The Times has told its readers about a town that, even among Italians, few know: Rovereto, in Vallagarina, about an hour by train from Verona. With around 40,000 inhabitants, it is easy to explore on foot, without rushing, and it blends art, science, history, and fine wine, surprising visitors with its Alpine and modern character.
Also known as the “City of the Oak” or “the Rovere”, in 1769 it hosted Mozart’s first concert during his Grand Tour and, especially after the summer, when cyclists and hikers have already departed, it seems almost as if you have the whole town to yourself, among cobbled alleys, squares where you slow down to sip a coffee, and palazzi with Venetian-inspired façades.
What to See in Rovereto Between Memory and Modern Art
Above the town rises Rovereto Castle, which houses the Museo Storico Italiano della Guerra. The rooms recount the brutal mountain battles fought between Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire during World War I, after which Rovereto passed from the Habsburgs to Italy. According to the Times, however, the climb would be worth it already for the panorama from the bastions: medieval rooftops, woods and mountains, in a landscape compared to a painting by Albrecht Dürer.
The theme of memory is also found on the hills south of the center. Here you will see two sites open to the public free of charge: the Ossario di Castel Dante, which houses the remains of over 20,000 soldiers of various nationalities, and the Campana dei Caduti, which every evening rings one hundred chimes in memory of those who lost their lives during the battles.
Then there is Rovereto of art where the MART, among the largest modern art museums in Italy, offers 12,000 square meters of exhibition space and a steel-and-glass dome inspired by the Pantheon. A nearly surreal presence in a town so small. With the same ticket you visit the Casa d’Arte Futurista Depero, where Fortunato Depero turned an entire house into an explosion of color, featuring mosaics, furnishings, tapestries, toys and the famous advertisements created for the Campari brand.
Castel Beseno and the Flavors of Vallagarina
Anyone visiting Rovereto, the Times suggests, should also make a stop at Castel Beseno, a fortress perched on a hill between Rovereto and Trento, guarding the Vallagarina.
Back in town, there is ample time to discover a cuisine that blends Italian tradition with Alpine influences. In the afternoon a slice of strudel with coffee is a must, one of the classic, indispensable treats of Trentino. At the table, the Times recommends trying the ravioli di zucca, soft and delicate, and traditional meat dishes, such as guancia di maiale brasata al vino rosso or costolette d’agnello alla griglia.
For a quicker lunch, a platter of local cured meats, a few bruschetta and a good risotto suffice. And to end the trip without pretensions, even a simple pizza among the locals becomes part of the experience.
That is why, for the Times, Rovereto is a hidden gem: it often lies in the shadow of Trento and Lake Garda, yet in just a few days it offers more than you might expect.
