Fiavè: Discover pile-dwelling history, nature and culture

Natural surroundings and educational trail around Fiavè

The Torbiera di Fiavé has the status of a provincial nature reserve and a Special Area of Conservation. The wetland was formed through the silting-up of a previously existing lake. The lake had formed at the end of the Würm glaciation as a result of a moraine dam. The Riserva naturale di Fiavé is part of the Sarca River Park and includes a variety of plant communities, some of which are very rare.

The Torbiera e delle Palafitte di Fiavè trail is an approximately three-kilometre-long educational circular trail equipped with information boards. From the town of Fiavè, you can reach the Fiavé archaeological pile-dwelling site via an easy walk of around 30 minutes. The circular trail and the connection to the pile-dwelling site give the landscape a clear focus on natural history and archaeology.

Pile-dwelling history in the museum

The Museo delle Palafitte di Fiavé is located in the Antica Casa Carli in Fiavè. The museum houses a collection of around 300 wooden objects. An entire floor of the Museo delle Palafitte di Fiavé in the historic Casa Carli in the centre of Fiavè is dedicated to reconstructing everyday life in a 3,500-year-old pile-dwelling village.

The Museo delle Palafitte di Fiavé tells the story of villages that arose along the shores and on the waters of the ancient Lago Carera from the Late Neolithic to the Bronze Age. At the Fiavé archaeological site, the remains of the dense forest of piles that supported the ancient pile-dwelling settlement have been preserved underwater. Castel Campo is first mentioned in a document from 1163. Castel Campo is opened to the public only for special events. Castel Campo particularly hosts theatre performances as well as concerts by major musicians and orchestras.

Hands-on archaeology for children

The Museo delle Palafitte di Fiavé offers visitors the virtual-reality short film “Antiche tracce. La vita in palafitta”. At Parco Archeo Natura Fiavè, the offering includes five life-size reconstructed huts. Three of the five huts can be visited.

During the “L'archeologo cercastorie” activity at Parco Archeo Natura Fiavè, children help interpret finds, plans and excavation drawings in order to reconstruct life in the pile-dwelling village. During the “L'orto preistorico” activity, children grind grain and sow seeds while trying out ancient cultivation and plant-growing methods. The activities explore different aspects of pile-dwelling history: “L'archeologo cercastorie” works with archaeological traces, while “L'orto preistorico” takes a practical look at ancient cultivation methods.

Connections to nearby towns

The intercity bus route 211 connects Fiavé with Riva del Garda, Tenno and Ponte Arche. Other places for additional orientation: Nanno, Ischia Di Pergine, Ronzone, Palai Im Fersental, Monte Mezza, Selva Di Levico, Vigolo Vattaro and Novaledo.

For the higher-level travel overview: Trentino-South Tyrol.