Casa della Trota ruins on Lake Garda to be demolished

The Casa della Trota, a former hotel and restaurant located on the cliffs of Lake Garda, is scheduled for partial demolition. Known also as Hotel Ponale or the ‘Forellenhaus’, the structure was famous for its unique architecture built directly into a rock face near the mouth of the Ponale River.

The building has stood empty for over 25 years following its closure due to high maintenance costs—specifically regarding rockfall protection—and difficult transport access. While it became a popular ‘lost place’ attraction for social media users despite trespassing prohibitions, the Province of Trento purchased the site in July 2026 for 2.3 million euros.

The demolition aims to make way for new infrastructure projects. Plans involve removing dilapidated sections while preserving historically significant elements to benefit the ‘Strada del Ponale’ hiking route. The project intends to improve connections between the path and the lakeshore, provide better access to the water, and create more space for the ‘Ciclovia’ cycling path.