Mezzocorona (Kronmetz or Deutschmetz in German) is a town in the province of Trento, located in the Piana Rotaliana, a plain enclosed between the river Adige and Noce, famous for the cultivation of vines stretches that produces fine wines, and that have earned the nickname of "the most beautiful vineyard in Europe."
The name is composed of the words "Crown" (the actual castle of San Gottardo) and "Mezzo" (the ancient name of Piana Rotaliana).
The area was inhabited since the dawn of prehistory, as evidenced by the rich and important findings brought to light (burials in perfect condition, ceramic containers, axes, polished stones), and, in 2004, near the Castle San Gottardo, paleontologists have found dinosaur footprints dating back to the late Triassic.
The Adige river and the Via Claudia Augusta made it a road junction of primary importance, as evidenced by the interesting traces of Roman sites in the Giontec and Drei Cane.
With the purchase of the Castle "Crown of Mezo" by Meinhard II, jurisdiction over the village passed to the Lords of Mezo and, subsequently, to the Counts Firmian, who held it until 1824.
Sites of Interest:
- the villages of the Neolithic age in the locality Dos de la Forca and Mezzocorona Borgonuovo;
- the dinosaur footprints near the Castle of St. Gotthard;
- the sites of Roman Giontec (extended village built between the I and the VI centuries A.D.) and the Drei Cane;
- Castel San Gottardo, nestled in the crevices of the rock wall that overlooks Mezzocorona, is one of the most important examples of buildings within caves, which in Trentino are called "crowns" (hence, of course, the name of the country). Currently only the ruins are visible, though they are easily recognizable the main portal of the church of San Gottardo and the main palace. Definitely built earlier than the XII century;
- Firmian Castle, residence of the counts of the same name, built in 1480 by Nicholas I of Firmian at the foot of the cliff, equipped with a square tower and a crenellated wall, surrounded by a deep moat, in the second half of the XVIII century, the castle was one floor high, and in the following century, the stables and the worker's house were added. Also interesting is the Chapel of St. John of Nepomuceno, with beautiful wooden statue of St. Gotthard, taken from the castle on the cliff, and numerous portraits of the Firmian Family;
- Firmian Palace, now the seat of the municipal administration, with splendid paintings by Paul Troger on the second floor, with XVII century fireplaces, wood paneling and tapestries;
- Martini Palace, dating from the second half of the XVII century, surrounded by vineyards, is now owned by the Raiffeisenkasse of Mezzocorona. The building features a XVII century façade, richly frescoed with stucco, fine furnishings, fabrics, wood paneling and prints;
- the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, already mentioned in documents of the XII century, was rebuilt and enlarged several times in the following centuries, until 1862, when the existing Gothic building was demolished in place of the current one. On the façade of the Bell Tower appears an inscription which depicts the Om de Fèr, the legendary slayer of the basilisk.
- the Mountain, a place of relaxation and tranquility, ideal for walks and excursions on foot or by mountain bike, also accessible by cable car.