Trento is a fascinating city in northern Italy. It owes its beauty to its landscape and architectures, but historical cafes play their role in it too.
Trento is the most frequent winner of the award for the highest quality of life in Italy. The good air, beautiful landscape and many architectural landmarks in the city are its main perks: the Science Museum (designed by Renzo Piano), the Cathedral and the Buonconsiglio Castle (or the Muse). Historical cafes are also very important here, and we are taking you for a tour of them!
Bar Tre Portoni
Bar Tre Portoni (literally the 3 Doors Cafe) was established in the 20s and underwent a big renovation in 1937. It changed many ownerships and today it is managed by Mr Bortolotti and his family.
The place is also known because you can admire a work of art from the local painter Mario Brugnara representing the city’s main landmarks.
Bar Pasticceria Mazzoleni
Marco Mazzoleni and Tecla Pergol open their pastry shop in the neighborhood of Cristo Re, and it immediately became one of the favorite places for locals.
Bar Pasticceria Mazzoleni is popular for its coffee and breakfast treats, but it also is specialized in savory delicacies. Recently this café was completely renovated.
Bar Fiorentina
The building hosting this café is one of the most historically important in the City, and in fact it is officially recognized as one. It is popular for the vintage touch you can notice everywhere in it: an original 1964 Faema E64 coffee machine, vintage pictures and an original copy of “Cara vecchia Trento”, a book about happenings in the area by the author Gian Pacher who wrote it in 1951.
Bar Veneto
The Bar Veneto has changed ownerships many times since its establishment in 1965, but its name was left untouched, except for a brief period at the beginning of 2000 when it went under the name of “Zorba’s”. However, the name was part of the charm and the history of the place, therefore the owner of the time decided to go back to its original name.
Bar dei Cavai
Bar dei Cavai had been open since 1946 and unfortunately had to close in 2018. It had been very popular among locals and for some people it represented the re-birth after WW2.
The history behind its name is very curious. “Cavai” in fact is local name for “horses”, because the place had originally no tables and chairs, and people were having their drinks while standing “like horses do”.
When the café closed for good in 2018 it was a very sad moment for many local people. A nearby place kind of “stole” the identity of the place by naming itself “Caffè Cavalli 2018”, but it will never be able to replace the old Bar dei Cavai.
Trento and its historical cafes are very charming, and the city is certainly worth the visit! We’ll see you for our next historical café tour!
