Canale di Tenno

An authentic medieval village just a stone’s throw from the lake

Perfectly preserved ancient walls, inns built from stone and mysterious alleyways make Tenno one of Italy’s most beautiful villages.

On the Trentino side of Lake Garda, immersed in the green and sloping hills, lies Canale di Tenno: an ancient medieval village which remains almost completely intact to this very day.

Since the end of the Second World War, its stone houses with terraces overlooking quiet streets, vaulted archways, and the colourful geraniums adorning windows and balconies have attracted many artists to the town, inspiring them with its scenery as well as with the surrounding countryside, which offers a splendid view of Lake Garda. These artists include the Turin-born Giacomo Vittone, who chose Canale as the subject for much of his work. Today, the Casa degli Artisti — a dwelling and meeting place for the artists who visit the village — is named after him.

Nowadays, the town is on the list of Italy’s most Beautiful Villages, thanks in part to the many events which celebrate its beauty, art and typical food and wine products. During winter, visitors will be enchanted by local Christmas markets, while summer sees the streets of the village come to life with the historical re-enactments of the “Rustico Medioevo” festival. There’s always a good reason to visit Canale di Tenno!

 

Things to see

After taking a walk through the alleyways of the village, we recommend calling into the Casa degli Artisti where, in addition to its art collection, many cultural events are held. Close by is the Museo degli Attrezzi Agricoli, located in the “Aldo Gorfer” Centre, which takes its name from a journalist and writer from Trentino. The museum houses agricultural equipment and is the best place to learn about the hard work that takes place in the fields: from hay-making to harvesting. Then, just a short distance outside the village, you can find the “Vicinia delle Ville del Monte” statue, a monument celebrating the ancient form of autonomous administration in Canale di Tenno and the surrounding villages.

Finally, about half an hour’s walk outside the town lies the stunning sapphire of Lake Tenno: a smooth expanse of turquoise water with a distinctive little island in the centre.

 

Things to do

There are two main events which take place in Canale di Tenno. In winter, the lanes of the town bristle and twinkle with the lights of the Christmas market stalls, bringing a fairytale atmosphere to this medieval setting.

In summer, on the other hand, the main event takes place in August, with the costumed re-enactments of the “Rustico Medioevo” festival. Banners, torches, actors in costume and lots of delicious dishes recreate times past, when the town’s streets bustled with brave knights and fine ladies.

Moreover, during the warm months, Canale di Tenno serves as the ideal starting point for many walks in nature, such as the route that leads to the Rifugio Monte Calino “San Pietro”, a mountain lodge with a spectacular view of Lake Garda.

 

 

Things to taste

Canale di Tenno is in the area known for carne salada, one of the most famous dishes in traditional Trentino cuisine. It consists of high-quality beef, sliced very finely, served raw or lightly seared and dressed with a drizzle of olive oil — all the better if the oil is from the Garda region. This is a highly flavourful and well-seasoned dish, thanks to the special technique used to cure the meat, which involves keeping it for some time in a mixture of salt and spices. Ideally, the dish is paired with a side of fasoi (beans).

Highlights:

Canale di Tenno, lake Garda
A weekend to Canale di Tenno,
A stone’s throw away from...
Riva del Garda
Riva del Garda
A palette of colours for the...
Lake Tenno Italy, family holidays
Lake Tenno - A turquoise diamond
A turquoise lake, born of a...


You may also like ...

8 results
Valle del Chiese - Bondone - Castello San Giovanni

Bondone

An ancient village of charcoal burners, overlooking the lake

Bondone

One of the most beautiful villages in Italy

Luserna

Discover Cimbrian traditions in Luserna

Val di Fassa - Vigo di Fassa - What see

Vigo di Fassa (Sèn Jan di Fassa)

unforgettable landscapes

Pieve Tesino

From the plateau to the high Alps, in the footsteps of De Gasperi

Mezzano

A village of wood and stone, at the foot of the Pale di San Martino

San Lorenzo in Banale - photo APT Comano Dolomiti di Brenta | © San Lorenzo in Banale - photo APT Comano Dolomiti di Brenta

San Lorenzo in Banale

Romantic views and gastronomy

Rango

Magnificent example of rural architecture

Valle del Chiese - Bondone - Castello San Giovanni

Bondone

An ancient village of charcoal burners, overlooking the lake

Read more ...

Bondone

An ancient village of charcoal burners, overlooking the lake

Read more ...

Luserna

Discover Cimbrian traditions in Luserna, a village perched in the mountains

Read more ...
Val di Fassa - Vigo di Fassa - What see

Vigo di Fassa (Sèn Jan di Fassa)

The soul of Ladin culture in the heart of the Dolomites

Read more ...

Pieve Tesino

From the plateau to the high Alps, in the footsteps of De Gasperi

Read more ...

Mezzano

A village of wood and stone, at the foot of the Pale di San Martino

Read more ...
San Lorenzo in Banale - photo APT Comano Dolomiti di Brenta | © San Lorenzo in Banale - photo APT Comano Dolomiti di Brenta

San Lorenzo in Banale

An oasis of natural wellness, at the foot of the Brenta Dolomites

Read more ...

Rango

A taste of Trentino’s ancient peasant lifestyle

Read more ...

Typical villages

4 results

Riva del Garda hydroelectric power plant

Where architecture and engineering embrace water and release energy

Hydroelectric Power Plant Santa Massenza

A source of clean energy in the heart of the mountain

Galleria Civica G. Segantini

The permanent exhibition is to be found in Palazzo Panni

MAG – Museo Alto Garda

History, art, archaeology

Riva del Garda hydroelectric power plant

Where architecture and engineering embrace water and release energy

Read more ...

Hydroelectric Power Plant Santa Massenza

A source of clean energy in the heart of the mountain

Read more ...

Galleria Civica G. Segantini

The permanent exhibition is to be found in Palazzo Panni

Read more ...

MAG – Museo Alto Garda

History, art, archaeology

Read more ...

Italy’s most beautiful hamlets, in Trentino

5 results

Castel Drena

A true medieval fortress

Bastione di Riva - ph. Pio Geminiani | © 25067 - Archivio Trentino Marketing  - Bastione di Riva - ph. Pio Geminiani

Bastione di Riva

One of the symbols of the city

Arco Castle

A stroll through the olive trees leads to the old Rocca [Fortress]

© Foto Archivio Apt

Toblino Castle

The home of the fairies

Rocca di Riva

Today, Rocca di Riva houses the Civic Museum of Riva del Garda.

Castel Drena

A true medieval fortress

Read more ...
Bastione di Riva - ph. Pio Geminiani | © 25067 - Archivio Trentino Marketing  - Bastione di Riva - ph. Pio Geminiani

Bastione di Riva

One of the symbols of the city

Read more ...

Arco Castle

A stroll through the olive trees leads to the old Rocca [Fortress]

Read more ...
© Foto Archivio Apt

Toblino Castle

The home of the fairies

Read more ...

Rocca di Riva

Today, Rocca di Riva houses the Civic Museum of Riva del Garda.

Read more ...

Italy’s most beautiful hamlets, in Trentino

0 results

Italy’s most beautiful hamlets, in Trentino

2 results

Valli Giudicarie and Valle del Chiese

Holidays in the mountains, in a tranquil and welcoming setting

Garda Trentino, Valle di Ledro and Valle dei Laghi

Mediterranean glimpses between lake and mountains, active holidays...

Valli Giudicarie and Valle del Chiese

Holidays in the mountains, in a tranquil and welcoming setting

Read more ...

Garda Trentino, Valle di Ledro and Valle dei Laghi

Mediterranean glimpses between lake and mountains, active holidays and relaxation all year round

Read more ...

Italy’s most beautiful hamlets, in Trentino