Culture et curiosités de Bressanone et de ses environs

The Ölberg lookout point in Natz offers its visitors a breathtaking view over wide apple orchards and the surrounding mountains. It is equipped with a barbecue area, seating for about 50 people, 360-degree panoramic loungers and play facilities.
For a reservation of the barbecue area please contact the Tourist Office: +39 0472 415020 / info@natz-schabs.info.

The church of Saint Blasius is a small romantic church with wall paintings of the year 1676. Additionally, the church is dedicated to Saint Blasius.

The small church in St. Jakob got its actual shape in the 15th century. The Christophours – painting on the outer wall as well as several paintings of saints on the inside were made by an unknown master of Brixen of the 15th century. The altars are new Gothic.The church is locked for safety reasons, the keys are available at the nearby farm.

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.

Already in the Bronze Age, there existed a settlement at Abeins/Albes, mentioned in a document for the first time around 960, under the name of Allpines, later Albines. The actual church was built around 1320, at the end of the 15th century it was rebuilt and finally, in 1784, it was changed into Baroque style. It is consecrated to the Saints Hermagoras and Fortunat (painting on the high altar). The side statues date from the first part of the 18th century and represent the St. Albuin and the St. Ingenuin, while the wall- painting on the front and the ceiling fresco on the inside date from the period around 1700. The oldest church of the village is the Margarethen- Church. It has been arched in the late Gothic period, changed into Baroque in the 17th century with remnants of Gothic and Baroque frescoes. Precious Mary- statue of Master Leonhard von Brixen.

Nowadays a sustainable handling towards nature and environment includes not just the protetion, but also the taking care of precious cultivated landscapes.  Wetlands such as the biotope Laugen fulfill a variety of landscape- ecological functions. They mean scenic wealth and represent a useful habitat for a multitude of endangered species of plants and animals. The biotope also provides an ideal resting place for migratory birds.

Other nature habitats in the Natz-Schabs holiday region include Raiermoos, Sommersürs, Zussis and Laugen.

 

It is said that the Church of St. Nikolaus was built in 1402 on the site of what was previously a small chapel and the works were terminated approximately in 1464. The frescoes above the door of the church were only discovered during subsequent restorations in 1985 and are probably the work of the renowned sculptor, Michael Pacher. The pointed steeple with its four bells also dates back to this period.

The barbecue area is equipped with a barbecue with grill plate, seating for about 10-15 people, a toilet and a public playground.
For a reservation of the barbecue area please contact the Tourist Office: +39 0472 415020 / info@natz-schabs.info.

Of demotic power is the church of St. Leonhard. Leonhard, the patron saint of cattle and prisoners, is commemorated by the heavy chain that winds one and a half times around the entire church. Consecrated in 1194, the church was redesigned around 1430 and baroque in the 18th century. The rich ceiling stucco from Franz Singer's workshop (around 1770) is a reminder of the Baroque and the creative joy of master builder Tangl. More recent history is evoked by the frescoes by Toni Kirchmair (around 11920), which interpret St. Leonhard as the patron saint of prisoners and fallen soldiers of the First World War.

The parish church was built around 1180 and the Romanesque church was consecrated in 1184. This was replaced around 1500 by a late Gothic building with a three-aisled nave and a single-aisled choir. This is indicated by the year 1498 carved on the lintel of the side portal.

The location of the church directly above the Rienzsch1ucht led to an unfortunate event in 1688. After the parish tower had already been severely damaged by lightning, particularly in 1687, part of the crumbling rock collapsed a year later, taking with it part of the cemetery adjacent to the church and, according to local tradition, the old presbytery. Soon afterwards, the damage was repaired by building a retaining wall at the demolition site so that it was possible to walk around the church again, and the cemetery was extended towards the castle. Between 1794 and 1795, the church was extended to the west and the Gothic ribs were removed. The removed vault ribs were restored in 1959.

The last restorations date back to 1983. The interior is largely neo-Gothic from around 1870, although some of the wooden sculptures on the high altar date back to Adam Baldauf (1616 -1618). The gravestones of various Wolkensteins, the lords of Line (14th century) and the caretaker Caspar von Gufidaun, the great opponent of Cardinal Nikolaus Cusanus, who died in 1458, remind us of the history and connection with Rodenegg Castle. The well-kept cemetery with its lawn and exemplary wrought iron crosses contains around 200 graves and a simple cemetery chapel dating from 1697 with the image of St. Michael with the scales of the soul.
In 2008, the entire belfry was thoroughly renovated and new sound shutters were fitted to the tower openings in 2013.

The Town Hall of Brixen is situated between the “Portici Maggiori” Street and Cathedral Square.

The present building has a Renaissance façade and a late-Medieval crenellated roof.

To the south of the cloister is the chapel of St. John with its unobtrusive exterior, originally probably the house chapel of the bishop, later the baptistery. It has two floors and is decorated with precious frescoes from the romanesque (1250), early (around 1320) and high gothic (1st century of the 15th century). According to tradition, the Synod of Bishops met here in 1048, which Emperor Henry IV had convened in the course of the investiture conflict in order to have Pope Gregory VII deposed and elevate Clement III to the position of antipope

Three small churches, the church of Saint Gertraud, Saint Nikolaus and Saint Magdalena, built in the 12th and 15th century in an incredibly beautiful location with a fantastic view over the Isarco Valley. Visitors will be surprised by the level of artistic skill of the late-Gothic frescoes. This location can only be reached on foot over beautiful paths. Ask for the key from the nearby Messner restaurant. Guided tours are available on request, please call +39 0471 650 059. Holy Mass: July and August Sunday at 10:30 clock (german). Open from March to Mid Novembre, winter closed.

The impressive castle stands above Waidbruck/Ponte Gardena. Interesting interior, patly with original furniture. An exhibition shows the life of Oswald von Wolkenstein

Trostburg is open to the public

from the Thursday before Easter until the end of October. A visit is only possible with a guided tour.  Trostburg is closed on Mondays.

 

Season Start of the tour     Thursday before Eastern until end of June 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. July and August 11 a.m., 12 a.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. September until end of October 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.   The guided visit through the castle takes around 40 – 50 minutes.
For the unguided visit of the exhibition rooms one should plan for approximately 15 minutes, although a stay up to 40 minutes is considered to be very informative and worth it.

The chapel of the dead is situated at an altitude of 2186 metres between the mountain pass of Villandro and Sarentino on the high plateau of the Villandro Alp. The little church has to be renovated constantly due to the unique location. The last renovation was in 1981 by the “shooters of Villandro – Villanderer Schützen”. The crucifixion group inside the chapel is larger than life, for this reason it impresses every visitor. To the chapel of the dead leads a way of the cross which is 4 km long and has 14 stations. Besides, a way of the cross leads from Sarentino to the little church.

It was probably originally the Palatine Chapel and was enlarged several times. Later, a collegiate chapter was established there (1214), in addition to the cathedral chapter, and after its dissolution it served as a church for the pastoral care of students. The altarpieces were painted by Theophilos Pollak (around 1638). Today it is the church of popular piety, with Mary Help of Christians, Pilgrim Madonna, Madonna of the Ear of Corn, Lourdes Mother of God, St. Joseph, Rochus and Sebastian, Rita of Cascia.

The City of Artists and Albrecht Dürer
The medieval city, which is surpassed in height by the mighty Sabiona Monastery mountain, proudly calls itself the "City of Dürer." Here, where the city was the scene of intense artistic activity just a hundred years ago, is where Albrecht Dürer stopped during his journey through Italy. He exploited his portrait of the city as a background for an allegorical copper-plate engraving titled "Das Grosse Glück" ("Nemesis").

Today, Klausen is still numbered among the most-beautiful of Italy's ancient cities: Its tower-studded facades, its wide alcove balconies, and the picturesque signs of its old inns and pubs were all that was needed to convince the club "I borghi più belli d'Italia" of its worthiness. And the "Treasure of Loreto" (a singular collection of works of art) in the city museum has got to be seen to be believed.

The barbecue area is equipped with a barbecue with grill plate, seating for about 25 people and a small pond.
For a reservation of the barbecue area please contact the Tourist Office: +39 0472 415020 / info@natz-schabs.info.

The St. Michael’s Church plays a relevant part in contributing to the scenic appearance of the village. The construction is located nearby the main church of Villandro and was dedicated in 1344. Nowadays, the almost quadratic basement of the church acts as a funeral chapel. Sanct Michael, who is the patron saint of the dead, stands sentinel over the cemetery. The cemetery of Villandro represents one of the most beautiful and unusual cemeteries in the region. There are exclusively forged grave crosses and the front side of the grave crosses is averted from the burial grave.

The educational mills path leads along Ternerbach River. During a 1.5 hour hike you walk past 7 renovated corn mills, some of which are up to 500 years old. This is where farmers used to grain corn into fine flour, and sometimes still do During the summer months one mill is open to the public every Monday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. During the Mill Festival you can get an insight into the millers' profession. Starting point: car park in the village center

This chapel of pilgrimage is situated on the southern slope of the Spinges mountain. Its simple construction dates back to 1641, and was built by the curate Georg Stocker. There is a painting in the chapel, depicting the scene of Jesus bidding the Virgin Mary farewell.

With its 65,000 square metres of space, Franzensfeste is the largest historical complex in South Tyrol. Begun in 1833 under Emperor Franz Josef, this masterpiece of Austrian fortress architecture was opened by Emperor Ferdinand in 1838 after a construction period of only five years. By this time, however, it had already lost its strategic importance and justification. The enormous effort and the horrendous costs - for nothing. From then on, the huge fortress was only of use as a depot and was frozen in the Sleeping Beauty sleep of a strictly guarded military installation for over a century and a half. Since the military left the fortress in 2003, Franzensfeste has been open to the public and was extensively renovated in the course of two major exhibitions in 2008 and 2009. As a South Tyrolean Provincial Museum, Franzensfeste Fortress is now a magnet for tourists and locals alike and a popular venue for a wide variety of exhibitions and events.

January and february: winter break

The hunter’s monument was erected in 1968 on the Mesnerbühel by the hunters of Natz.The column was carved out of an old chestnut tree trunk. The inscription reads: „It is the hunter’s honour to protect and tend the game.“

The Rienza ravine, a wild-romantic gorge with former power plant (not open for visits).

The two arcaded streets will charm you with a variety of gables and bay windows. The houses, built mostly in teh 15th and 16th century, form with its multitude of shops even today the heart of the shopping city.

At the eastern side of Brixen, beyond the confluence of the Rienz river and the Eisack river, in the village of Milland a new parish church was built between 1984-1985, and it is consecrated to the Saint Father Josef Freinademetz. The church is a curiosity, a work of modern architecture, a sacred place full of light.In the basement, there is an exhibition about the life and the work of the church patron, the Saint Father Josef Freinademetz, the Tyrolian China- missionary.
Guided tours possible after request.

Immerse yourself in the miraculous transformation of milk and enjoy the flavourful result.
Capriz is more than just hand-made cheese of outstanding quality from South Tyrol. Capriz cheese dairy combines show dairy, adventure world and shop into an experience for all the senses. The beginning of a tradition.

The formation of the pyramids in Terento probably dates back to 1837. As a result of a strong storm, the Ternerbach River swept away 3 residential houses, 16 mills, 13 beaters, a smiths and a sawmill. 13 people died during this storm. It is very likely that the slope started to disintegrate as a result of this storm. Over the following decades, the erosion had an impact on two different types of debris: the classic pyramids were formed from the material mix with stone blocks; from the material containing no stone blocks only ravines and ridges were formed. Starting point: car park in the village center

An old linden tree stands near the walls of the cemetery enclosing the Church of St. Nikolaus. Standing 22 m tall with a treetop of 17 m and a trunk measuring 6.25 m in diameter, the old tree dominates this idyllic spot. Since the trunk is broken and is held together with iron rods, the age of the tree can no longer be determined although it is believed to be a few hundred years old.

The castle can be visited only with guided tours!
Guided tours take place daily (except Saturdays) at 11.30 am and 2.30 pm.
Duration: approx. 1 hour

Group registrations from 15 persons: +39 348 739 2329 or schloss.rodenegg@gmail.com

The castle is located between Sciaves and Rio di Pusteria in the municipality of Rodengo on a small rock outcrop, steeply descending into the gorge of the Rienza river. Castel Rodengo is one of the most majestic fortresses of its times in South Tyrol and you will be astonished by its position and the large number of rooms and cellars of the castle.

Entry fee:
Adults € 8.00
Right (10-18 years) € 4.00
Children (6-10 years) € 3.00
Groups (from 15 people) € 6.00

GUIDED TOURS FOR KIDS
at 10.00-11.30 a.m. every Monday in July & August.
Registration: www.gitschberg-jochtal.guestnet.info