Culture & Sights in the Dolomites Region Eggental

The Chapel of St. Helena is particularly impressive on account of its rich frescoes, a major work of the Bolzano school of painting from around 1400. Art historians state that these are closely related to the murals in the Parish Church of Terlano and the Church of St. Catherine in Aica by Fiè. The Niederthor crest on the triumphal arch strongly suggests that the painting of St. Helena – like that in Terlan – was commissioned by the noble Niederthor family. Concealed behind paint for a long time, the coat of arms was once more revealed in 1885 and fully restored in 1938.
The outer walls feature images of St. Helena, St. Christopher and a crucifixion group on the façade, while on the south wall towards the apse there are representations of Mary with the infant Jesus and the three Holy Virgins, Catherine, Barbara and Margaret.
Inside the church, vaulted frescoes in the nave show the four evangelists with their respective symbols, each with an excerpt from his gospel. In the apse Christ appears enthroned as judge, surrounded by the symbols of the evangelists. The series of the twelve apostles below was partially destroyed during a subsequent extension of the windows. The triumphal arch points in the direction of the nave to the story of Cain and Abel, while the intrados depicts scenes from the Creation. The side walls of the nave feature images from the life of the Mother of God and Jesus’s childhood: the Annunciation, the Visit of Mary to Elisabeth, Mary and Joseph, the Adoration of the Magi, the Presentation at the Temple and the Flight into Egypt. On the west wall opposite the altar are St. Helena, St. Sebastian, a proclamation and the Bishops Ulrich and Wolfgang.
The church is Romanesque in its basic features and probably goes back to the 12th century. The small, rough stone relief to the far right of the façade dates from the 14th century. In 1410 the church was re-consecrated following completion of the painting. In 1500 the tower was given its wide pointed-arch window; the deeper-lying, coupled round-arched windows were bricked up. The altar structure dates back to the first half of the 17th century; the altarpiece is signed “J. G. Plazer 1723”.
The Church of St. Helena stands, according to legend, on silver ore. An ancient tradition tells of mining activities in the immediate vicinity of the church: G. Innerebner lists the church hill below the prehistoric settlements as a probable place of worship and orientation.
A detailed description and interpretation of the frescoes appears in the colour guide “St. Helena near Nova Ponente” SB 21 (M. Frei).

The "Kaserer Bild" chapel, named after the nearby farm "Kaserer Hof", is a traditional place of pilgrimage in Steinegg|Collepietra. The chapel is located directly on the street Riedl on the ridge of the mountain Riedl, an area that is one of the oldest settlements in South Tyrol. In its current form, the neo-Romanesque chapel dates back to 1871, with the small ridge turret added in 1874.

Inside the chapel you will find a lovingly designed, neo-Gothic altar with the image of the Madonna, called "Kaserer-Mutter". According to legend, this image of the Virgin Mary originally hung on a mighty larch tree that once stood exactly where the chapel is now built. The stories and legends surrounding the image and the building of the chapel tell of the deep faith and conviction of the people in the miraculous power of the ‘’Kaserer-Mutter‘’.

The chapel was recently renovated and is now in excellent condition. Holy masses are celebrated regularly in the summer months, bringing this special place back to life. 
The little church is only opened on such special occasions. Otherwise, it can only be viewed from the outside.
However, it is definitely worth a visit - not only because of its religious significance, but also because of the idyllic location and the fascinating history that surrounds this chapel.

St. Nicholas, the Patron Saint of miners, was held to be the protector of those in danger from water. In Eggen, it was believed that he protected the village against the raging waters of the Sam Brook and of the Gerold Brook. Until the curacy was built in 1681, Eggen was served by the parish of Deutschnofen / Nova Ponente. While St. Nicholas had the right to bury its dead parishioners as well as to read the Mass, since 1435, Eggen was ministered by a priest from Deutschnofen / Nova Ponente. With the establishment of the first curacy, this stopped, and in 1919, the curacy was elevated to the status of an independent parish. The church is open daily from 8:00 a.m. till 6:00 p.m.

The small village of Gummer | San valentino in Campo is home to the only planetarium in South Tyrol. This special place in Europe's first Star Village is a must for anyone fascinated by the starry sky and the secrets of the universe.
Here you can immerse yourself in the magic of the universe - without a telescope!
Sit in comfortable armchairs and gaze into the dome of the Star Room to experience realistic simulations of the starry sky and virtually fly through distant galaxies.
Most shows and performances are accompanied by guides and experts who bring you closer to the universe in a unique way. Whether day or night, summer or winter - a visit to the planetarium is always an experience you will remember for a long time.

The planetarium's Star Room has 53 seats and 2 spaces for wheelchairs. The entire structure is barrier-free.

The planetarium is only open during the presentations. These will be held in German or Italian.
Please book your tickets in advance - either directly via the website, by e-mail(info@planetarium.bz.it) or by telephone on +39 0471 610 020.

Click here for the current weekly programme

Visitors can enjoy guided tours of the restored grain mill in Carezza. As well as an explanation of how the mill worksand where the water comes from, guests can observe the mill in action as it grinds grain to make fl our.

On request, guided visits for groups from 6 people.

 

The majestic Castle of Karneid is located high above the valley basin of Bozen at the entrance to the Eggental valley. The castle, which was built in the 12th century, was once the proud home of the noble Greifenstein family. In the 14th century, the castle came into the possession of the Lords of Völs, then to the later bailiff Heinrich Gessler and finally to the Counts of Lichtenstain. Today the castle is privately owned and is one of the most beautiful examples of medieval architecture in South Tyrol.

Apart from a few minor details, the original form from the 16th century has remained unchanged to this day, and this is one of its special features. The interior of the castle offers a wealth of beautiful architectural and art-historical details of great interest.

A guided tour of the castle will immerse you in history: magnificent knights' halls, an old chapel with valuable frescoes and mysterious corners that will bring you closer to life in the Middle Ages. 

The castle can only be visited as part of a guided tour.
Guided tours are offered in April, May, June, September and October. These always take place on Fridays at 3 pm.
Registration is required: +39 0471 361313
Minimum number of participants: 10 people

Admission price:   
Normal price: 7,00 Euro
Reduced price: 5,00 Euro (pupils/students up to 25 years, senior citizens from 65 years)

Lo sapevi che il Lago di Carezza ha un fratello minore?

Seguendo il sentiero [12] attraverso la foresta del Latemar, si arriva a uno specchio d'acqua segreto: il Mittersee o Lago di Mezzo. Non appena la neve inizia a sciogliersi, dove in realtà c'è solo un prato, emerge un lago. Il lago è alimentato da sorgenti sotterranee e per un breve periodo in primavera invita i più avventurosi a fare un giro su una zattera e i più coraggiosi a immergere i piedi nell'acqua fresca a 8 gradi.

 

The Mini - Star Trail is an art installation and at the same time a short themed trail that is specially illuminated at night.
On a short stretch of 105 m in the centre of Steinegg / Collepietra, we encounter 11 selected stars. Away from the sun, these are laid out in the correct scale. A light year here is 4 cm. You have to imagine that a light year is the enormous distance that light travels in one year. You have to bear in mind that light travels almost 300,000 km in one second. That is 9.46 trillion kilometres in one year.

But what is a star?
A star is a gigantic burning ball of gas. It consists of hydrogen and helium. When hydrogen burns, energy is released that we perceive as light and heat.

How big is a star anyway?
There are many stars that are significantly larger than our star, the Sun. For example, the star Antares is 820 times bigger than the Sun. In order to better understand these dimensions, we will find a comparison of the size of the star and the sun at the respective stations of the mini star trail.

Why do stars shine in different colours?
When observing the starry sky closely, we can also see with the naked eye that stars shine in different colours: reddish, bluish, white, etc. This has to do with the different surface temperatures of the stars. 

In the evening and at night, the stars on the Mini - Star Trail are also illuminated from the inside with the right mixture of light.
So it is now possible to walk along the romantically illuminated Mini - Star Trail in the centre of Steinegg / Collepietra in the evening and get to know exactly these peculiarities of the starry sky.
The Mini - Star Trail is also barrier-free accessible.

This theme trail is financed by the Interreg project Skyscape. The measures of the Interreg project "Skyscape" are supported by the European Regional Development Fund and Interreg V-A Italy-Austria 2014-2020.

The parish church of Nova Ponente, a Gothic building dating from the 15th century, has an impressively beautiful sandstone cladding. The inscription in the choir vault gives its date of origin: the cornerstone was laid on 5 July 1455 by Pastor Johannes Steel. Below the inscription is the coat of arms of the Diocese of Trento with the eagle, along with that of the then Bishop Georg Hack with its thin branch, also chosen as the heraldic symbol of the municipality of Nova Ponente.

The building was completed in sections, as suggested by the differences in the foundations and the sandstone cladding. Construction work was not completed until 1498, with the church consecrated on 16 September of the same year. In order to imagine it in its pure and original form, the new sacristy at the northeast corner and the organ loft with its outside staircase must be ignored. The interior of the church was vastly improved by the most recent renovation in the summer of 1975. The two neo-Gothic altars date from 1900, with a new organ installed in 1976.

Of particular note in the church are the four old relief panels on the high altar, showing the Nativity, the Adoration of the Magi, the Presentation at the Temple and the Death of the Virgin. The panels are from a famous large triptych, created around 1420 by the Master Hans von Judenburg for Bolzano’s Parish Church, as was the group of the Visitation on the wall of the choir. The main figures on the high altar – Our Lady of the Rosary and the church’s two patron saints - are beautiful works by the Innsbruck sculptor Dominikus Trenkwalder from around 1900. The relief figures of St. Barbara and St. Catherine as well as the relief panel of the Visitation, also on the choir walls, date back to around 1500. The sandstone pulpit from the early 16th century is held by Karl Atz in his “History of Art from Tyrol and Vorarlberg” to be one of the most beautiful of its kind in the entire land.

Old relief medallions of the mysteries of the rosary are inserted into the neo-Gothic rosary altar; the altarpiece was created by Franz Unterberger. Franz Haider’s beautiful nativity figures can be seen at Christmastime on this altar: his figurines and statues of saints are to be found throughout the Reggelberg area and he was a long-time resident of Monte San Pietro. The bell tower is for the most part much older than the present-day church. It dates back to the Romanesque era; inside can clearly be seen two rows of coupled arched windows that were later walled up. The tower formerly belonged to the old parish church of St. Benedict, documented as early as 1265. Today’s cupola was added in 1793 after lightning badly damaged both the tower and the church roof.

Another special feature of the church is that the pews have brass plaques, some with a rune-like mark next to the occupant’s name. These are the old house and farm marks of Nova Ponente. Each farm would use its mark to identify tools, grain sacks, logs and the like that were offered for sale. Many such marks can also be seen painted with red ochre on the outer walls of the church, now faded on account of the wind and rain. The impressive war memorial (1967) on the northern wall of the cemetery is by the South Tyrolean sculptor Martin Rainer, who was in 1976 awarded the Walther von der Vogelweide prize.

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.

The chapel is consecrated to the saints Rochus and Sebastian and owes its existence to an oath which the people of Nova Levante made during the plague in 1635/36. However, the chapel was only built between 1662 and 1666 and inaugurated in 1697. The long space of time between the oath and the chapel's completion was due to the fact that the people of Nova Levante were in disagreement over the location. The chapel is a building with a round apse, barrel vault and low-arch windows. Inside, there are several altars, the pulpit, sculptures and paintings - Baroque works from the 17th Century.
The chapel is not open to the public. The key for the chapel is available at the Romantikhotel Post Weisses Rössl in Nova Levante.

The ‘Maria Hilf’ chapel in Steinegg|Collepietra, popularly known as ‘Zum Weißen Bild’, is a place of contemplation and a piece of living tradition in the region. Its nickname is derived from a valuable wayside shrine made of white marble, which is located directly opposite the chapel.

The chapel was built at the end of the 18th century and was probably built in honour of the Madonna in gratitude for the happy outcome of a battle fought here against the French.
 It is a simple building with a white façade that impresses with its harmonious integration into the surrounding landscape. The interior is characterised by a lovingly designed altar and an artistic relief of the Madonna with child.

The chapel is not only a popular destination for believers, but also for anyone seeking peace and a moment of contemplation. Its location, surrounded by idyllic nature and with views of the Dolomites, makes it a special place in Steinegg|Collepietra.

On the adventure trail "BeeForest", you can immerse yourself in the mysterious world of bees.

The approximately 2-kilometre-long trail takes you past meadows and through forests to various places of energy with stations and illustrated panels, right up to a beekeeper's house with honeycombs and beehives on view - from mid-May to the end of September.

At these stations, you will learn exciting facts about life in the beehive, the importance of bees for our ecosystem and the challenges that these small, industrious insects face today. For children and adults alike, the trail offers an educational and sensory experience: listen to the buzzing of the bees, see their flight paths and feel how important their work is for our environment.

It's not just about honey bees - visitors also get an insight into the exciting and very different life of wild bees.

At the beekeeper's house, everyone then has the opportunity to take a closer look at the hive's hustle and bustle on the honeycomb.

Practical information:

• Route length: approx. 2 km, ideal for a relaxed walk
• Duration: about 1 to 1.5 hours
• Accessibility: The trail is only partially accessible for pushchairs and wheelchairs. They cannot be used for the entire route
• Best time to visit: Spring to autumn, when nature is in full bloom and the bees are at their most active

Immerse yourself in the world of bees and discover the secrets of these little superheroes - come and see for yourself how fascinating and valuable their work is.

Here is a brief insight:
Video BeeForest

The Max Valier Observatory in Gummer|San Valentino is located near the provincial capital Bozen|Bolzano and is a gateway to the stars and a place where the fascination of the universe comes to life. Named after the South Tyrolean astronomer and space pioneer Max Valier, the facility invites visitors to explore the depths of the universe. The centrepiece of the observatory is an impressive 80 cm reflector telescope, which gives you detailed views of distant galaxies, brilliant stars and the planets of our solar system.

During a guided tour with the dedicated amateur astronomers of the ‘Max Valier’ association, you can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and discover the infinite vastness of the cosmos. Whether you have just discovered your passion for astronomy or are already an experienced stargazer - the observatory offers you exciting insights and an unforgettable experience under the clear skies of South Tyrol.

Important information:
A visit or tour of the observatory is only possible as part of a guided tour. Guided tours take place every Thursday and Friday.
Booking is required!
Telephone: 0039 371 6761428 (weekdays from 9am - 12pm and 3pm - 6pm)
E-mail: info@sternwarte.it

Cost of the guided tour:
Adults (aged 14 and over): €8.00
Children (from 6 to 14 years): €4.00

You can stop for a break at the neighbouring Untereggerhof Inn

Here is a brief insight into our observatory:
Observatory Max Valier

Mountain cinema in the Val d’Ega

After an easy, short hike along the path [17] from the Karer Pass/Passo Costalunga, you reach the mountain cinema Latemar meadows.

Today's blockbuster is called "The wild mountain range on the horizon - the Rosengarten/Catinaccio". Visitors can enjoy the peace and quiet at the foot of the Latemar and the changing sky of a thousand colours around the Catinaccio. Don’t forget to bring your own popcorn!

The Steinegg Museum offers an unforgettable excursion into Tyrolean history. Rural life, its roots in religion, the various almost forgotten trades and the painful memories of the wars are just some of the lovingly collected exhibits. On a guided tour through the faithfully reconstructed rooms, chambers and workrooms, you can feel the spirit of simple life at first hand and be fascinated by almost forgotten living and working habits.
An exhibition of native animal species will make children's hearts beat faster.

A new attraction is the opportunity to hear directly from contemporary witnesses about how they lived in earlier times. These exciting interviews can be shown on various screens.

Important information:
The museum opens on Palm Sunday and remains open until the end of October.
Visits are only possible with a guided tour in german or italian languague. These take place from Tuesday to Friday at 10:10 and 11:10 and on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays at 17:00.

A reservation is required: +39 0471 619560 or steinegg@eggental.com
On weekdays, reservations must be made by 12 noon the day before, on weekends by 4 pm on Thursday and 48 hours in advance on public holidays.
Special guided tours for groups of 10 people or more are possible by prior arrangement.

A barrier-free visit to the museum is unfortunately not possible.

Here is a brief insight:
Video Museum Steinegg

You will come across the ruins of the castle ruins Steinegg at a picturesque vantage point. As you explore, you will experience a journey back in time.
The lords of Völs|Fiè created a unique double castle complex here around 1200, of which there are only a few left in South Tyrol. The residential castle with a view to the south has almost completely disappeared today, but the remains of the fortified castle still sit proudly on an imposing rock above the Valley Eisack|Isarco.

The well-preserved castle gate and parts of the south side of the defence walls tell of the castle's former strength. Here you can feel the history in every crack of stone - even if the battlements and tower have long since fallen victim to time.

Just a 20-minute walk from the village centre of Steinegg, this special place awaits you with a wonderful view and the castle ruins of Steinegg. Another special feature is the opportunity to immerse yourself in the legend of ‘Die Sängerin vom Schloß Karneid’. The unique book in german languague was illustrated by the artist Lena Pichler from Steinegg and gives the ruins a special magic. 
A place where the past, legends and nature merge together.

Info:
 The Steinegg castle ruins are not accessible without barriers.

The Chapel of St. Agatha stands on a wooded hill in complete seclusion and silence. It remains unknown why it exists in such a remote place. It is speculated that there was a prehistoric settlement on this site, while the legendary Kegelberg hill and old mining tunnels can be found nearby.
The building itself is of Romanesque origin, with the later extensive modifications showing ostensibly Gothic elements. The beautiful, stone-framed pointed-arch portal dates from that time, with its figurines of saints, grapevines and a zigzag band in the ogee, with a rod that ends to the left in a root and to the right in a shovel.
The church interior underwent major renovation in the 17th century: the simple sandstone pulpit and richly carved altar date back to that time. Sadly, the free-standing statues were stolen by art thieves. The altarpiece by Orazio Giovanelli, showing St. Agatha and St. Anne with Jesus and Mary, dates back to 1619. Remains of old murals can also be seen on the church. The façade probably shows St. Christopher with the infant Jesus and scenes from the life of the patron saint, while inside parts of a nativity scene are visible.
Location: Nova Ponente
Opening times: The church is closed; the key is kept at the Unterkofelhof farm and may be collected from there.

Sacred art is here surrounded by old stone walls: ancient altarpieces and consecrated panels from the 16th century, early Baroque statues of saints and religious paintings delve deep into the history of the Val d'Ega. The local museum in Castle Thurn is attached to the present-day town hall in a Romanesque tower dating from the 13th century, which was once used as a residence and, around 1341, for court sittings. In 1911 the residence of Thurn Castle was transferred to the municipality of Nova Ponente, which meticulously renovated the building and opened it to the historically minded.

This is where people, ideas and traditions come together to create village life. Whether for association meetings, creative workshops or cultural events - the clubhouse offers you inviting rooms to organise events and activities of the local associations.

Its central location in Kardaun|Cardano makes it easily accessible, and the functional rooms ensure that you feel at home straight away. At the same time, the building symbolises the cohesion and diversity of the local associations that make life in the region so lively.

This fascinating open-air exhibition with 10 panels on astronomical themes can be found on hiking trail 2B around the ‘Pstosser Bühl’ hill, just a few steps from the centre of Steinegg|Collepietra.

Since May 2022, the ‘Fly to the Universe’ exhibition has been inviting you to immerse yourself in the depths of space. The impressive deep-sky images were created by Stephanie Wolters, Brigitte Lintner and Dieter Seiwald from the ‘Max Valier’ amateur astronomers' association. With every step along the trail, you will discover new perspectives - from the starry sky above the Max Valier observatory to the most remote galaxies.

There is another highlight on this trail: a mountain cinema. Take a seat on the practical wooden chairs, look through the wooden frame and discover wonderful views of the Schlern|Sciliar, the earth pyramids and the Rosengarten|Catinaccio.

While the adults discover distant galaxies, the children can let off steam in the forest playground on the Pstosser Bühl.

This mountain hut, located at 2.096m next to the cable station Oberholz in Obereggen, Dolomites, contains a restaurant and is located with direct connection to the ski slope. The cantilevering structure grows out of the hill like a fallen tree with three main branches creating a symbiosis with the landscape. Each of them is facing towards the three most important surrounding mountains: Mendola, Corno Nero and Corno Bianco. At the end of the branches a large glass facade frames the surrounding mountains from the interior of the hut. The sloped roof shape of the glasses takes his inspiration from typical huts in the area, while the branching roof and complex structural interior expresses a new and contemporary interpretation of the classic mountain hut. The interior is defined by a complex curvilinear and visible wood structure that gradually fades into walls and creates so called “pockets” for intimacy. The entire hut is constructed with wood: structural elements and interior in spruce, the facade in larch, furniture in oak - all typical woods from the area.

The parish church of Steinegg|Collepietra is a special place where art, history and spirituality come together in an impressive way. 
First mentioned in 1322, the church, with its walls and works of art, tells of times gone by and living tradition. Originally dedicated to St Peter and St Jakobus, later only to St Peter, and today to St Peter and St Paul - the history of the patron saints reflects the development of this sacred building.

On entering the church, the pointed arch-shaped main portal catches the eye, with its star-shaped vault dating from the first half of the 15th century. The choir, as you see it today, was built around 1664 and impresses with its three-sided apse. A special highlight can be found in the choir: a small, artistic sandstone statue of St Peter.

The 35 metre high tower from the 15th century houses six bells that carry the sound of faith far into the valley. There is much to discover inside the church: The valuable Stations of the Cross date back to 1747 and the colourful frescoes, created by Karl Joh. Henrici in 1794, tell stories from the Bible and invite you to linger.

The works of art from modern times also fit harmoniously into the story: The sculptor Friedrich Gurschler created the altar, the baptismal font and the lectern, while H. Peter Fellin painted the impressive altarpiece depicting the Most Holy Trinity - with the Virgin of Protection, embedded in the mountain landscape of the Rosengarten|Catinaccio, Schlern|Sciliar and Steinegg|Collepietra.

Another highlight are the colourful stained glass windows, designed by Prof. Widmoser and masterfully realised by the artist Ulrike Peer Huber. The Stations of the Cross were carved by Jakob Oberhollenzer and the church patrons, St Peter and St Paul, were created by Matthias Resch from Steinegg.

In the basement of the church you will find the Museum Steinegg and the Chapel of the Resurrection - a quiet place for contemplation. The cemetery, which is one of the most beautiful in South Tyrol, impresses with its artistically forged crosses and radiates a special tranquillity.

Useful information:
The church is always open during the day and is barrier-free.
Masses are always held on Saturdays at 7.30 pm and on Sundays at 7.00 am and 10.00 am. 

At the cheese dairy farm Ebenhof, the South Tyrolean cheese tradition is cultivated with passion. Since 2007, delicious raw milk cheeses have been made from the fresh grass-fed milk of the local Alpine cows. Farmer and cheesemaker Markus relies on natural ingredients and craftsmanship to create unique cheeses such as the mildly flavoured "Sternkasl", the aromatic Mountain Cheese and the versatile Farmer Cheese.

Production takes place directly on the farm - from milking the cows to maturing the cheese in the cellar. Sustainability and animal welfare play a central role here. 

You can buy the eight different types of cheese at the farmers' markets in Welschnofen|Nova Levante and Bozen|Bolzano and at the grocer's shop Despar Masoner in Steinegg|Collepietra. Farm-gate sales are only possible by prior appointment by telephone.

The starry experience in the First European Star Village starts right in the tourist office of Steinegg|Collepietra - with a real highlight: the new Virtual Reality Corner! Here you can take off, explore space and experience adventures you won't soon forget.

Take a seat in the interactive Roto VR gaming chair, put on the Oculus Quest 3D glasses and immerse yourself in fascinating worlds of experience. Whether it's rocket flights, walks on the International Space Station (ISS) or exploring distant planets - anything is possible!

With 7 different apps, you can immerse yourself in 7 different worlds of experience:

• Overview 360: Take off from Earth and discover the universe with spectacular images and film sequences from Nasa.

• Into Space: Experience the history of the Apollo missions and take a look at the future of space travel.

• Apollo 11: Become part of the historic moon mission and explore the lunar surface.

• Star Chart: Turn your room into a virtual planetarium and discover the solar system in an accurate real-time simulation.

• Mission ISS: Float weightlessly through the ISS, dock a spaceship and go on space walks.

• Titans of Space +: Let yourself be guided through our solar system and beyond - exciting facts will accompany you.

• Shuttle Commander: Take control of the space shuttle, land precisely and experience the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope.

This innovative Virtual Reality Corner was realised as part of the SKYSCAPE Interreg project in collaboration with the municipality of Karneid|Cornedo all'Isarco and the Steinegg Tourist Association.

The virtual reality experiences are recommended for visitors aged 13 and over and can be enjoyed without barriers.

The virtual reality corner can be used free of charge during the opening hours of the Tourism Office Steinegg.

The impressive formations of Steinegg|Collepietra are a true natural wonder and tell a story that goes back thousands of years. Their formation dates back to the last ice age: when the glaciers melted, they left behind huge quantities of moraine material - a mixture of clay, sand and stones. Over the millennia, rain has eroded this material, but in some places it has formed clay cones with protective stones on top. These ‘hats’ protect the cones of earth underneath from erosion, giving the earth pyramids their unique shape.

Their slender formations, often crowned by imposing boulders, rise up from the valley floor and seem almost unreal - as if from another world.
A hike to the earth pyramids takes you through picturesque forests and meadows and even through a gorge. Whether you are hiking alone or with your family, this place is both fascinating and inspiring.

The best time to explore the earth pyramids is in the early morning or late afternoon, when the light brings out the bizarre shapes in a particularly impressive way.

The cluster of wooden buildings of the forestry school lies within viewing distance of the former Grand Hotel Karersee, appearing modest in contrast. An extension was added onto two existing buildings. The elongated building with a pitched roof is linked to the older buildings via a wooden walkway with a pergola. Despite the traditional style of the building, clear contemporary architecture has been created here. Well-proportioned window frames and entrances are paired with the horizontal wooden slats of the facade. On the interior the walls are plastered white and add even more brightness to the room underneath the transparent roof construction. The silver colored construction of the steel stairs that connect both floors to the foyer is particularly elegant.

 

An extraordinary highlight awaits you in Steinegg|Collepietra: the rocket tree house. This imaginatively designed tree house, which is modelled on a rocket, makes children's hearts beat faster and also amazes adults.

While the little ones let their imaginations run wild and embark on a space mission, you can enjoy the tranquillity of the surrounding nature.

Steinegg|Collepietra, also known as the Star Village, lives up to its name with this special project. The rocket tree house is not only a great place to play, but also a symbol for looking at the stars and a fascination for the universe.

The rocket tree house is one of the stops on the Path of the stars, which connects the two Star Villages of Steinegg|Collepietra and Gummer|San Valentino.

Route description - one of several options:
The starting point of the hike is the village square in Steinegg|Collepietra. From there, path [2] leads past the Lex Market and you follow this path until you see the tree house in the forest on your left.
Take the same path for the way back.

Walking time: You will need approx. 40 to 45 minutes for the outward and return journey. 
The path is barrier-free and suitable for pushchairs.

The viewpoint "Spitzköfele" above Steinegg|Collepietra in the municipality of Karneid|Cornedo all'Isarco is a worthwhile destination for a short hike. Easily accessible via a well-signposted path, this place offers a special combination of nature enjoyment and adventure.

The wooden platform at "Spitzköfele" is equipped with a table, a bench and several stools. It invites you to take a break and enjoy the unique panorama. From here, you have an open view of the village of Steinegg and the impressive mountain massifs of the Schlern|Sciliar and Rosengarten|Catinaccio.

A special highlight is the permanently installed telescope. It is directly aligned with the North Star and thus shows the direction of the North. This location is part of the Path of Stars, which connects the two star villages of Steinegg|Collepietra and Gummer|San Valentino.

Route description - one of several possibilities:
The starting point of the hike is the village square in Steinegg|Collepietra. From there, the path [2/3] leads past Café Christl to Oberdorf. At Haus Tirol, turn right onto trail [6], which takes you via the farm Kummerhof to the descent to "Spitzköfele".
For the way back, you can take path [7], which turns right into path [2/7/8] and leads back to the village.

Walking time: The entire circular hike takes about an hour.

The viewpoint "Spitzköfele" is an ideal place for a short hike, a picnic or simply a short break in the midst of nature. Its proximity to the village and easy accessibility make it a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.

The viewpoint is not barrier-free.

The long aisle in the monastery is impressive, with its many votive plaques. Maria Weissenstein / Pietralba (1,520 meters above sea-level) is South Tyrol's most-important place of pilgrimage. It is among the most highly venerated religious sites in the entire province. This place of pilgrimage has been served by good roads from two directions for a couple of decades, now. The one road comes from the Eggen Valley, via Deutschnofen / Nova Ponente and Petersberg / Monte S. Pietro to Weissenstein/Pietralba. The other road ascends from the Etsch/Adige Valley, touches Aldein/Aldino, and ends in Weissenstein/Pietralba. The stream of pilgrims has increased markedly since the visit here by Pope John Paul II in July of 1988. This place of pilgrimage – including the church, the Pilgrims' House (built in 1897), the souvenir store, the inn (built in 1708), and the parking lot – is well-equipped not only for devout pilgrims, but also for the many hikers who stop by here. Open daily from 8:00 a.m. till 6:00 p.m.