Scurelle
Welcome to Scurelle
Hello everyone! Today I will talk to you about Scurelle, an Italian municipality in the Autonomous Province of Trento, with around 1346 inhabitants. This little town is located in the beautiful Valsugana and hides many secrets and curiosities that have been collected over the years. Are you ready to discover with me what it's all about?
Scurelle and its geographical location
Scurelle is located in one of the widest bends of the entire Valsugana and enjoys a flat position with south exposure. The town is nestled at the foot of the hill that rises up to the slopes of Monte Cima, thus giving its inhabitants and visitors a breathtaking view.
The history of Scurelle
The name of the city probably derives from the Latin word "Scura" which means stable. In fact, in the past there were some stables that served passers-by on the Via Claudia Augusta Altinate. Over the years, the town was dominated by the "Castelliere" or "Castellare", a defensive and control fortress located near an important communication route, most likely the Via Claudia Augusta Altinate.
Scurelle has a very ancient history: fragments of pottery found near the city have been dated back to the 5th century BC. In the 16th century, the village saw the development of an agricultural, commercial and industrial economy. In particular, the cultivation of mulberry trees and the breeding of silkworms became very important, to the point of giving rise to a flourishing spinning mill. Next to the spinning mill, a paper mill was added which produced and still produces high-quality paper thanks to the excellent quality of the water source.
Along the course of the industrial canal that still runs through the town today, a blacksmith's workshop, a mill and a sawmill were also built. In more recent times, numerous hydroelectric power stations have been built. This industrial fervor brought some prosperity to the town but was interrupted by the great floods of 1825 and 1882 that caused great damage to the plants and the countryside. Following these events, many inhabitants were forced to emigrate to distant lands such as Stivor, Argentina, or Vorarlberg (Kennelbach).
Scurelle during World War I
At the beginning of the 1900s, industrial economic activities resumed but were interrupted after a few years by a catastrophic event: the outbreak of World War I. The town of Scurelle was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and found itself in the middle of the two fires from May 1915, the date of Italy's entry into the war, to 1917 when, following the defeat of Caporetto, the Italian troops retreated to Monte Grappa.
Completely burned and destroyed by the bombings, at the end of the conflict, the town appeared as a desolate expanse of rubble, so much so that it was defined by the historian Ottone Brentari as "the cemetery of Trentino".
Scurelle today
After the end of the war, Scurelle was able to rise from its ashes thanks to the courage and determination of its inhabitants. Today, the town is a mix of modernity and tradition. In the historic center, it is possible to take a walk and discover the remains of the old castle of San Martino and the old artisan shops, up to the Church of Santa Maria Assunta and the Library present in Villa Marzia.
Furthermore, Scurelle also offers numerous opportunities for tourists who want to enjoy the nature and gastronomy of the region. You can take walks in the beautiful Vallarsa Scurella, taste the dishes of the Trentino culinary tradition in local restaurants, and visit the beautiful Cartiera Valle di Levis.
Conclusions
In conclusion, Scurelle is a small town that hides many historical and cultural curiosities. Over the years, it has been able to overcome many difficulties, demonstrating the strength and courage of its inhabitants. Today, Scurelle is a place where tourists and visitors can enjoy the beauty of the Valsugana, local gastronomy, and the millennial history of the place. If you haven't visited it yet, you won't regret it!
