Castel Caldes

About the museum

Castel Caldes stands in Caldes, in the Val di Sole, and is one of the venues of the provincial Monuments and Collections that belong to the Castello del Buonconsiglio in Trento. It was built between 1230 and 1235 as a fortified tower house by the Lords of Cagnò, by concession of the prince-bishop, and together with the nearby Rocca di Samoclevo it kept watch over the trade that crossed the valley.

In 1464 the castle passed to the Counts Thun, who restored it thoroughly and enlarged it with new buildings around the original tower, giving the complex its present appearance, in which Venetian, German and Lombard influences typical of this border region blend. In the 16th century decorative cycles and the chapel dedicated to the Virgin were added. In the 19th century the castle was sold to a local family, and in the 20th century it became property of the Autonomous Province of Trento, which carried out a major restoration between 2010 and 2014.

The building has vaulted rooms, wooden panelling and frescoed halls, including the Sala del Conte (Count's Hall) and the ballroom. In the tower, at the top of a wooden staircase, is the small room known as the Stanza di Olinda (Olinda's Room), with a cross vault entirely painted. According to tradition, the young Countess Thun, who had fallen in love with a court minstrel, was locked in here by her father, and she herself is said to have painted the frescoes.

Highlights

• Five-storey medieval tower, the original core of the castle
• Stanza di Olinda (Olinda's Room), with a fully frescoed vault and its legend
• Sala del Conte (Count's Hall) and ballroom
• Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary within the curtain wall
• Architecture combining Venetian, German and Lombard influences

Permanent exhibition

• Stanza di Olinda – Small room in the tower with a cross vault entirely frescoed, linked to the legend of the young Countess Thun. It is visited with castle staff, with entry every 45 minutes.

Operated by

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

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 (EduCard), tourist guides, cultural heritage professionals with a card, Italians resident abroad registered with the AIRE, and holders of the Trentino Guest Card. Guided tours for groups by reservation through the Educational Services: €80 in Italian, €100 in a foreign language. The Museum Pass Trento-Rovereto (€22, valid 48 hours) includes admission.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• 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: wheelchair users can reach the entrance and the chapel. It is advisable to contact the museum (+39 0461 492811) to check access arrangements. Small dogs are admitted to the rooms only in arms or in a carrier; guide dogs are always admitted; in the gardens all dogs must be on a lead.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Baby changing facilities

Family activities at fixed times. Pushchairs are not admitted into the castle and are left at the ticket office; the family toilets have a changing table. The Spazio Family is not present at Castel Caldes.

Getting there & parking

By car from Trento through Cles as far as Malé; Caldes is a few kilometres before Malé.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi (Trentino Wi-Fi network, registration by email) for up to two hours; coverage is not guaranteed everywhere. Bulky backpacks and bags can be left at the ticket office, where publications and gifts are sold.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit