Ossana

The Castle of San Michele

Mighty walls, a drawbridge, a fortified forepart and a mighty 25-metre high donjon make up this fortress strategically located on a rocky spur between the Trentino region and the Alto bresciano, above the village of Ossana.

The history of San Michele Castle has been linked to the morphology and context of the area since ancient times. The Upper Val di Sole was the route by which merchants and caravaners reached the Trentino and Tyrolean area, after leaving from the valleys of Brescia and Bergamo, but also from Lake Garda.

The castle therefore had the function of an outpost and control, but not only: assigned to the bishop's committee as part of the royal and imperial treasury, it was a collection point for taxes and levies, also paid in kind, in the form of agricultural products.

The fortress belonged to various noble families: from the Prince-Bishops of Trento to the Counts Tyrol-Gorizia, then in the 15th century the investiture passed to the de Federici, then to the Heydorf and Bertelli families. Its name derives from the chapel inside it dedicated to the saint of the same name. It is now owned by the Province of Trento.

Its ancient walls at Christmas time host the Ossana crib exhibition, which includes an extraordinary crib symbolising the Great War. After more than twenty years of restoration, the castle of San Michele was recently reopened to the public.

Village with the most beautiful sky in Italy

What makes Ossana unique most of all is the fact that in 2017 it was awarded the title of 'Village with the most beautiful sky in Italy' by 'Astronomitaly', the National Network of Astronomical Tourism. The strong point of the delightful village in Trentino is its unique starry sky that can be admired without light pollution.

Here stargazing, or 'admiring the stars', can really make you dream. What could be more spectacular than looking up at the sky after the sun goes down, when the sunny peaks stand out against a canvas of illuminated stars?

Ossana is the ideal place to enjoy nature under an incredible Milky Way. The Municipality of Ossana has, in fact, obtained the quality certification 'I Cieli Più Belli d'Italia' (Italy's Most Beautiful Skies) according to the assessment provided by Astronomitaly, the first project for the development of astronomical tourism in Italy as a new form of responsible and sustainable tourism that respects nature and protects the celestial heritage.

Thanks to the 'Gold' certification, the village of Ossana has entered a prestigious ranking, which is currently composed of only 13 locations (five of which are in Sardinia, one in Umbria, two in Abruzzo, two in Lazio and one in Tuscany). The certification aims to valorise locations with a low percentage of light pollution and a concrete commitment to the development of astronomical tourism in Italy.

There are two places of interest, immersed in nature, that have given Ossana this recognition: the suggestive Malga del Doss, an ancient malga that has just been renovated, where one can stay and wake up surrounded by mountain peaks and luxuriant woods, and the Valpiana locality, a vast nature area crossed by a stream with crystal-clear waters and beautiful nature trails.

The land of 1000 cribs

During the Christmas period, Ossana becomes home to one of the most prestigious and important nativity scenes in Trentino. A record-breaking nativity! As many as one thousand characteristic nativity scenes are handmade by craftsmen, artists, voluntary associations and school children. The nativities are placed in the most peculiar corners of the village, in the stables, in the corners of the houses and in the winding houses.

There are dozens and dozens of nativity scenes carefully arranged here and there, united by a single denominator: to arouse emotion and serenity in the hearts of all visitors. Every year, the collection is enriched thanks to the efforts of volunteers and collectors who enable the display of truly special and unexpected jewellery and installations.

In addition to the beautiful route through the village to admire the cribs, in Ossana you can also admire the Christmas Market, where you can buy the best local handicrafts displayed in characteristic wooden houses. Don't miss the tasting house, where you can taste the famous mulled wine and delicious sweets!

The Botanical Garden

In the Derniga locality, during the summer season you can visit the botanical garden, which collects no less than 26 species of the most common trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants in the Val di Sole and Trentino forests. The Derniga forest was recovered from a previous forest nursery dating back to the early 1900s and rearranged as an educational area for schools and guests.

An easy trek

From Ossana to Malga Valpiana, is a popular and peaceful walk in the green Valpiana, a picturesque side valley of Val di Sole, ideal for a family outing. The small flat valley, not by chance called Valpiana, leads from the village of Ossana into the north-eastern sector of the Presanella Group. You can park your car near the S. Vigilio church in the heart of the village, follow the Valpiana road to the first hairpin bend, at which you turn left to follow the Sentiero de la Léc.

As you ascend through a dense fir forest, the Valpiana will not be long in coming. Afterwards, continue along the forest road that will take you to the 1311-metre Malga Valpiana, a charming and scenic spot for refreshments. Leaving the Malga, continue towards the waterfall and the "Sas Pisador" rock gym, and then descend on the same forest road travelled on the outward journey.

How to get there

If arriving from the A22 Brennero, exit at Trento Nord for those coming from the south, exit at San Michele all'Adige for those coming from the north. Then continue in the direction of Cles, Val di Non, along the SS43 and, having passed Cles, take the SS42 towards Passo del Tonale, Val di Sole. From Bergamo and Brescia, you can take the SS42 of Tonale.