Summer at the Rhaetian Museum — Workshops and Performances

A journey through time among the Rhaetians

In Sanzeno, a small village nestled in the heart of Val di Non, in the province of Trento (Trentino-Alto Adige), the Rhaetian Museum opens its doors for the summer with a program of events that turns archaeology into a living experience. Housed in a deconstructivist building designed by architect Sergio Giovanazzi, the museum recounts the rich legacy of this land, from the evidence of Paleolithic hunters to the holy martyrs of Anaunia, with a path that culminates in the famous reproduction of the karnyx, the ancient Celtic war horn found in the area.

Educational workshops for families

The heart of the summer at the Rhaetian Museum is its range of workshops for children and families, inspired by the daily life of the ancient Rhaetian people. Through ceramics, flint, weaving, metallurgy, and ancient bread-making, young visitors experience the crafts and knowledge of two thousand years ago with their own hands. Highlights include:

• Clay to shape, forms to invent — modeling Rhaetian pottery
• Archaeologists for a day — simulated excavation and artifact identification
• Guardians of fire, Stone shards and blades, Weaving and warping games, Fire and color, and Grind and knead, dedicated to the working of metal, stone, textiles, and bread

Performances and storytelling

The calendar is enriched with theatrical performances designed for families: from the puppet mystery Jack La Quaglia and the Mystery of the Rhaetians by Nicola Sordo, to the evocative Fairy Tales and Legends of the Dolomites, which weave together the oral heritage of the Trentino mountains with the magic of puppet theatre.

Wine and archaeology

There is also a strong link to the territory and its winemaking tradition: the «Raeticam uvam laudat» initiative combines a museum visit with the story of ancient wine production, featuring tastings of local Val di Non labels. A way to rediscover how ancient peoples celebrated the vines of these lands.

A piece of the Trentino archaeological summer

The events in Sanzeno are part of the broader «Archaeology Summer» program promoted by the Autonomous Province of Trento, which offers over one hundred events every year at historical and archaeological sites across Trentino. For families on holiday, history buffs, and the curious of all ages, Summer at the Rhaetian Museum is an invitation to slow down, discover, and immerse yourself in the ancient roots of one of the most fascinating valleys in the Dolomites.