Památky v Jižním Tyrolsku

Schwarzbach Waterfall – where nature meets art

Just above Luttach/Lutago, the Schwarzbach Waterfall plunges 15 meters through a narrow rock crevice into a stunning blue lagoon – a breathtaking natural spectacle!

Feel the cool mist on your skin, breathe in the refreshing air, and admire the colorful reflections dancing in the sunlight.

The path to the waterfall is lined with wooden sculptures created by international artists during the annual Ahrntal Sculpture Symposium. A unique fusion of nature and art – a feast for all the senses.

A nature play in white marble! The Gilfenklamm is a gorge in pure white marble and stretches from the village Stange/Stanghe into the Ratschingstal/Val Racines to the hamlet of Jaufensteg/Ponte Giovo. Wooden bridges and runways lead through the canyon and give a spectacular sight to the waterfalls. The primordial power of the water is tangible with all senses. The gorge is protected as a natural monument and is known as one of the most beautiful natural attractions in the Alpine region.

The runways through the gorge were built in 1896 and just after a few years the unfolded magic attracted numerous visitors. Beetween the great world wars the bridges were left to decay, but were restored in the early 1960s, and have since become a must see of the Sterzing-Ratschings area. The hike through the gorge lasts nearly one hour (1,5 hours with return) and is worthwhile for nature lovers, families and seniors.

The Gilfenklamm gorge is situated in the Eisacktal/Alta Val d’Isarco valley, close to Ratschings/Racines and the city of Sterzing/Vipiteno. On an established trail you can walk across this charming and breathtaking canyon with its waterfalls cascading into the depth. About 100 years ago the gorge was named after the Austrian emperor Franz Josef, but its name changed so that it is now known as the “Cascate di Stanghe” gorge. During its course, the initially small Rio di Ratschings river turns into a roaring river which has been carving its way through the marble walls for centuries. Experience the forces of nature and the uniqueness of this fabulous natural monument.

No reservation is necessary. However, it is recommended to avoid the main visiting hours (between 10.00 am and 12.30pm).

The beech tree at Tschaufen is one of the natural monuments of Mölten.

Natural monuments are special natural features of scientific, historical, or scenic value – such as ancient trees, distinctive rock formations, springs, or waterfalls.
They are protected to preserve their uniqueness and beauty and to raise awareness of the importance of safeguarding nature.

“DOLOMITES WITHOUT BORDERS” is a unique mountain trail with demanding via ferrata sections that runs, in nine stages covering a total of 108 kilometres, through two countries, along 12 via ferrata and past 17 mountain refuges. It is deeply symbolic, not just from a mountaineering but also from a historical point of view. The route runs partly along old military trails by trenches and galleries from the war, and passes through the areas of Cadore and the Sesto Dolomites in the region of the Three Peaks (Tre Cime di Lavaredo) and as far as the Gail Valley in the Austrian Tyrol. There are also several places where the trail can be accessed: in East Tyrol from the mountaineering villages of Kartitsch and Obertilliach, in Sesto from the Passo Monte Croce Pass, the Prati di Croda Rossa or the Fondovalle Refuge Hut, and in Belluno from the Auronzo Hut, Misurina or the Valgrande near Padola. An adventure for present-day summiteers

Next up is the Dolomites World Heritage Cinema, where you can marvel at the stunning scenic view on the unique mountains of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Puez Odle Nature Park and the imposing Sassolungo and Sassopiatto. You can also use a telescope (or do without one) to see every summit, then comparing it with the wood carved mountains created at the S. Cristina workshops.

The Rio Pusteria Fortress can be found at the entrance to the Val Pusteria, between the villages of Rio Pusteria and Vandoies. The fortress is directly located along the main road, also the Pusterbike Cycle Route runs past this impressive place of interest. Exactly in this place, the borderline between the countships of Goerz and Tyrol ran in 1271. For this reason Meinhard, Duke of Carinthia, had a dam built, that is to say the castle-like Rio Pusteria Fortress.

Actually the original building was located 600 m in the west of the present-day location and consisted of a long-drawn-out barrage as well as two turrets. The ancient fortress was built according to the model of Mediaeval dam. The construction material consisted of natural and homogeneously-sized river stones, which were hardly modified. The last documents regarding this building are dated 1340.

The newly-built construction, that is by the way preserved still today, bears the hallmarks of Sigismund, Archduke of Austria. The fortress is decorated by round turrets, while a dam stretches up the forested slope. In fact, the Rio Pusteria Fortress not only used to be a toll station, but was also residential building and dam. The building can be visited in a guided tour in summer months.

The Tschaufen Pond, once an artificial fish pond, is now a protected natural area.

Protected biotopes are valuable natural habitats that host many species of plants and animals, often rare or endangered.
They play an important role in preserving biodiversity and maintaining the ecological balance of the region.
In these areas, nature is largely left to follow its own course, allowing flora and fauna to develop undisturbed.

The Tammerlemoos is one of the protected biotopes in Mölten.

Protected biotopes are valuable natural habitats that host many species of plants and animals, often rare or endangered.
They play an important role in preserving biodiversity and maintaining the ecological balance of the region.
In these areas, nature is largely left to follow its own course, allowing flora and fauna to develop undisturbed.

Geocaching - The GPS Treasure Hunt

Geocaching (from "geo", the Greek for earth, and "cache" or "secret store") is a kind of electronic treasure hunt practiced the world over, which first came into being in 2004.

The basic idea is to communicate the location of new and interesting places, to foster group dynamics and the ability to get one's bearings, all whilst having fun.

Geocaches are also hidden in Merano and Environs and published on the internet using geographical data on the official geocaching database. With the help of a GPS receiver, anyone can go treasure hunting. Together with the MGM (Merano Marketing association), the Lana & Environs Tourist Information Association has also hidden geocaches under the  reference "eye-catcher".

But what is a geocache? A geocache is a water-tight container containing a logbook that is well hidden in an interesting place. Whoever finds it can enter their name in the logbook and so document their successful search.

Afterwards the container has to be put back in its hiding place! The successful hunt is entered on the internet and, perhaps, complemented with photos and comments. In this way other interested parties and above all the person who hid it can find out about what goes on with the geocache.

The Earth Pyramids of Mölten were shaped by the forces of water and time.
After the last Ice Age, clay-rich moraine material was deposited and gradually eroded by rain and surface water.
Where large stones protected the soil beneath them, striking column-like formations remained – the Earth Pyramids we see today.
They are constantly changing and stand as a fascinating example of nature’s creative power.

A place of quiet grandeur - the Reinhold Messner Haus on Monte Elmo

Where once cable car gondolas arrived, a new chapter begins: the Reinhold Messner Haus is an impressive example of how the future can grow from what already exists. The former mountain station on Monte Elmo was not demolished, but upcycled - transformed into a visionary centre for sustainability, environmental awareness, art and culture.

This is where people, ideas and horizons meet. The Reinhold Messner Haus is more than just an exhibition. It is an invitation - to pause, to think, to engage in dialogue. Between old wooden beams and contemporary architecture, a lively place is created where past and future join hands. A house that not only tells the story of Messner's life, but also prompts our own reflections on responsibility and change. A place of quiet grandeur - the Reinhold Messner Haus on Monte Elmo.