Culture, History and Traditions

Along the Dolomiti di Brenta Bike route, either family (along cycle paths at the valley floor) or expert (single tracks and forest roads) you will encounter traditional architecture, history and cultural aspects. Even the fastest biker will not help but notice them!

Cultura:

In the XVI° century a series of itinerant painters coming from Averara (Bergamo) called Baschenis were particularly active in the Western valleys of Trentino. Val Rendena offers opportunities to admire the frescos in numerous churches in the valley. Along the Dolomiti di Brenta Bike Family Route you may catch sight of:

• St. Antonio church in Mavignola: when crossing the village centre;
• St. Valentino church, shared by the communities of Iavrè, Darè and Vigo, it was built in the 15th century with the aim of preventing cattle getting sick;
• St. Antonio Abate church and graveyard in Pelugo where a huge statue of St. Cristoforo stands out: from the cycle path at the valley floor the contrast between the its bell tower and the perennial snow of the Carè Alto peak make it stand out.
• La Danza Macabre (The Macabre Dance), is painted on the southern façade of the cemetery church of Saint Virgil in Pinzolo, perhaps the most unique and curious item, can be found a few metres from the cycle path near the start of the lift to Doss del Sabion. La Danza Macabre, The Last Supper and the Passage of Charlemagne can be seen in the church erected above the village of Carisolo which is dedicated to St. Stefano: above the cycle path on the branch that leads to the entrance to Val Genova

History:

The first human settlements (Celtic and Raeti) in Val Rendena can be dated back to the Bronze Age.

Subsequently, the valley was involved in the Romanisation of the area and later in the Frankish period, identified around 774 with the legendary succession of Charlemagne, pictured in the frescoes of San Stefano's church and remembered in the name of the Pass.

The valley was then ruled for a long period by the administration of the Bishop of Trento, while in Madonna di Campiglio Franz Josef the Austrian transformed the place into a refined getaway for the Austrain nobility (Salone Hofer - M. di Campiglio).

A chapter of history was certainly written by the emigration of the metalworkers (Monument to Moleta, Pinzolo), the woodworkers and the butchers, in the period following the great plague.

Not forgetting the hard battles fought in the First World War (1915-1918) on the glacier of Adamello-Presanella (The White War) between the troops of the Austrian Kaisers Infantry and those of the Italian Alpini (War Memorial, Pinzolo; Museum of the Adamellina War, Spiazzo, tel. 0465 801544).

Also worth a look is the Palace of the Bertelli Counts, which houses, in its stables, the Museum of Alpine Farms (Malga): depicting the environment and tools of the herdsmen. The museum is in the centre of the village of Cadezone and not far from the cycle path that passes by.

Tradizioni:

Along both the family and expert routes you will encounter buildings and activities that represent the traditions our people.

• The ‘Maso Curio' in Caderzone. The most famous farmhouse of the valley and a monument to traditional building methods. On the eastern façade are portraits of St. Antonio, protector of animals, and St. Barbara, the patron of fire and lightning, that struck the house in 1537. It is situated right on the family route and some photos can also be seen on this site!
• The Ca' da Mont (Maso Curio) can be admired from afar on the lower sides of the valley. This old rural building of stone and wood was traditionally inhabited during the summer months and used as storage for hay and for migrating animals;
• the alpine farms (Malghe) were places where the herdsmen would lead their livestock in summer months. Some have been restored and are still used (Malga Molvina, Montagnoli, Zeledria).
• The Glass Museum of Carisolo, at the mouth of Val Genova. A factory that dates back to the 1800s, which evolved thanks to the presence of high quality quartz, wood for feeding the furnaces and streams to provide the mechanical energy and cooling of the materials.
• The Alpine Guides and the People of Madonna di Campiglio Museum, an exhibition space care of the Laghetto chalet, collects the work of the Alpine Guides of Madonna di Campiglio and the mountaineer Cesare Maestri.