Volano: History, Trails and Marzemino
Accommodation in Volano
Volano’s historic center is situated on a terrace at the edge of the valley. On the level ground, intensively cultivated vineyards and orchards, especially apple orchards, shape the landscape. There is also Marzemino, a distinctive wine produced in Volano. In this way, the town combines traces of history with a clearly agricultural setting.
Historic Center and Sacred Art
The main street of the historic center is lined with two rows of houses. From these emerge the picturesque groups of houses known as cort, with stone courtyards, arcades and exterior wooden staircases. One of the most prominent buildings is the Torre Des Tor: this old masonry structure stands at the top of a hill and dominates the town of Volano.
The Chiesa della Purificazione di Maria was first mentioned as a parish church in 1197; its original form dates back to the 12th century. The Pieve della Purificazione di Maria has a 47-meter-high bell tower and precious marble altars. In the Chiesa di San Rocco, you can see fresco cycles with biblical scenes as well as depictions from the life of Saint Roch.
The town’s history extends beyond its sacred buildings. The Battle of Volano is considered one of the most important events in the liberation operations carried out in Italian Tyrol in April 1809 by the Imperial Austrian army and the Tyrolean insurgents against French-Bavarian troops.
Hiking Between Volano and the Heights
The circular hike Trekking all'Eremo di Santa Cecilia connects the center of Volano with the hermitage over 8.9 kilometers. It includes a secured section intended for experienced hikers. The Eremo di Santa Cecilia is located in the municipality of Volano, at an elevation of 770 meters, on the steep rock face of Cengio Rosso.
Another route option is the approximately 10-kilometer-long Sentiero dell'Arte. It passes through forests and villages and runs through Volano along an easily walkable unpaved route. The trail is also suitable for families, but not for strollers. At Dos dei Ovi di Volano, the Sentiero dell'Arte includes tall bird-catching cages dating from the first half of the 20th century.
You can reach the Eremo di Santa Cecilia by car as far as Località Sant’Antonio, in the direction of Monte Finonchio. From there, a footpath leads along the forest road to the Spiaz de le Strìe viewpoint. From Volano, excursions to Monte Finonchio are also possible by mountain bike or on foot.
Cycling Paths, Nature and Regional Specialties
Volano can be reached by bicycle via the Adige Cycle Path. From Volano, you can reach the Taio biotope on foot or by bicycle via the sunny Adige Cycle Path.
Memoriae includes the Palio delle Contrade, a competition testing the teams’ skills between four teams representing the Contrade of Volano. As part of Memoriae, the festival of popular devotion and rural life, the municipality of Volano organizes guided tours of the Chiesa di San Rocco every year on the third Sunday in May.
A regular event for wine and food enthusiasts is La Magnalonga dell'Alta Vallagarina. It takes place every year on the first Sunday in September as a culinary and wine-themed hike along the Sentiero dell'Arte. The approximately 10-kilometer-long, non-competitive route leads between the vineyards and villages of Alta Vallagarina to nine food and drink stations and includes five glasses of wine from local wineries.
More Destinations
Monclassico, Ceniga, Civezzano, Gereut, San Bernardo, Thenn, Madrano-Canzolino and Terres
To the overview of the broader travel region: Trentino.
