Castle Telvana
The old castle Telvana has been towering over Borgo Valsugana for about 9 centuries now.
It can be reached through the Telvana staircase, that from Corso Ausugum leads to the S.s. Francis and Cristopher church.
Thanks to its
strategic position, it has been an important military fort. The
oldest part of the building is right next to the tower; the small internal curtains connect the cut-off bastions, which used to protect the baronet residence.
The higher palace dates back to the Roman Empire, while the lower palace is gothic.
For many centuries it has been home to the
Lords of Borgo and of the Telvana jurisdiction (from Novaledo until Strigno in Valsugana), after which the castle has been named, to stress their power. At the end of the XVIII century, after years of domination and oppression, the citizens of Borgo rose up and pillaged the castle, robbing even rocks from the walls and dooming the fortification to a gradual downfall.
The view of the external ramparts is amazing and looking the valley from the top of the Ciolino mountain, where the castle is, takes the breath away.
An old tale says a secret tunnel connected the castle with convent and the ex St. Anna monastery.
The castle can not be visited internally but it still can be reached through a
beautiful path called “Sentiero dei castelli – castles’ pathway” starting from Borgo city center.
Visits to Telvana Castle
The castle cannot be visited internally.
However, the view from the outer walls and the wide view of the valley from the top of Mount Ciolino, on which the castle stands, is breathtaking. According to an old legend, a secret tunnel connected the castle with the friars' convent and the former monastery of Sant'Anna.
The ‘Sentiero dei castelli’ (path of castles), which starts in Borgo Valsugana and leads to the summit of Monte Ciolino, passing along the walls of Castel Telvana, is also suggestive.
The castle opens its doors on the occasion of events of an artistic and cultural nature, which take place mainly in the summer months. During this period, the castle becomes an ideal setting for exhibitions, concerts and events, offering the public a unique opportunity to discover this place.
Discover the events in and around Borgo Valsugana