Ala: Culture, History and Trails

Ala brings together historic architecture and music history with an annual summer event and trails through the countryside. For a trip, you can therefore choose between different focuses, such as culture, attending an event or outdoor activities. If you’re looking for hotels in Ala, you can first consider whether your trip will be centered mainly on sightseeing, the summer festival or a tour.

Ala Città di Velluto in summer

Ala Città di Velluto takes place every summer in the historic center. The program includes concerts, theater performances, street performances, exhibitions, workshops and food stalls, spread throughout the historic center. If the festival is a reason for your trip, take its summer dates into account when planning; check the specific event dates before booking.

Palazzo de’ Pizzini and music history

Palazzo de’ Pizzini is a complex of three buildings constructed between the late 17th and late 18th centuries. Its music history is also connected to a specific event: Mozart stayed at the palazzo with his father three times in three consecutive years and played in the piano nobile’s reception hall. The construction period and Mozart’s stays offer two different perspectives on the same complex: its architecture and its music history.

The Museo del Pianoforte is located in the palazzo. It preserves rare and antique instruments from the collection of pianist Temenuschka Vesselinova. Tours of the palazzo are available by prior reservation through the Municipality of Ala’s Culture and Tourism Office.

Santuario di San Valentino

The foundation and present-day appearance of the Santuario di San Valentino are far apart in time: it was founded in the 14th century, while it acquired its present Baroque form through expansion work in 1763. Its Baroque form therefore does not date from its founding, but from a later building phase. Access to the sanctuary is accessible and clearly signposted.

Routes and countryside

The Antica via Ala – Serravalle offers a specific tour covering 11 kilometers. It takes about three hours on foot and just under two hours by bicycle. The walking time is therefore considerably longer than the cycling time; both figures are approximate. There are 13 points of interest along the route, with explanatory signs. Created with the support of local wineries as a food and wine route, it also connects the route’s history with wine and gastronomy.

Another countryside highlight is the trail to Fucina Cortiana. It passes through impressive natural scenery, with views of Val di Ronchi and the Piccole Dolomiti. Access to Fucina is accessible and clearly signposted.

Ala is a starting point for excursions to the Monti Lessini through the Valle di Ronchi and Sega di Ala. Near Ala, the Altopiano della Lessinia offers opportunities for Nordic walking and mountain biking. So, in addition to the Antica via route with its stated duration, there are other destinations and activities to choose from as you plan your trip.

Discover more destinations: Ronzo-Chienis, Besenello, Ruffrè-Mendola, Enguiso, Condino, Romeno, Riva Del Garda, Castellano

For the broader travel overview: Trentino.