Cavalese: Culture, Art and Seasonal Experiences

Cavalese combines churches and art collections with seasonal experiences and opportunities for activity and relaxation. If you are looking for a hotel in Cavalese, your interests can guide your plans: sacred architecture and historical art, a summer events calendar, or time for nature and leisure.

Churches, Art and Architectural History

The Chiesa di San Vigilio was built between 1685 and 1688 and consecrated in 1698. Its wooden high altar was donated by Leopold I of Austria. The church, its choir and the monastery house an extensive collection of paintings. It includes works by artists of the Fiemme school, mostly by Giovanni Giuseppe Alberti. A visit brings together architectural history, sacred furnishings and paintings from the same artistic tradition.

The Chiesa di S. Maria Assunta also reflects several phases of construction: it was built in the 12th century and completely rebuilt in the 15th century. Giuseppe Alberti built its bell tower in the 17th century; the entrance hall, with its wood-paneled ceiling, features frescoes by Antonio Longo. The Chiesa San Sebastiano dates from 1464. Its Gothic bell tower was given battlements in 1829 and is now considered a landmark of Cavalese. A restoration in 2002 also brought to light the 19th-century Stations of the Cross by Carlo Vanzo, a painter from Cavalese.

The Palazzo della Magnifica Comunità di Fiemme was probably built toward the end of the 13th century. It houses an art gallery, a museum and an archive containing manuscripts, statutes and historical writings. The Museo d'Arte Contemporanea di Cavalese opened in 2001 in the historic Palazzo Rizzoli in the historic center. It presents temporary group and solo exhibitions throughout the year; the exhibitions change.

Seasonal Experiences and Leisure

In Cavalese’s Parco della Pieve stands the Banco de la Reson, a stone structure with two concentric rows of seats around a round table. From the 16th century until 1780, the Comun General held its assemblies there every year on August 15. The structure’s design and history give the site its own cultural significance.

Cavalese’s municipal Venetian sawmill has been restored with its former water-powered mechanism and is operated for demonstration purposes in summer. Dates may vary. Another seasonal tradition is La Desmontegada de le Caore: during the event, goats and their breeders walk through the streets of the town to celebrate their return from the mountain pastures. Dates and programs change from year to year.

For an outing in nature, a route from Masi di Cavalese leads to the Cascata di Cavalese, a waterfall about 20 meters high amid lush natural surroundings. The Parco della Pieve also has the circular trail “Montagna Senza Limiti – Giro del Parco della Pieve.” These descriptions offer different points of reference for planning an outing, without specifying a walking time or difficulty level.

The diamond-shaped Stadio del ghiaccio Cavalese is in the center of Cavalese; visitors can ice skate there in both winter and summer. Seasonal opening hours vary, so it is advisable to check the dates for your trip. The Lugicap ICE adaptive skating aid can be used with standard wheelchairs and allows users to skate with a companion.

Acqua & SPA Cavalese has a 25-meter pool approved by the Italian Swimming Federation (FIN), with five lanes, five hydromassage and whirlpool pools, an 81-meter water slide, and a baby pool. Local production also offers another topic to explore during your stay: Birra di Fiemme is a craft beer made with pure water and local ingredients. The agricultural brewery grows hops and barley.

Getting There by Car

If you are traveling by car, you can leave the A22 at the Egna/Ora exit and follow the Statale delle Dolomiti SS 48 to Cavalese.

Discover more destinations: Revò, Vigolo Vattaro, Lavarone, Dro, Vetriolo, Castello Tesino, Alba, Cavedago.

Go to the overview of destinations: Trentino.