Castello del Buonconsiglio monumenti e collezioni provinciali

Giovanni Hinderbach (1418-1486; Prince-Bishop 1465-86)

Hinderbach originated from Assia (northern region of the Germanic Empire), and was son to the Aulic Chancellor of Sigismondo, archduke of Austria and count of Tyrol. He studied at the University of Padua, where he became friends with Enea Silvio Piccolomini, Canon of Trento, who encouraged him in the spread of humanism in Germany.

He was educated in history and collected antique codices, dedicating special attention to the main documents about the Principality of Trento, thus enriching the Episcopal library with important purchases. He also maintained constant contact with the most important humanists of the time, both in Northern Italy and in Germany. The choice of Hinderbach, made by the Chapter of Trento, met with many difficulties on behalf of the Pope, who decided to concede the faculty of nominating the bishop of Trento to Emperor Federico III (to whom Hinderbach had been secretary), in order to avoid future discrepancies.

In the political field, Hinderbach and Duke Sigismondo of Austria renewed the Compattate (agreements relating to relations between the Prince-Bishop and the Counts of Tyrol) in 1468. Clauses were added to always keep Buonconsiglio Castle open to the duke, who was also attributed the power of naming captain of the city as his representative in the principality, to be paid by the bishop. The captain would also be responsible for the keys of the castle and the custody of the city towers.

In 1475, during Hinderbach’s episcopate, there was the unhappy affair regarding Simone, venerated Saint Simonino by Trento for centuries, with his little body being found in the canals of the city. The Hebrews residing in the city of Trento were accused of his death and tried for ritual infanticide, which led to nine condemnations to death and the exile of the whole community from the city. It was only in recent years (1965) that the trial of the Hebrews in 1475 was officially recognised a terrible historic error, which had only been based upon popular superstition. As a consequence, little Simone was no longer acclaimed saint.