Trentino-Alto Adige

Trentino

Territory: It is a mainly mountainous province, rich in rivers, torrents and numerous lakes, clusters and chains of mountains of singular beauty, divided in two by the valley of the river Adige. To the west one finds the glaciers of the group Adamello-Presanella-Care Alto and the group of Brenta. To the east the groups of Lagorai, Latemar, the Dolomites of Fassa, and the Pale di S. Martino. Many alpine valleys break away from the valley of Adige: the Valsugana, the Vallarsa, the Val di Non, the Val di Sole, the Val di Cembra, Fiemme and Fassa; inside instead the valley Giudicarie and Rendena. The principle lakes are those of Garda, Caldonazzo, Tovel and Ledro; thermal waters gush forth from springs rich in therapeutic properties. Extensive coniferous forests cover the dolomitic slopes and wide table-lands like those of Folgaria, Lavarone and Pine. Three natural parks, Adamello-Brenta, Paneveggio-Pale of S. Martino and Stelvio conserve the typical species of animals and vegetation of the alpine environment including even the bear.

Cities: The independent province of Trento is endowed with a special statute which gives it particular legislative authority. Trento is the administrative headquarters of the province and of the region Trentino-AltoAdige. Rovereto is the second centre of the province, a city of culture and industrial site.

Art: Land on the frontier between the German world and the northern Italian civilization, Trento presents a different and mutable figurative panorama in which the contributions of diverse cultures have joined and produced an art with authentic original characteristics. The oldest artistic testimonies come from the late medieval period and are conserved in the churches of S. Pietro in Bosco in Ala, of Tenno and of S. Romedio; together with many finds from the Roman and Paleochristian ages. The main monuments from the Roman age are the Cathedral of S. Virgilio in Trento and the Basilica of S. Lorenzo. The Renaissance style marks many buildings and churches in Trento, such as the Castle of Buonconsiglio, the Palace of Albere, the church of S. Maria Maggiore. Typical Gothic architectures are those of the church of Civezzano, S. Apollinare, S. Zeno, Finera di Primiero and Vigo di Fassa. A small jewel of European Gothic painting is represented by the “Ciclo del Mesin” in the Torre Aquila of Trento. An intense pictorial activity took place in the first half of the sixteenth century, together with a flourishing activity in the minor arts. Several testimonies of the paintings are conserved in churches and buildings.

To be visited: Earthen pyramids at Segonzano in the Val di Cembra; Val di Genova, a picturesque alpine valley; the Alto Gard Trentino, the Dolomites, the great arena of alpinism, traversed by a stitched network of excursionist lanes and ways; numerous antique castles which dominate the principle valleys: Castel, Beseno, Sabbionata, Drena, Stenico, Caldes, Thun, Pergine and Ivano. At Trento: The castle of Buonconsiglio and the palace of Albere, residence of provincial art museums; the churches which hosted the famous “Council of Trent”, the romantic Cathedral and the church of S. Marina Maggiore. Naturalistic and archaeologic collections are lodged in the natural science museum of Trento. The diocesan museum of Trento conserves precious testimonies of the sacred art, wooden artifacts and flemish tapestries. At S. Michele in Adige there is the museum on the practices and customs of the Trento people. At Rovereto the castel holds one of the greatest museums on the Great War.

Alto-Adige

Territory: Alto Adige (South Tirol), the most northern region of Italy, in the heart of the alpine circle, has a surface area of 7,400 sq. km. With valleys and mountains following each other, its landscape presents a varied aspect, from the mountainous zone of Ortles (Solda, Trafori, Val Martello) to the polling peaks of the Dolomites and to the porphyry walls of Bassa Atesina. A dominant and majestic scene of the Altoatesine Alps is constituted by the Dolomites that owe their name to the particular calcareous rock of which they are compounded. Their origin stems from the Triassic period, one hundred and fifty million years ago. These mountains, born from an ancient sea and thanks also to their particular colouring, have always fascinated naturalists and poets. A third of the Altoatesino territory is protected under a landscape and environmental profile, which in guaranty and a promise of interesting walks across the following itineraries: the Natural park of Sciliar, the Natural park of Puez-Odle, the Natural park of Monte Corno, the Natural park of the Dolomites of Sesto, the park of the Vedrette di Rics, the Sarentine Alps park and the National park of Stelvio.

Cities: The independent province of Bolzano is endowed with a special statute. Bolzano in the main town of the province and seat of the local government. Other centers are Merano, capital of Tirol, Bressanone, Brunico and Vipiteno.

To be visited: Alto Adige is a land of castles. To visit and to live in: as some of them have been transformed into hotel castles, it is possible to enjoy a hospitality that has, in itself, an ancient taste. The following is a list of the names of the oldest castles to visit: Castel d'Appiano, Appiano; Castel Ganda, Appiano; Castel Roncolo, Bolzano; the episcopal castle of Bressanone; the Tures castle of Campo Tures; Castelbello of Castelbello; Casteldarne of Casteldarne; Castel Monteleone of Cermes; the convent of Sabiona of Chiusa; Castel Presule of Fié; the abbey of Monte Marina, Malles; the princely castle of Merano; Castel Forte of Ponte Gardena; Castel Rodengo of Rodengo; Castel Badia of St. Lorenzo; Castel Scena of Scena; Castel Coira of Sluderno; Castel Font ana of Bolzano; the abbey of Novacella of Varna / Novacella; Castel Velturno of Velturno and Castel Tasso of Vipiteno.