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Trent is situated 194 m, above sea level on flat ground by the Adige River dominated by Mount Bondone (2,179 m.) and Paganella (2,125 m.) by the Verona-Brenner railway and motorway.

It was a Roman town of some importance (Tridentum) and, after Goth, Lombard and Carolingian rule, it passed in 1027 from Emperor Conrad II `the Salic' to the Bishop-Counts. It was the capital of a vast principality, initially stretching as far as the Brenner, but subsequently reduced in size after the creation of the Bishopric of Bressanone and the County of Tyrol. Though established as a satellite State of the Germanic Empire, it always had a certain independence. The Council of Trent was held there from 1545 to 1563, in an attempt to curb the rapid progress of Martin Luther's Reformation. The principality lasted until 1801 when, following the Lunéville treaty, it was absorbed by the Hapsburg Provinces of which it remained a part, with the brief exception of the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy (1810-1813), until 1918. It then became part of Italy.

Monuments: These include: the Duomo (12th-13th century, Romanesque-Gothic), seat of the Council of Trent, with the chapel of the Crocifisso (Baroque), in front of which the conciliar decrees were promulgated; Castello del Buonconsiglio, an imposing building dating to various periods (original nucleus 13th century), seat of the Bishop-Princes; in the adjoining Torre dell'Aquila, end-15th century frescoes of the `Ciclo dei Dodici Mesi' (depicting peasant life at that time) can be admired; Palazzo Pretorio (13th century), Torre Civica (13th century), chiesa di Sant'Apollinare (14th century), chiesa di San Lorenzo (13th century), Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore (16th century), Palazzo Municipale (16th century), Palazzo Galaasso (17th century), Palazzo Geremia (16th century).

The economy of Trent is based on a flourishing commercial sector favoured by the geographical position of the town, at the junction of important lines of communication, on important administrative (Regional and Provincial offices) and cultural activities (University). The industrial sector is also well developed and is characterized by small-to-medium chemical, textile, engineering, electro technical, timber processing and building material companies. The surrounding fertile lands are cultivated with vineyards and orchards.

Events: International Mountain Film Festival (April), Climbing and Hiking Salon (April), Concerts, theatrical and folklore performances (September-October), Fiera di San Giuseppe (March), Festa di San Vigilio (26th June).

Famous People: Cesare Battisti (patriot, 1875-1916), Andrea Pozzo (architect and artist, 1642-1709), Alessandro Vittoria (sculptor and architect, 1525-1608), Bernardo Clesio (bishop, 1485-1539).

Cultural Institutions: University, Museo del Duomo (Flemish tapestries, 15th century), local craft exhibition (Palazzo Galasso), Castello del Buonconsiglio, Museo Provinciale d'Arte (archaeology and paintings), Museo Storico in Trento, Museo Nazionale Trentino, Museo di Storia Naturale and Museo Storico Nazionale degli Alpini (all museums).

In the Province: Rovereto (industrial centre, Museo Storico della Guerra, collection of relics and weapons of the First World War, the home of Antonio Rosmini), Arco (holiday resort), Riva del Garda (holiday resort, environmental interest), S. Martino di Castrozza (mountain holidays), Madonna di Campiglio (mountain holidays), Vigo di Fassa (Museo dell'Istituto Culturale Ladino-Rhaeto-Romanic cultural institute), Molina di Ledro (pile-dwelling museum).

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