Castel Nanno, Medieval castle in Val di Non valley, Italy

Castel Nanno is a 16th-century Renaissance residence in the frazione of Nanno, Ville d'Anaunia, Trentino. A quadrangular curtain wall with four corner turrets surrounds the residential building, which incorporates the medieval keep; that keep partially collapsed in 1873. The castle stands above the Val di Non.

Castel Nanno is first mentioned in 1264; in 1274 Niccolò and Giordano, sons of Ropreto da Denno, bought it and took the name da Nanno. After a dispute with the Spaur family, a 1452 arbitration awarded it to Nikolaus von Nanno. In 1523 Anton von Nanno passed his Trento fiefs to Gratiadeo Madruzzo, and Cristoforo Madruzzo built the Renaissance residence around the medieval keep in the first half of the 16th century.

The castle's name comes from the da Nanno family, who took it after buying the manor in 1274. An old legend tells of Melisenda of Nanno and Ludovico of Sporo, a young couple walled up alive in the castle by Melisenda's father when he learned of their forbidden love. In 1610 a witchcraft trial was held here, and three women were condemned to death at the stake.

The castle is privately owned and normally open only on selected weekends, arranged between the owners and the local tourist board (APT). Check locally before planning a visit; the interior is not routinely accessible.

The legend tells of Melisenda of Nanno and Ludovico of Sporo, a young couple whose forbidden love ended when Melisenda's father had both walled up alive in the castle. The feud between the Nanno and Spaur families is woven into the same tale.