Trentino's bell towers

The churches to visit

In Trentino, more than anywhere, the bell towers stand like fingers pointing to the sky, much like the mountain peaks themselves. Here, nature and human craftsmanship alike inspire us to look upwards, inviting thought, reflection, and a return home enriched by beauty.

From Romanesque towers to Gothic spires, from the Middle Ages to modern times, countless bell towers reach towards Trentino’s skies.

Following San Vigilio

In Trento, the Duomo—or Cathedral of San Vigilio—boasts its distinctive onion-shaped tower. This cathedral, which hosted several sessions of the Council of Trent, was originally planned with twin bell towers, though only one was ever completed.

The onion dome, symbolizing the flame of a candle, became a hallmark adopted by other churches in Trentino, such as the Church of San Vigilio in Spiazzo, Val Rendena. According to tradition, San Vigilio travelled from Trento to Spiazzo, where he met his martyrdom at the hands of pagans.

For those seeking a contemplative journey, the San Vili Path offers a multi-day pilgrimage, connecting Trento with Madonna di Campiglio on a route that retraces much of the ancient Roman road travelled by Vigilio in the 5th century.

The works of the painter Simone II Baschenis

On the façade of the church in Spiazzo, as well as in other churches across Val Rendena and Val di Sole, you can admire the masterpieces of painter Simone II Baschenis. His most famous work, The Dance of Death, is a true masterpiece adorning the exteriors of Santo Stefano Church in Carisolo and San Vigilio Church in Pinzolo.

Baroque art on Lake Garda

On the shores of Lake Garda, in Riva del Garda, a visit to the Church of the Inviolata is an absolute must. This is the most important Baroque church in Trentino, featuring stunning frescoes and stuccoes, intricately carved wooden confessionals, and elegant marble floors. Of particular note is the fresco of the Madonna and Child, believed to be miraculous. 

In the blooming gardens of Val di Non, take a moment to visit the Basilica of San Zeno, located in the village that shares the saint’s name. From here, you can embark on the Cammino Jacopeo d’Anaunia, a pilgrimage trail that traces the devotion to St. James the Greater through the valley, step by step.

Discover the Val di Non

Val di Non also offers something rather unique. In the charming village of Tregiovo, you will find a lone bell tower surrounded by meadows, forests, and the peaks of the Maddalene range. The original church was too small to accommodate the town’s faithful, so it was replaced by a larger one in the village. The solitary bell tower, perched atop the hill, was left standing as a silent guardian of the landscape.

Places of peace and silence

In Val di Fassa, the valley’s most historically rich church is found in Vigo di Fassa, one of Italy’s “Most Beautiful Villages.” The Church of Santa Giuliana, with its spire-like bell tower and larch-shingled roof, houses exquisite frescoes, including one of the few surviving depictions of the Holy Trinity with a triple-faced figure.

In Fiera di Primiero, the Church of Santa Maria Assunta is a stunning example of Gothic architecture in Trentino. Its towering bell tower is adorned with frescoes, and the interior captivates with vivid murals, Baroque altars, sacred depictions, and an impressive 1900s organ.

May our bell towers always be part of our landscapes, telling the story of who we were and who we are. They stand as beacons of peace and silence, much like our mountains themselves.