Castello di Arco

The castello di Arco overlooks the entire plain of the Sarca stream and the town of Arco from an impressive rocky hill. The historic centre of Arco surrounds the slopes of the hill in a semicircle. Once a shelter of the Cenomani tribes (around 300 BC), the first official documents mentioning the castle date back to the 12th century.

Inside the fortress you can visit the prato della Lizza (a beautiful meadow), the prigione del sasso (a prison), the torre grande (the high tower), the ravelin and numerous rooms. The real gem of the entire building is its precious 14th century fresco cycle, which was restored in 1986 by the Servizio Beni Culturali of the Provincia Autonoma di Trento (Autonomous Province of Trento). They portray different people and scenes of the life at the castle: dames and gentlemen playing chess, San Giorgio trying to kill a drake and a knight and a dame creating rose garlands.

The Castello di Arco is one of the city's symbols and one of the most represented objects in countless ancient codes and paintings, such as the watercolour painting of the well-known painter and engraver Albrecht Dürer, which can be seen at the Louvre in Paris.

The castello di Arco can be visited.

Please note: the castello di Arco is reachable in a 20-minute walk from the city centre of Arco. Suitable clothing and comfortable shoes are recommended.