Città di Velluto
Ala's Baroque festival featuring historic palaces, silk velvet, and sustainability
About Città di Velluto
Ala, the City of Velvet
In the heart of the Vallagarina valley, in the province of Trento, the town of Ala preserves a prestigious history: between the 17th and 18th centuries, it was one of Europe's most important centers for the production and processing of silk velvet. These refined fabrics, prized by courts across Europe, brought great wealth to the city, leaving behind a legacy of Baroque palaces, noble courtyards, and gardens that still showcase its former splendor today.
A festival that brings the 18th century to life
The Città di Velluto festival was created to showcase this unique heritage. Every year in early July, Ala's historic center turns into a grand, immersive spectacle. Velvet weavers in period costumes guide visitors through historic palaces, opening doors to residences usually closed to the public, while the streets come alive with roving performances, Baroque dances, live music, and street artists. It is a journey through time that blends historical re-enactment, theater, art, and folk traditions.
Between memory and the future
In recent years, Città di Velluto has paired its historical focus with a strong commitment to contemporary issues: the environment, innovation, technology, and sustainability. Interactive installations, photography exhibitions, and educational talks engage with historic looms and the preview of the future Textile Museum currently being set up at Palazzo Taddei, curated in collaboration with the Castello del Buonconsiglio Museum. The festival thus becomes a meeting point between the past, present, and future of the Ala community.
For the whole family
The program offers plenty for children and families, including weaving and recycling workshops, environmental education activities, contemporary circus acts, and guided tours designed for younger visitors. Gastronomy is also a highlight: the Locande del Gusto, set up in historic courtyards, offer traditional Trentino dishes paired with wines from the Vallagarina valley and local Ala wineries.
A free and sustainable event
Admission to the festival is free. For several editions, the festival has adopted low-impact environmental policies, such as eliminating single-use plastics and using LED lighting, in line with the sustainability themes that drive its program. Città di Velluto is organized by the Associazione Vellutai Città di Ala in collaboration with the Municipality of Ala.
Città di Velluto — edition 2026
The 29th edition of Città di Velluto (July 3-5, 2026) revolved around the theme 'Tomorrow was yesterday,' explored through three paths: nature, technology, and history. Among the most popular events was the evening show 'Who killed the planet?' with science communicator Mario Tozzi and Lorenzo Baglioni, which gathered over 500 people in Piazza San Giovanni.
The nature track featured the comedy show 'The downward spiral of an environmentalist father,' powered by energy generated by the audience, the international photography exhibition 'I Remember Water' at Palazzo Pizzini, and the sustainable zero-km market. The technology track brought immersive and interactive AI installations, including 'Messer Lodovico's Magic Desk' at Palazzo Malfatti Scherer, as well as visits to the 19th-century velvet loom at Palazzo Taddei. The history track featured the return of costumed velvet weavers, court dances, and a preview of the future Textile Museum.
The experience was completed by the Locande del Gusto in historic courtyards, serving traditional Trentino dishes and Vallagarina wines. The free-admission event adopted eco-friendly practices such as eliminating single-use plastics and using LED lighting.
Programme Città di Velluto 2026
Nature
- 'The downward spiral of an environmentalist father' (Mulino ad Arte) — show powered by audience energy, Friday, July 3
- 'Who killed the planet?' with Mario Tozzi and Lorenzo Baglioni, Saturday, July 4 (over 500 spectators)
- 'Next stop... Earth!' by Alla Ribalta, Sunday, July 5
- Photography exhibition 'I Remember Water' at Palazzo Pizzini
- Sustainable zero-km market on Via Nuova
Technology
- 'Messer Lodovico's Magic Desk' at Palazzo Malfatti Scherer
- Immersive installation 'Backwards'
- Visits to the 19th-century velvet loom at Palazzo Taddei
- Excursion to the Cortiana Forge
- Exhibition 'Retro shots: a journey through the golden age of photography'
History
- Guided tours with velvet weavers in period costumes
- Court dances and roving performances
- Preview of the future Textile Museum at Palazzo Taddei
- Concerts with Arcadia Ensemble and Baroque theater companies
Highlights Città di Velluto 2026
Prices Città di Velluto 2026
Practical information — Città di Velluto
Getting there
Ala is located in the Vallagarina valley, along the Verona–Trento axis. By train, the Ala station is served by the Brenner line (regional stop). By car, it can be reached via the A22 Brenner motorway, taking the Ala-Avio exit. Events take place in the historic center, which is easily walkable.
Admission and hours
Admission to the entire festival is free. Performances and guided tours are mainly concentrated in the late afternoon and evening; some family activities are scheduled for Sunday.
Information
Municipality of Ala, tel. +39 0464 674068 — email [email protected] — website www.cittadivelluto.it.
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Where does it take place — Città di Velluto
Centro storico di Ala
Piazza San Giovanni, 38061 Ala