Bondone
An ancient village of charcoal burners, overlooking the lake
- It is listed among the Borghi Più Belli d’Italia [Most Beautiful Medieval Villages of Italy] since 2018
- Use the local trails for a walk in the mountains
- Visit the Castle of San Giovanni
The municipality of Bondone overlooks the waters of Lake Idro in the far south-west of Trentino, on the border with Lombardy, in the tranquil natural setting of Valle del Chiese's Network of Reserves. It was known as the “town of charcoal burners” up until fifty years ago, a name earned by centuries of inhabitants who carried out this work, turning the wood of local forests into this precious fuel.
Today, Bondone is officially recognised as one of Italy’s most beautiful villages (i Borghi più Belli d’Italia), with its stunning castle and lakeside beaches, and is a favourite location for lovers of sports and outdoors activities, topped off by a glass of wine in the piazza and a romantic meal on the lake.
Things to see in Bondone
Our advice is to make a stop in the town’s piazza to see the monument to the charcoal burners before losing yourself in its maze of cobbled streets, admiring the frescoes you will find on the façades of the houses, which express their inhabitants’ devotion to the Madonna who, according to legend, relieved the plague epidemic that hit Bondone between 1628 and 1630 (as told by Manzoni in The Betrothed).
Two unmissable sights are the Natività parish church, which dates back to 1300, and Castel San Giovanni, an ancient fortress of the Lodron Counts which dates back to the eleventh century and now plays host to exhibitions on nature, culture, tradition and history.
Afterwards, just a few minutes’ drive will bring you to Lake Idro and its Porto Camarelle beach, which has a Blue Flag from the Legambiente environmental association.
Things to do in Bondone
In summer, Bondone is the ideal destination for a holiday built around open-air sports. On Lake Idro, for example, you can enjoy lots of water sports from canoeing to kitesurfing, or simply take a walk between the two beaches on the Trentino side of the lake, which are connected by a wooden boardwalk crossing through the Biotope of Lake Idro, home to many different species of waterfowl and other birds.
A short distance from the village, in the Baitoni area, there is the Valle del Chiese cycle path, a healthy and immersive experience of the nature and culture of the Giudicarie zone.
Then, in August, the streets of the village come alive thanks to “Bondone in Strada”, the international festival of street artists.
In winter, the village streets come alive. There are many Holiday events held at the village: 'La via delle barche' in Baitoni, where decorations and ornaments light up the streets, and connect the characteristic Nativity scenes set up on boats in a unique route. 'La via dei presepi' in Bondone, where more than 100 original Nativity scenes are set up by villagers outside their homes, and this season's highlight, the 2024 edition of 'Natale nel Borgo'.
During the rest of the year, however, Bondone offers the tranquil atmosphere of a village immersed in nature, a chance to leave your routine behind and enjoy long walks exploring Valle del Chiese.
A weekend in Bondone and its surroundings
Check out our 2-day itinerary based in Bondone, to be covered from March to October, or retrace the travel itinerary of @Onderoaders, who visited Bondone and the surrounding area in spring.
What to eat in Bondone
You can't leave without trying the polenta made with the famous Storo yellow flour, one of the most famous products of the Chiese Valley. Among the dishes, one that seems particularly appropriate is polenta carbonera, nutritious and flavorful, thanks to the onions, cheeses, and salami paste that enrich the recipe.
Other typical products of the Bondone area include mountain cheeses, bear radicchio and Alpine char, mountain honey, and mushrooms.
