Storo: History, Tradition and Alpine Trails

Storo: History, Tradition and Alpine Trails

Storo combines a historic townscape with mining and fortress history, polenta tradition and Alpine routes. The archaeological discoveries at Vacil and Doredónt show that since prehistoric times, the Chiese Valley played a role in the settlement of the Alpine region and as a transport route between different cultural worlds. This gives you a wide range of starting points for a trip focused on culture, cuisine and landscapes.

Churches and Historic Centre

In Storo’s historic centre, old farmhouses with courtyards and threshing floors, barrel-vaulted entrance halls and gates have been preserved. Praél is the oldest of Storo’s four contrade. The Church of San Floriano is mentioned in a document dated 4 June 1189 and was rebuilt between 1509 and 1521. The Church of San Lorenzo was built or rebuilt at the beginning of the 16th century and was first mentioned in 1537.

The apse paintings in the Church of San Lorenzo were created in 1520; stylistically, they are attributed to the circle of the Baschenis family. During Garibaldi’s campaign in 1866, the church was used for military purposes. Castello di Lodrone is also known as Santa Barbara and was the oldest seat of the Lodron family. Santa Barbara was a real fortress, designed and built primarily as a military structure. The La Bastia fortification controlled the routes along the Chiese and the connection to the Ledro Valley.

Archaeology and Mining History

The Doredónt archaeological site is dated with a high degree of probability to the Middle Bronze Age, around 1700 to 1600 BC. It preserves structural elements of a seasonal settlement associated with alpine farming.

Darzo, a district of Storo, offers an introduction to the municipality’s mining history. The mining village of Miniere di Darzo reopened for guided tours in summer 2026. The mural trail “La strada delle miniere” forms a loop through houses decorated with paintings about the mining tradition and the processing, extraction, sorting and transport of ore. It is connected with the guided-tour programme. Every year in December, around 4 December, Darzo hosts the Festa di Santa Barbara; its mining tradition was revived and renewed from 2011 onwards.

Forte Ampola and Historical Experiences

Parco Forte Ampola in the municipality of Storo was the scene of battles and conflicts from the Risorgimento to the First World War. The park offers free public visits and guided tours, workshops and walks in the park as well as in the Museum of the First World War and the Risorgimento. The guided excursion “Percorso Forte Ampola e canyon valle Lorina” includes a guided visit to Parco Forte Ampola and its museum and is organised by prior reservation.

Polenta, Festivals and Local Tradition

The Festival della Polenta takes place every year in Storo on the first weekend of October. The programme includes live cooking demonstrations in the historic centre, where the Polentèr prepare various types of polenta in large cauldrons. Participants receive a tasting set with a map for sampling the different dishes, as well as a town map showing the event route. Trying Polenta di Storo is recommended as an activity for visitors. The Gran Carnevale di Storo began in 1967; during the festival, you can walk around the stationary floats and examine their details.

Alpine Activities

The Storo–Tremalzo tour combines varied Alpine landscapes with views of Lago d'Idro and Cima Tombea. The Ampola Storo Trail is signposted as Route 774 and alternates between long sections on cycle paths and forest roads. These different route characteristics help you plan active days in Storo according to your landscape preferences and preferred means of transport.

More Destinations

More destinations: Carano, Denno, Fondo, Spormaggiore, Centa San Nicolò, Meano, Portolo, Vigolo Vattaro

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