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Panoramic view of Trento, Italy. Author Turgidson.

Top 10 Astonishing Facts about Trento, Italy

Trento lies in a wide glacial valley, in Italy. The valley is known as the Adige Valley. Which is just south of the Dolomite Mountains. This is where the Fersina River and Avisio river join the Adige River.

However, the location of this city has had disputes. Some scholars maintain it was a Rhaetian settlement.

The Adige area was however influenced by neighbouring populations, including the (Adriatic) Veneti, the Etruscans and the Gauls (a Celtic population). According to other theories, the latter did instead find the city during the 4th century BC.

Trento is an educational, scientific, financial and political centre in Trentino, Tyrol and Italy. It鈥檚 one of the nation鈥檚 wealthiest and most prosperous cities in Italy.

The city often ranks highly among other Italian cities for quality of life, the standard of living and businesses opportunity. In 2017, it was ranked the 5th city.

For tourism purposes, Trento offers interesting Monuments. Its architecture has a unique feel, with both Italian Renaissance and Roman influences.

Let’s learn more about this beautiful city and why you should plan a visit.

1. The City was Conquered by the Romans in the 1st Century Bc

Trento was conquered by the Romans in the 1st century Bc. This was after several clashes with the Rhaetian tribes. However, before the Romans, the city was a Celtic Village.

The city was re-founded by Julius Caesar as a Roman Municipality. This was when Rome extended citizenship to the part of Cisalpine Gaul north of the River Po.

Additionally, the Romans gave their settlement the name Tridentum. The name was a tribute to the Roman god Neptune. Tridentum means the  ‘Three Teeth’  due to the three hills that surround the city. The three hills are Doss Trent, Sant’Agata and San Rocco.

2. The Cathedral of Trento is the largest church in the city

Trento (Italy): portal at the northern entrance of the cathedral of Saint Vigilius. Author Matteo Lanes.

This is the main church of the archdiocese of Trento. It is an Italian national monument.

the cathedral was named after Saint Vigilius. He was the first Bishop of Trento. The Bishop was buried in the cathedral.

The cathedral has a concert of eight bells in the bell tower. Six of these were cast in 1920 by the Luigi Colbacchini foundry of Trento and donated by the city of Mantua.

The other two were added in 1955. The sound of all the bells is reserved for the greatest solemnities.  Additionally, it has a statue of the Madonna Annegati (Madonna of the Drowned) which dates back to the 14th century.  

3. The City has a Square (Piazza Duomo), which has only one tree

Neptune Fountain at the Cathedral Square, Trento. Photo by Zairon.

The square (Piazza Duomo) has a roughly quadrangular shape. The square appeared in medieval times. As an open area north of the Cathedral of San Vigilio.

The parking and transit of the vehicles were allowed in the square. This was until the 1970s. The area was subsequently pedestrianized.

The square has only one tree, a Lime tree. Interestingly, this tree has a particular history. According to tradition, the first tree was planted at the beginning of the 19 century. This was during the Napoleonic government of Trentico. 

However, the first tree aged. Another tree was planted in its place. The current tree replaced the second one in 1982.

The square is decorated with two fountains. The Fountain of Neptune is at the centre. This is an 18 century Fountain. It is raised on a flight of steps. The second one is  The fountain of the Eagle ( Fontana dell’Aquilla)

 4.The City hosts the Tridentine Diocesan Museum that was founded in 1903

The Tridentine diocesan Museum was founded in 1903 to safeguard the artistic heritage of the Diocese. In 1995, the Museum underwent a radical renovation which resulted in a new layout. A new lighting system was also realized.

In its rooms, it exhibits a rich heritage of art and cultural treasures ranging from the eleventh to the nineteenth century. All of them came from the churches of Trento. These are paintings, wooden sculptures, winged altars, pictorial manuscripts, and valuable specimens of goldsmith’s work. ancient art embroideries and Flemish tapestries. A multimedia station illustrates the successive stages of building the cathedral. 

5. Trento is Home to a Science Museum

Science Museum in Trento. Author Llorenzi. The Museo delle Scienze (MUSE) is a science museum in Trento, Italy. The museum was designed by architect Renzo Piano and opened in 2013.

The building has soaring glass walls that imitate the surrounding mountain peaks and slopes. The exhibitions include the evolution of geological formations and fossils to the natural environment of flora, fauna, glaciers, and avalanches.

You can find hands-on, multimedia, and sensory experiences that give life to the artefacts. It is a museum and dynamic introduction to the Alpine landscapes.

6. The Oldest Aviation Museum in Italy is located in Trento

Front view of the Caproni Ca.193 on display at the Gianni Caproni Museum of Aeronautics. Author MLWatts. WIKIMEDIA

The Gianni Caproni Museum of Aeronautics is Italy鈥檚 oldest aviation museum. It is also the country鈥檚 oldest corporate museum. It was established in 1927 as the Caproni Museum (Museo Caproni) by Italian aviation pioneer and aeronautical engineer, Giovanni Battista 鈥淕ianni鈥� Caproni and his wife, Timina Guasti Caproni.

 More than two dozen aircraft are exhibited in the museum. This includes several Caproni planes, a Lockheed F-104G Starfighter, and the only surviving fuselage of a Fokker D.VIII.

Eight other aircraft on display are the only surviving examples in the world. Many of these are prototypes built by Caproni, including the Caproni Vizzola C-22J, designed in 1980 for the US Air Force as a training craft. The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter is a 1950s prototype of a fighter plane used until 2000.

7. The City has Two Beautiful waterfalls that Dive into a Narrow Canyon between Rocks

The canyon is referred to as the Orrido di Ponte Alto. The gorge near Ponte Alto has attracted tourists to the city of Trento since the 1800s.

The so-called 鈥淥rrido鈥� is a deep canyon carved by the river Fersina over thousands of years. It has two scenic waterfalls that dive right into it.

 The waterfalls are more than 40 metres high. They make their way through red rock cliffs, creating exciting light and sound effects.

In addition to this natural beauty, the Orrido di Ponte Alto has important historical value. In 1500, the local population attempted to control the flow of the water. This by building a dam which was intended to slow down the river(Fersina river)

The first dam on Fersina was built in 1537 upon orders of Bernardo Clesio. It was entirely made of wood and just 20 meters high.

However, the dam worked for 6 years. It was later destroyed by heavy rain. The dam was built again, higher and stronger. Nevertheless, it was destroyed again after a few years.

The second and the latest version of the dam was built in 1850. It is entirely Built of stone. This caused the creation of the beautiful falls.

8. The City has the Oldest and the Largest Gardens in Trento

Botanical garden Alpino viote. Author CristianNX –

The oldest and largest garden in Trento is Giardino Botanico Alpino Viote( Botanic Garden). It has a collection of more than 2,000 species of plants. Many of them are rare and endangered.

The garden was established in 1938. However, it was damaged during World war II and renewed in 1958.

Plants in this garden are grouped in beds according to the areas of origin such as the Pyrenees, the Alps, the Apennines, the Balkans, the Americans and the Himalayas etc.

9. Trento has amazing Christmas Markets

This is one of the events you should not miss during your visit to Trento. The event attracts visitors from all over the world.

The event is held over the Christmas period. During this season, Trento city turns into a magical nativity scene with a unique atmosphere, full of lights and traditions.

The streets of Trento are decorated with festive lights. Picturesque wooden huts are placed at Piazza Fiera and Piazza Cesare.

The Christmas market charms with its local products. Between the stalls, you can find handicrafts, gift ideas and Christmas decorations.

The Christmas market of Trento is not only a Christmas market characterized by handicrafts, traditions and a special atmosphere. It is also a 鈥済reen market鈥�. Great importance is attached to sustainability, the negative impact on the environment is to be minimized as far as possible. Local products and paper bags help to ensure the aim.

10. The City offers Visitors an opportunity to enjoy the Winemaking Heritage from Northern Italy

During your visit to Trento explore the winemaking heritage from northern Italy at the Tenuta San Leonardo winery in Trento. The villa and vineyards date back to the 18th century.

Visitors get a detailed explanation of traditional wine production methods and the country life around the cellars. You will find a variety of four wines. These are Vette, Terre di San Leonardo, Villa Gresti, and San Leonardo. You can comfortably enjoy your taste.