Territory and History

TERRITORY :

Trentino-Alto Adige, bordering Austria,  is the most northern of Italian regions and is largely a mountainous territory.

Imposing  mountains like the Brenta Dolomites provide the backdrop for breathtaking sceneries that bless the territory.
   
The region is rich in waterways and lakes: the main river is The Adige while the most important lakes are: Lake Garda,  Lake Caldonazzo ,  Lake Resia,  Lake Santa Giustina , Lake Molveno, and Lake Ledro.
 
The climate of Trentino-Alto Adige is a typically mountain one, but towards Lake Garda the climate can be described as characteristically Mediterranean.
   
There are many protected nature reserves and parks, such as The Stelvio National Park and The Adamello- Brenta Provincial Nature Park where much Alpine fauna thrives; chamois, ibex, roe deer, deer, marmot,t  bears and wolves. The following mountain bird species can also be observed: wood grouse, pheasant, the eagle and eagle-owl. 

 

HISTORY

The history of Trentino is inextricably linked to its geographical position. As a border region between Italy and the Germanic countries, it was for centuries much fought over. Conquered by the Romans, it was a dominion of  the Republic of Venice  until the 1500’s

During the governorship of the Prince Bishops,  Bernardo Clesio (1514-1539) and Cristoforo Madruzzo (1539-1567), and thanks also to the Council of Trient in 1542, the region underwent significant cultural and economic growth. Trento was chosen because of its geographical position and as a cultural-historical city bridging the Italian and Germanic worlds.
   
In 1800 it passed from the Austrians to the Napoleonic Empire, then again back to the Austrians becoming Venezia Tridentina and finally after WW1 annexed to Italy. The region was constituted after the end of WW2.
   
Still today a significant portion of the inhabitants of the Province of Bolzano are German rather than Italian speakers.