From the Lombards to the Franks: The Transformation of South Tyrol
Throughout history, South Tyrol has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures. Its strategic position along the Adige Valley made this land a key hub for trade and military routes.
In the 6th century, after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the region became the centre of disputes between the Ostrogoths, Byzantines, Lombards, Franks and Baiuvari, eventually becoming a Lombard duchy with its capital in Trento. This historical phase profoundly shaped the area, both politically and culturally.
The Arrival of the Lombards and the Birth of the Duchy of Trento
After the defeat of the Ostrogoths by the Byzantines in 553 AD, the Adige Valley came under the control of the Eastern Roman Empire. However, in 568–569 AD, the Lombards conquered northern Italy and settled permanently in the region.
To strengthen their control over the Alpine territories and defend themselves from Frankish and Bavarian incursions, the Lombards established the Duchy of Trento, which extended south of Merano and included the city of Bolzano.
This was a key moment for the region: for the first time, a political and administrative area of influence was defined — one that would continue to exist in various forms over the centuries.
The Strategic Role of the Adige Valley
The importance of South Tyrol during the Lombard era was no coincidence. The Adige Valley represented a natural corridor between Italy and the Germanic world, crossed by the historic Via Claudia Augusta — the Roman road linking the Mediterranean to Germany. Controlling this route meant controlling trade, movement and military logistics.
For this reason, the Lombards fortified the main access routes and set up defensive outposts along the northern borders to prevent possible invasions by the Baiuvari, who were expanding southward from Bavaria.
The Attempt at Peace and the Role of the Church
Despite attempts to consolidate their power, tensions with the Franks and Baiuvari remained high. The then Bishop of Trento worked to restore peace among the peoples, playing a crucial role in maintaining political and social balance.
The Church’s importance continued to grow, as bishops were entrusted with the task of redeeming prisoners captured by the Franks during their raids. This further strengthened their authority, which extended well beyond the religious sphere. Not by chance, in later centuries, the episcopal powers of Trento and Bressanone became some of the most influential in the region.
The Lombard Legacy: Art, Culture and Legal Influence
Lombard influence was not limited to politics and warfare but also extended to culture and legal traditions. Some Lombard laws continued to be applied even after their rule ended and influenced local legislation.
From an artistic and architectural perspective, Lombard churches and fortifications were partly incorporated into later medieval structures, though many were lost or rebuilt over the centuries in Romanesque or Gothic style. An interesting example is the Church of San Vigilio in Lana, which preserves traces of Lombard presence in the area.
The Frankish Conquest and the Birth of the Prince-Bishopric
In 774, the Franks under Charlemagne finally defeated the Lombards and annexed the Duchy of Trento into the Carolingian Empire. With this conquest, the region was reorganised under Frankish rule, leading to progressive Germanisation and a further strengthening of episcopal power.
During the Carolingian era and later under the Holy Roman Empire, the Bishop of Trento gained control over vast territories, giving rise to the Prince-Bishopric of Trento, which for centuries would play a central role in the history of South Tyrol.
A Legacy Still Visible Today
The Lombard period and the arrival of the Franks deeply marked South Tyrol, both politically and culturally. The trade routes, defensive structures and episcopal power all bear witness to those turbulent centuries, whose legacy still shapes the region’s history and identity.
Visiting the castles, churches and archaeological sites that tell this millennia-old story offers a unique opportunity to understand how South Tyrol has long been a meeting point between the Latin and the Germanic worlds.