The itinerary started with the exhibition Historical landscapes and Sommolago settlement structures, from the pre-historical to the modern era.

In the hall dedicated to the Upper Garda communities that inhabited the territory from the late Middle Ages to the 17th century, are exhibited objects and documents that witness the most important historical events of the so-called "Sommolago", including maps and landscape paintings dedicated to the trade routes, plans of the towns, economic activities and fortifications. Starting in the 10th century, many castles were built in positions that allowed for effective control over the territory and its routes of communication. Several of these are the castle of Arco, the Rocca of Riva del Garda, the castle of Tenno, that of Drena, the Bastione of Riva and Castel Penede in Nago.

The age of Madruzzo
The Madruzzo dynasty, related to the great noble families of Italy and of Europe, held close relations with Riva where they owned much property, while the Rocca was their favourite residence. The Madruzzo's also held relations with the Jewish community living in Riva since the middle ages and permanently settled there until 1776. Cardinal Cristoforo Madruzzo (1539-1567), Bishop-Prince of Trento, is quoted as a protector in several dedications on books printed in the Jewish printing works of Jacob Marcaria who worked in Riva around the mid 16th century.

Tourism
The unique climate of Upper Garda, the presence of Mediterranean flora and the typically Italian character of its towns, were the main reasons for which, at the end of the 19th century, Arco and Riva were two of the most acclaimed leisure and spa resorts in Central Europe. Arco, the growth of which was favoured by the Archduke Albert of Hapsburg, cousin to the Emperor Franz Joseph, became a winter health resort. Villas and hotels were built and played host to members of the court of Vienna, the family of the Grand Dukes of Tuscany, the last king of Naples Frances II as well as other noble characters. In Riva, the lake attracted the construction of bathing establishments and modern hotels, while the von Hartungen physicians in their health centres offered homeopathic and natural therapies, attracting famous intellectuals, among others, such as Heinrich and Thomas Mann, the Brod brothers and Franz Kafka. The territory's strong vocation for tourism has continued to this day.

The 19th century
The ideals of liberty spread with the arrival of Napoleon's General Vaubois in Riva in 1796, together with the intention of cutting free from Vienna's rule in order to become one with Italy. Austria's reaction throughout the 19th century was to repress this aspiration for greater autonomy. In 1866, the Upper Garda became the border country with the Kingdom of Italy: the Austrian authorities intensified their political control and reinforced the presence of the military by building forts and barracks. The clash between the irredentist ideals, championed by the population's intellectuals, and the traditional loyalty to the Austrian dynasty peaked between the end of the 19th century and the first years of the 20th.