Rustico Medioevo

Rustico Medioevo: a journey into the past in Canale di Tenno

Rustico Medioevo is the historic medieval re-enactment that brings the village of Canale di Tenno to life every summer. Located in the municipality of Tenno, in the province of Trento and the heart of the Trentino-Alto Adige region, the village sits at an altitude of 600 metres on the hills overlooking the Trentino side of Lake Garda, between Riva del Garda and the Fiavé plateau. Canale di Tenno is one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy: a small stone jewel with a medieval urban layout that remains almost intact, featuring four streets converging in a small square and characteristic vaulted passages connecting the houses.

A village stepping back in time

For a few days in August, the village transforms into an open-air stage. Banners, flags, edicts from Lombard kings, and the glow of torches guide visitors along stone paths where jesters, minstrels, storytellers, musicians, acrobats, and street performers parade. Duels, processions, ancient markets, and re-enactments inspired by medieval life captivate both adults and children, creating an atmosphere suspended between history and legend that has made this event one of the most beloved highlights of the Alto Garda Trentino summer.

The cuisine of lower Trentino

Traditional gastronomy is a major star, served in the village's vaulted cellars. The queen of the table is polenta, offered in many versions and often paired with the famous peveraà, a typical rustic Trentino sauce. The menu also features goulash, rustic-style loin, pork leg, rabbit, tripe, salt cod, canederli, mushrooms, and other traditional peasant dishes from lower Trentino, prepared according to time-honoured recipes.

Games and family activities

• Medieval games for children: sack races, pot-breaking games, treasure hunts
• Pottery workshops and educational activities
• Puppet shows, street theatre, and circus acts with acrobats and jugglers
• Live music: choirs, Celtic and folk music, historical dances
• Medieval market with costumed artisans

A free, identity-driven event

Organized by the Comitato Ville del Monte, Rustico Medioevo was founded in 1987 and has grown to become one of the most renowned historical re-enactments in Trentino. Admission to the event is free of charge, offering a unique opportunity to discover one of the region's most evocative villages by blending history, entertainment, folklore, and the authentic flavours of Trentino tradition.