A treasure trove of art to explore on foot in Rovereto

Our suggestion for the weekend: Saturday morning

Start at the Mart, the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art of Trento and Rovereto. It takes about fifteen minutes to walk there from the railway station. It's an easy walk on flat ground.

Once you arrive, stop to admire the square in front of the entrance and the dome, which was designed by the renowned architect Mario Botta. The dome has the same circumference as the Pantheon in Rome.

Throughout the year, the Mart hosts important temporary exhibitions alongside an impressive permanent collection spanning 150 years of art history. These include works by Francesco Hayez, such as his Venus, and De Chirico's metaphysical squares. The highlight of the museum is the extensive Futurism section, featuring works by Umberto Boccioni, Carlo Carrà, Felice Casorati, Mario Sironi, and Fortunato Depero.

Visiting the museum takes about two hours.

Where shall we have lunch?

You could stop at the Osteria del Pettirosso, which is a five-minute walk from the museum. It serves traditional dishes and has an extensive wine list, and the setting is charming and relaxing.

If you prefer pizza, El Raminel is right opposite. Here, you can choose from a variety of pizzas made with different types of dough, including classic, sourdough, wholemeal and wheatgrass.

Saturday afternoon at the Depero house

As your visit to the Mart has sparked your curiosity about Futurist art, now is the time to learn about one of the greatest names in this artistic movement who spent most of his life in Rovereto.

Fortunato Depero was a painter, sculptor, designer and eclectic artist whose countless works include the conical design of the Campari Soda bottle — transforming an everyday object into an almost century-old icon.

In the last years of his life, he founded the Casa d'Arte Futurista Fortunato Depero, the only museum in Italy dedicated to Futurism. Here, you can see his paintings, sculptures and tapestries, as well as the artist's highly original furniture designs and a large collection of colourful toys.

After immersing yourself in Depero's acrobatic universe, it's time for a tasty break. You could stop at the Zaffiro patisserie or the Cherry ice cream parlour in the historic centre. Alternatively, if it is a nice day and you feel like taking a walk, the Zenzero ice cream parlour is half an hour from the centre and overlooks the Adige River.

What about dinner?

As the Bell of the Fallen tolls 100 times to greet the setting sun, it's time for a romantic dinner.

If you're staying in the historic centre, you could stop at the Il Doge restaurant. Located in the ancient crypts of the Chiesa del Redentore, with vaulted arches and exposed stone walls, this restaurant serves traditional Trentino dishes made with fresh, daily-delivered ingredients.

Alternatively, you could stop at the Tema restaurant-pizzeria to enjoy a pizza or a traditional Trentino dish.

Some tips for wrapping up the evening

You've just left the restaurant and it's a beautiful evening? You don't feel like going to sleep yet? Rovereto may not be New York, but even this small town has a few places to stop after dinner.

One popular spot among Rovereto locals is Loco's, an 'art & music bar' where you can enjoy excellent cocktails and quality gin and tonics. Other options include La Crypta, a bar with a cosy atmosphere and a reputation for its alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails, and Le Due Colonne, which has an impressive wine list. Make the most of your visit to try a glass of Marzemino, a full-bodied local red wine mentioned by Mozart in his opera Don Giovanni.

If you love beer, Mochela is a must: it specialises in craft beer and wine. Finally, night owls will enjoy Osteria Perbacco, which serves traditional homemade dishes during the day and transforms into a late-night pub, staying open until 2 a.m.

Sunday morning at the castle

Sunday morning is dedicated to visiting the castle, which houses the MITAG Italian War History Museum. This is a must-see for anyone who wants to truly understand the reality of trench warfare. You can see weapons, uniforms, posters and war artefacts, including a Nieuport-Macchi 10 aircraft, which was used for military training in 1918.

The section dedicated to the Napoleonic era, the Risorgimento, and modern weapons from the 16th-17th centuries is also highly interesting and comprehensive.

To reach the castle on foot, take the short climb which offers two pleasant surprises along the way. The first is Via Rialto, home to Cappelleria Bacca, a hat shop with a stunning entrance adorned with works by the young Fortunato Depero.

The second surprise is Piazza San Marco, which is dominated by the lion guarding the entrance to the Church of San Marco. It was here that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, aged just thirteen, performed his first Italian concert on 26 December 1769.

Sunday lunch

After visiting the castle and stopping at the church, it's time for lunch. You could try the 900 restaurant at the Hotel Rovereto, which is famous for its tortelli di zucca, strangolapreti alla trentina and orzetto — an unusual combination of Trentino and Mantua cuisines.

Alternatively, you could try Bontadi, a restaurant and wine bar located in Piazzetta Cesare Battisti, right next to Caffè Bontadi. This establishment boasts a century-old family tradition. Their coffee blends hail from all corners of the globe and pair perfectly with one of their homemade pastries. What a sweet way to say goodbye to Rovereto!