Castel Cles

Castel Cles is a castle perched on a hill overlooking Lake Santa Giustina in the Val di Non valley in Trentino. The structure blends original fortification elements with Renaissance additions and sits among apple orchards and rolling green fields.

The castle originated in the 12th century as a strategic fortress controlling the Roman road connecting the banks of the Noce stream. In the 16th century, Prince-Bishop Bernardo Clesio converted it into a Renaissance residence.

The castle displays Renaissance transformation commissioned by Prince-Bishop Bernardo Clesio, who brought painter Marcello Fogolino to add frescoes in the 16th century. This artistic renewal shaped how the interior spaces look and function today.

The site remains private property of the Barons of Cles and is not typically open to the public. Visits occur mainly during specific summer events or through pre-arranged guided tours.

A special room called the Saletta delle Metamorfosi contains frescoes depicting scenes from Ovid's Metamorphoses, painted during the Renaissance. These artworks demonstrate how classical literature inspired the decoration of the rooms.