On the road that leads from Baitoni to Bondone, on a rock overlooking the lake, stands this mysterious castle, owned for centuries by the powerful Lodron family.
What makes Castel San Giovanni particularly fascinating is its position, resting as it is on top of a high rock spur. From there, the view dominates the entire valley and Lake Idro. As with other castles of the Chiese Valley run by the Lodrons, the military aspect prevails on the residential one: in the past it was accessed through a drawbridge; a studded door then leads to a large courtyard that widens in a semicircle towards the valley. The castle can be reached only on foot through the walk on a dirt road that starts from the car park along the road between Baitoni and Bondone in loc. Saltone (20 minutes) or the path from Baitoni, near the car park in Miralago (30 minutes).
STRENGTH:
The walk and the view of Lake Idro.
Opening and closing times
GUIDED TOURS/EXTRA OPENINGS: Reservation recommended on tel. 338 6527837. Rate € 5.00, free for children under 6
- Thursday (16:30) 06/07 | 20/07 | 27/07 | 03/08 | 10/08 | 24/08 | 31/08
- Sunday (h 10:30) 16/07 | 20/08
SPECIAL EVENTS (in collaboration with MUSE – Science Museum of Trento)
- Temporaryexhibition "Grass seekers. Cheese huts in Trentino" (accessible for the entire period of opening of the castle). A journey to discover the highlands of Trentino, to get to know its cheese huts as they are today, in the 1920s. The truth of places, people, products, the passion that animates them. A journey that follows the miracle of grass making cheese.
- "Ma che Bel Castello" – A summer between history, nature and tradition (reservation recommended on tel. 338 6527837):
- Saturday 01/07 "At the court of the Lodrons" (h 14.00) – care of the Lebrac Cultural Association. Within the castle walls, the story is ready to come to life thanks to the re-enactment of costumes, armor and colorful characters, ready to involve you in games and challenges of yesteryear. Free initiative
- Saturday 15/07 "Small miners grow" (3.30 pm, duration 2 hours) – by Minere Darzo and Passpartù. Who hasn't been fascinated by the miner's craft? In the dark, underground looking for precious minerals to bring into the sunlight. We will discover the craft of the miner and the incredible history of the Darzo Mines. Rate € 5 – Age 5+
- Sunday 23/07 "Science Training" (h 10:30 and 15:30, duration 1 hour) – by MUSE. An easy training within the ancient walls of the Castle to be able to regain a perfect scientific form, a perfect elasticity of thought and an enviable tonicity of your knowledge! Rate € 5 – Age 5+
- Sunday 30/07 "Embarbesà: the return of the charcoal maker" (h 10:30) – by Associazione i Carbonér di Bondone and MUSE. How many stories does a small, black piece of coal contain? Get ready to discover the secrets of the ancient trade of the coal mill, which for centuries has made the history of the Borgo di Bondone. Free initiative
- Saturday 05/08 "Grass finders" (5:30 pm) – with Francesco Gubert, Amina Pedrinolla, Marco Simonini. Presentation of the exhibition and the book "Grass Seekers. Cheese huts in Trentino", followed by a guided tasting of local cheeses. Free initiative
- Saturday 12/08 "I want grass and the king's garden" (h 10:30, duration 2 hours) – curated by Amina Pedrinolla. Artistic workshop to create together a small three-dimensional work inspired by the surrounding landscape, the castle and the exhibition "Grass Seekers". Rate: € 5 – Age 5+
