The first thing that strikes you when you visit Trento is its ability to combine its Alpine soul with an all-Italian elegance, which is showcased by the facades of the historic buildings in the center, decorated with wonderful Renaissance frescoes.
When you arrive, your first stop is Piazza Duomo, the heart of the city. As soon as you are there stop, under the Neptune fountain, and look around: on one side the mountains, from which the small Sardagna waterfall peeps out, on the other towers and crenellated palaces, which in a moment take you back to the time of the famous Council of Trent.
WHAT TO DO IN TRENTO
- Walk through its streets
- The Cathedral of San Vigilio
- Visit the MUSE
- Buonconsiglio castle
- A tour of the Christmas markets
- Book your Hotel in Trento
THE HISTORIC CENTER
“The Sass” This expression, known to all Trentino locals, is used to describe the classic stroll through the downtown streets that draw a quadrilateral between palaces and central squares. It is the typical walk of the locals, the one taken mostly on Saturday afternoons, when commitments are left undone and one abandons the rush of appointments to walk leisurely peeking at shop windows, stopping to do some shopping and greet acquaintances met by chance.
While it is true that there is no Trentino person who does not know the meaning of this expression, many are probably unaware of its origin. “Sass” in dialect means stone, and in stones was built the historic, popular and decadent neighborhood that stood where Piazza Cesare Battisti opens today, in the heart of the city. Made up of small alleys, called ditches, and by numerous closely spaced dwellings, the neighborhood, rich in music and taverns, was reclaimed and literally gutted in the early 1930s with the intention of improving the city’s hygienic and urban conditions.
St. Vigilius Cathedral, the Cathedral of Trent was rebuilt beginning in 1212 in beautiful Romanesque-Lombard style at the behest of Federico Vanga, one of the bishops who contributed most to the city’s urban-artistic development. The bishop entrusted the project to Campionese workers led by Adamo d’Arogno.
The decrees of the Council of Trent (1545-1563) were promulgated here. In fact, the solemn sessions of the great Catholic assembly were held in the cathedral’s presbytery, on a special mobile structure. Also worth visiting is the Early Christian Basilica of St. Vigilius, in the cathedral’s basement.
MUSE
An innovative design by architect Renzo Piano, a tropical waterfall inside, and many engaging and innovative laboratories to tell children and adults about science. This is the Muse, one of Europe’s leading natural science museums!
THE CASTLE
With its marvelous frescoes and crenelated towers, it is the most important castle in Trentino. For centuries the seat of prince-bishops, today it houses the provincial collections of art and archaeology.
Frescoed halls, loggias overlooking the city, imposing towers…you are in front of the most important castle in Trentino. Until 1803 it was home to the prince-bishops, lords of Trent, while during World War I it became infamous because the Italian patriot and irredentist Cesare Battisti was executed in its courtyard. Today its rooms house numerous art and archaeological collections, as well as important temporary exhibitions, while the garden awaits you for a relaxing break, where you can take advantage of the wi-fi network. The calendar of educational activities, workshops and proposals for schools is very rich.
Ps: Don’t forget to visit the Eagle Tower, whose walls are frescoed with the famous “Cycle of the Months,” a masterpiece of international Gothic.
CHRSTIMAS TIME IN TRENTO
The streets of Trento’s historic center come alive with the lights and scents of the Christmas markets during the advent season. Stop by the stalls to admire the handicrafts and traditional Trentino specialties, but don’t forget to drink a nice glass of hot mulled wine, perhaps accompanied by a carton of roasted chestnuts! Read more…
https://mytravelingcam.com/christmas-food-at-christmas-markets/
