Cles Castle, legends in the Val di Non
A short walk from the center of Cles to its castle to immerse yourself in the apple orchards of Val di Non and the splendid view of Lake Santa Giustina
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What is and where is the Castle of Cles
On a rise in the heart of Val di Non stands a compact, elegant castle that is a guardian of art, stories and legends. At its foot, on one side is the village of Cles, and on the other opens the lake of Santa Giustina like a blue mirror in which the castle and the mountains are blissfully reflected. Although the castle is not open for visits, taking a short walk from the village of Cles to here is an unmissable pleasure.
Not to be missed: the walk from Cles to the castle
The route to go from the center of Cles to the castle is simple; to guide us think of a small paved road with an unmistakable name: "castle street." It is a side street of via Marconi, reachable in a handful of minutes either from the town hall or from the parking lot in Piazza Fiera. The narrow road gradually leaves the town center and enters apple orchards, for all intents and purposes a wonder of Trentino. If one is not distracted by the scents and colors of the trees, in just under a quarter of an hour one arrives at one's destination. The bulk of the castle and the view of the valley and the lake are splendid: it is the ideal place to rest your mind while enjoying the beauty of your surroundings. And why not, also to take wonderful photos!
Why it is special: the legends of Castel Cles
Like any self-respecting castle, Cles Castle also has its legends. One of its rooms is said to have been a meeting place for witches. Andreas Hofer, Tyrolean hero, is said to have rested on a rock nearby. He was recognized and refreshed by a Cles keeper. The last legend is related to the small bridge over the Rio San Romedio, the mule bridge. It is said to be a tribute by the Baron of Cles to the mule that saved his life: after a disastrous rout, all he had left was a mule on which to flee from his enemies, but when he arrived at the rio he saw himself trapped. The mule, however, took flight, leaping over the watercourse and distancing his pursuers for good.
A bit of history
The present structure of Cles Castle is the result of centuries of architectural evolution. First named by sources in 1255, it was the official residence of the noble Clesio family since the 12th century. It was with Bernardo Clesio, prince-bishop of Trent and a key figure of the Renaissance, that the fortress underwent a radical transformation into a fine residential palace. Despite damage sustained in 1525 during the Rustic War, and an arson attack in the 1800s, the building retains the splendor reminiscent of the power and culture of the lineage.
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