a base of resistance.

In the 13ᵗʰ century, Manerba was integrated into the broader context of the Community of Riviera, which included the municipalities of the area, including Salò and Limone. Initially, the capital of this community was Maderno then Salò, a city that became the political and administrative centre of the Riviera. During the period of Venetian domination, beginning 1426, the city of Salò represented a crucial point for the administration of the area, while Manerba continued to maintain its own administrative identity within the Venetian system.

Under the Venetian domination, administrative and legal control over Manerba and Valtenesi was not always well-received by the local population. Indeed, after the establishment of the Quadra della Valtenesi, the city of Brescia continued to exercise legal control over the territory, with management of civil causes likewise not always happily accepted by the population.

In 1490, the Municipal Statutes of Manerba were drawn up, regulating the life of the community in detail, establishing rules for administration, security, taxation and religious festivals. These statutes, safeguarded in the State Archive of Brescia, are today a valuable testimony of how the community of Manerba was organised in the transition from the Middle Ages to the Modern Age.

Venetian domination left deep marks on the customs, legislation and territorial organisation of Manerba and the entire Riviera. The events of this fascinating period are preserved in the Archivio della Magnifica Patria, kept in the municipality of Salò, and studied by a qualified team of researchers who have worked for years to exalt and further this important part of our history.