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Visit Rovereto

Rovereto is 20 km south of Trento, in the southern part of the Trentino-Alto Adige region of Italy.

History of Rivereto

During the Roman Age the place where the castle now stands was a Roman outpost controlling the road that led to the Brenner and the way from Central Europe to the Mediterranean Sea. Later, in the Middle Ages, the Castle was a fiefdom belonging to the great Lords from Lizzana who ruled the surrounding territory. An important turning point in the history of Rovereto began with the Venetian Dominion in 1411, because the city, in addition to be an important military base, was transformed into a centre of commerce.

The modern history of Rovereto begins around its castle which medieval documents refer to as a fortified city. The castle was developed by the Venetians in the 15th century because it was a strategic point for the control of the Leno and Adige river Valleys.

Around the Castle we see the medieval village of Saint-Thomas, separated from it by the Leno torrent: the inhabitants of the village entered into the fortress via the Forbato Bridge.

Saint Thomas still retains the typical characteristics of the medieval village and we can admire this picturesque village from the mighty Castle overlooking the valley with the village roofs crowding together around the narrow roads and squares.

Around 1510, Rovereto became a dominion of the Habsburgs. Between the 18th and 19th century, Rovereto went through a great transition and became a prominent cultural centre, as shown by its noble palaces, and also a leading industrial town based on wool and cotton-mills.

More recently Rovereto was highly affected by the events of World War I and became annexed to the Kingdom of Italy in 1918.

Visit Rovereto

Begin your visit to Rovereto on Via della Terra in Piazza San Marco and continue towards Piazza del Podestà. On the way, you can admire the architectural structure of the medieval village, standing at the foot of the Castle, and the mighty structure of the two boundary walls.

You can also visit the Church of San Marco dating from the 15th century and the Palazzo Municipale, a magnificent building of typically Venetian architectural inspiration, rich in pictures and frescoes. An essential place to visit for lovers of art before reaching the Castle is the "Deperos Museum" (opened to the public in January 2009), where you can see paintings by some famous Futurist painter such as Fortunato Depero (Val di Non 1892 - Rovereto 1960).

Rovereto castle

After the visit to the Deperos Museum, you can enter into the beautiful and impressive Castle,. It is an impressive polygonal structure, with the foundations of the walls leaning against the rocks of the Leno. During your visit to the Castle you have the chance to see the Historical Museum of the War" [Museo Storico della Guerra], collecting an extraordinary amount of objects and documents of World War I.

Outside the castle walls there is the medieval city, very rich in Palaces, reflecting the various architectural trends from the 17th to 19th centuries: from the Baroque to the Neo-classical and Liberty style.

Other sights within Rovereto

Rovereto still retains many parts dating back to the Middle Ages and the 19th century. A suggested route is to start from Vicolo dei Tintori, then continue along Via Dante, "Piazza delle Erbe", and "Piazza del Podestà", where, on the way, you can see various artefacts and interesting buildings and also the beautiful baroque church called "The Suffragio".

To admire the ancient noble palaces follow the road that leads from Piazza Rosmini to the Corso Bettini, on which there are magnificent 18th century palaces with parks and gardens, such as those which are now home to the "Civic Library" [Biblioteca Civica] and Zandonais Theatre" [Teatro Zandonai].

The 19th century is represented by the Palaces stretching themselves from "Piazza Rosmini to the railway station. Here you can admire the "Balista Palace" and the "Civic Museum", which collect some artistic and archaeological specimens.

Places to visit near Rovereto

Two kilometres away there is, on a hill, the Sacrario di Castel Dante ["Shrine of Castel Dante"], which contains the mortal remains of the fallen in the World War I of various nationalities. You can see nearby the ruins of the ancient Castle of Lizzana.

If you love the country, the open spaces and contact with nature, you'll find in Rovereto and its surroundings (Vallagarina) some places certainly satisfying your needs, and inns, restaurants and farm with typical products of significant value and quality.