Points of Interest

One of the main reasons to visit Castello Tesino is Grifone del Tesino, a new work of Land Art created by the artist Marco Martalar, with roots and wood from the Vaia storm that hit the plateau in October 2018. After more than 2 months of work, 35 quintals and 2000 pieces, the Grifone, 6 meters high and 9 meters long, dominates like a guardian over the magnificent and panoramic Celado area, from where you can admire the entire Tesino plateau and the peak of Cima d’Asta.

Located on the border between the two regions of Trentino and Veneto, the mythological figure of the Griffin wants to symbolize the union between the two regions, which it represents in the Venetian lion and the Trentino eagle. Inaugurated in September 2023, it has already intrigued thousands of visitors and is an integral part of the next cultural/naturalistic project “Cammino di Vaia”.

The Castello Tesino Caves are a popular destination for visitors to Tesino, the only karst complex in Trentino equipped for tourist visits. It is a fascinating underground world shaped over the centuries by water, where stalactites, stalagmites and fossil remains of the cave bear tell an ancient story. The visit, lasting about three and a half hours in total, includes an approach on foot of about 40 minutes and a guided internal tour of an hour and a half. Access is permitted only by reservation and to visitors taller than 110 cm, to ensure safety and quality of the experience.

Castello Tesino is also a true paradise for lovers of hiking and outdoor activities. The numerous paths that cross the plateau and the surrounding valleys are ideal for excursions on foot, by bike or e-bike, among the most famous “Il Trodo dei fiori” One of the most fascinating tourist itineraries in the Alpine North East with more than 300 species of flowers and an unforgettable view of the Dolomites and Lagorai. The routes wind through breathtaking views, lush forests and ancient mule tracks, suitable for all levels of preparation.

The Church of Saints Ippolito and Cassiano, built in 1436 by Donato Pelloso, is a rare example of medieval architecture in Romanesque style with Gothic elements. Rectangular in plan, it has a small bell tower with an octagonal spire and interesting slits in the apse. A curiosity is the small room next to the apse, once used by a night guard to prevent fires. Inside there are precious fifteenth-century frescoes by the Baschenis brothers from Bergamo, with Byzantine and Romanesque influences, discovered in the 1930s and restored in the 1970s. Among the subjects depicted, sacred scenes such as the Last Supper, the Trinity, the Miracle of the Hanged Man and numerous saints stand out. The wooden coffered ceiling dates back to the eighteenth century.

The Astronomical Observatory is located at an altitude of 1260 m on the south-western edge of Celado, a plateau located north of that of Asiago. Inside, the structure has a large classroom used for workshops and for the introduction to guided tours, in addition to a library well-stocked with books on astronomy. The 7-meter diameter dome located on the top floor of the Observatory contains the telescope. Once opened, it can rotate on itself to allow the instrument to be pointed at the celestial body you wish to observe. The main telescope is a Newtonian reflector, equipped with a main mirror with a diameter of 800 mm and a focal length of 3200 mm (N800).