Visit Castello di Avio
Avio castle (Castello di Avio or Castello di Sabbionara) is found to the south of the Trentino-Alto Adige region.
Passing along the valley of the Adige River there are numerous castles, from when the valley played an important defensive role and was an important transit route - a strategic importance dating back to before the Romans and extending through to medieval times.
Many of the castles along the valley are hard to access, but Castello di Avio is accessible, open to the public, and has good views over the surrounding countryside - down the valley of the val Lagarina.
Avio castle dates from the 11th century stands imposingly in an attractive location, in a wooded valley - the setting is a large part of the special apppeal of Castello di Avio.
The sturdy fortified walls enclose an open courtyard-garden area running up the hill,five towers, a dominant tall round keep, and a small baronial palace squeezed within the walls. Inside the keep, the Chamber of Love includes some quality frescoes.
There are also some notable 13th century frescoes of military victories to admire in the guardhouse, a ittle separate from the rest of the castle - these are as impressive as Avio castle itself and not to be missed on a visit.