Památky v Jižním Tyrolsku

Fallen heroes memorial of the war of 1809 in the Klosterwald in St. Lorenzen.

The Lago Gioveretto is an artificial lake in the Ortler Alps in South Tyrol. The reservoir has an area of 70ha, situated at an altitude of 1850m in Val Martello and is crossed by the river Plima. The storage capacity is 19.6million cubic meters. The reservoir is situated in the Stelvio National Park and is used for generation of energy. The associated hydroelectric power station is located in Lasa.

From June to September you are allowed to fish with a state licence. You can buy the ticket at the keeper of the dam.

The Earth Pyramids in Percha - Several hundred years ago there was a landslide caused by a storm, which cut off the existing cart track between the Thalerhof and Aschbach. It would have been easy to fill in the gap with earth, but nobody did it, as the route was not an important one. In 1882 there was again a great storm, and a large trench formed. Through repeated flooding and washing out of the side slopes, these loamy pillar structures remained standing where the heavier stones lay. The earth pyramids change constantly, and new pillars form all the time, especially in winter and spring. The erosion area is situated at a height of 1550 to 1750 meters above sea level and is the most significant incidence of earth pyramids in the Puster Valley, particularly because of the many different sizes of formation.

The Renon earth pyramids are the highest and the most aesthetically pleasing in Europe. Earth pyramids are a phenomenon of erosion. They originate where ice-age glaciers have deposited moraine clay in valleys. When it is dry, it is rock-hard. If it comes into contact with water, it turns into a clayey pulp that flows down into the valley. However, when protected from the rain by large stones, the clay remains dry and hard. Only the part around the stone erodes. This is how earth columns are formed and become higher each time it rains. If the top stone falls off the peak, the column is certainly doomed to a quick decline because the clay is exposed to the rain and then carried away by it.

The earth pyramids on the Renon can be marvelled at in three ravines: in the Rio Fosco valley between Longomoso and S. Maria, in the Rio Rivellone valley below Soprabolzano and in the valley of the Rio Gasterer at Auna di Sotto.

The Toll Post in Töll/Tel: testimony to the lively trade on the Via Claudia Augusta from Roman times to the Middle Ages

Emperor Claudius (41-54 AD) moved the border between the two Roman provinces of Raetia (with its capital Augusta Vindelicorium, Augsburg), and Venetia et Histria to the Töll (Teloneion = customs house) and laid the foundation stone for the toll station and the toll for goods and vehicles.
The Latin inscription on the base of the statue of Diana proves that a certain Aetetus, head of the customs office at Töll/Tel in the 3rd century, had the Temple of Diana built. He also introduced the "Gallic goods customs" (= foreign and export customs for goods to Germania, which replaced the Illyrian, the internal customs).
Along this important traffic route, the Via Claudia Augusta, inns and road stations for changing horses were built.
After the departure of the Romans towards the end of the 5th century AD, there are no records of the existence of a toll station for centuries.

In 1160, a customs officer is reported for the first time again and the sovereign customs are mentioned for the first time in 1271 and as the property of the Count of Tyrol (Meinard II). In 1388, the customs post was moved from Plars (Algund/Lagundo) to the Töll/Tel (to today's "Rössl" inn, since its renovation a few years ago again called "Zollwirt" - transl. inn at the toll station) and developed into the most important in Tyrol.

Toll guards had to keep an accurate register, which was sent to the Count’s Chamber on a quarterly basis and the customs officers handling the Tyrol Count’s tax revenues enjoyed the status of court officials. In 1808, the building housing the tax office was sold off by the Bavarian authorities and, after the introduction of a new consumption tax in 1829, the toll post was completely abandoned. From 1400 until its closure, the names of 27 customs officers were recorded as having worked there. The toll station (the Zollhof) included the Zollbaur Inn with the actual customs office situated on the left side of the building and a repository on the right. Just behind was the Steidlhof Guesthouse made famous for once hosting Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor, Archduke of Austria and King of Hungary and Bohemia, (1503-1564). Ferdinand’s coronation as Emperor in 1525 is remembered in one of the Renaissance frescoes preserved in the customs office. Dating no later than 1530, this opus has been marvelously restored.

The former customs or toll post is no longer in existence.

The "Human Shapes" project is a tribute to ten personalities from the past, who made a significant contribution to Merano’s cultural life during the course of their lives. The project embraced a wide temporal arch. It draws back to the theme of the plastic representation of the human shape, although it supports a free interpretation through contemporary art’s expressive means. The "Human Shapes" project has given life to an open-air art gallery along the Passer Promenade, between the Theater Bridge and the Iron Bridge. Every year, three to four busts of influential personalities were created.
Find out more at www.kunstmeranoarte.org

Prato allo Stelvio  was and still is marked by a continuous changing. As a living organisms it is drawing itself through the history. People come and go, the buildings crumbles and there are built new ones. The forces of nature continue shaping the landscape. Also wars and catastrophes didn’t spare the peaceful place at the road of Passo dello Stelvio.

Something is lasting. The building of historic value have been listed on a historic register; the churches testify the architecture of the past; customs are kept alive. Memories are preserved and kept alive for future inhabitants and visitors of our place.

An important role have for this the historic village points, that are distributed among  whole Prato. They help us to understand our place  with its history at the bottom of the National park of Passo dello Stelvio.

In the forest above Longostagno it´s incredibly scary. At the “Hexenbödele” where witches and devils celebrate revelries at night, the legend has it that a courageous young man met his death. Today, there is an old larch, with branches and twigs like a witches'broom.

The Renon earth pyramids are the highest and the most aesthetically pleasing in Europe. Earth pyramids are a phenomenon of erosion. They originate where ice-age glaciers have deposited moraine clay in valleys. When it is dry, it is rock-hard. If it comes into contact with water, it turns into a clayey pulp that flows down into the valley. However, when protected from the rain by large stones, the clay remains dry and hard. Only the part around the stone erodes. This is how earth columns are formed and become higher each time it rains. If the top stone falls off the peak, the column is certainly doomed to a quick decline because the clay is exposed to the rain and then carried away by it. The earth pyramids on the Renon can be marvelled at in three ravines: in the Rio Fosco valley between Longomoso and S. Maria, in the Rio Rivellone valley below Soprabolzano and in the valley of the Rio Gasterer at Auna di Sotto.

In front of the Lagundo Tourist Office near Merano (Meran) there are exact replicas of Menhirs (tall, upright stones) discovered during excavations of the area in the 1990s. The stones form part of the remnants of a cult originating from the Illyrian and Ligurian settlement 3,000 years ago. The petroglyphs found on the stele are similar to the design of the tattoos found on the skin of Ötzi the Iceman. The originals are preserved at the Civic Museum in Bolzano (Bozen).

Like the village of Tablà, Stava was also a separate municipality in the past. In 1928 the village was joined with the municipality of Naturno. Today Stava has around 360 inhabitants. Even in the Middle Ages Stava was renowned for its hospitality. There was even a health resort in the "Bad Kochenmoos" inn which provided hospitality to illustrious guests taking a break from the exertions of their travels.

The water of the Bad Überwasser was formerly mainly recommended for baths against anemia, weakness, arthropathy and so on. In 2009 it was analytically proven that the water is bacteriologically pure. Compared to drinking water, however, it has increased levels of iron and manganese.

Our hiking tip: You can reach the Gasthof Buchwald starting from Perdonig following the mark 8/10 to the former Gasthof Pichler on a steeper rise. You can go back on the “Eppaner Höhenweg” (number 9) to Perdonig (number 12) (Time approx.. 3,5 hours)

This sculpture, created by contemporary South Tyrolean artist Ulrich Egger, is made from stainless steel and cement; it measures 4 metres in height and 8 metres in length. It is set in the centre of a traffic circle on Viale Europa, near the train station. The sculpture expresses the dream of visual vertigo, and the flow of daily life, time, and collective memory in the circularity of the gaze.

Site of the Roman settlement Sebatum, once spreading from the Schraffl-Bühel vis-à-vis the Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche guite far downstream the Rienz on both sides (new digs have been undertaken from time to time). There are remains of residential buildings, storehouses and troop quarters.

This dreamlike overlook is part of the famous "Sagenweg" - legend trail and is located at an altitude of 960m, leading towards the hamlet of Tabland/Tablà. A number of cupule engravings and crosses can be seen on this rock (different sized cup-shaped engravings, hand carved by man). North of here, adjacent to the Golderskofel, is a summit covered with mixed forest and brushwood, around which the attentive observer will be able to spot meager settlement walls. These are the faint remains of a small prehistoric settlement dating to the Neolithic period.

The panoramic view at the mount Penegal, on 1,737 m offers a stunning view towards the near Dolomites, the Brenta Dolomites as well as the Etschtal/Val d’Adige (South Tyrol) and the Val di Non (Trentino). Absolutely not to be missed especially in case of optimal weather conditions.

The viewpoint “Doss” in the Schlossweg offers beautiful views of the Merano basin, the Etsch valley, the Vinschgau and the nearby mountains. From the viewpoint guests can admire also a beautiful view of Tyrol Castle, Brunnenburg Castle and St. Peter's Parish Church.

The castle ruins of "Castelforte/Festenstein" can be described as Andriano's symbol. It reigns over Andriano from the lofty, rocky outcrop of the Gola del Rio Gaido, and can only be reached via a steep mountain climb. Its location was certainly a pondered choice by the stonemason to ensure the weapons of the enemies would never reach the castle. At the same time, the spectacular location of the castle offers a 360° view across the lower Valle dell'Adige. "Festenstein" was first mentioned in written documents in the mid-13th century. We assume that the castle was built at the time or greatly expanded. Regardless, it had already been built by the time the Counts of Appiano oversaw the valley, they probably assigned one of their vassals to administer the castle.
Managing such a castle would have been tedious work  and included collecting taxes from farms, the constant worry about providing the castle with water, food, and firewood, improvement works and endless suveillance shifts. All these tasks, considering the virtually inaccessible location of the castle, would have been pure torture. Sometime between the 13th and 14th century the castle was damaged, probably during the ongoing skirmishes of the time, because in 1383 it became property of the Lords of Villandro, who were tasked with restoring the decrepit ruins to their former glory. This shows how the castle still had a role to play at the end of the 14th century.

In the following period, the castle changed hands various times. In the 15th century it belonged to the Sparrenberger, members of the gentry, followed by the Lords Lanser of Appiano between 1654 and 1818.

In 2008,  Count Meinhard Khuen von Belasi purchased the castle ruins and commissioned, together with the South Tyrolean Office for Cultural Heritage, various restoration measures to secure the state of the walls and protect the castle from further deterioration.

After years of restoration work, Castelforte is now open to visitors. On various dates, the Andriano Tourist Association enables a special opening of the castle.
Special Opening of the Ruins Festenstein 2023:

Sunday, 02.04.2023
Friday,07.04.2023
Sunday, 16.04.2023
Friday,21.04.2023 cancelled
Sunday, 30.04.2023
Friday,05.05.2023
Friday,12.05.2023 cancelled
Friday,19.05.2023
Monday, 29.05.2023
Friday, 02.06.2023
Saturday, 10.06.2023
Sunday, 11.06.2023
Friday,16.06.2023
Friday,23.06.2023
Friday,07.07.2023
Friday,21.07.2023
Friday,11.08.2023
Friday,25.08.2023
Sunday, 03.09.2023
Friday,08.09.2023
Friday,15.09.2023
Friday,22.09.2023
Sunday, 01.10.2023
Friday,06.10.2023
Sunday, 15.10.2023

Opening times:  10:00 – 15:00

Cancelled in bad weather!

Bad Überwasser stands for tradition and health since 1876 (spa and nature oasis, mineral water tastings)

These three larch trees, to be found near St. Gertraud in Ulten Valley, are considered to be the oldest conifers in Europe. Legend has it that these ancient larch trees are more than 2,000 years old.

Relaxing at the idyllic lake Coldrano. The children can rehearse fishing in the lake and the adults can relax on the lawn around the lake or taste a delicious coffee on the terrace of the restaurant.

On the Hochmuth below Steinegg there is a viewing platform that looks like a stylised basket. This references the historically arduous life working the land on the steep slopes of the Muthof farms, where, with the help of winches, baskets of earth and manure were pulled up to the fields so that they could be cultivated again.
The viewing platform provides a breathtaking panoramic view of Merano and the Etsch Valley as well as the surrounding mountains. The platform is equipped with two telescopes and provides information on the mountains that can be seen from the Hochmuth, as well as on the cultivation of the steep fields of the Muthof farms in days gone by.

Die „Tschrinmuar“ – Auszug aus einem authentischen Manuskript eines Augenzeugen.

 

Am 20. August 1902 war vormittags eine drückende Hitze, nachmittags erhielten wir einen für das Feld höchst notwendigen Regen, gegen 3 [15] Uhr wurde das Gewölke so schwer, daß es fast dunkelte, ohne jedoch die Heftigkeit des Regens zu vermehren, und niemand ahnte, welch furchtbares Unglück in nächster Stunde über Prad hereinbrechen sollte. Solange die Gegend von Prad bewohnt gewesen ist, wird eine so schreckliche Katastrophe nie stattgefunden haben. Um vier Uhr abends hörte man Rufe: „Die Tschrinmuar kimmb“. Das ganze Dorf, insbesondere die Feuerwehr, eilte schnell den Bedrohten zu Hilfe, jedoch diese Hilfe konnte sich nur noch auf Rettung von Menschen und Tieren ausdehnen, denn innerhalb einer Stunde war der größte Teil des Unterdorfes (bis zum Mühlbach) entweder eingemurt oder demoliert. 10 Wohn- und Wirtschaftsgebäude waren zerstört, 20 Parteien mußten ihre Wohnungen verlassen. Von der Wiesenfläche, welche oberhalb des Weges gelegen ist, der vom Dorfe unter den Pfaschen zum Nauhof führt, waren 2/3 mit meterhohem Geschiebe und darüber bedeckt in ca. 300 000 m. Im Dorfe selbst lag das Geschiebe stellenweise 5 m hoch. Bei den Rettungsarbeiten gingen zwei Menschenleben zugrunde, der 35jährige Jüngling Hironimus Thies, Schustermeister, und die 60jährige Anna Nigg. Ersterer wollte Letztere aus dem sog. Widelehause in Sicherheit bringen. Der betroffene Dorfteil bot ein jammervolles Bild, von ganz Vintschgau kamen Leute, um sich die Unglücksstätte anzusehen. Noch am selben Abend eilte ein Beamter der K. K. Bezirkshauptmannschaft Schlanders herbei, und am 21. erschien der Herr K.K. Bezirkshauptmann von Schlanders Rudolf von Ferraris selbst, tröstete die Verunglückten und versprach Hilfe von Seiten des Staates und Landes, am 23. August kam Reichsratsabgeordneter Schreffl und versprach in unserer hoffnungslosen Lage zuerst zum Statthalter zu reisen und von dort nach Wien, was auch wirklich geschah. Excelenz der Herr K.K. Statthalter Erwin v. Schwaz besuchte die Unglücksstelle und richtete durch seine Leutseligkeit und durch seine tröstende Worte die so schwer Betroffenen wieder auf, und wahrlich seine Versprechungen verwirklichten sich im viel größeren Maßstabe, als man zu hoffen gewagt hätte. Durch die Bemühungen des Herrn K.K. Bezirkshauptmannes des Herrn K.K. Statthalters wurde den verunglückten Bewohnern von Prad aus dem staatlichen Notstands-Fonde eine nicht rückzahlbare Unterstützungs-Summe von 90.000 Kronen zuerkannt. Durch diese Summe sowie durch die benützenden Sammelgelder wurde der Schaden größtenteils gedeckt und die Leute fassten wieder neuen Muth und Liebe zur Arbeit. Die Folge dieser Katastrophe war auch, daß die Gemeinde Prad dem Staate und Lande gegenüber berühmt geworden ist und infolgedessen großen Nutzen zog. Es wurde nicht bloß der Tschrinbach verbaut, sondern auch der Suldenbach; schon im darauffolgenden Jahre 1903 hat Staat und Land 166.000 Kronen zur Verfügung – Verbauung des Tschrinbaches zugesichert und weitere 100.000 Kronen ebenfalls zur Verbauung des Tschrinbaches in Aussicht gestellt. Die in diesem Zusammenhang nach Prad geflossenen Gelder bewirkten u. a. dass in der Folge die „Tschrinmuar“ auch „Kronenmuar“ genannt wurde.

The Church Tower in the Lake
The symbol of Venosta Valley: the sumberged steeple in Resia lake.

"Eye-catchers" and wonderful views

Lana and its neighbouring villages benefit from a truly unique location as they are situated in the middle of the Adige Valley and at the same time nestled at the feet of high mountain ranges. Thus, the villages of Lana, Burgstall and Gargazon can enjoy the convenience of the mild valley basin and of the rough mountain climate alike. Winters in the valley are usually mild and visitors who prefer fresh mountain air instead of hot summer days will find relief when driving through the lower mountain range.

Another privilege of this geographical position is definitely the panoramic view. Within a 7-minute drive is the Mount Vigiljoch or the village of Völlan where you can enjoy a breathtaking view over the Adige Valley and the Rosengarten group of the Dolomites or further on to the city of Merano and the capital of Bolzano. Sometimes you will wish to know more about one or the other sight you might see from above.

This is why hikers more and more find so called "Eye-catchers" (German: "Hingucker") on strategic lookout points. These are permanently installed telescopes that provide good views but also information about the sights.

Approaching the Rastenbach gorge, on your way down from Altenburg/Castelvecchio to Lake Kaltern, it suddenly gets really cool and dark. Your steps become more cautious, as if you’re being careful not to disturb the peace. Silently, you look around and enjoy the wonderfully refreshing ambiance. How reassuring to know that the wooden stairs and bridges are reinforced and properly secured. When you get to the bottom of the trail, you are welcomed by a sunny field and Lake Kaltern.

The Ciamin Valley is considered as one of the most beautiful and romantic valleys in the Dolomite area. Hiking through the Ciamin Valley is an easy tour with two alternatives: hiking through the wood or near the beck. The whole tour takes you about 3 1/2 hours and gives you a beautiful view over alpine meadows, a small beck and breathtaking Catinaccio mountain chain.

Tree showers, water wheels and a raft, these are just some of the attractions that make Schwemmalm Adventure Pond the ideal destination for the whole family, guaranteeing fun and excitement for the young ones.

The pond is a natural playground oasis for children and adults alike, and with its diverse habitat, blends harmoniously into the Schwemmalm landscape. Wooden tables and chairs ensure that this natural children's playground is also a real place for parents to relax on the meadows while the kids experience pond adventure.

Lookout platform on the western shore of the lake with an attractive resting place and a view of the animal and plant world of Lake Dobbiaco/Toblach and its zone of sedimentation. The viewing platform offers a great view of the mountains and the lake. Due to the numerous information boards, every visitor gets an optimal insight into the special features of Lake Dobbiaco.

Further information to the water treasures of Dobbiaco: http://www.drei-zinnen.info/en/dobbiaco/dobbiaco/experiencing-dobbiaco/lago-di-dobbiaco-lago-di-landro-and-dobbiaco-water-treasures.html?_ga=1.243384837.1489106145.1483110301