Bleggio Superiore
The arresting charm of an open-air museum, with its ancient traditions and mysterious beliefs
Located north of the Parish Church of Bleggio, the town is marked by its rural appearance and its close connection with local traditions. Furthermore, Bleggio Superiore has also become a small open-air museum for the many traditions which have been handed down over the years, including the ones on Balbido - described as a refuge for witches, who were considered to be responsible for the natural catastrophes which often blighted the area. Five iron crosses were erected at the mouth of the valley to contrast these beliefs, and one of these still stands today. Several murals can also be admired in town. Painted on the outer walls of the houses, these depict scenes from ordinary day-to-day lives and tell the tale of the history of the town . The Monument to the Cross, which is believed to be miraculous, and the consecrated church of SS Dionisio, Rustico and Eleuterio - one of the few examples of a sacred building in Trentino constructed in the pure Renaissance style - are also worth a visit.
Rango (799 m) is the highest inhabited village in the Bleggio area and its original buildings are a splendid example of rural architecture combined with a compact urban structure which features lobbies, courtyards and fountains. Rango has been included in a list of the most beautiful towns of Italy (Touring Club Italiano).
Several hiking and excursion trails can be accessed from here and an ample picnic area near the Durone Pass is also available, as is a fitness trail.
