FAI Autumn Days at Avio Castle

FAI Autumn Days at Avio Castle

Every autumn, Avio Castle, located in the village of Sabbionara in the municipality of Avio (Province of Trento, Trentino-Alto Adige), joins the FAI Autumn Days, the major national event through which the FAI - Fondo per l'Ambiente Italiano opens hundreds of extraordinary sites across Italy to the public. For an entire weekend, the manor offers a special program of tours, meetings, and activities designed to showcase one of the Foundation's most beloved heritage sites.

One of the oldest fortresses in Trentino

Perched on a ridge overlooking the Adige Valley, Avio Castle has watched over the Vallagarina for over ten centuries. Having belonged almost uninterruptedly to the noble Castelbarco family, who transformed it from a military fortress into a small feudal court during the Middle Ages, the complex retains its intact charm, complete with towers, walkways, and crenellated walls. In 1977, Countess Emanuela Castelbarco donated the property to FAI, which made it accessible to the public: it was one of the first sites opened by the foundation.

The frescoes and the Chamber of Love

The castle's artistic treasure lies in its medieval frescoes. In the House of the Guards, one can admire an exceptional cycle depicting battles, knights, and sieges, among the oldest military-themed paintings in Trentino. In the Keep, the famous Chamber of Love (dating back to the first half of the 14th century) features scenes of courtly love of refined elegance, linked to the great Giotto tradition. The FAI Autumn Days tours allow visitors to explore these rooms with dedicated stories and insights.

The typical weekend program

• Special guided tours with the site director focusing on the history of the manor, its donation to FAI, and its management;
• Meetings at the castle apiary with the beekeeper, dedicated to the role of bees in FAI properties;
• Treasure hunt for children throughout the day, for a family-friendly visit;
• Tastings of FAI products and wines from the Cantina Sociale di Avio in the afternoon;
• Possibility of self-guided tours of the castle during opening hours.

A nationwide event

The FAI Autumn Days are a national appointment that takes place every year in October, opening the doors of historic homes, churches, gardens, and places that are usually inaccessible. Participation is encouraged through a voluntary donation to support FAI's activities. In Avio, the initiative blends with the landscape of the Vallagarina vineyards, making the visit an experience that combines art, history, and the food and wine culture of Trentino.