Culture

Urlaub Val di Non: Ferien in Hotels im Nonstal, Trentino und Val di Sole

SILENT WITNESSES...

They overlook roads and squares of little villages, and – discreetly - tell the history of the Val di Non. Witnesses to a millenary faith preserved in the rural parish communities and in hidden hermitages; to a rich borderland contested by the powers that be, or to a peasant population who always loved and tenaciously defended their homes.

CASTLES AND PALACES

The Val di Non is the Trentino valley boasting the largest number of castles and noble residences... Secluded among thick woods or imposingly overlooking a vast expanse of apple orchards, these ancient buildings give evidence of the ancient and glorious history of Anaunia, as the Val di Non was once called.

Some are striking ruins vertically overlooking the rocks, as is the case of the romantic Castello d’Altaguardia, others retain their old elegant and imposing look, such as the wonderful Castel Thun, Castel Valer and Castel Malgolo.

Although many castles have been transformed into elegant private residences, a visit to Castel Thun will make you appreciate the valley’s vast heritage of castles. Many other elegant palaces have been skilfully restored and today host art exhibitions and temporary shows of great importance; these are occasions when the magnificent castles can be visited and admired in all their splendour.

CASTEL THUN

A spell of history and magic
NOT TO BE MISSED! CASTEL THUN REOPENS ITS DOORS TO THE PUBLIC: FROM 17TH APRIL 2010!

Emblem of the ancient glories of one of the most powerful and richest Trentino families, the Tonos, with its undisputed beauty and importance Castel Thun still dominates on all the other manors of the Val di Non. A reflection of the centuries-long domination of this noble family on the Valley, the castle – that stands on a hill not far from the village of Vigo di Ton - testifies times of both past glory and decay.

Castel Thun is currently undergoing restoration, but, already, a date can be noted on your diary: 17th APRIL 2010, when the manor will host the inauguration and official reopening. From this date Castel Thun will be one of the most important museum complexes in the whole Alpine region, as the peripheral venue of the well-known Castello del Buonconsiglio in Trento. The inauguration will open with a special exhibition of prints and paintings of the 16th – 19th centuries dedicated to landscape painting.

For information on the forthcoming opening of Castel Thun: new.buonconsiglio.it

Driving directions: Driving on the state road n. 43 take the junction with provincial road n. 73, and, driving towards Vigo di Ton take the junction with the provincial road n. 203; proceed in the direction of "Castel Thun".

Further info: Castel Thun tel. 0461-657816 via Vigo di Ton, 38010 Ton

Focus: The name of the House of Tono, or Thun in its Germanized form, was first recorded in the 13th century and also gave its name to the castle. The family was destined to become the local and European leading seat in the history of the Trento Prince Bishopric: after acquiring the ancient Belvesino fortress, the Tonos started its renovation making it their luxury family manor.

The vast expanse of the building testifies to the skilful architecture applied to exploit the surrounding mountainous territory for defensive purposes. The core of Castel Thun stands on top of a hill: it is an imposing palazzo with square plan, three turrets with Gothic cusp located sideways and a fourth turret at the corner. In the lower levels there are several walls, a result of the centuries old transformations of the castle from defensive fortress to lavish aristocratic residence; corner turrets, massive towers, double curtains and moats complete the complex.
On the northern side, facing the wooden bridge - once a drawbridge – stands the peculiar Spanish Door, named in memory of the legendary journey to Spain taken by a young member of the Thun family; the door is protected by two turrets, so-called “malta” turrets, and is finely finished with ashlar-work.

Magnificence and refinement are the best words to describe the castle’s 150 rooms. Among them, the following stand out for their elegance: the Bishop’s Room (Stanza del Vescovo), entirely panelled in Swiss pine, and the Hearth Room (Stanza del Camino), with a most beautiful Renaissance fireplace. In the Room of the Dead (Stanza dei morti) walls are still blackened by the smoke of candles burnt during wakes.

Churches

WITNESSES TO A MILLENARY FAITH

Christian faith is deeply rooted in the Val di Non. Since 397 AD, when the missionaries Sisinio, Martirio and Alessandro were martyred near the village of Sanzeno, Christianity spread in the whole valley, leaving its deep marks in both its history and inhabitants. With its Basilica dei SS. Martiri Anauniesi, (i.e. of the saint martyrs of the Val di Non), and the Sanctuary of St. Romedius, Sanzeno is the core of Christian faith in the Valley to this day.

HERMITAGES AND SANCTUARYS. WHERE ART AND SPIRITUALITY MEET

Diverse and evocative, are the hermitages of the Val di Non. The valley's peculiar morphology, with narrow gorges and deep canyons, made it an ideal destination for the believers who came searching for solitude and direct contact with God. Besides the well-known Sanctuary of St. Romedius many other small places of worship still retain the power of authentic and sincere spirituality. They are all worth a visit, also because the way to reach them often goes along impressive natural trails and across some of the most beautiful places in the Val di Non.

The Sanctuary of St. Romedius

A CASKET OF AWESOMENESS AND SPIRITUALITY

The Sanctuary of Saint Romedius (732 m. a.s.l.) is one of the most extraordinary hermitages and testimony to Christian faith in Europe. Standing on the peak of a spur over 70 metres high, according to the legend it is the place where Romedius of Thaur withdrew to become a hermit. A steep stair of 131 steps takes visitors up to the top of the rocky cliff through a complex of seven small churches.

The Sanctuary is open all year.
Opening hours: from 9am to 5pm (until 7pm from 1st April to 30th September).
Special extended opening hours until 10pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays during summer months.
FREE ADMISSION
tel. +39 0463 536198

GUIDED TOURS TO THE SANCTUARY OF ST. ROMEDIUS organised within the project Sentieri del Cielo (Paths of Heaven)
Booking is required during winter months (groups only).

Information and booking:
Azienda per il Turismo Val di Non
tel. +39 0463 830133
fax +39 0463 830161
e-mail: info@visitvaldinon.it

HOW TO GET THERE:

ON FOOT: The scenic walk through the rocks (2,5 Km) starts in the village of Sanzeno. Alternatively you can leave from the village of Don, take the trail SAT 539, and enjoy a relaxing walk in the woods passing Tavon or Coredo.
BY CAR: Follow the directions to the Sanctuary leaving from the main square in Sanzeno, and proceeding in the valley along the stream Romedio.
SHUTTLE-BUS SERVICE: In SUMMER it is possible to reach the Sanctuary by shuttle-bus (operating every day). Tourist buses are charged a parking fee to access the area. Cars can be parked in the area near the restaurant “Al Mulino” in Sanzeno, at the entrance of the Valley of Saint Romedius.

HISTORY AND LEGEND

The noble Romedius – heir of the prestigious Tyrolese Thaur family – called by the voice of God and determined to find true happiness in the communion with the Creator, is said to have left all his riches toward the end of the 10th century, to withdraw in meditation on the top of a cliff. After he died his followers dug his grave in the rock and started his cult, that consolidated in the year 1000 and lasts to this day. The first chapel was built in the 11th century; thanks to the strong faith of humble people in their Patron saint, three superimposed small churches were built; two chapels and seven aediculae dedicated to Passion, in custody of the Sanctuary’s sacredness and magic were added over the centuries. The valley inhabitants' faith in St. Romedius was so strong that in the 15th century votive offerings started lining the walls of the stairwell leading to the hermit’s grave, as tokens of the pilgrims’ boundless confidence in the Saint’s powers.

ST. ROMEDIUS’ BEAR

The Sanctuary of St. Romedius is often remembered also for the adjoining wildlife area hosting two bears that live in semi-freedom conditions: they are the true mascot of all children in the Val di Non. (Currently there are no bears). The presence of the bears in this place of worship is due to the legend according to which Romedius, then an old man, made his way to Trento, determined to meet Vigilius, the town’s Bishop. Along the way his horse was torn to pieces by a bear, however Romedius did not give up, approached the bear and miraculously managed to tame it and ride to Trento on its back.