Who among you has never passed on the motorway from Verona to the north and been left open-mouthed when, suddenly, like a sentinel, this magnificent jewel of the feudal past comes into the view?
Avio Castle has always been the beacon welcoming travelers approaching Trento province from the south and is a wonderful example of charm, memory and beauty.
Curious and ready to welcome some interesting ideas?
A bit of history … Castles in Trento province
The origins of the castles have their roots in Roman times when some military outposts called “castellieri” were fortified for defensive purposes. These original wooden fortifications were subsequently enlarged and strengthened with walls and towers. The keep of the Avio Castle dates back approximately to 1000/1100 AD. Over the following centuries, the Castelbarco family expanded and embellished the original castle up to the current structure. It’s currently open to visitors through a path that climbs easily from the bottom to the top.
Once past the open tower that gives access to the inside of the castle, you walk along an easy path that leads to the House of the Guards. Wonderful wall paintings decorate the rooms where, long ago, castle guards spent part of their time. The frescoes depict interesting scenes of war, battles, duels and weapons of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. Going further, you are surrounded by luxuriant gardens and you arrive at the central keep, the ancient core of the castle. It’s a hexagonal construction that over time changed its intended use. From a defensive tower, it became the home of the counts of Castelbarco.
The “Chamber of Love” on the fourth floor is truly picturesque, decorated along the walls and the vault with erotic and romantic frescoes. Staves pierce the heart of an elegantly dressed lady and a passionate knight, and love rides an impetuous steed, infusing the whole environment with a lively rhythm. It really seems to immerse you in ancient medieval atmospheres of court ladies, knights and lords of castles.
The natural position of this fortified outpost makes it an extremely strategic point for control. For this reason, once you reach the top of the central keep, you can enjoy a breathtaking view from top to bottom of the castle and over the entire Adige Valley.
Info, Tips and Tricks
Do you particularly like the charm of the castles of the Alps? We recommend that you do not miss visiting three other magnificent examples of early medieval castles: Beseno Castle, Rovereto Castle, Pietra Castle.
For further information, we recommend visiting: www.fondoambiente.it/luoghi/castello-di-avio
There is a car park at 450 m from the Castle and a bus parking in the town of Sabbionara (about 800 meters from the Castle).
Avio Castle is open to the public at the following times:
Wednesday to Sunday:
March 1st to September 30th, 10:00 – 18:00
October 1st to November 24th, 10:00 – 17:00