Situated along today’s Via S. Caterina there are two imposing buildings, the de Pizzini palaces, witnesses to the golden age of velvet and silk. The Pizzini family arrived in Ala in the late 16th century to work as “molinari”, namely millers. With the passing of time, the flourishing textile activity granted this family a long period of splendour and allowed them to plan the construction of the palaces. The older of the two buildings dated back to the second half of the 17th century and today hosts the Museum of Ancient Pianos and the International Academy of Musical Interpretation on antique instruments. The second palace, also known as “the new house” as it was built in the early 18th century with the view to welcome famous visitors, is one of the most outstanding examples of Baroque architecture in the entire Vallagarina. Among the many visitors who spent some time there, a part from W.A. Mozart, it is worth mentioning Francis Joseph I and Maria Teresa of Austria.

Situated along today’s Via S. Caterina, there are two imposing buildings, the de Pizzini palaces, witnesses to the golden age of velvet and silk. The Pizzini family arrived in Ala in the late 16th century to work as “molinari”, namely millers. With the passing of time, the flourishing textile activity granted this family a long period of splendour and allowed them to plan the construction of the palaces. The older of the two buildings dated back to the second half of the 17th century and today hosts the Museum of Ancient Pianos and the International Academy of Musical Interpretation on antique instruments. The second palace, also known as “the new house” as it was built in the early 18th century with the view to welcome famous visitors, is one of the most outstanding examples of Baroque architecture in the entire Vallagarina. Among the many visitors who spent some time there, a part from W.A. Mozart, it is worth mentioning Francis Joseph I and Maria Teresa of Austria.