Two stone tablets from the Roman Era, one from the 3rd century dedicated to Neptune and the other from the 1st century dedicated to Revinus, can be seen in the cloister of San Francesco. The Heruli, Goths, Byzantines, Lombards and Franks followed one another in ruling over the area. During Venetian domination (1426-1797), Gargnano was the administrative center of the district that also included Tremosine and Limone sul Garda. The local economy was based on fishing, olive oil, lemons, chestnuts and timber. Like the rest of the Riviera, from 1815 Gargnano at lake Garda belonged to the Lombard - Veneto Kingdom, and from 1859 it became a part of the Kingdom of Sardinia. In 1861 Gargnano joined the Kingdom of Italy. in July 1866, during the Third War of Independence, Gargnano was repeatedly shelled by Austrian cannons (Austria ruled over the lake garda at the time). Cannon balls can still be seen lodged in the walls of homes near the port. Between 1943 and 1945, during the Italian Social Republic, Gargnano
When the road from Gargnano to Riva del Garda was inaugurated in 1931, it finally interrupted the isolation of that section of Lake Garda so impervious to be considered almost impenetrable. Gabriele D'Annunzio was present and named the road "meander" in honor of its tortuous path that plunged into the heart of the mountain to emerge alongside the blue lake, subsequently penetrating the dark rock again to re-emerge into the light of day.
The Villa Feltrinelli was designed by architect Solmi. The Villa was the official residence of Benito Mussolini between October 1943 and April 1945. He had established his private residence at Villa Feltrinelli, situated at the center of the large garden on the lake garda shore northeast of the town Gargnano. The Villa will be open as "Grand Hotel a Villa Feltrinelli" in spring 2001.
From September 1912 to April 1913, English writer David Herbert Lawrence (1885 - 1930) lived in the tranquil village of Villa near Villa Igea. His book "Twilight in Italy" contains unforgettable pages about Gargnano and its inhabitants. Here are a few lines: "...... and here unexpected, as if by a miracle, I suddenly find myself on the church square of my S. Tommaso steeped in a blinding sunlight. It was like another world: the world of the eagle, a world of wild abstraction, the resplendent sunlight was devouring all: it was a platform suspended in the light. Just below in a muddle of tiles, the roofs of the village, beyond which, lower down, the intense blue water of the lake; still further, before my eyes, facing me, the clear luminous snow of the mountains on the other side of the lake ....".
Built right on the beach 2 km north of the town, the church is surrounded by numerous citrus groves and is one of the oldest Christian churches on the lake garda. Several frescoes from the 13th century decorate the facade; one depicts Saint Christopher, the patron saint of travelers.
Created in 1912, the course at the Bogliaco Golf Club is quite similar to many golf courses in England. It winds along a spectacular hilly area and affords striking views of the lake garda. The nine-hole golf course has a club house with bar and restaurant. There is also a driving range and practice green, a pro shop and swimming pool. It is open all year round.