Castel Thun: A Fortress of the Powerful Thun Family

Castel Thun, a monumental building of medieval origin, is one of the best-preserved castles in the Trentino region. For centuries, it was the main residence of the powerful Thun family, who expanded their domains across many parts of the Val di Non, incorporating castles and jurisdictions. From that point on, they remained one of the most powerful feudal families in the region.

Castel Thun initially bore the name Castel Belvesino, reflecting the hill upon which it was built. The name was later changed to reflect the owner family, the Tono, who took the name Thun. The castle was damaged by several fires, including one in 1569 in which Sigismondo Thun, an imperial orator at the Council of Trent, lost his life.

The Thun family established their seat in the castle around the mid-13th century. The castle, consisting of towers, walls, bastions, and a moat, owes its current appearance to modifications undertaken in the 16th and 17th centuries. The Porta Spagnola, built in the Moresque style, dates back to 1566. The most famous environment is the 17th-century Bishop's Room, entirely covered in cirmolo wood with a coffered ceiling and a majolica stove.

Castel Thun is located at the entrance of Val di Non, a large plain in the municipality of Ton. After being purchased by the Provincia autonoma di Trento in 1992 and undergoing restoration, the castle opened to the public on April 17, 2010. It is now the fourth seat of the Castello del Buonconsiglio museum, showcasing furnishings that restore the image of a residence used for centuries until the second half of the 20th century.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons