Trento: Roman traces, museums and historic routes
Accommodation in Trento
Historic centre and Roman traces
Trento combines historic cityscapes with tangible evidence from different eras. In the historic centre, frescoed palaces, battlements and historic fountains alternate with gardens and green spaces. When planning a cultural stay in Trento, the Spazio Archeologico Sotterraneo del Sas, Castello del Buonconsiglio and Museo Diocesano Tridentino can be considered as different thematic highlights. Trento thus brings together urban history, art and paths along the river.
The Spazio Archeologico Sotterraneo del Sas comprises an underground visitor presentation covering around 1,700 square metres of Roman urban remains. These include a section of the eastern Roman city wall, a gate tower that was converted into a city gate during the imperial period, and a paved road made of large slabs of local red stone. The underground presentation combines archaeological findings with a free audio guide in Italian, English and German.
Residence, art and early urban history
From 1255 to 1796, Castello del Buonconsiglio was the residence of the prince-bishops of Trento. Its history can therefore be traced back over several centuries. In 1924, the castle was restored as a national museum and reopened to the public; since 1973, it has housed the old art collections of the Autonomous Province of Trento.
The Museo Diocesano Tridentino additionally presents art and cultural holdings from the 11th to the 19th century. For those interested in culture, the Museo Diocesano Tridentino displays the most important evidence of the Council of Trent alongside rare Flemish tapestries, paintings and wooden sculptures. The Villa Romana di Orfeo was built in the 1st century AD and inhabited until the 3rd century AD. It contains a polychrome mosaic measuring around 65 square metres, depicting Orpheus playing the lyre among animals.
Church history with modern interpretation
The Basilica Paleocristiana di San Vigilio was founded at the end of the 4th century AD and attributed to Vigilius, the third bishop and patron saint of Trento. Its immersive educational tour combines videos, interactive stations and virtual reality devices. In this way, early church history meets an interpretive format that opens up different approaches to historical topics.
Green spaces and paths along the river
The city’s more recent development is also part of Trento’s character. The Parco dei Fratelli Michelin – Parco delle Albere was created on the former site of the Michelin factory based on a design by Renzo Piano’s architectural firm. The park covers more than 4 hectares and is connected to the intermunicipal cycle and pedestrian path along the Adige. The path along the Adige provides a practical reference point for walks and cycling tours.
The Museo Nazionale Storico degli Alpini can be reached from Piedicastello via a walk through the green spaces to Doss Trento.
You can discover further travel destinations via Gereut, Centa San Nicolò, Mezzocorona, Capriana, Ronzo-Chienis, Norge, Candriai and Ossana.
For the higher-level travel overview: Trentino.
