Dambel
Dambel: a Municipality in Val di Non
Hello everyone! Today I'll talk about a small but charming municipality located in the province of Trento, called Dambel. If you haven't heard of it, don't worry, you're not alone. In fact, with its 414 inhabitants, Dambel is one of the smallest municipalities in the region.
Dambel is located in Val di Non, along the provincial road that connects the southern town of Sanzeno with the northern town of Sarnonico. The name of the town comes from the Latin word "ambulum", which means "a place of passage", or from the Celtic word "amb", which means water or river, as the town is located on an ancient trade route that crossed the Novella stream on the Pozzena bridge.
But Dambel is much more than a place of passage. In fact, this small municipality hides hidden treasures, including monuments and places of interest, that make it an absolutely must-visit place.
Monuments and places of interest
If you decide to visit Dambel, the first thing I recommend you do is to stop at the Church of Santa Maria Assunta. This church is the parish church of the municipality and was completely rebuilt in 1537, although its existence is mentioned as early as 1242. The church is located in an elevated position compared to the village and offers an incomparable view of the Terza Sponda of Val di Non.
The exterior of the church is adorned with a very sharp pediment and a typically Renaissance white stone portal. But what will leave you speechless is the interior of the church, where a beautiful example of a polychrome wooden altar with doors dating back to 1520 is kept. These altars were typical of churches throughout the valley, but during the eighteenth century they were gradually replaced by more modern marble altars. The altar in Dambel is one of the few remaining examples still preserved in Val di Non and the only one that remains completely intact. When the doors are opened, it is possible to admire the Madonna on a Throne offering a bunch of grapes to the Child, along with Saint Vigilius and Saint Nicholas of Bari. Instead, in the coffer of the predella there are bas-reliefs of the Blessing Christ and the Apostles. Externally, instead, the doors are painted with Stories of Mary.
Society
From a demographic point of view, Dambel is certainly not a metropolis, but its small number of inhabitants creates a very united and welcoming community. In Dambel you breathe a village atmosphere where everyone knows each other and helps each other.
Administration
With regard to the administration of the municipality, Dambel is part of the Community of Val di Non and the Municipality of Val di Non. Currently, the mayor of Dambel is Giuseppe Brasca.
Notes
If you decide to visit Dambel, I recommend that you pay attention to the municipality's calendar of events. Despite its small size, Dambel organizes numerous events throughout the year, such as festivals and local fairs.
Other projects
If you want to discover more about Dambel, you can consult the official website of the municipality or search for information on Val di Non in general. The area offers numerous hiking routes and museums, including the Rhaetian Museum of Sanzeno and the Museum of Uses and Customs of the Trentino People in San Michele all'Adige.
I hope this brief guide has been useful to you and that you are now eager to visit Dambel. You won't regret it!
