Trentino's Cultural Influence on our Heritage and Ancestry

Resources from the province

MondoTrentino -- Information from the Provincia Autonoma di Trento (PAT) Emigration Office, including the TrentinoEmigrazione magazine, photos of Trentino (valleys, castles, churches, villages), many cultural links, and origins of many Trentino surnames.  The Department  has an excellent staff providing service to Trentini and their descendents worldwide.  It publishes an 8-volume series of books entitled the Homeland Series.  The books depict, in photos, drawings, works, and maps the history, culture, arts, treasures, food, and economy of Trentino.  They are written in English, Italian, and several other languages.  Contact the Department of Emigration for copies (free to descendents of Trentino emigrants).

Those of us with ancestors who came from Trentino may obtain a free quarterly magazine "TrentinoEmigrazione".  The magazine is printed in Italian, with portions in English, Spanish, Portugese, German, and French.  Each issue has colorful photos of past and present Trentino, and articles of interest to all.  To subscribe, send an email to serv.emigr-sol.int@provincia.tn.it.

Another of its efforts is a summer exchange program for youth  of Trentino origins.  You will stay with a Trentino family for three  weeks, experiencing Trentino's culture, education, and traditions.  80% of travel expenses are reimbursed.  The following year you will host a youth from the family with which you stayed.  More information is available on the Mondo Trentino site.

TrentinoCultura -- a central site for the promotion of Trentino arts, traditions, and memories.  Contains digitized music, museum exhibits, dance and theatre, and thousands of photographs (villages, culture, historical, etc).

Organizations and associations

Trentini Nel Mondo -- an organization that strives to maintain communication with emigrants and their descendents.  It issues a monthly magazine (in Italian) covering news of Trentino and emigrants around the world.

Trentini_of_NA -- you can join an internet-based group whose members share information, photos, files, favorite links, and news of Trentino.  Questions posted by members are answered by other members, many of whom live in or have visited Trentino and share their experiences.

International Tyrolean Trentino Organization of North America -- established in 1976, ITTONA is the umbrella organization for all Tyrolean-Trentino clubs in the United States.  It acts as a buffer between the clubs and the Trentino government.   A national conference of Trentino clubs and groups is held every two years. The conference, exhibits, and events are open to anyone with ties to Trentino.  The next one will be held in July 2008 in Solvay, NY

Trentino clubs  -- various Trentino clubs, known as "circoli", have been established to provide a place to meet others of Trentino heritage in a social setting.  Members of the circoli can also be a source of information.  There are circoli located in Alabama, California, Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New York ( Solvay Tyrol Club ), Pennsylvania, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.  There are also circoli located in many countries outside the US (  Australia ).  The Australia club has many links to useful news and information.

Museums and Castles

Trentino is noted for its cultural and historical displays.  Many of its museums are housed in castles and other historic structures. Originally medieval fortresses and residences of the ruling Prince-Bishops and nobles, many of these structures are well-preserved.  Although some are still used as private residencess and not open to the public, others have been converted into historical and cultural gateways to the past.

Museo Storico - Castel Buonconsiglio -- a listing of the documents held in the archives of the historic museum at Castel del Buonconsiglio in Trento.  Includes family and personal papers covering events of the 18th to 20th centuries.  The museum's holdings include 32,500 volumes and monographs.  The site provides a virtual visit to the museum.

University of Trento Guide to Trentino Museums

Folklife Museum of Trentino (MUCGT) -- located in an ancient monastery at San Michelle all'Adige, it offers exhibits of the folklore, culture, and handicrats of Trentino's rural past.  Its aim is .. collecting, gathering, and studying the materials that refer to history, economy, dialects, folklore, customs ... of the people of Trentino. As part of its mission to promote these aims, the museum has made available books and videos depicting Trentino life and lifestyles.

Castel Thun -- a photographic journey inside, outside, and around an ancient castle complex that survived historic happenings in Trentino.  The castle is the ancestral home to one of the provinces original ruling families. This site also contains an introduction to the village of Vigo di Ton and its church, which has been documented to the year 1242..

Other

Poetry and Song in Val di Non -- poems and songs in the nonese dialect peculiar to the villages of Val di Non, with translations into Italian

Albies Alba -- choral groups and choirs are a long-standing tradition in Trentino.  This is the site of a folk group performing the traditional music, songs, and dances of Trentino.

Events In Trentino Alto Adige -- a partial listing of local feasts and other events to be held in Trentino in the next few months.

Franciscan Order in Trento -- a history of the Franciscan brothers in Trentino.  Members of the order arrived in Trento circa 1221.

 

---

Read Visitor Comments   Leave A Comment or Inquiry