Castel Thun
Trentino-Alto Adige
Castel Thun is a monumental medieval castle located in the municipality of Ton in the Val di Non, northern Italy. It served as the principal seat of the influential Thun family from the mid-13th century until the late 20th century. The castle, originally named Castel Belvesino after the hill it was built on, was renamed after the Thun family who Germanized the original name of the town. Architecturally, it features towers, walls, bastions, and a moat, with significant modifications made during the 16th and 17th centuries. Notable is the Spanish Gate, built in 1566 in a Moorish style, said to be inspired by Giorgio Thun's travels in Spain. Inside, the seventeenth-century Bishop's Room stands out with its larch wood paneling, coffered ceiling, and majolica stove. The castle remained inhabited by the Thun family until 1982. Since 1992, it has been owned by the Autonomous Province of Trento, which restored the castle and opened it to the public in 2010. Today, Castel Thun is part of the Castello del Buonconsiglio museum network and attracts visitors with its rich furnishings, extensive family archives, and historical ambiance reflecting centuries of noble life in the region.
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Astuce: The best time to visit Castel Thun is during spring and summer when the weather is pleasant and the panoramic views of Val di Non are most enjoyable. Tickets should be purchased in advance, especially during weekends and holidays, to avoid long waits. Reduced rates are available for certain groups such as students and seniors. The castle is accessible via local public transport and offers guided tours that enrich the visitor experience with historical insights.
Faits intéressants
- •The castle was originally named Castel Belvesino, after the hill it stands on.
- •The Spanish Gate, built in 1566, reflects a Moorish architectural style inspired by Giorgio Thun's travels in Spain.
- •Sigismondo Thun, an imperial orator at the Council of Trent, died in a fire at the castle in 1569.
- •Castel Thun is part of the Castello del Buonconsiglio museum network, alongside other notable castles in Trentino.
- •The Thun family, originally from this region, became prominent feudal lords with branches extending into Bohemia, acquiring the title of Counts of the Empire.
Histoire
Castel Thun was originally known as Castel Belvesino, named after the hill on which it was built.
The castle came into possession of the Thun family through investiture by the Prince-Bishops of Trento in 1267.
Over the centuries, it was damaged by several fires, including one in 1569 that claimed the life of Sigismondo Thun, an imperial orator at the Council of Trent.
The castle underwent significant architectural changes in the 16th and 17th centuries, including the addition of the Spanish Gate in 1566.
The Thun family expanded their influence over the Noce valleys and became one of the most powerful feudal families in the region, with branches extending into Bohemia and acquiring noble titles.
The family lived in the castle until 1982, after which it was acquired and restored by the Autonomous Province of Trento, opening to the public in 2010.
Guide du lieu
Spanish Gate (Porta Spagnola)1566
This Moorish-style gate, constructed in 1566, serves as the main entrance to Castel Thun. It was inspired by Giorgio Thun's travels in Spain and leads visitors across the drawbridge into the castle's first courtyard.
Bishop's Room (Stanza del Vescovo)17th century
A richly decorated seventeenth-century room entirely lined with larch wood, featuring a coffered ceiling and a majolica stove. This room exemplifies the castle's elegant interiors and the status of the Thun family.
Castle Courtyards and Defensive Structures
Castel Thun includes multiple courtyards surrounded by fortified walls, towers, bastions, and a moat, reflecting its medieval defensive purpose and feudal power.
Contact
Téléphone: 0461 657816
