Nogaredo: Palaces, Church Art and Vineyards

When choosing a stay in Nogaredo, you can balance local history, church art and paths through vineyards. In the village, palaces and historic village structures take centre stage; beyond it, an educational trail and the Destra Adige Lagarina offer different ways to explore the surroundings on foot or along other routes.

Finding Your Way Around the Village

The area of Nogaredo stretches from the floor of the Adige Valley, at about 170 metres above sea level, to its mountainous area at about 650 metres. In the historic village, closely packed houses, courtyards and distinctive portals shape the streetscape. The village extends as far as Palazzo Candelpergher, now the town hall.

Palazzo Lodron is in the centre of Nogaredo, just a few minutes’ walk from the town hall. The two palaces represent different chapters in the village’s history: Palazzo Candelpergher now serves as the town hall, while Palazzo Lodron was once the residence of the Lodron counts, one of the most prominent noble families in Vallagarina. Witch trials were held in the Sala del Giudizio between 1646 and 1717.

Palaces, Churches and Art

Castel Noarna also brings together several aspects of architectural and art history. The castle is in the Noarna district of Nogaredo, has medieval origins and was later expanded by the Lodron family. The Mastio contains the main tower, two guardrooms and prisons. During the Nogaredo witch trials of 1646 and 1647, several women from the valley were imprisoned there. Frescoes from the Michelangelo school can be found on the main staircase and in the winter garden.

The apse wall of the Church of San Leonardo features a painting from the 1740s by Gaspare Antonio Baroni Cavalcabò. It depicts Saint Leonard of Noblac. The church in Brancolino has Baroque painted decoration from the second half of the 17th century by Pietro Antonio Sorisene. The same church also contains a small painting by Gaspare Antonio Baroni Cavalcabò: “The Ecstasy of Blessed Giuseppe da Copertino” depicts the blessed figure floating before a cross.

History and Remembrance

The witch trials are part of Nogaredo’s historical memory and are associated with several specific sites. Trials were held against some of the village’s peasant women in the 17th and 18th centuries. More than ten years ago, this history was transformed into the Calendimaggio di Nogaredo festival, in which the whole community takes part. The settings at Palazzo Lodron and the Mastio of Castel Noarna point to different historical contexts and periods.

Routes Through the Surroundings

The Sentiero delle “buone Kalendae” educational trail starts at Spine, near Distilleria Marzadro, and climbs through vineyards to Nogaredo. It is 8.8 kilometres long. The estimated five hours covers the return trip. This gives you an idea of how much time to allow for the walk; check local conditions before setting out, as conditions and facilities may change.

The Destra Adige Lagarina is a hilly route for horse riding, cycling and walking that follows an old road. Nogaredo is one of the participating municipalities. Take seasonal conditions into account when planning your trip. Along the Destra Adige Lagarina, there are sixteen information points with panels maintained by the Fondazione Museo Civico Rovereto. Areas of landscape value in this broader context include the banks of the Adige, some dry areas and the woodland above Castel Noarna.

Brancolino is also part of the history of Distilleria Marzadro: the distillery began there in 1949. Together with the educational trail, which starts at the distillery, this is a specific point of reference for travellers interested in the village’s history and its routes.

Discover more destinations: Commezzadura, Brez, Marilleva, Siror, Soraga, Bellamonte, Meano, Cadine.

For the broader travel overview: Trentino.