Telve
Telve: A Small Trentino Municipality with a Great History
Located in the province of Trento and about 38 km from the city of Trento, Telve is a municipality of 1899 inhabitants nestled in the stunning Valsugana. With its privileged location along the southern slopes of Mount Salubio, Telve is immersed in lush nature and surrounded by forests, agriculture, and grazing land. In this article, we will explore Telve's physical geography, its ancient, medieval, and modern history, and discover some of its curiosities.
Physical Geography
The territory of Telve is located to the left of the Brenta River along the southern slopes of Mount Salubio, which is part of the Lagorai mountain range. With its highest point reaching 2574 m on the Cima delle Buse, Telve offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding territory. Most of the area is covered by coniferous forests that occupy 62% of the municipal territory.
History
Antiquity
Human presence in the territory dates back to the Bronze Age, as evidenced by archaeological findings found on the heights of Borgo and Castel San Pietro. During the Iron Age, the Rhaetian people traveled through Valsugana and baptized the village with its name. Later, the Romans built the Claudia Augusta Altinate road to connect the city of Aquileia with Trentino, and this road also passed through Telve. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Telve passed under the dominion of the Lombards, and its first church was dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel, a saint beloved by this population.
Middle Ages
During the Middle Ages, Telve underwent several invasions and crucial historical events. In 952, the territory passed to the duchy of Bavaria and, in 976, to the newly established duchy of Carinthia. It was only in 1027 that Telve became part of the diocese of Belluno-Feltre by the will of Emperor Conrad II the Salic. In the twelfth century, the "de Telvo" family acquired a privileged position both with the bishop-count of the diocese of Belluno-Feltre and in the Trentino political sphere. In the thirteenth century, the "de Telvo" family erected the castle of Telve, which still exists today, and contested the territory of lower Valsugana with various lords, such as Ezzelino da Romano, the da Camino family, the Scaligeri of Verona, the Carraresi, and Gian Galeazzo Visconti.
Modern Age
In 1413, Frederick IV of Austria, Duke of Austria, acquired dominion over Telve, which became part of the history of Tyrol. In the fifteenth century, a dense German community settled in the village to work in nearby mines. This community, known as Germania, has now disappeared, but some traces remain in toponymy and onomastics. In 1487, Telve was assaulted by the Venetians, engaged in the war against the Habsburgs for the dominion of Trentino, who looted the village and set it on fire.
Curiosities
In addition to its suggestive history and enchanting location, Telve also has some interesting curiosities. For example, the village is known for its production of Telve onion, which is one of the local gastronomic specialties. Moreover, the village also hosts a very particular church, the Church of Santa Margherita, which has the peculiarity of having a circular shape, along with a square-based bell tower. Finally, Telve is also famous for its carnival, one of the most important events of the year that every year attracts tourists from all over the world.
In conclusion, Telve is a small municipality in Trentino with a great history, immersed in nature and rich in curiosities. We hope that this brief overview has provided you with an idea of what Telve has to offer and has given you inspiration to explore it firsthand.
