The small church of Sant’Ermete is the oldest expression of sacred building in the whole Valsugana. It was almost certainly built in the Longobard era on a small clearing where the image of Diana was previously worshipped. As evidence of this pagan cult remains the precious find placed in the hall of the temple, in front of the side entrance. This church was one of the first in Trentino to be awarded the title of Parish Church. Its structure and perimeter configuration indicate a date that cannot be prior to the sixth to seventh century, coinciding with the progress of the conversion of the Lombards to Christianity by Queen Theodolinda.
The church is dedicated to Hermes, prefect of Rome during the pontificate of Alexander I, who converted to Christianity and died a martyr in 115 AD during the persecution of Trajan. The church has a simple and evocative appearance: it has a quadrangular shape on which the beautiful stone bell tower, added at a later date, stands out with its essential proto-Romanesque lines. The first reconstruction-restoration dates back to 1512 and is due to the Lords of Caldonazzo, Counts Trapp. During that period the interior was enriched with precious frescoes.
