Torre Franca Castle

Torre Franca Castle is a fortified structure in Mattarello featuring a square layout with four cylindrical towers positioned at the corners. A prominent central keep rises in the middle, forming the dominant element of the entire complex.

Construction began in the 12th century under the Castelbarco family to control the road connecting Valle dell'Adige to Valsugana. The structure served as an important defensive point across medieval centuries in this mountainous region.

The castle displays the architectural language of medieval Trentino, where German and Italian building traditions meet. You can see this in the round corner towers and the heavy central keep, which are typical of this border region.

The castle sits on private property and is not open to the public. Visitors can view the exterior from the street and study its architectural features from outside.

During World War I, the castle functioned as an Austro-Hungarian military hospital, marked by a red cross painted above the northwest entrance. This detail reminds visitors of its medical role during the conflict.