Palace Hotel, Roncegno Terme
Roncegno’s Palace Hotel drew Central Europe’s aristocracy to a Trentino valley for the iron-and-arsenic cure. Destroyed in the First World War and rebuilt in Liberty style, it still keeps frescoes attributed to Carlo Coppedè.
At a glance
The Palace Hotel is the grandest building of Roncegno’s spa, in the Valsugana east of Trento. The thermal establishment grew through the later nineteenth century, and in the early 1900s — under the Waiz family — it reached its height with a Grand Hotel and the Palace Hotel that gave the whole complex its name. Levelled in the First World War, the Palace was rebuilt in Liberty style; it now houses the Casa di Salute Raphael.
Key facts
- Origins: thermal establishment from the mid-19th century; Palace Hotel in the early 1900s
- Context: a Belle Époque spa for the Central European aristocracy under Austria-Hungary
- Rebuilt: destroyed in the First World War, rebuilt in Liberty style
- Decoration: frescoes attributed to Carlo Coppedè
- Today: the Palace Hotel — Casa di Salute Raphael
History
Roncegno’s arsenical-ferruginous spring was developed into a hydrotherapy establishment in the mid-nineteenth century. Under Austria-Hungary the spa grew fashionable, and in the early 1900s, managed by the Waiz family, it reached its greatest extent with a Grand Hotel and a Palace Hotel.
The Palace was a Belle Époque resort for the Central European aristocracy, but it was destroyed during the First World War, when the front ran close to the Valsugana. It was rebuilt in Liberty style, with frescoes attributed to Carlo Coppedè — of the family of decorators best known for Rome’s Quartiere Coppedè.
After the passage of Trentino to Italy the spa continued; the Palace Hotel now houses the Casa di Salute Raphael, a health and retreat centre, which preserves the historic rooms.
What you see
The best-preserved part is the elegant south-west wing, with a massive stone balcony on pilasters, wrought-iron parapets and painted wall and ceiling decoration. The frescoes attributed to Coppedè survive inside.
The hotel stands in its own park, and the building is best appreciated from the grounds.
Practical information
- Now the Casa di Salute Raphael, a working retreat and health centre
- The south-west wing and its frescoes are the highlight
- Set in a park in Roncegno Terme, in the Valsugana
- Allow 15–20 minutes
Getting there
Roncegno Terme is in the Valsugana, east of Trento. By car, take the SS47 Valsugana road, about 30 km from Trento; trains on the Trento–Venice Valsugana line stop at Roncegno-Marter.
Nearby
- Levico Terme and its spa park
- The Valsugana lakes
- The First World War fortresses of the Valsugana
Sources
- Fondazione Museo storico del Trentino
- APT Valsugana / VisitTrentino
- Patrimonio del Trentino
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