The Ledro stilt houses are one of the most famous archaeological sites in our entire region. This prehistoric settlement dates back to the Bronze Age, and it is an unmissable stop, especially for those travelling with children. Have you ever wondered how stilt houses are made? The lakeside village that emerged in Ledro was built on wooden poles, stuck into the lakebed.
The discovery of the stilt houses
The stilt houses of Lake Ledro were discovered by chance in 1929, during the works for lake reclamation. Various archaeological excavation campaigns were carried out subsequently, making it possible to bring to light numerous structures and findings, including houses, work tools, objects of daily use and human remains.
History
The stilt houses of Lake Ledro date back to the Ancient Bronze Age, around 1500 BC, and extended over an area of about 5 hectares. The inhabitants of the village supported themselves with agriculture, livestock and fishing, and traded with other communities in northern Italy and central Europe.
Stilt houses, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The stilt houses of Lake Ledro represent an important example of lake archaeology, and were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2011, together with other stilt dwelling sites in Europe. Today it is possible to visit the Museo delle Palafitte (Stilt House Museum) in the municipality of Molina di Ledro, where the archaeological findings discovered during the excavations are exhibited.
