The Silent Guardians of the Lake

A journey between two fortresses on Lake Idro

The Silent Guardians of the Lake is a cultural and adventure event held in the municipality of Bondone, in the province of Trento, in the Trentino-Alto Adige region. The event transforms the southern shore of Lake Idro into a grand, multi-stage game that links two historically rich sites: the Rocca d'Anfo, an imposing fortified complex overlooking the lake, and Castello San Giovanni, perched on a rocky promontory in the Chiese Valley.

Puzzles between history and legend

The core of the experience is solving puzzles. Navigating through time, participants traverse the two fortresses to unveil the mysteries that bind them, along a path that weaves together historical facts and ancient local legends. Castello San Giovanni, known in medieval documents as castrum de summo lacu, belonged to the noble Lodron family and is now managed by the MUSE - Science Museum of Trento as an affiliated site within their satellite museum project.

An immersive day

The event spans an entire day, from morning to evening, alternating between travel, hiking, and tests of wit. The route requires a reasonable level of fitness: Castello San Giovanni, for example, is only accessible on foot via a twenty-to-thirty-minute walk. For this reason, participation is restricted to those aged 14 and over.

The setting: the Chiese Valley

The backdrop is the Chiese Valley, a border area between Trentino and Lombardy, dominated by the waters of Lake Idro, which has been awarded the Blue Flag. The territory preserves rural traditions linked to the work of charcoal burners and mountain communities, which Castello San Giovanni showcases through exhibitions and initiatives during the summer season. The Silent Guardians of the Lake is part of this calendar of events, offering families and enthusiasts an original way to discover the historical and landscape heritage of the municipality of Bondone.

Why participate

• An adventure across two historic fortresses on Lake Idro
• Puzzles and challenges that weave together history and local legends
• The evocative atmosphere of Rocca d'Anfo and Castello San Giovanni
• An immersive experience in the nature of the Chiese Valley
• An initiative curated by the MUSE - Science Museum of Trento