10 Castles in Province of Trento That You Shouldn't Miss

The Buonconsiglio Castle is the largest and most important monumental complex of the Trentino Alto Adige region. It was the residence of the prince-bishops of Trento from the 13th century to the end of the 18th century, and is composed of a series of buildings of different eras, enclosed by walls and positioned slightly higher than the city. Castelvecchio is the oldest nucleus, dominated by an imposing cylindrical tower; the Magno Palazzo is the 16th century expansion in the Italian Renaissance-style as commissioned by the Prince-Bishop and Cardinal Bernardo Cles (1485-1539); the Baroque-style Giunta Albertiana dates from the end of the 17th century. At the extreme south of the complex is the Torre Aquila, within which is conserved the famous Cycle of the Months, one of the most fascinating secular pictorial cycles of the late Middle Ages.

A castle surrounded by beautiful vineyards in Trentino, near Rovereto and the Mart Museum. Inside the castle there is a winery that produces fine wines from the organically grown grapes.

Together with the lake, one of the characteristic elements of the Garda Trentino landscape is the rock of Arco, dominating the plain of the River Sarca at the point where it widens. Three paths lead to the castle, which was the residence of the Arco Counts in the Middle Ages; they all leave the village and wind through the olive groves in the hills to reach the castle in a few minutes. Beyond the last town-wall is the Prato della Lizza, a green balcony overlooking the Garda Trentino territory at the foot of the three enormous sides of the Torre Grande, the Prigione del Sasso and Sala degli Affreschi, beautifully frescoed with scenes of games of draughts and battles. At the top, the last refuge in the event of siege, stands the Torre Renghera, whose bell, known as the "renga", called the farmfolk to prayer.

Fortress for defense since 590 A.D, Castel Ivano has undergone many changes during the centuries. The first written document about this fortification dates back to the 12th century and tells us that the early core of the Castle consisted of the tower and the fortified wall around it. Now you can visit the early core but also the other buildings that the Habsburg family built. Castel Ivano is opened from friday to sunday (guided tours from ten a.m. to 5p.m.) and you can book your visit during weekdays calling the office.