Trentino is a land of wonders, where nature blends with human ingenuity to create breathtaking landscapes and innovative solutions. Among the excellences that distinguish our region, the hydroelectric plants stand out, true masterpieces of engineering that transform the power of water into clean energy.
Today we take you to discover two of these silent giants, the majestic Riva del Garda Hydroelectric Power Plant and the powerful Santa Masenza Power Plant, inviting you to visit them and live a unique experience during your stay in our magnificent Palazzo Riccamboni.
The Riva del Garda Power Plant: Architectural Beauty, History and a Touch of Poetry
Directly overlooking the shores of Lake Garda, the Riva del Garda Hydroelectric Power Plant is a true monument of industrial archaeology and a jewel of architecture. Built in the ’20s to a design by the architect Giancarlo Maroni, famous for having designed the Vittoriale degli Italiani, this power plant stands out for its grandeur and classic style that makes it one with the lake landscape.
It is not just a feat of engineering, but a symbol of the foresight that has allowed Trentino to exploit the richness of its waters. The plant primarily uses the waters of Lake Ledro, conveyed through a derivation tunnel that takes advantage of the considerable difference in height with Lake Garda. The waters of the Ponale stream have also played and still play a role in its nutrition. It is a tank system, capable of generating energy and, if necessary, also of “pumping” water from Lake Garda to Lake Ledro during the night, and then reusing it at times of greatest need, thus also functioning as a pumping-turbine system.
A curious anecdote: the Riva del Garda power plant boasts a special bond with the poet, Gabriele D’Annunzio. It was he, a friend of the architect Maroni, who coined the Latin inscription that stands out on the main façade: “Hoc opus hic labor est et aedibus in mediis numen aquarum”, which means “This is the work, this is the work, and in the midst of the houses is the god of water”. D’Annunzio even called the plant “the genius of the waters”, emphasizing its majesty and the hydraulic power it contains.
Visiting the Riva del Garda power plant means immersing yourself in an interactive experience, thanks to the multimedia installations that make the operation of this complex machine understandable to everyone, young and old. An opportunity to appreciate not only the technology, but also the history and aesthetics of a building that marked an era.
The Santa Massenza Power Plant: An Energy Heart Hidden in the Rock and the Challenges of Its Construction
Moving towards the Valle dei Laghi, a few kilometers from Trento, we find the Santa Masenza Hydroelectric Power Plant, an equally fascinating plant, but with very different characteristics. If Riva del Garda amazes with its monumental façade, Santa Massenza reveals its true power in the heart of the mountain.
This power plant, designed by the architect Giovanni Muzio (the same as the Palazzo della Triennale in Milan), is known for its turbine room entirely carved into the rock, 600 meters deep! Imagine a volume of over 150,000 cubic meters, so large that it could contain the entire Duomo of Milan: a true underground cathedral of energy.
Santa Massenza is the most powerful plant in Trentino and is part of a complex and articulated hydroelectric system, which conveys water from Adamello to Lake Garda through a dense network of tunnels and penstocks. Santa Massenza is a pumped storage plant that plays a crucial role in the management and stabilization of the electricity grid, sending water back between lakes as needed.
An important historical anecdote: The construction of the Santa Massenza power plant and its vast system of tunnels was a colossal undertaking and unfortunately not without sacrifices. During the works, especially between 1948 and 1960, there were numerous accidents, some of which were fatal, mainly related to excavation operations and the use of explosives. These events, although tragic, testify to the hard work and courage of the workers who made it possible to build this impressive work, today a pillar of clean energy supply. It is reassuring to know that, beyond these tragic events related to the construction phase, the plants now operate with very high safety standards.
A visit to Santa Massenza is a surprising experience, a journey into the depths of the earth that reveals the secrets of energy production in a truly evocative way.
Two Power Plants, Two Stories, One Passion for Water
In summary, here are the main differences between these two extraordinary power plants:
- Riva del Garda: An architectural masterpiece visible on the lake, which mainly takes advantage of the difference in height between Lake Ledro and Garda, but which has also seen and sees the Ponale stream as a source. It works both as a tank and pumping system. It stands out for its aesthetics and its historical-artistic link, including the reference to D’Annunzio.
- Santa Massenza: A giant hidden in the heart of the mountain, with its spectacular underground turbine room. It is a pumped storage plant, the most powerful in Trentino, focused on maximum efficiency and complex management of the water system, with a construction history marked by great commitment and sacrifices.
Both plants are managed by the Dolomiti Energia Group and offer interactive and multimedia tours (Hydrotour Dolomiti), ideal for the whole family. They are an unmissable opportunity to understand how water, a fundamental element of our land, is transformed into a precious resource for all of us.
Stay at Palazzo Riccamboni and discover the Trentino of Energy… Free!
After an exciting day discovering these engineering jewels, what could be better than returning to the comfort and elegance of our Palazzo Riccamboni? Located in the heart of Trentino, our palace is the perfect base for exploring the wonders of the region, from the Dolomite peaks to the placid lakes, and of course, the fascinating hydroelectric power plants.
And there’s fantastic news for our guests! Staying at Palazzo Riccamboni, you will receive the Garda Guest Card for free, the key to an even more convenient Trentino full of opportunities. Among the many benefits included, you will have access to free or discounted visits to castles, museums, public transport and free admission to the Riva del Garda Hydroelectric Power Plant! An unmissable opportunity to enjoy a cultural and educational experience at no additional cost.
Let yourself be pampered by our hospitality and our exclusive services. We are waiting for you for an unforgettable stay, where history, nature, innovation and convenience meet.
Book your experience at Palazzo Riccamboni now and get ready for a unique journey into the beating heart of Trentino!