Castel Beseno

About the museum

Castel Beseno stands on a limestone outcrop above Besenello, in the Vallagarina, and controlled the communication routes between the Adige valley, the Folgaria area and the Vicenza area. The first certain records date from the 12th century, when it was a fief of the counts of Appiano held by the lords of Beseno; in the 13th century it largely passed to the Church of Trento and later to the Castelbarco family, who enlarged and restored it.

In 1487 the battle of Calliano was fought near the castle, in which the troops of the Republic of Venice were defeated by Tyrolean forces. After a fire, in the 16th century the complex was thoroughly rebuilt: from a medieval stronghold it also became a residence, with circular bastions suited to firearms and a noble palace. In the 18th century it withstood a siege by Napoleonic troops.

Once its defensive role had ended, the castle was abandoned in the 19th century and partly stripped of its roofs. In 1973 the Trapp family, who owned it, donated it to the Autonomous Province of Trento, which began restoration work. Today it is one of the venues of the Castello del Buonconsiglio, the provincial monuments and collections: the route includes the bastions, the patrol walkway, the courtyard of honour with the count's palace and a permanent exhibition on the battle of Calliano. In summer it hosts performances and historical re-enactments.

Highlights

• The largest fortified complex in Trentino, on the hill above Besenello
• Bastion front with three large circular bastions and a panoramic patrol walkway
• Courtyard of honour with Piazza Grande, oven, well and cistern
• Count's palace with painted ceilings and majolica floors of 1687
• Permanent exhibition on the battle of Calliano of 1487
• Historical re-enactments and performances in the castle

Permanent exhibitions

• La battaglia di Calliano – In the rooms of the Palazzo di Marcabruno, reconstructions, videos and models recount the clash of 10 August 1487 between Venetians and Tyrolean troops.
• Il sistema difensivo – Route through the bastions, Porta Scura, courtyards and patrol walkway, with an exhibition room of sixteenth-century weapons and cavalry harnesses.

Operated by

Castello del Buonconsiglio, monumenti e collezioni provinciali (Provincia autonoma di Trento)

Visitors per year

approx. 40,459 (2022)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Every first Sunday of the month from October to March: free admission for all visitors.

Free admission also for teachers accompanying school groups, tourist guides on duty, cultural heritage professionals with a card, holders of the Trentino Guest Card and Italians resident abroad registered with the AIRE (register of Italians abroad). Guided service for groups by booking: €80 in Italian, €100 in a foreign language.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The castle has architectural barriers and no lifts. The last stretch of the pedestrian road to the entrance is a very steep climb with a partly uneven surface. It is advisable to contact the museum (tel. +39 0461 492 811) to check access options. The museum offers visit routes for people with visual and cognitive disabilities, by booking through the Educational Services.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum offers fixed-time family activities (€8 per family unit, admission included), to be booked with the Educational Services at +39 0461 492 811 (Monday–Friday 09:00–13:00). There is a family rate; children up to 14 enter free, and with the Family Card or the Euregio Family Pass parents pay the reduced rate. Because of the steep climb and uneven surface, access with pushchairs is difficult.

Getting there & parking

The castle is about 20 km from Trento (state road 12 as far as Besenello) and about 10 km from Rovereto (Rovereto nord motorway exit); it can also be reached from the road linking the Adige valley with Folgaria. From Besenello the more demanding GAC path through the woods (about an hour) is also signposted.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Castel Beseno is one of the five museum venues offered for press conferences, film and photo shoots, gala dinners and events; requests via the form and price list published on the website.

Plan your visit