Tuenno

Photo courtesy of Bob Leonardi

Located south of the city of Cles, and within Trentino's Val di Non, Tuenno was historically an agricultural community and is well know for growing apples, fruits, and vegetables.  It is the second most populated village in Val di Non. A census taken in 1427 estimated there were 500 residents in the village.  The population grew to an estimated 670 in 1751, 1620 (192 houses) in 1855, and 2143 in 1922 From an estimated population of 260 people in the year 1596, it is still a small village of 509 residents (as of the year 1981).

 

Common surnames in Tuenno

• ALIPRANDINI -- originally from the village of Livo, members of this family were elevated to nobility class in 1704.

• COMINELLI -- originally from the village of Terzolas, members of this family were elevated to nobility class in 1747.

• CONCINI -- a highly regarded family line believed descended from the Counts of Penna (Toscana), c. 1260. The family was divided into two main branches -- those of Tuenno and those of Casez. Both branches distinguished themselves in military, religious, and political fields. .

• LEONARDI -- emigration from Corte di Rumo c. 1610

• SANDRI -- members of this family were granted privileges and benefits of nobility in 1527 for services  during the Rustic War. 

• PINAMONTI -- found in the village since c. 1425; two brothers were granted an insignia of minor nobility in 1530 for services rendered during the Rustic War.

• Also others such as ARNOLDI (c. 1528), BRUNI, COVA, DALLAGO (16th century),GASPERETTI (c. 1735), GHEZZI, MAISTRELLI (c. 1490's), MENAPACE (emigration from Pavillo c. 1750), ODORIZZI (since 1500's), PASQUIN, TRETTER (since 1700's), VALENTINI (emigration from Rallo in the 1600's)

Leaving Tuenno for the Americas

During the late 1800s and the early 1900s, many villagers decided to explore opportunities available in the US.  They were tired of the economic and social problems encountered in Trentino. Most emigrated as a result of recruitment by mine operators or from letters sent by family and friends who were already in the US.  I have provided listings of emigrants to the US and South America .  These listings include the person's name, year of emigration, and in most cases where they settled.  The data is only a portion of the information available about these pioneers.  If you have any other information about their life in the new land, please share it.

Tuenno's early history

Name Origin:

The name Tuenno is thought to be derived from the peoples known as "Tulliasses".  Axes from the Neolithic era, objects from the Bronze Age, and Roman tombs and coins have been found in the area.  Over the centuries, the village name took many forms, including Tulen (in 1191), Tulleno (in 1291), Tuyen (14th century), Tuieno. The current form of the name has also been in use since the late 14th century.

The village square, long a meeting place for the village residents, dates to the year 1592.

A monument to the memory of villagers killed in World War I stands in the Piazza degli Alpini. There were 52 casualties during the war, including 27 on the Russian front and 17 on the Italian front.  A listing of some of the casualties can be found at "Albo d'Oro" 

Fire -- On 16 August 1802, a fire destroyed a major part of nearby Terres. The following day, an even worse fire broke out in Flavon, reducing most of the village to ashes. Traditionally, the cause of the fire was thought to be ashes smoldering in the belongings brought to Flavon by residents of Terres fleeing the fire there. One of the documents that survived the fire showed the existence of a school in Flavon dating to at least 1782.

Cholera -- The epidemic plaquing the area spread to Tuenno. During the period 15 Aug to 19 Sept 1855, approximatley 195 people died as a result of cholera. The worst day was 22 Aug 1855, with 22 victims. Many of the victims were buried in a common grave, which today, is covered by fields. The first pharmacy opened during the epidemic.

Church and Religion

Tuenno's local church was under the control of the parish at Tassullo for a long period. Most masses were celebrated at the church in Tassullo until the early 17th century, when permission was granted to celebrate masses in Tuenno for certain feast days. Tuenno was elevated to full parish status in 1729, and became independent of Tassullo in 1919.  The church archives contain various records dating to 1608 (baptism) and 1672 (for marriages and deaths).  The church rcords also indicate that an elementary school was in existence since at least 1751.

S. Orsala -- it is believed to have existed first as a chapel in the 14th century, dedicated to Santa Maria (Saint Mary). The first recorded reference to S. Orsala was in 1520, and the church contains a baptismal font bearing the date 1571. The church was remodelled and reconstructed at various times over the next 400 years, and in 1914, a relic bearing the date 1518 was found.

S. Nicolo -- the first reference to this church is believed to be from the year 1486.  A new structure was constructed in the 1650's, and refurbished in 1742.

Cemetery -- Although it is believed that a cemetery existed in the 14th century, the first record of a cemetery at Tuenno (S. Maria) was in 1486. Within the church grounds are many family tombs (QUARESIMA, CONCINI, PASOTTI). In the early 1800's, the church was ordered to stop burials on the grounds, and to construct a cemetery away from the residential areas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Street scene with view of church bell tower.
Courtesy of Robert Leonardi

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Resources:

Tuenno Nelle Sue Memorie, by Enrico Leonardi
(a history of Tuenno and details of many families - in Italian)