The Conquest of Riva del Garda by Venice in 1440

The State of Venice raised the insignia of the lion of St. Mark at Riva del Garda in 1440, as a consequence of a series of earlier events. In 1437, the Venetian Erasmo da Narni, known as Gattamelata, was forced to retreat within the walls of Brescia, under siege by Piccinino, captain of the Milanese. Brescia remained isolated from the rest of the Venetian territory, as Marquis Gonzaga controlled the Lower Sarca plain as an ally of the Visconti of Milan. Gattamelata had no choice but to outflank his enemies by crossing the mountains of Trentino to reach Ledro and Rovereto, already in the possession of Venice, and then descend to Verona. However, the Brescia problem persisted and, between 1438 and 1439, ships were transferred from Venice to Garda with the aim of defeating the Visconti fleet and regaining control of the lake. The ships, which arrived damaged, were repaired in Torbole, but were defeated near Maderno and forced to surrender with no advantage. Nevertheless, the Serenissima did not lose heart and tried the feat again. In May 1440, with the arrival in the port of Torbole of the materials needed to build or adapt ships on the spot, it succeeded in defeating the Milanese and conquering Riva by force.

Niccolo Piccinino's Strategy and the Role of Tenno

Tenno, because of these events, found itself on the Ballino route, deemed of interest to Venice by the mercenary captain Niccolò Piccinino. The latter deployed his mercenaries, but they were not enough to confront Venice. The fate of Niccolò Piccinino is narrated by Niccolò Machiavelli in the Florentine Historie, highlighting Tenno's strategic position. The Trentino bishop sent the noble captain Giovanni Lapza to the rescue to defend what he considered the last bastion in the area. As Riva became St. Mark's territory, the bishop assured Tenno of Emperor Frederick's protection and the dispatch of Henry of Morsper's garrison, as well as new weapons, including a bronze bombard. Although the Venetians' advance stopped at Riva, the emperor praised the people of Tenno for their resistance. Tenno found itself guarding state borders and confronting different institutions with various political and economic interests.

The Territorial Disputes between Tenno and Riva

The usual issues concerning property retained by the Tenno people in Riva's appurtenances and disputes over territories claimed by both further accentuated the divide between Tenno and Riva. These disputes took on a political connotation, exacerbating the contrasts between the two communities and leading to criminal actions that required the intervention of the bishop and Venetian magistrates to attempt to reconcile a situation that seemed unresolvable.

The Lodron Intrigues and the Infiltration at Tenno.

Those interested in fueling the conflict between the Principality and Venice contributed to increasing tensions. The Lodrons, for example, plotted to take over Tenno Castle and organized an infiltration that was foiled. Their aims did not stop, and in 1480 Giorgio Calepino informed the captain of Tenno of the Rivanians' plans to seize a bastia, probably located on Mount Englo. Bishop John Hinderbach enjoined the Lodrons to end the damage to Tenno's possessions and to dismiss within three days the Brescian mercenaries gathered at Riva, threatening to revoke the fiefs.

The Turn of 1509: End of Venetian Dominion.

The dispute over territories continued between Trent and Venice, with Venetian troops at the gates of Trent in 1487. However, the turning point came in 1509, when Venice was defeated by the League of Cambrai at Agnadello, forcing it to relinquish its hold on Trentino and Upper Garda. Riva and Ledro were reunited at Tenno under the rule of a single territorial lord: the prince-bishop of Trent.