Avio Castle – one of the oldest fortified monuments in Trentino

History and description

Perched on a rocky spur of Mount Vignola to guard the surrounding area, Avio Castle—first referred to as Castellum Ava in 1503 and also known as Sabbionara Castle—is a fortified complex enclosed by crenellated walls. It includes an 11th‑century keep, the best‑preserved part, five towers (among them the “Picadora”), the baronial palace, the guards’ house decorated with battle scenes by a Trentino master, a chapel, the “Room of Love” frescoed by a Veneto‑Emilian painter with an unusual courtly theme, and a garden. Long held by the noble Castelbarco family, it later passed to the Republic of Venice, the Habsburgs, and the Counts of Arco, before returning to its original owners. Eventually, it was donated to the Italian National Trust (FAI), which restored and reopened it to the public.

Curiosities

In addition to being depicted on Italian postage stamps of 80 lire, the castle is famous for its tower, the Picadora, so called because it was likely used for executions by hanging. Popular legends also claim that if one manages to decipher a mysterious code within the castle, a secret passage will be revealed.

Access

Open from Wednesday to Sunday, with schedules varying by season, the castle can be visited at the cost of €8–9, with free entry and specific reductions available.

How to reach it

Located on Via al Castello, the site can be reached by car via the A22 Brenner motorway towards Sabbionara, by train on the Verona–Brenner line, or by bus, alighting at the Sabbionara d’Avio stop and continuing on foot.

With nearly a thousand years of history, Avio Castle is one of the oldest fortified sites with frescoes in Italy, making it an unmissable stop on any Trentino‑Alto Adige itinerary.

Photo credits: SilviaInternet88 (Wikipedia) - Licensed by CC 4.0