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Stenico Castle

Stenico Castle is located in the town of the same name in western Trentino; it is testimony to the importance that this place had in the past. It dates back to the 12th century, but is linked to a pre-existing prehistoric castle, given that the area where it rests is highly strategic as it controls the territory west of Trento. In the 13th century, the ownership of the manor passed into the hands of the prince bishop of Trento, who subjected the structure to continuous expansions and modifications until it was transformed into a valuable bishop's residence which also controlled the territory thanks to one of his officials: the Captain of the Giudicarie.

The captain administered the area both on a military, economic and political level, without prejudice to the autonomy recognized to the seven parishes of the Giudicarie, which also guaranteed a certain autonomy from the episcopal principality to the area. For almost eight centuries it was occupied by a Captain and lieutenants who, in the name of the Prince Bishop of Trento, exercised the function of maximum political-administrative authority in the Giudicaria area.

The oldest nucleus rises in the infamous "hunger tower" where prisoners were condemned to die of starvation. The castle was therefore the political, administrative and judicial center of the entire valley for many centuries.

Map: Stenico Castle