Trento: History, Museums and Green Spaces

Trento brings together different layers of history: from Roman urban remains and early Christian history to art collections and the former residence of the prince-bishops. In the historic centre, frescoed palaces, battlements and historic fountains alternate with gardens and green spaces. If you are looking for a hotel in Trento, you can plan your stay around whether you are particularly interested in history, archaeology, museums or urban spaces with greenery.

The former residence and the historic centre

From 1255 to 1796, Castello del Buonconsiglio was the residence of the prince-bishops of Trento. In 1924, it was restored as a national museum and reopened to the public; since 1973, it has housed the Autonomous Province of Trento’s collections of ancient art. This sequence distinguishes the long period as a residence from the later history as a museum, giving the castle its own historical dimension.

The cityscape of the historic centre also offers a different way to approach history: frescoed palaces, battlements and historic fountains stand alongside gardens and green spaces. This allows the imposing façades and open green spaces to be seen as two distinct aspects of the centre, without reducing them to a single period.

Archaeological sites and early history

The Spazio Archeologico Sotterraneo del Sas presents around 1,700 square metres of Roman urban remains. These include a section of the eastern city wall, a gate tower that was converted into a city gate during the imperial period, and a paved street made of large slabs of local red stone. A free audio guide for visitors is available in Italian, English and German.

The Villa Romana di Orfeo offers a different perspective on Roman times: it was built in the 1st century AD and inhabited until the 3rd century AD. Its polychrome mosaic measures around 65 square metres and depicts Orpheus playing the lyre among animals. The period of construction and use, as well as the subject depicted, provide different points of reference for understanding the site.

The Basilica Paleocristiana di San Vigilio was founded at the end of the 4th century AD and is attributed to Vigilius, the third bishop and patron saint of Trento. Its immersive educational tour uses videos, interactive displays and virtual reality devices. For your visit, it is worth checking the access arrangements in advance.

Art collections and museum spaces

The collections of the Museo Diocesano Tridentino comprise art and cultural heritage dating from the 11th to the 19th century. They include the most important artefacts from the Council of Trent, rare Flemish tapestries, paintings and wooden sculptures. As displays may change, the collection’s overall time span is more helpful than assuming that every object mentioned is on display at any given time.

At MUSE, the exhibition area is spread across five floors and includes both exhibition spaces and rooms for educational activities. This distinguishes the museum offerings described here: the Museo Diocesano focuses on art and cultural heritage spanning a broad period, while MUSE is characterised by the distribution of exhibition and educational spaces throughout the building. Castello del Buonconsiglio, in turn, combines its former role as a residence with the collections of ancient art it has housed since 1973.

Green spaces and getting around the city

Parco dei Fratelli Michelin – Parco delle Albere was created on the former Michelin factory site to a design by Renzo Piano’s architectural firm. It covers more than four hectares and is connected to the regional cycling and walking route along the Adige. This makes it a distinct option for visitors who want to consider a park and a connection to the cycling and walking route alongside historic collections.

For getting around the city, Trentino Trasporti bus routes connect central Trento with the main attractions and park-and-ride facilities within the city. Another option described is a walk from Piedicastello through green spaces to Doss Trento, where the Museo Nazionale Storico degli Alpini is located. These suggestions cover different ways of getting around Trento: urban bus connections on the one hand and the described walking route to the museum on the other.

Discover more destinations: Pozza Di Fassa, Capriana, Lomaso, Piazzo, Lago, Deggiano, Vigo Di Fassa, Cunevo.

For the broader travel overview: Trentino.