A shrine and a beautiful castle.

There are two unmissable sight you shouldn' t miss if you visit the Val di Non.

Val di Non is one of the many valleys situated in Trentino Alto Adige region. It is the Italian region where I live.

Saint Romedius is a group of five churches built from the year 1000 to 1918. These are linked by a stairway of 131 steps.

This shrine is located on a rock into a wood and above the village of Sanzeno.

The older church here dates to the XI century. It was built over the tomb of saint Romedius.

Romedius was a son of a Tyrolean count. He chose to retire in solitude in a rock cave.

According the legend; saint Romedius planned to go to Trento in order to visit a friend of him; saint Vigilius.

Riding his horse he bumped into a bear. The bear attacked the horse and killed it. Romedius tamed the bear; ride it and went to Trento.

All the churches have frescoes, paintings and various art works. You can easily spend several hours inside this worship place.

Outside every church there is a plaque where you can read the year of construction and to whom it is dedicated.

Among the facilities here you will find the lavatories, a cafe and a souvenirs shop. You can also spend some nights inside this shrine,

Castle Valer overlooks the village of Tassullo in the Non valley. In fact, it is situated on a hill.

Probably its name comes from Valerio di Treviri; a saint and bishop whose chapel dedicated to him is housed inside the castle.

This castle was built in 1211; modified and enlarged through the centuries. It belonged to several families.

It has been continuously inhabited by the Spaur family from 1368.

Castle Valer is made of two parts; Castel di Sotto; the lower castle is the older area of this building. Castel di Sopra; the upper castle; is made of buildings dated to the XV century.

On the first floor of the upper castle you will see a kitchen; and some rooms pannelled with wood. On its second floor your guide will show you a large room (salone degli stemmi) dated to the XV century; a beautiful loggia and other rooms.

The chapel of saint Valerio was frescoed in the 1473. Its inner walls are almost covered with beautiful frescoes painted by two brothers who lived near Bergamo. Giovanni and Battista Baschenis.

The visit to the castle is possible only by a guided tour. It is not possible to take pics inside the castle; even in the courtyard. Unfortunately.

All the pics of the castle (except this one that was taken by me) were taken by a friend of mine; Miriam Gasperi. Thanks again Miriam!