Things to Do and See in Trento

The picturesque historic center bears witness to the ancient splendor of the city’s Prince-Bishops era, where the historic Renaissance palaces have been restored and the Dolomites serve as a backdrop, creating a truly evocative and charming atmosphere. Among the main monuments are the 13th-century Palazzo Pretorio and the Cathedral, built in the Romanesque-Gothic style, the site of the Council of Trent from 1543 to 1563—the council of the Counter-Reformation, which sought to stem the spread of the Lutheran Reformation. The provincial capital is also dominated by the majestic Buonconsiglio Castle, surrounded by imposing walls; among the religious buildings, we highlight the majestic 12th-century Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral of San Vigilio and the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore. Elsewhere in the province, don’t miss some unique towns such as Pinzolo, where you can admire the famous 16th-century fresco, the “Dance of Death,” by the 16th-century painter Baschenis in the Church of San Vigilio; Rovereto, home to the modern MART—the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art of Trento and Rovereto—and the Historical War Museum, as the city was the site of combat during World War I; in the surrounding countryside, be sure to visit the Castel Dante Military Memorial, which houses the remains of the fallen. On the shores of Lake Garda, Riva del Garda is worth noting for its interesting architecture, including the spectacular Rocca.