Castel Drena

Castel Drena is located on the top of a rocky hill in a dominant position on the north of Alto Garda. The castle is in a strategic position with respect to the historical road network between Arco and the Cavedine valley. This road network was an important link between Garda and Trento.

Castel Drena is of Romanesque style. It has a quadrangular keep 25 meters high surrounded by walls. Inside the walls there is a chapel dedicated to Saint Martin of the ninth century. In addition to the chapel there are residential buildings including the Comitale palace of the fifteenth century.

Drena Castle History

On the hill where stands Castel Drena has been inhabited since prehistoric times. This is confirmed by the discovery of the remains of a settlement from the bronze age. The first owners of the medieval manor are the Sejano. A series of fights between the Sejano and the da Arco for the possession of the castle seen its strategic position on the road connecting Lake Garda and Trento. The da Arco got the better of them and in 1174 it became their property.

During the invasion of Trentino in 1703, as part of the War of the Spanish Succession, the castle was destroyed, like many others in the area, by the troops of general Vendôme.

Since 1981 Castel Drena has been owned by the municipality of Drena after the sale of the manor by the Foundation of Arco di Mantova heir of the last Countess of Arco of the Italian branch. On 1 June 2018, a 20 m long (about 200 m² total) section of the wall collapsed.

The Drena castle is accessed by a paved road that passes next to the house of the good or bullies or guards. In the past it was the farmhouse with stables for horses and other animals. Continue to the entrance portal of the manor. As soon as you enter the tower stands 27 meters high with battlements Ghibelline. In the courtyard there is a lawn called Lizza. You can see the remains of the Church of S.Martino. You can go upstairs with a staircase where there are rooms used for exhibitions, educational activities and weddings. Going up again you enter the space dedicated to the illustration of the highlights of the history of the castle and there are showcases with preserved archaeological finds found in the manor.