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BaitoneAlpino suggests: Castel Caldes
Castel Caldes is a medieval castle located in the municipality of Caldes in the province of Trento. It was built between 1230 and 1235 as a tower house by Rambaldo and Arnoldo da Cagnò, who had secured the concession from Gerardo, Prince-Bishop of Trento. It was used, along with the overlying Rocca di Samoclevo, to control trade in the Val di Sole. In 1464, it was donated to the Thun family, who had it extensively restored, adding additional buildings that gave it its current appearance. Further restoration and expansion work was carried out in the 16th century, with the addition of decorative cycles in various rooms and the construction of the castle's current chapel, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and frescoed by Giovanni Cinquetti of Verona between 1670 and 1675. In the 19th century, the castle was sold to a local family, and in the 20th century, it became the property of the autonomous province of Trento. Between 2010 and 2014, it underwent extensive restoration and will be used to host cultural events and exhibitions. The castle sits on a small hill just at the entrance to the village of Caldes. Its structure is centered around the original core, consisting of the five-story tower with a gabled roof. Over the centuries, other residential buildings and the turret with a spiral staircase were built against this. The castle chapel, however, is outside the buildings, though still within the surrounding wall. In the castle tower, there is a completely frescoed room known as Olinda's prison. According to legend, Countess Marianna Elisabetta Thun was locked there by her father Redemondo to prevent her marriage to Arunte, a court minstrel, with whom she had fallen in love. The countess died there for love, and it is said that the frescoes are her work. The castle is part of the Buonconsiglio museum network, which includes Castello del Buonconsiglio in Trento, Castel Stenico in the Giudicarie area, Castel Beseno in Besenello, Castel Thun in the Val di Non, and Castel Caldes in the Val di Sole. Tickets are available for €20, which grants access to all five castles. If you visit all five, you'll receive a small gift!
