Castello di Sabbionara d’Avio

A particular example of medieval castles with a clearly Venetian influence

On the slopes of Monte Vignola and at the heart of the Vallagarina valley rises the castle of Sabbionara d’Avio. First written documents about this renowned fortress date back to the 12th century.

Those passing the enterance hall will arrive to a number of buildings surrounding a mighty donjon of the 11th century. Among them is the Palazzo Baronale with its numerous art treasures and the renowned Stanza dell’amore, the room of love. Moreover, the castle boasts five guard towers; one of them is the so-called Picadora, where those sentenced to death by hanging were hung. Finally, the castle is also surrounded by a battlemented wall.

In the course of the centuries the castle, which once belonged to the renowned Castelbarco family, changed hands quickly, from Venetian aristocrats to the Austrian emperor and other noble families of the Vallagarina valley. The countess Castelbarco finally donated the idyllic castle to an organisation called FAI, the Italian foundation for environment.

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