Castello del Buonconsiglio monumenti e collezioni provinciali
Personaggi
Pietro Vigilio Thunn (1724-1800; Prince-Bishop 1776-1800)
Thunn was the last Prince-bishop to rule over the principality of Trentino who carried out many reforms in his period of rule that was historically characterised by political and institutional change. He signed an agreement with Empress Maria Teresa, during a mission to Vienna in 1777, which made the Principality subject to Austrian commercial and fiscal legislation.
A few years later in 1781, Thunn offered the sovereignty of the territory of Trentino to Emperor Joseph II in exchange for a personal life annuity. Thunn’s action was intent on the inevitable absorption of the Principality on behalf of the Hapsburgic administration, but came to no avail although it was deeply criticised by conservative circles in Trento.
The Prince-Bishop left Trento when Napoleon’s army approached in 1796, without returning, despite the Austrian intervention which returned the situation to normal. As Thunn was unable to change the course of events he was forced to witness powerlessly the political annulment of the Principality, which survived only on paper until its complete abolition in 1803.
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Castello del Buonconsiglio
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via Bernardo Clesio, 5 38122 Trento Italia
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