An overview of Trentino’s thousand-year-old history
Since the Middle Ages, the history of the Trentino has been closely intertwined with the history of Tyrol. The surroundings of the city of Trento were then part of the prince-bishopric of Trento which enjoyed a special autonomy in the Holy Roman Empire for eight centuries. Soon the Counts of Tyrol acquired control over the prince-bishopric and thus an increasing political influence which unavoidably led to tensions with the bishops.
In the 15th century some parts of Trentino were invaded by Venetian troops but luckily the occupation was stopped in the battle of Calliano. In the first half of the 19th century following the Napoleonic period, Trentino was annexed by the county of Tyrol and therefore lost its autonomy. The resulting dissatisfaction led to the foundation of the irredentist movement.
The frontline of the Great War, a position warfare, was established in the Dolomites where bloody battles were fought and thousands of inhabitants were forced to leave their homes to move to Austria, Bohemia and Moravia. Thanks to the Treaty of Versailles, Trentino and South Tyrol (Alto Adige) both became part of the Kingdom of Italy. Since 1948 Trentino has been enjoying a special autonomy and in 1972, when the second autonomy Statute entered into force, Trentino's competences of self-administration were expanded.
