The Valsugana, besides being a large diffuse museum of contemporary art, is also an area rich in historical evidence, mainly dating back to the Hapsburg era and the First World War. Amongst unique natural spaces and evocative historical locations are hidden various forms of art, which can be admired all year round. Among these, we would like to mention the most evocative and fascinating.
Arte Sella
There is an enchanted place where nature is transformed into art amidst the silence of green forests: this is Arte Sella, an extraordinary open-air creative process in which dozens of international artists have created their works using only natural materials such as wood, leaves, stones, branches and trees. The Val di Sella, an oasis rich in floral species, located just 8 km from Borgo Valsugana, has been hosting this contemporary art exhibition for thirty years, since 1986 to be precise. Open all year round, Arte Sella allows visitors to appreciate the works of art and the nature that surrounds them in the colours of the various seasons: the green of spring leaves, the fiery yellows of summer, the reds of autumn foliage and finally the white of winter snow. There are two areas that can be visited: the ArteNatura trail that extends for 3 km on the slopes of Monte Armentera (duration: about 1 hour and 45 minutes) and the Malga Costa area, an old rural building transformed into an exhibition and cultural space, which takes about 45 minutes to visit. Arte Sella is part of the Great Italian Gardens circuit and, for years, has hosted numerous cultural and musical events.
The castles and museums of Valsugana
Another historical and artistic centre of Valsugana is Pergine Castle, a medieval manor that dominates from the top of the Tegazzo hill the entire Alta Valsugana from the basin of Lake Caldonazzo to the Fersina stream.
The past of Valsugana is also witnessed by another manor, Castel Ivano, a prestigious period residence with a Renaissance flavour and the scene of countless events.
The history of this territory is also told through the many Austro-Hungarian forts and the various testimonies of the Great War present in the area. In particular, Fort Colle delle Benne in Levico Terme, which can be reached by a walk from the centre, offers guided tours, exhibitions and events every year; while the Fort on the Pizzo di Levico (1,907 m) is the destination of pleasant treks starting from the Vezzena Plateau, offering a spectacular view of the Levico and Caldonazzo lakes. Along the valley there are also Roman remains from the Via Claudia Augusta which leads from Asburgo to Altino, near Venice.
Finally, in Valsugana Lagorai there are numerous museums dedicated to history, culture and local traditions. Among these, the Alcide De Gasperi House Museum, the Museum of Prints, the Permanent Exhibition of the Great War and the House Museum of the Scarecrows are worth a visit.
