Frapporta's hamlet gateway takes the form of an imposing stone portal characterized by a depressed pointed arch, which extends the entire length of the walls. Inside this structure, there are two gates located between the two barrages: the one on the left opens to a room presumably used for storage functions, while the one on the right leads to an open space between the two rows of walls and the turret. Although historical information on the latter is scarce, it is almost certain that it dates back to the medieval period. The origin of the term “Frapporta” most likely comes from the Latin complement of motion for place in the ablative case, indicating an obligatory passage, and preceded by the Italianized preposition “fra.” This underscores the strategic importance of the gate as an access route to the castle, highlighting its fortified status. This detail is of considerable interest, considering that Frapporta is currently one of only three fortified villages in all of Trentino, along with Arco and Glorenza.

Veduto's Sarcophagus: A Witness to the Early Middle Ages

In the 1980s, a sarcophagus composed of red limestone slabs was discovered in a dwelling in the Veduto locality, located at the top of the village of Tenno. Currently located near the fountain outside the village of Frapporta, this sarcophagus revealed a significant archaeological discovery. Excavations conducted by archaeologists led to the identification of twenty-three individuals buried inside, comprising seven adult males, eight adult females, and eight children, at least two of whom were male. Among the adults, two males and three females were found to have died after the age of 50, while three females were between the ages of 17 and 20, and one female around the age of 30. Also found in the sarcophagus were two boys aged 10-12 years, two aged 6-7 years, three aged around 2 years, and an infant. The average height of the men was around 165 centimeters, while for the women it was 150 centimeters. These data, together with the high infant mortality and the average life expectancy of about 40 years, provide valuable information about the demographics and living conditions of this community in the early Middle Ages.

Analysis of the skeletal remains allowed the inhumates to be dated to the 6th-8th centuries, thus confirming the historical importance of this discovery and providing additional details about the local community of that period. The organization of the burials suggests the existence of a kind of family tomb that extended over time, beyond the limits of the original family bond. This is indicative of an established practice from the late imperial age onward, in line with the development of larger and more complex family units. The sarcophagus seems to have housed individuals belonging to a small community or perhaps a smaller family clan, characterized by a particular funerary autonomy, distinct from the ecclesiastical organization of cemeteries. This evidence complements other similar cases found in the Lower Sarca area, thus contributing to the understanding of the history and social evolution of this area over the centuries.