Holiday apartment in Ossana: culture, starry skies and trails in Val di Sole

Ossana combines village history, distinctive landscapes and starry skies recognised for their protection and quality. If you choose a holiday apartment in Ossana, you will find a destination where cultural discoveries, trails through nature and family-friendly experiences can be combined. The keep of Castello San Michele rises 25 metres above the village lanes, giving Ossana a distinctive historic character.

Starry skies and experiences for different interests

The Borgo di Ossana holds the GOLD award “I cieli più belli d'Italia” for the protection and quality of its starry skies. The Ossana dark-sky designation includes Malga del Doss and Località Valpiana as designated places for observing stars and the Milky Way. During the summer months, BoscoDerniga offers, among other things, astronomy evenings and workshops for children. This creates an appealing combination of nocturnal nature observation and shared daytime activities, especially for families.

The trails around Ossana also cater to different holiday preferences. The signposted path to the Giardino dei Sensi begins at Piazza San Vigilio, is designed for people with visual impairments and can only be explored on foot. Alongside physical activity, it therefore places a specific focus on experiencing and perceiving the surroundings. A holiday apartment in Ossana can thus be a suitable choice if you would like to combine culture, nature observation and varied daily plans.

Culture between churches, castles and historic houses

The Church of San Vigilio in Ossana is considered a medieval parish church. In the historic centre lies Casa degli Affreschi, a rare medieval house between the Church of San Vigilio and Castello San Michele.

Castello San Michele probably dates back to the period of the Lombards, from the 6th to the 8th century; the first written records date from 1191. Another notable site is Parco della Pace east of Ossana. It stands on a former Austro-Hungarian military cemetery where more than 1,400 soldiers who fell in the First World War were buried. Those looking for accommodation in Ossana can therefore view the area from very different historical perspectives: medieval architectural history, religious art and remembrance culture can be found in several places in Ossana.

Fondazione San Vigilio houses the Stuva Nova, an elegant room created around 1740 at the instigation of Archpriest Ludovico Isidoro Ignazio Rovereti. It features carved and decorated Swiss pine walls and a Baroque stove with mythological motifs. The Stuva Nova also houses seven 18th-century oil paintings depicting sacred scenes. Admission is free, and it can be visited during the opening hours of Fondazione San Vigilio or by telephone appointment at 0463 751301.

Ossana is known for a seasonal exhibition featuring more than 1,600 distinctive nativity scenes handmade by associations, groups, schools, families, artists and residents from Ossana and throughout Val di Sole.

Cycle paths, Valpiana and regional cuisine

The Val di Sole Cycle Path runs from the San Leonardo ponds along the Vermigliana River to Castello San Michele in Ossana. The section of the Val di Sole Cycle Path from Ossana to Mezzana alternates between flat stretches and gentle descents. The different trail profiles help you plan your day according to your preferred level of activity and landscape experience, without every outing having to follow the same rhythm.

Valpiana is a flat hollow crossed by the Foce stream. The Valpiana snowshoe route leads from the Church of San Vigilio in Ossana to Valpiana. The approach to Malga Valpiana passes through a deciduous forest at the foot of high rock walls and by the Cascata del Sass Pisador. At Malga Valpiana, typical dishes are prepared with products sourced directly from the mountain pasture, such as butter, cheese, ricotta and yoghurt.

Ossana is served by the Trentino Trasporti Malè–Mezzana–Fucine–Cogolo–Peio bus route. When choosing your holiday apartment in Ossana, this connection may be just as relevant as your preferred focus on cycling, winter trails and starry skies.

Further places to discover independently

Cavareno, Bocenago, Mezzana, Padergnone, Vezzano, Bagni Di Rabbi, Marcena and Molina Di Ledro

For the higher-level travel overview: Trentino.