Castel Pergine
According to many historians the castle of Pergine was built on the site of a primitive place of defense subsequently transformed into a Roman settlement, given its strategic location along the Via Claudia Augusta Altinate;
it became a fortress under the Longobard domination. Under the rule of the Prince Bishops of Trento, Pergine became the seat of a constable. It is mentioned in 12th century documents as belonging to a powerful feudal family, named after the town, who probably transformed the hillfort into a Medieval fortified alpine manor. Pergine was subsequently to fall into the hands of the Counts of Tyrol until 1531, when Cardinal Bernardo Clesio, Prince Bishop of Trento, acquired jurisdiction over the area and the castle. It was to remain the property of the Trento church until the beginning of the 20th century, when it was sold to a German company. The building, which occupies the entire summit of the hill, features two curtain walls, one inside the other: typical Medieval fortifications (the keep, towers, etc.) and a Renaissance residence (of special historical and architectural interest is the huge octagonal pillar supporting a cross vault in the hall of arms). The frightening dungeon of the "torture of the drip" and the room of the fireplace deserve mentioning because of their associations with the popular legends on the appearance of a mysterious "white lady". Now a private property (restaurant and hotel open from April to November), it may be visited only in part.
Castel Ivano
Castel Ivano was built on an isolated hilltop, between Ivano and Fracena. Tradition has it that its origins go back to Roman times, but this has not been confirmed. Its foundations seem to be Medieval and was probably erected as a stronghold guarding the Roman Via Claudia Augusta. Originally a fief of the Lords of Ivano, already mentioned in documents dated 12th century, it then became property of the powerful Lords of Caldonazzo. It then followed the fate of the valley, being involved in disputes between the lords of the neighbouring fiefs and finding stable ownership in the hands of the Counts Wolkenstein who kept it until a few decades ago. In the 20th century it hosted famous artists and historical persons, among which the Empress Augusta Victoria and Eleonora Duse. Today it houses the Cultural Centre "Castel Ivano Incontri" which organizes important exhibitions of contemporary art and international conventions. It survived the First World War, as HQ of the Italian troops in Valsugana, practically unscathed. Interesting is the communication between the residential part and the central tower consisting of a parapet walk on the battlements: one of only three such examples in Trentino. On the walls are the armorial bearings of the Trapps, the Tyrolean Captains, the Counts of Tyrol, the Dalla Scala and the Carrara of Padua and the Wolkensteins. Every 4 years, during carnival, a masquerade "Biagio delle Castellare" is held, commemorating historical events. The castle is open to visitors only during cultural events. Private property.
Magnifica Corte Trapp
In about the year 1000, the Caldonazzo family (De Cautonacio) settled in the area of Caldonazzo, after the construction of the castle of Sicconi (the only remains are those of a tower, 1221), which dominates the site from the overhanging Monte delle Rive. Popular legend has it that the upper castle was connected to the feudal residence of the Magnifica Corte (Castel Trapp) by an underground tunnel. The Trapp family, which succeeded the Caldonazzos (1461), were an important family originally from Styria. On the eastern face, which is the oldest part, there are traces of frescoes depicting the armorial bearings of the Trapps, the Counts of Tyrol and the Dukes of Austria (about 1526). The Ghibelline walls are a much later addition (19th century). The allegorical cycles of frescoes, which adorned a number of rooms and of which nothing now remains, were probably the work of the Master of Sluderno, the imaginative artist who also decorated the castle of Sluderno in Valle Venosta. All that remains of this period is a fragment of an oil wall-painting depicting a scene of a tournament with horsemen, and which probably belonged to the "Camera Picta" (Painted Room) mentioned in some antique documents. It is now the property of Andrea Von Trentini and has been recently restored. Guided tours only, with advance booking. In summer a part of the castle is rented out.
Fortress Col de le Bene
The fortress "Col de le Bene" is located on the top of the hill with the same name (660 m), overlooking Lake Levico, at about 2 km from the spa center. Also known as fortress S. Biagio, it was built in 1880 - 1882. A twin of fortress of Tenna, situated on the hill overlooking the lake on the south, it was used principally as an observation post and storage facility, given its rear location compared to the front line. At the beginning of the 1930s the iron structures were removed, it was then transferred by the military authorities in 1931 and sold to the town of Levico on 13th October 1933. The fortress has a polygonal layout and the northern side is buttressed with an armored element. The interior layout is typical of Austrian fortresses of the late 19th century. A line of trenches, served by a mule-track, ascended the impervious mountain slope up to Busa Gande (1,500 m). Armaments: 4 120 mm M80 cannons in a casemate (minimum embrasures); 2 100 mm M5 howitzers in armored rotary hoods. Ownership: City of Levico Terme. Area: 20,765 m²; of which the fort occupies an area of 240 m². Access: the fortress may be reached from the town of Levico Terme: take Via San Biagio, then at the junction turn right along an unpaved road to the Colle delle Bene, the hill on which the fort is located.
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