Discover Sanzeno: Archaeology and routes to San Romedio
Accommodation in Sanzeno
Sanzeno lies in the heart of Val di Non. Archaeology, religious history, and routes to the San Romedio Sanctuary offer the village a range of cultural attractions. The Museo Retico is in Casalini, a hamlet of Sanzeno, in an area of significance to the history of archaeology in Val di Non. The Basilica dei SS. Martiri and the two houses, Casa de Gentili and Casa Contadina, also provide insights into different aspects of the valley’s history and way of life.
Archaeology at the Museo Retico
The permanent exhibition at the Museo Retico explores the local archaeological heritage from prehistoric times to the early Middle Ages. The “Sanzeno Antica” exhibition adds a second perspective, presenting the history of archaeological research from the 19th century to the present day. A visit to the museum therefore takes you both through a long period of the past and through the development of research into it. Spaces for temporary exhibitions, activities, and educational workshops round out the experience.
The Museo Retico is accessible to people with disabilities; please check the current accessibility arrangements before your visit. The 2026 schedule listed opening hours from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday to Sunday, from June 20 to September 10. For visits outside this period, please check the current opening hours and arrangements.
Routes to the San Romedio Sanctuary
The hike from Sanzeno to San Romedio is described as easy and follows a flat path. It takes 45 minutes from the Museo Retico di Sanzeno to the sanctuary. The museum building stands at the start of the nature trail leading into the sanctuary gorge. These details provide practical guidance if you would like to combine cultural stops with a hike.
The Lez di San Romedio also starts at the Museo Retico di Sanzeno. It follows the route of an old 19th-century irrigation channel, running partly through the rock and partly over wooden walkways. Its historic course and varied construction give the path its distinctive character. When planning your trip, consider the hike to the sanctuary and the Lez as the two separate routes described here.
Basilica dei SS. Martiri di Sanzeno
The basilica stands at the place where Sisinio, Martirio, and Alessandro were martyred on May 29, 397. The three evangelizers came from Cappadocia. The present-day basilica is in the Gothic-Renaissance style. Among the features preserved from the old church is an imposing Romanesque bell tower, which provides a further architectural highlight alongside the style of the basilica.
The main altar also brings together a precise date and a work of art: the marble altar dates from 1771 and houses a painting by Giambattista Lampi depicting the martyrs. Together, the recorded history of the site, the preserved bell tower, and the furnishings tell different parts of Sanzeno’s religious history.
Stories of Val di Non in two houses
The multimedia experience at Casa de Gentili brings together several forms of presentation. A film lasting around 15 minutes, accompanied by a soundtrack, shows a helicopter flight over the whole of Val di Non. Five talking panels complement short films about the valley’s history and social and cultural life. There is also an illuminated, walkable orthophotographic map showing the municipalities, fortified residences, noble houses, and hermitages of Val di Non.
Casa Contadina di Sanzeno has a different focus: using work tools, household objects, and photographs, it offers an overview of two centuries of agricultural history in Val di Non. The rural home, preserved unchanged for centuries, includes a craft workshop, furniture, clothing, and old workplaces such as a tailor’s shop and a cobbler’s workshop. An educational tour explores local customs, traditions, and working techniques. It is intended for children and adults, families, and school students.
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See the full travel overview: Trentino.
