Pieve Tesino

Pieve Tesino is one of the ‘Borghi più Belli d'Italia’ (Most Beautiful Villages in Italy) and today it has about 650 inhabitants. The old centre rests on rocky ledges that determine its layout, and its streets are lined with elegant and imposing buildings that once belonged to the four districts (Colmelli) known as Riba, Broccati, Angara and Grotto. Of particular interest are the 18th-century octagonal fountain in Piazza Maggiore and the 15th-century portico of the old Town Hall, under which the heads of families, known as ‘Vicini’, used to meet to take the most important decisions regarding the community. Pieve Tesino is famous for being the seat of Italy’s first Pro-Loco (local promotion organisation), established in 1881 under the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and for being the birthplace of politician and statesman Alcide De Gasperi. His house-museum is located in the village and every year, on August 18th, the ‘Lectio degasperiana’ is organised. The nearby Arboretum is a natural site where the Garden of Europe was created, a symbol of unity and democracy, De Gasperi's great ideals. The Per Via Museum, on the other hand, recounts the epic story of the travelling print sellers who, between the 18th and 19th centuries, rewrote the history of the Tesino valley, making it famous in Europe and worldwide. The area is distinctive for its unspoilt nature, an ideal place for medium and high-altitude mountain activities. The municipality, moreover, as a result of its family-friendly policy, has obtained the ‘Family in Trentino’ award.