The Cultural Scene - from Castles to Cutting-edge Museums
SETTING THE AGENDA
It’s set to be an exciting summer, with a world-class museum on course to change the face of
the capital. Trento has pulled off a coup in creating MUSE, a visionary new Science
Museum, designed by Renzo Piano, an equally visionary architect.
Rovereto, the second city, already has its landmark Modern Art Museum, the MART, with
an engaging summer programme. What’s more, the erstwhile rivals have come together to
launch a comprehensive city pass that covers museums, castles, wine estates and transport
in both cities and beyond. So much for the cities.
Trentino is also castle country. Trentino has been a borderland since the times of the
Roman Empire. Under Trento’s powerful prince-bishops, Gothic castles were often revamped
in graceful Renaissance style. Given its Mitteleuropean heritage, Trentino also bristles with
Austro-Hungarian forts on mountain ridges. The historical legacy embraces dreamy lakeside
castles, crenellated strongholds on rocky spurs, and Austrian forts, complete with casemates
and communication trenches. Many castles can be visited, whether converted into museums,
wine estates, romantic restaurants, or the setting for summer concerts and historical reenactments.
The countdown to the Centenary of the First World War provides a focus for a wartime
legacy that refuses to fade away. The theme is particularly poignant as not only was Trentino
on the frontline but also found itself in the Austrian, not Italian, camp. The forts have been put
forward for Unesco World Heritage recognition. But the conflict is commemorated not just
in the forts, but in impressive war museums, memorials and walking trails. The Sounds of
the Dolomites festival features several musical trails linked to the forts (see Release 4).
TOP TRENDS
➼ Joined up thinking: new tourism card and new synergy between cities (see below)
➼ New APPs that help source attractions, restaurants and services (see below)
➼ The increasing popularity and relevance of castles and forts (see the Hot List)
➼ Enlightened, visitor-centred museums, such as MUSE and the MART.
THE HOT LIST
➼ Opening of MUSE, the Science Museum, 27 July 2013, www.muse2012.eu
The Science Museum will be rooted in the Dolomites, presenting glaciers and extreme Alpine
experiences as part of its remit. Yet its ulterior ambition is to reposition Trento as a dynamic
cultural and scientific centre on the world stage. The museum will be at the heart of a new
urban park, residential and entertainment zone set to reshape the city. Museum Director,
Michele Lanzinger expects the museum complex to be “interactive, attractive and memorable.
MEDIA RELATIONS
Tel. 0039 0461 219375- Fax 0039 0461 219402
trentinostampa@visittrentino.it
It celebrates our planet, in all its complexity, and focuses on the means needed to save it, a
realisation that has only slowly dawned on humankind.” (see Release 3).
➼ Forts as Unesco candidates
Recognised as great feats of engineering, 29 Trentino forts have recently been nominated as
candidates for Unesco World Heritage Site status. Trentino boasts 80 Habsburg forts, built or
consolidated during the Austro-Hungarian Empire, from the 1860s onwards. Between 1914-18
the Trentino forts witnessed the fiercest fighting, with huge losses on both sides. Today,
impressive museum-forts, such as Forte Belvedere, can be explored, linked to walking trails
(see below and Release 4).
➼ Countdown to the Centenary of the First World War
Trentino marked the southernmost flank of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the forts were a
bulwark against enemies, including the Allied Forces in the First World War. This former
Austrian-Italian front stretched up towards the lofty Marmolada glacier and witnessed `the
white war’ in which thousands of troops fought blindly amidst impenetrable snow and ice. The
wartime legacy is commemorated not just in the forts, but in Rovereto’s War Museum, set in
a 15th-century Venetian-style castle (see www.museodellaguerra.it). On the neighbouring hill is
the Peace Bell, which tolls daily in memory of the Fallen - it was cast in bronze from cannon
from all the warring sides. The rubble of high-altitude trenches on Monte Pasubio is also
deeply moving. The restoration of Trentino forts, trenches and monuments is well
underway, linked to the Centenary in 2014 (www.trentinograndeguerra.it).
THE FAN
Celebrated Canadian singer Michael Buble took in Trentino this year, and was bowled over
by the cultural charms of the capital: “Everyone from abroad flocks to Rome, Florence and
Venice, but Trento is fantastic. I wish I could live there.”
SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS
New City Pass: ‘TrentoRovereto Towns of Culture Card’
This covers for 48 hours all provincial transport, castle and museum access in Trento and
Rovereto (and beyond) plus welcome drinks and a wine-tasting tour – and costs 20 euro. The
pass can be extended (free) for three months, excluding transport. Key benefits are listed
below.
Museums include: MUSE (new Science Museum, Trento), MART (Modern Art Museum,
Rovereo), and the Museo degli usi e costume della gente trentina (Museum of Trentino
Traditions).
Castles include: Castello del Buonconsiglio (the museum-castle inTrento), as well as Castel
Beseno, Castel Thun, Castel Stenico and Castello di Avio.
Lake Ledro Bronze Age stilt-dwelling village (free with the new City Card), see the website
Wine deals: free aperitif in participating bars; free glass of Trentodoc sparkling wine in
participating restaurants.
Public transport: 48-hour public transport pass in Trentino.
MEDIA RELATIONS
Tel. 0039 0461 219375- Fax 0039 0461 219402
trentinostampa@visittrentino.it
Festival discounts: including Mozart Festival (Rovereto) and Trento Film Festival.
For booking conditions and a complete list of partners: www.trentorovereto.it.
KEY EXHIBITIONS & EVENTS
Trento Film Festival, Trento, 25 April to 8 May 2013
The 61st edition of this international film festival is, as always, dedicated to discovering the
best feature films and documentaries inspired by mountains the world over. An added
attraction is the presence of celebrated mountaineers who recount their feats, including
Reinhold Messner (see www.trentofestival.it/en).
Trento Economics Festival, Trento, 30 May to 2 June 2013
This surprisingly popular economics festival attracts world names. Ralf Dahrendorf says:
“When I say I’ve attended an economics festival that’s attracted an audience of over 50,000,
people laugh at me. But this Trento festival is unique” (see 2013.festivaleconomia.eu/english).
Dragon Blood – Serpent Scales, Castello del Buonconsiglio, Trento, 9 August 2013 to 12
January 2014
On display is a fantastical medieval bestiary ranging from seven-headed dragons to seamonsters, griffons, sphinxes and serpents. The inspiration is the castle’s wonderful medieval
frescoes, the Cycle of the Months (see www.buonconsiglio.it).
The Magnificent Obsession, The MART, Rovereto, until 6 October 2013
From the museum’s masterpieces to new acquisitions, ranging from Futurist and Metaphysical
works to Pop Art and portraits (see www.mart.trento.it).
Artesella, Borgo Valsugana, www.artesella.it
This is a free-flowing, open-air exhibition that combines a forest trail with constantly changing
‘natural’ works of art – the raw materials have mostly come from the forest. On 25 July, the
Arte Sella also hosts a ‘Sounds of the Dolomites’ concert.
The Sounds of the Dolomites - music in the mountains (see Release 4).
DESTINATION DOLOMITES
NEW TRENTINO APPS: the Trentino Tourist Guide app lets you access a range of services on your
Smartphone or Tablet, including what to do. The ARound Trentino app also helps you track down restaurants
and attractions. Download the apps free on: www.visittrentino.it/en/mobile.
Trentino website: consult www.visittrentino.it/en for descriptions of museums, castles, wine estates, along with
other attractions and events, including contact details.
MEDIA RELATIONS
Tel. 0039 0461 219375- Fax 0039 0461 219402
trentinostampa@visittrentino.it