Nogaredo between history, vineyards and trails

Between alluvial fan and vineyards

Nogaredo lies on a broad alluvial fan made of loose stream deposits. Its shape resembles a fan or funnel: the tip points uphill, while the opening faces down the valley. This distinctive landscape forms the setting for a place where historic buildings, vineyards and paths through the surrounding area stand close together. If you value culture and manageable excursions when choosing where to stay, Nogaredo offers several clearly defined themes for planning your trip.

Nature trails and the landscape along the Adige

The Sentiero delle “buone Kalendae” nature trail is 8.8 kilometres long as a round trip and takes around five hours to complete. It begins at Spine, near Distilleria Marzadro, and leads uphill through vineyards to Nogaredo. The trail therefore combines a tangible landscape experience with the history of the village and is suitable as an independent focus for a stay in which you would like to combine culture and physical activity.

The Destra Adige Lagarina provides another point of orientation. The hilly route follows an old road and is designed as a horse-riding, cycling and walking trail; Nogaredo is one of the participating municipalities. Along the route there are sixteen information points with panels managed by the Fondazione Museo Civico Rovereto. Areas of particular landscape value include the banks of the Adige, several dry areas and the woodland above Castel Noarna.

Historic centre and palazzi

The historic village of Nogaredo is characterised by densely packed houses, courtyards and distinctive portals. It extends as far as Palazzo Candelpergher, now the town hall. Palazzo Lodron is also located in the centre, just a few minutes’ walk from the town hall. The building was the residence of the Lodron counts, one of the most important noble families in Vallagarina. Witch trials took place in the Sala del Giudizio between 1646 and 1717.

The churches also add specific works of art to the historical picture. In the Church of San Leonardo, the apse wall features a painting by Gaspare Antonio Baroni Cavalcabò, created in the 1740s, depicting Saint Leonard of Noblac. The church in Brancolino has Baroque painted decoration from the second half of the 17th century by Pietro Antonio Sorisene. It also contains a small painting by Baroni Cavalcabò entitled The Ecstasy of Blessed Giuseppe da Copertino, depicting the Blessed floating before a cross.

Castel Noarna and the history of the witch trials

Castel Noarna is located in the Noarna district of Nogaredo. Its origins date back to the Middle Ages, and it was later extended by the Lodron family. The main staircase and winter garden feature frescoes from the Michelangelo school. The keep contains the main tower, two guardrooms and prisons. During the Nogaredo witch trials, several women from the valley were imprisoned there in 1646 and 1647.

Nogaredo is historically known for witch trials against several peasant women from the village in the 17th and 18th centuries. More than ten years ago, this history was transformed into the Calendimaggio di Nogaredo festival, in which the entire community participates. In Nogaredo, therefore, not only buildings but also the memory of local history takes centre stage.

A local connection to the distillery

The history of Distilleria Marzadro in Brancolino di Nogaredo began in 1949. Together with the nature trail that starts near Distilleria Marzadro, this historical connection provides another point of interest for travellers who want to discover Nogaredo through its landscape, local history and regional character.

More destinations for planning your trip to Italy

Tozzaga, Daone, Vetriolo, Giovo, Ronchi Valsugana, Tiarno Di Sotto, Cles, Albiano

To the higher-level travel overview: Trentino.