St. Martin's Festival at Castel Thun

An autumn festival at Castel Thun

The St. Martin's Festival at Castel Thun is the autumn highlight that the Castello del Buonconsiglio, Monuments and Provincial Collections dedicates to the most famous manor in the Val di Non, located in the municipality of Ton, in Trentino-Alto Adige. Around the feast of St. Martin on November 11th, the castle and its historic garden come alive for a day of flavors, aromas, workshops, tastings, and guided tours that celebrate the culture, taste, and traditions of the region.

The day's program

The event runs from morning until late afternoon with a rich calendar of activities for all ages:

• Guided tours of the manor and its historic vegetable garden, with staggered departures throughout the day;
• Show cooking inspired by the historic recipe books of the Thun family, featuring local chefs;
• Creative workshops for children and families, from decorating fabrics with natural dyes to crafting St. Martin's lanterns;
• Market featuring local artisans and producers, showcasing products from the Apple and Flavors Route of the Val di Non and Val di Sole;
• Tastings of historic apple varieties, roasted chestnuts prepared by local growers, and food and wine specialties curated by the Pro Loco of Ton and Slow Food Terre del Noce.

The lantern parade

The most evocative moment is the lantern walk in the late afternoon: as the light fades, adults and children parade by candlelight through the castle walls in a procession that recalls the ancient popular tradition linked to the figure of St. Martin and the spirit of sharing. It is the gesture that concludes the day and brings all participants together.

A local network event

The festival is born from the collaboration between the Castello del Buonconsiglio museum and local entities: the Municipality of Ton (specifically Vigo di Ton), the Val di Non Tourist Board, the Apple and Flavors Route, the Pro Loco of Ton, and Slow Food Terre del Noce. This networking effort makes the event not just a visit to the castle, but an immersive experience in the rural culture and gastronomic identity of the Val di Non, the land of apples par excellence.

Castel Thun, jewel of the Val di Non

The ancient residence of the Thun counts, now part of the Castello del Buonconsiglio museum system, Castel Thun preserves original furnishings, kitchens, libraries, and the famous Bishop's Room. Visiting it during the St. Martin's Festival means discovering the manor in a lively and convivial setting, enriched by the scents of the Trentino autumn.