NEW FIAVÈ ARCHAEOLOGICAL NATURE PARK TO OPEN IN TRENTINO ON 24 JUNE 2021

London, United Kingdom, 7th June 2021 - Opening in the historic town of Fiavè on 24 June 2021, the brand new Fiavè Archaeological Nature Park will allow visitors to discover how Trentino inhabitants lived 3,500 years ago, focusing on daily life in an ancient pile-dwelling village. Fiavé is one of the 111 localities, including Ledro, home to prehistoric pile dwellings in the Alps, which were proclaimed UNESCO World Heritage sites in 2011. The Giudicarie area was recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2015, and the still ponds and peat bogs of the Brenta Dolomites represent another World Heritage Site.

The village is set on the shores of Lake Carera, with huts and houses that are suspended above water on stilts. The water retains traces of the first communities to live in these suspended huts thousands of years ago. Visitors to the park will discover five faithfully reconstructed huts that are furnished to reflect traditional life in the village, with every effort made to make the site as historically accurate as possible. The park includes information panels and installations that illustrate life in the times of stilt-houses, a visitor centre with videos and multimedia equipment, rest areas and spaces dedicated to families and younger visitors.

The Pile-Dwelling Museum in Fiavè, which was inaugurated in 2012, immediately attracted visitors thanks to its engaging and innovative exhibitions, offering interactive contextualisation for the nearby archaeological site. The collection, which is the only one of its kind in Europe, features around 300 wooden objects that astonish visitors with their modernity. These include crockery and kitchen utensils such as cups, ladles, trays and whisks, and work tools such as buckets, clubs, sickles, drills and axe handles.

Ledro Pile-Dwellings

The eastern shore of Lake Ledro has also proved to be an area of archaeological importance, in particular the remains of a pile-dwelling village from the Ancient - Middle Bronze Age (2200-1350 BC). Over the past century, more than 10,000 poles have been discovered here. The museum and the village recreate the atmosphere of this settlement, where visitors can relive the lives of our ancestors. In the summer months, the public can enjoy "Palafittando", a rich programme of experimental archaeology workshops with recreations, "living prehistory" events, concerts, shows and themed events.

Monte San Martino in Lundo

This spur of rock between Altogarda and Giudicarie, buried by vegetation until about ten years ago, has revealed the remains of an ancient fortification built in the late Roman Empire to stop invasions from "barbarians", according to strategic and military records. It served as a sentinel to keep the network of roads between Europe and Italy in the hands of King Charlemagne and his empire. After centuries of obscurity, archaeologists have brought to light the most significant features, which have been extraordinarily well preserved. The chapel dedicated to San Martino stands out in particular.

UNESCO biosphere reserve Alpi Ledrensi and Judicaria

A substantial portion of the territory between Lago di Garda and the Dolomiti di Brenta — forming an area of 47 thousand hectares that is particularly rich in biodiversity, as well as in historical-cultural traces and sustainable uses of natural resources — obtained this prestigious international award in 2015 as part of the MaB - "Man and Biosphere" programme. These areas include the Giudicarie Esteriori and Tennese, part of the Ecomuseum of Judicaria "Dalle Dolomiti al Garda" (From the Dolomites to Garda) and the valleys of Ledro and Basso Chiese.

For information on visiting Trentino go to www.visittrentino.info/en