The Beseno hold the great castle on the hill above Besenello, which closes the Adige valley road between Trent and the Val Lagarina.
Their castle was a fief of the counts of Eppan, but the bishop's church, now ruled by a Beseno, was buying into it about 1200. The family is split into two branches, Engelbert's and Odolrico's, whose rivalry over Castel Beseno and Castel Pietra near Calliano weakens both. The bishop himself is their kinsman.
Who he is
- Name
- Two branches, Engelbert's and Odolrico's; the heads on 1 January 1200 are not pinned. Bishop Conrad of Trent is of the same Povo and Beseno kin.
- Title
- Lords of Castel Beseno; vassals of the counts of Eppan and of the bishop of Trent
- Since
- not pinned
- Born
- not pinned
- Family
- Kin of Bishop Conrad of Beseno (son of Carbonio) and of the lords of Povo.
- Confidence
- low
it.wikipedia Castel Beseno and Corrado di Beseno.
Overlord
The counts of Eppan held Castel Beseno as a fief over its lords; about 1200 the church of Trent bought or was given much of the castle (it.wikipedia, date not pinned against 1 January 1200).
What it holds
- Castel Beseno above Besenello (shares)
- Rights in Castel Pietra near Calliano, disputed between the branches
How it was acquired
Fiefs of the counts of Eppan.
Allies and rivals
Kin of the bishop; the two branches are rivals; the Castelbarco to the south will take the castle in the fourteenth century.
How things stand that morning
The family holds Castel Beseno, with the bishop's church acquiring shares about 1200; which branch holds what that morning is not pinned.
Wealth
The road and the vineyards of the Adige valley south of Trent.
Military
Castel Beseno, the largest castle of the Trentino; no figures.
Threats
- Division between the branches
Places of note
- Castel Beseno: The family castle
- Castel Pietra: Disputed between the branches
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: Only the castle's general history is read; no dated acts of the lay Beseno around 1200.
On the map: Drawn as two modern comuni.
Primary sources for Trent
Chronicles, registers, sagas and inscriptions written in or near 1200 that cover this entry. Each has its own page with editions, translations and where to read it.
- Charter book of the bishops of Trent (compiled 1207 to 1218; documents from the 11th century onward; edited 1852). The cartulary of the prince-bishops of Trent. Read online
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.