Caldonazzo
Caldonazzo is a commune in Valsugana, in Trentino, northern Italy.
The nearby Lake of Caldonazzo is the source of the Brenta River.
History
Caldonazzo was first mentioned in historical records in the year 1116. It is located two kilometers from the lake of the same name, Caldonazzo Lake, picturesquely nestled at the foot of steep mountain forests, where the steep Centa Valley opens into the broader landscape.The town has a turbulent history, with evidence of Roman settlements. For example, on the "Colle di Tenna," where Roman mule tracks lead to an old "Statio Militaris." Today, a chapel from the 12th century stands at this site.
Traces from the time of the Migration Period indicate that the town played a significant role in history on multiple occasions.
For a long time, the town belonged to the Danube Monarchy. The border with the Kingdom of Italy was only a few kilometers away on the Folgaria plateau, where numerous bunkers and structures from that era can still be seen today. The best-preserved one is Werk Gschwent, which now houses a museum. The entire Valsugana region offers many historically significant sites for those interested in history.
Trapp, an Austrian Noble Family
Between the church and the cemetery stands the old, stately Castel Trapp. Although weathered, the old masonry still clearly displays a fresco of a coat of arms that Austrians will find familiar, as it features the well-known red-white-red shield.The Trapp family, belonging to an old Austrian noble lineage, resided in this castle. In 1461, they left their homeland and their ancestral castle, Schloss Trautenburg, near Leutschach in Styria. For over 300 years, until 1794, when the last descendant of the Counts of Trapp died, Caldonazzo was closely associated with this name. Historical accounts describe them as just, benevolent, and capable. The memory of their charitable deeds lived on among the population for a long time.