Jižní Tyrolsko je obzvláště bohaté na příběhy, které se vinou kolem tajných míst a neobvyklých přírodních útvarů. Památky, jako jsou čarodějnické lavice na Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm, vyprávějí příběhy o čarodějnicích a králích, zatímco místa síly, jako je "Stoanerne Mandln" s více než stovkou cairnů nebo starobylé zříceniny na kopci Castelfeder, vybízejí návštěvníky k odpočinku a hlubokému nádechu. Jedinečné přírodní útvary, jako jsou zemní pyramidy, jsou místa, která stojí za procházku a prozkoumání.
Once you are here, take a hike through the Sommersürs biotope, also called Samesirs, located in a basin between the villages of Naz and Fiumes/Viums. The small habitat of little more than 2 hectares is a biotope of diverse fauna and flora. It is an invaluable refuge for numerous aquatic insects and birds, along with amphibians and reptiles. Cattail, sedge, and marsh clover populate the shallow lake shore.
Other nature habitats in the Natz-Schabs holiday region include Raiermoos, Zussis and Laugen.
The tour leads through the village of Natz and then turns right onto the Villages round trip [Dörferrunde] through the Fruhnwald forest up to the Waldertor viewpoint. Past Viums and the Viummer Kreuz cross, the route leads mainly through forest paths up to Schabs. Continue through the village trip through forest and later through orchards and then go left along the Villages round trip, up to the Flötscher Weiher pond. At the Seehof Hotel, cross the road and continue through meadows and woods, always
along the signposted road to Raas. Continue through the cultural grounds passing the water reservoir back to the street towards Natz. Follow the street to the right, at the Laugen sports field following the sign Dörferrunde. From here, the Villages round trip leads back to the starting point.
You can find the history stones at the road of meditation. The "Schalensteine" - history stones discovered the priest Küer. They are one of the most ancient sings of habitation at Sesto / Sexten.
The Versoaln vine at the vineyards near Katzenzungen Castle is the largest and probably oldest vine in the world. The foliage of the 360-year old vine rests on a traditional pergola of chestnut wood and measures 300 m².
A Natural Monument!
The 82 m high waterfall is fed by the Möltner Brook. The path leads past the old Vilpiano's Wasserwaal from the 17th century. The water was once used to irrigate the fields.
Accessible by foot in ten minutes from the village center of Vilpiano.
First documented in 1159, the ruins were destroyed many times due to fires and battles, and have always been rebuilt. The castle ruin today bears the name “Sauschloss”, which literally translated means “pork/pig castle”, as according to a legend a pork was thrown out of the castle.
The ruins are only 15 minutes walk from the restaurant Noafer in Cologna/San Genesio.
Castelfeder (from castello, the Italian word for castle) is nestled between the holiday villages on this strategically important porphyry hill. Castelfeder is a prehistoric and Roman as well as early medieval settlement characterized by the remnants of several structures and buildings on a large hilltop. It is a true place of energy and a popular destination for excursions, especially in spring. Today, sections of the encircling defensive wall with the well-known "Kuchelen" castle walls, and parts of the Barbara chapel from the 6th century can still be seen. In addition, the sunny Castelfeder hill fascinates with its unique and diverse flora. A special feature is the smoothly polished fertility chute carved in porphyry. It was a central component of an ancient cult. Rumor has it that even today sliding down it results in the arrival of a much yearned-for baby.
Witches'spring: adventure path with the witch Curadina to the sulfur springs
Suldenbach
Der Suldenbach der im Prader Ortsteil Schmelz das enge Gebirgstal verlässt und später in die Etsch mündet, setzt sich aus dem Trafoi- und Suldnerbach samt deren Nebengewässer zusammen und nennt sich nach dem größeren der beiden, Suldenbach. Dieser Wildbach, im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes, hat die Geschicke des Dorfes Prad und seiner Bewohner stets maßgeblich geprägt. Der Suldenbach, noch von unseren Vätern als der Teufel selbst genannt, war bis zu seiner endgültigen Verbauung im 19. und vor allem 20. Jahrhundert unberechenbar. In seiner Urgewalt, ständig laufwechselnd, hatte der verheerende Wildbach, als Vollstrecker seiner Wut, den Bauern in Prad-Agums wiederholt auf Jahre die Hoffnung und den Böden die Fruchtbarkeit geraubt, indem er eine Unmenge von Steinen, Geröll und Sand zurückließ. Der Grundherr bzw. die Gerichtsbarkeit gewährte in solchen Fällen zwar einen Steuernachlass, aber weder den Ernte-Verlust noch die Furcht vor neuen Schicksalsschlägen des Vinschgau weit größten Wildbaches konnten sie nicht ersetzen. Ungeachtet der Willkür dieser Naturgewalten, gab es mitunter auch solche von Menschhand selbst ausgelöste Katastrophen. Darunter fallen jene,
die durch das Holztriften aus den Wäldern des Trafoi- und Suldentals auf dem Suldenbach verursacht wurden. So berichtet uns eine “Kundschaftsurkunde“ vom 17. September 1517, dass zu „Unzeiten“ (unbeaufsichtigt) der Holzrechen auf „Beide Wasser“ (Gomagoi) brach. Dieser hatte die Aufgabe das „angewasserte Holz“ (ins Wasser betriebene Holzstämme) aufzuhalten. An die 2000 Baumstämme wurden auf einen Schlag fortgeschwemmt und erreichten schließlich Prad. Unter dem Dorf bei der „Tschengler prugkhen“ machte das Triftholz einen „Knopf“, der Bach wurde aufgestaut, der Runst eingesandet bis zu den hintersten Kalköfen in der „Schmelz“. Wasser und Holz traten über die Ufer, drangen in Haus und Feld und zerstörten alles was sich ihnen in den Weg stellte. Das Holzflößen, von Prad bewilligt vom Heilig-Kreuz-Tag (14. 9) bis St. Jörgen-Tag (24.4.), verursachte stets eine Lockerung des Bergfußes sowie des Bachbettes selbst und war damit neben den Holz-Kahlschlägen Mitauslöser so manchen Unheils. Während die Lichtensteiner von Tschenglsberg als Grundherren für je 1000 Prügel, die auf dem Bache getriftet wurden, ein Pfund Pfeffer Zinsabgabe einforderten, blieb die ohnehin notorisch arme Bevölkerung bei Instandsetzung und Wiederaufbau von Flur und Haus zumeist auf sich gestellt.
Einer effizienten Bachverbauung standen hingegen nicht nur die Gemeinden von Mals, Tartsch und Glurns als Waldbesitzer im Trafoi- und Suldental, abgeneigt gegenüber, sondern natürlich auch die Kalkofen-Betreiber von Prad. Musste ihr Schlägerholz doch auf dem Wasserweg nach Prad transportiert werden. So blieb es der Bevölkerung von Prad-Agums überlassen, den Wassern des Suldenbaches, zumindest in Dorf-Nähe Einhalt zu gebieten. Allein die konstruktiven Maßnahmen reichten zumeist nur vorübergehend aus, einem anschwellenden Bach hielten die primitiven Archen nicht Stand. Eine wirkungsvolle Verbauung konnte schließlich erst durch Errichtung von gemauerten Klausen und Uferschutzmauern unter Leitung des Tiroler Bauamtes zu Beginn des 20. Jahrhunderts erzielt werden. Letzte Baumaßnahmen am 1600 m lang regulierten Bachlauf fanden mit einem Kostenaufwand von 1,86 Mrd. Lire in den Jahren von 1986 bis inklusive 1990 statt.
Das „Zoderer-Haus“ - Bp.103 – Silberstraße 55 + 57
Dieses Haus beschließt in der Silberstraße als letztes die lange Gebäude-Reihe ab der Kreuzung „Plattergasse“ Richtung „Gånderegg“ und beeindruckt durch seine vorherrschende Frontfassade an einer Wegegabelung im Prader Oberdorf. Der Baukörper aus dem 17. Jahrhundert mit tonnengewölbtem Hausgang und Stube mit Leistentäfelung, beherbergte in seiner wechselvollen Geschichte ebenfalls diverse Geschlechter. So zum Beispiel ab 1810 die Familie Joseph Zoderer - Schützenmeister. Aus ihr stammten: Martin Zoderer – Kurat in Arzl/Imst, Joseph Zoderer – Gde. Vorsteher zu Prad, Johann Zoderer – Lehrer, Anton Zoderer – Photograph, Georg Zoderer – Kapuziner und Alois Zoderer – Stadtpfarrer in Vils. Wobei sich die zwei Letzteren im Revolutionsjahr 1848 große Verdienste erworben haben und mit dem goldenen Verdienstkreuz bzw. Ritterkreuz des „Franz-Joseph-Ordens“ ausgezeichnet wurden. Die Feuer- und Futterbehausung, wie das Anwesen im Maria-Theresianischen Kataster von 1781 bezeichnet wird, war damals als zweigeteilter Besitz den „Englischen Frauen zu Meran“ Grundzins pflichtig und hatte demnach jährlich Roggen, Gerste und ein „Schnitthuhn“ zu reichen. Das Wirtschaftsgebäude, zusammen mit einem Obst- und Krautgarten, befand sich hier, im Gegensatz zu geschlossenen Anwesen, an der gegenüberliegenden Straßenseite. Als beim letzten Großbrand vom 20. auf den 21. September 1888, ausgehend von der Scheune des damaligen Sonnenwirtsgutes (heute Sprengelstützpunkt), 14 Häuser samt Wirtschaftsgebäuden eingeäschert und 42 Parteien obdachlos wurden, fand das Feuer hier an der Bauparzelle 103, seine letzte Nahrung. Nach einem aufopferungsvollen Wiederaufbau, gaben sich in der Folge wiederholt verschiedene Bewohner die Klinke in die Hand, bis schließlich Heinrich Gander den Besitz erwarb und damit den ständigen Wechsel ein Ende setzte. Mit 1. Juni 1981 stellte das Landesdenkmalamt das Gebäude unter Schutz und in den Jahren 1995/96 wurde es vom heutigen Besitzer Remo Gander einer mustergültigen Restaurierung und Innensanierung unterzogen.
Around 1200 the ruins of Rasen ( Neurasen und Altrasen ) were habitation and court of the sires of Rasen.
The Rasun Nuova Castle in Oberrasen is privately owned and belongs to the Burgfrieder farm.
The roman miliary stone (201 a.C.) was found in 1958 by the Prugger brother while building the power station in Oberolang. The miliary stone stil reported the original incisions made by the roman Emperor Settimo Severo (193-211 a.C.) and his sonsCaracalla and Geta. Now the roman miliary stone is positioned near the Hotel Alte Goste in Oberolang/ Valdaora di Sopra.
Take a walk on the nature trail around the Raiermoos biotope, where you can hear the songs of rare bird types and spot a variety of wildlife. The Raiermoos habitat was originally a large lake that was formed about 12,000 years ago on clayey moraines. Here, primeval populations settled on stilt houses.
Today, the Raiermoos is a biotope and habitat for endangered flora and fauna. Reeds, cattails, rushes, and marsh trefoil surround the lake. It offers a sanctuary to frogs, newts, salamanders, and snakes. Many migratory birds
such as herons and storks find here a safe and peaceful place to stay.
Other nature habitats in the Natz-Schabs holiday region include Sommersürs, Zussis and Laugen.
The historic archades are the heart of the medieval Commercial centre, a title that it has conserved up to the present day, thanks to the unbroken chain of Shops which Stretch out before you, some traditional and typical and others more modern and elegant. The facades are a bright presentation of different architectural styles: the bay windows, the stucco decorations. The old Town Hall has some beautiful archways, which are expecially nice, which now houses the Headquarters of the Local History Archive, built with a ponted arch with some nice fresco decorations. The alleys which connect to the parallel streets are also interesting. Of special mention are those of the old Town Hall, now home to the Town Records Office, with pointed arches and pleasant decorative fresco effect. also of note are the alley which connect to the parallel streets that maintain the architectural style of the buildings around and abound in various activities (shops, warehouses, cellars, courtyards, workshops).
As you stroll through Merano today, you can feel it everywhere – the legacy of a spa town steeped in history. At the center of this legacy stands the Historic Thermal Baths Merano: a place where health, science, and the elegance of refined living have long come together.
By the end of the 19th century, Merano had already earned acclaim as a haven of wellness. Its mild Alpine climate, pristine mountain air, and therapeutic treatments attracted nobles, artists, and intellectuals. But it was the opening of the Historic Thermal Baths in 1906 that marked Merano’s transformation into one of Central Europe’s most progressive health destinations. The concept was visionary: combining cutting-edge medical treatments with the stylish atmosphere of a spa resort.
Designed by architect Max Langheinrich, the building still impresses with its commanding dome and harmonious symmetry. A sweeping semicircular portico, supported by stately columns, adorns the façade – now the entrance to the Civic Hall. Inside, a broad, ornately decorated marble staircase leads to the upper floor. From the beginning, the building embodied the merging of scientific progress with the art of well-being. It housed state-of- the-art bath facilities, inhalation rooms, and light therapy equipment – alongside early innovations like an electric heating system, which was groundbreaking at the time.
Interesting Insights:
- The early days of the facility focused on the celebrated Merano Grape Cure – a wellness trend embraced by the European elite.
- The Historic Thermal Baths were architecturally and medically ahead of their time. Treatments addressed respiratory conditions, circulatory issues, and nervous disorders. Drinking therapies with mineral-rich spring water were especially popular – combining health with indulgence.
- The thermal complex also served as a social hub: mornings were devoted to treatments, while afternoons were spent promenading along the Passer or enjoying concerts at the nearby Kurhaus. Merano thus became synonymous with cultured living, medical sophistication, and restorative leisure.
A walk through Merano is incomplete without pausing at the Historic Thermal Baths. The building stands as a silent witness to how a small Alpine town made its way onto the grand stage of Europe – with a singular blend of natural healing, bold innovation, and timeless elegance.
Look very closely and you may be able to spot eye-catching rock formations – the Latemar Dolls frozen into stone according to the ancient legend. Walkers can explore the Labyrinth Trail leading directly up to the Latemar Towers into the Dolomites – UNESCO World Heritage.
Hiking up to see the Stoanernen Mandln, which translates roughly to ‘Men of Stone’, is quite a popular excursion.
The stone men are located atop a remarkable knoll on Alpine pasture and tower at an elevation of 2,000 metres above the municipality of Tschögglberg mountain plateau, looking out over the Sarentino Alps. Human figures made of stone such as these can also be found in other parts of South Tyrol: they served as a landmark frequently or were simply built by shepherds to pass the time.
Prehistoric flint tools and stone carvings have been found at the Stoanernen Mandln, however, demonstrating that this stone knoll has served as a passage from the Adige Valley into the Sarentino Valley for millennia.
Mythology and Witchcraft:
Myriad tales are linked to this place. In early modern times, people believed witches met with the devil up there, celebrating wild festivals, changing the weather, and sending strong thunderstorms down into the valley.
Tip: Sunrise and sunset hikes.
In San Genesio at 1,435 m asl, located on the „Malgorer“ Salto, there ist the most ancient larch tree of the Salto high plateau.
Its age cannot be exactly determined.
This ancient larch tree is an an aesthetic feature in the middle of the wide larch groves on the Salto.
The lowest strongest branches form a candelabra shape. The tree crown could develop freely upward due to the lack of competition.
The once splendid tree has suffered damage due to the snow pressure in the winter of 2008/2009, numerous branches were pressed down and broken.
Height of the tree: 24m
Diameter: 2,03m
Circumference: 6,40m
Locality: Montoppio
Sea level: 1435 m
At the end of the parking lot, pass the game reserve. Trail. n° 9 continues through the forest, along the ditch until it turns left crossing a small bridge over the waters of the glacier. The winding path continues up to three cascades, made up of water from the glacier, then descending to the flat section of the woodlands and back again to the starting point.
In the heart of Merano’s green oasis – nestled between the Passer River and swaying palms – stands a graceful marble figure on a pedestal: the statue of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, affectionately known as “Sisi.” Few individuals have shaped Merano’s history as profoundly as she did. Without Sisi, the town may never have blossomed into the celebrated spa destination that continues to charm visitors from around the globe.
When Empress Elisabeth first came to Merano for a health cure in 1870, the town was still a quiet and somewhat undiscovered retreat. Famous for her beauty, wanderlust, and deep affinity for nature, the Empress sought a gentle climate and healing air – and found them both in Merano. Her presence quickly made headlines. Wherever Sisi stayed, Europe’s high society followed. Soon, aristocrats, artists, and intellectuals arrived, hotels and sanatoriums flourished, and Merano entered a golden age of cultural and economic prosperity.
Elisabeth Park was created in 1903 in her honor – a serene retreat along the Passer River that still retains its romantic charm. Amidst manicured flowerbeds and shaded pathways, the statue – crafted by artist Hermann Klotz – has stood since the park’s inception. It depicts Sisi with refined elegance: draped in a delicate veil, her posture poised yet gentle, surrounded by an atmosphere that still whispers of imperial grace.
What sets this statue apart is its subtle realism. Unlike many idealized portrayals of the Empress, this depiction is tender and introspective. Sisi appears thoughtful – almost vulnerable –, a portrayal that may come closer to the woman she truly was than the glorified images found elsewhere.
Interesting Insights
A walk through Elisabeth Park is like stepping back in time – where the refined elegance of the Belle Époque meets the relaxed rhythm of South Tyrol. Anyone visiting Merano should pause by the Sisi statue – and perhaps carry away a touch of the inspiration that once so deeply stirred the Empress herself.
Tiroler Platzl is one of the largest initiatives in the greater Tyrol region. The park in the center of Marling was redesigned as part of Tyrol’s 200th anniversary in 2009. Rocks from the respective parts of Tyrol and the historic map, which shows the greater Tyrol region, commemorate Tyrol’s common history.
This street carries the Name of the Poet, lawyer and Mayor of Bolzano/Bozen during the second half of the 19th century. The street overlaps the old northern moat of the first medieval centre and the buildings on ist southern part correspond the the northern facade of the arcades. Especially during summer, the beginning of the street becomes a suggestive Corner of Bolzano: criss-cross from an original oper-bar on the fish Banks to shop, decorations and Restaurants, which create a Special and unique atmosphere. Numerous arches look down on the street, which contribute to the medieval hue. Number 25 corresponds to the entrance to the ancient Town Hall.
The cloister of the cathedral of Brixen/Bressanone is one of the most important art monuments in South Tyrol. Its origins date back to pre-Romanesque times. The complex was rebuild in the romanesque (12th century) and gothic (14th century) phases. In this last major reconstruction phase of the 14th century the sacred building was vaulted with a gothic groined vault. The well-preserved gothic frescoes, which depict themes of the religious and medieval life, are particularly breathtaking. Some of the most extraordinary frescoes of the cloister are the presentation of an elephant (3rd arcade) and the adoration of the Kings (13th arcade).
The railway line Verona-Bolzano was completed during the first half of the 20th century, while the railway Station dates back to 1928 and is the project of Angelo Mazzoni, with different allegorical sculptural contributions by Franz Ehrenhöfer (representing electricity, steam and rivers). The "Frog Fountain" right opposite the Station was rebuilt following the original design of 1930, following its destruction after the bombings of WWII.
