Castel Pietra takes conferences, seminars, gala dinners, receptions, exhibitions, fashion shows and civil weddings, in ten rooms that hold from 15 to 170 guests. The castle stands in Calliano, in the province of Trento, on a bend of the Adige between Trento and Rovereto, at Via Castel Pietra 1. The same family has owned it since 1738, and the first phase of a major restoration has opened it to visits and events.
Seminars and company events
For a conference, the Salone Cresseri de Breitenstein is the main room: 170 square meters for 120 to 170 people. Four mid-sized rooms of 40 to 60 guests work as breakouts or as a second plenary, and five smaller rooms of 15 to 35 suit committees or working groups. Rooms are equipped according to use, with lighting, power, internet, heating and blackout, and the castle supplies a projector and an amplifier. Full event organization is available through the castle's network of partners. For a company group, a guided visit of the fortress, including the guard walkway, the chapel and a 16th-century Venetian staircase, makes an easy social program. Photo shoots and launches are also hosted.
Weddings and receptions
Civil ceremonies can be held inside the castle. The day uses the building in sequence: aperitif in the garden, bouquet toss in the entrance hall, photographs in the courtyard and the frescoed hall, then the meal in the dining halls. The castle groups its offers by size, under 30, 30 to 50 and over 50 guests.
Rooms and capacities
Salone Cresseri de Breitenstein, 170 m², 120 to 170 guests. Sala Calliano, 146 m², 40 to 60. Sala del Giudizio, 69 m², 40 to 50. Sala Sanseverino and Sala Maria Teresa d'Austria, 65 m² each, 40 to 60. Antica Cucina, the old kitchen, 50 m², 25 to 35. Saletta Castelbarco, 46 m², 15 to 20. Saletta Asburgo, 39 m², 15 to 20. Stanza del Filatoio, 29 m², 15 to 20. Saletta Tirolo, 23 m², 25 to 35. The site does not say whether the figures are seated or standing. Access for guests with reduced mobility is listed room by room.
Catering
The rooms are cleared for dinners and buffets. The site does not name an in-house kitchen, so food is arranged through the organization service. The castle also runs a 23-hectare farm in a single block, converted to organic methods from 2011, growing grapes, apples and vegetables, and its shop sells seasonal produce and Trentino specialties.
History and setting
The castle dates from the High Middle Ages: 12th-century documents already mention la Pietra, named after boulders fallen from the Cengio Rosso cliff above, and a Gothic part followed in the 14th century. It guarded the narrowest point of the Vallagarina, where the Adige and the imperial road meet, and for long periods stood on the border between Tyrol and the Republic of Venice. On August 10, 1487, Venetian troops under Sanseverino were defeated at the Battle of Calliano. In 1796 Napoleon's troops hauled cannon onto the cliff and forced the Austrian garrison to surrender. Both world wars damaged the building.
Getting there
From the A22 Brennero motorway, take the Rovereto Nord or Trento Sud exit, then the SS12. Rovereto and Trento stations are about 20 km away. Verona airport is about 50 minutes by car and Bolzano about 40. Riva del Garda and Folgaria are within half an hour.
