Culture & curiosités dans les Dolomites

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 year of construction of the first church is uncertain, but certainly in the year 1490 it was destroyed by a landslide that destroyed a large part of the village. 1492 another church was rebuilt. Over the centuries this church changed style several times and was also enlarged. In recent times the altar has been modernized with works from the artists Mellauner y Promberger. The church can be visited all year round.

The protected hanging spruce is a very rare and botanically interesting natural monument and stands at the foot of an embankment next to the road between Hofern/Corti and Issing/Issengo near Mühlen/Molini, below the bridge over the Grünbach/rio verde.

There, a unique post spruce, also called a garland spruce, rises from the young growth. While the terminal shoot grows upright, the approx. 30 cm long side branches hang vertically and are slightly twisted downward. The tree, which is about 115 years old (in 2021), reaches a height of 25 m (1991) and has a circumference of 34 cm (1991). The hanging spruce is difficult to classify in the many columnar and hanging forms known so far. In any case, it is the narrowest spruce form ever found in South Tyrol and far beyond.

The mountain school of Lanebach bei Gais is unique in its form and is considered to be one of the last fully preserved mountain schools in the entire Alpine region.

It consists of a single classroom and an adjoining "apartment" for the teacher. Located at more than 1500m above sea level, it is one of the highest mountain schools around.
Due to its sheer size, it is also called a "dwarf school".
Numerous writings, documents and testimonies of the past 100 years as well as the stories of contemporary witnesses, pupils and teachers tell of lessons and survive in this mountain school.
Visit available on request only : phone +39 348 7735477 - Mr. Hochgruber

Kiens club house, where various events take place, gym, library, youth club ZEK and band are also there.

The chapel at Bad Salomonsbrunn is also called "Bade Stöckl" and was built in 1725 by Peter Josef von Walther from Brixen.

Man’s fascination with mountains has been unbroken as long as anyone can remember.

LUMEN gives this fascination a photographic home: located at the summit of the region Kronplatz (in South Tyrol), 1,800 square metres are dedicated to mountain photography.

Spanning four floors LUMEN offers the possibility to experience the history of mountain photography from its beginnings until the present as well as displaying the art of mountain-photographers from all over the world.

 

Last entrance: 3.30 p.m.

The parish church St. Petrus and Paulus in Kiens was built between 1835 and 1838. Only the tower dates back to the 15th century. The paintings on the ceiling are remarkable.

In Rasun-Rasen in the Valle Anterselva-Antholzertal awaits you a fantastic adventure park where the main focus is on the theme of water. The Wasserwaldile consists of a variety of play elements and fosters creativity among children. Along a water course, you can feel and experience the wet element up close and let the freshness of the water have its effect. A small stream can be crossed on “wiggly bridges” by balancing on wooden discs. This requires a great deal of both skill and concentration. The two banks of the stream are also connected by means of stepping stones. In a separate water play area, new water connections can be constructed in open wooden water pipes. Assistance can be provided, in turn, by natural materials such as sticks and rocks, but also wooden water wheels and water seesaws. 

The Ilsterner Au biotope extends along a 1.3-kilometer stretch of the River Rienz/Rienza  and is located in the municipalities of Kiens/Chienes and Vintl/Vandoies. It consists of four hectares of water area and eight hectares of biotope area.
Floodplain forests are rich in water and plant nutrients, which provide an ideal setting for a colorful range of vegetation. While grey alders are the most common trees to be found in the Ilsterner Au floodplain forest, parts of it are also densely populated by spruces and pine trees. 
Ash trees are the predominant plants in the eastern part of this biotope, which is a bustling home to many different animals. Countless fascinating insects and birds live here all year round, and many migratory birds can be observed on their way north or south.
The ecological function of a floodplain forest, however, is not limited to merely protecting its native wildlife; biotopes also play a key role in maintaining the hydrological balance of their surroundings, since they act as a large water reservoir.  Moreover, in terms of landscape, it is an enriching counterpart to the intensively used landscape areas.
In the course of the sustainable revitalization project, large parts of the terrain were lowered, the river bed widened, and several groundwater ponds were created. The upper area with the theme board is also considered a nature-oriented recreation zone for the local population in general and families and schools in particular.

The fire helmet collection at the helmet museum in Gais is unique worldwide: over 700 splendid fire helmets from all over the world are on show in a museum covering 200 sq. m. The exhibits include, among other things, collector's items made from leather, steel and brass, helmets from Egypt, Thailand, Guatemala, New York and a multitude of other helmets from many different countries. The French helmets, which are made of metal, are especially elaborate, often being decorated with feathers.

Visits only on request by phone!

Visit only on request!

Contact: Hannes Volgger +39 340 545192

One of the oldest and nicest regional churches in Tyrol.

Holy Masses on Sundays at 8:30 a.m.

Special masses are held on all Catholic holidays. The parish church is open daily throughout the year.

That poky chapel is the oldest in the valley and has been rehabilitated recently.

The Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park lies in the midst of the Braies-Prags Dolomites and the Fanes chain. Typical karst forms such as fissures and limestone pavements, cracks, and sinkhole ponds characterize this area, the core of which is formed by the Malga Fane-Fane Alm and the broad Prato Piazza-Plätzwiese. And in the middle of the proudly soaring mountains is embedded the true gem of mountain lakes: the emerald shimmering Lago di Bràies-Pragser Wildsee.

The Castle Ehrenburg was the residence of the Sirs von Ehrenburg, who were later called von Künigl. It was built in the 12th century. During the 15th century, the castle was extended, and in the year 1512, it was extended again with the arcade yard. In the year 1732, it was converted into a baroque castle. The big hall, the bay windows, the wooden paneling, and the paintings on the ceiling, as well as the castle chapel are very remarkable. The castle is not open to visitors.

The castle is located below the church. It can only be visited from the outside.

Ladin, the native language of the local population, is a Rhaeto-Romance tongue spoken not only in Val Badia but also in the valleys and villages surrounding the Sella massif (Val Gardena, Fodom, Fassa and Ampezzo) and as far away as in the Friuli region and in the Swiss canton of Grisons. Taught in schools and used in every-day life throughout the Ladin-speaking community, it is the mother tongue of around 30,000 locals.

For access to the internet, our guests may use the  Wi-Fi connection available at the "Istitut Ladin Micura de Rü" in the centre of the village. Open Mon-Thurs: 10 am–12 pm and 3–5 pm; Fri: 10 am–12 pm; Sat-Sun closed ;  Phone (+39) 0474523110

The "Isitut Ladin Micura de Rü" ist the cultural centre of the Ladin language.

Not long time ago a good income for farmers came from the production of withewash. With its sale the economic balnce of the council was balanced. Olang, but in particular Geiselberg were very famous for its production. The quality of whitewash changed depending of in which hoven it was prepared. After the bif fire that caused the partial destruction of Olang in 1904, there was a big production of whitewash due to the need of rebuildg the village. With the industrial developement the production of whitewash came to and end at the beginning of the 60´s of the XX century. Nowaday only the hooven in in Untermühlbach keeps the tradition.

The Plan de Corones is known in winter as a ski resort No. 1 in South Tyrol, while summer is a magnificent vantage point with lots of entertainment for children and adults. Reachable on foot in 2 hours from the Furcia Pass. From the beginning of July to the middle of September, the Ruis cableway is also open, which leads from the Furcia Pass to the top of the Plan de Corones. Visit the MMM Corones, the 6th and last museum of Reinhold Messner, which speaks about the history of mountaineering, or the new Lumen museum, dedicated to photography. For adrenaline-junkies we recommend the giant Skyscraper swing or a tandem flight with a wonderful view of the Dolomites.

Mount Kronplatz is already a success story – and still, there is always room for yet more potential in both summer and winter. With the MMM Corones project, Kronplatz has now written another historic chapter which adds a distinct cultural flavour to this outstanding example of Alpine competence. Inaugurated in 2003, the striking Concordia 2000 peace bell was a first step towards a wider cultural offer. And now, with the MMM Corones, an exciting new milestone has followed suit. The museum was designed and built by world-renowned Zaha Hadid, by many considered the most talented and innovative architect of our time. Zaha Hadid, Reinhold Messner and Kronplatz – that’s an impressive three key brands joining forces for this exciting new project. Adults: 14,00€, children 6–18 years: 6,00€, students (under 28 years): 12,00€, Seniors over 65 years: 12,00€, family ticket (2 adults + children under 14 years): 32,00€, mini-family ticket (1 adult + children under 14 years): 18,00€, groups min. 15 people: 12,00€/person, school classes 6–18 years: 6,00€/person
People with disabilities: 12,00€
LAST ADMISSION 15.30 O'CLOCK

The chapel Gruber was rebuilt in 1872 and decorated in 1884 by the painter Rudiferia. The interior is friendly and light. The wooden sculpture in the altar, Christ in misery, was built around 1800.

Above the forest cemetery in Brunico, an easy family-friendly path leads to the three lakes. A beautiful recreation area on Kühlbergl next to the city center in the middle of nature.

 

Ladin Museum - Tor Castle In the very heart of the Dolomites live more than 30,000 Dolomite Ladins whose identity is characterised mainly by two important features: the uniqueness of their language, which derives from popular Latin, and the extraordinary mountain landscape at the heart of the southern Alps. It is only thanks to the physical characteristics of this landscape that the Ladin language has survived today. It is the eldest of all languages spoken in this region and is restricted by the Italian and the German cultural and linguistic areas that surround it. The way through the museum focuses on some significant aspects of the present and past lives of the Dolomite Ladins, highlighting the important influences of cross-regional events on the lives of the population and pinpointing the existing interrelations between landscape forms and lifestyles. The museum is housed in the Ciastel de Tor, a castle dating back to 1230, created as a fiefdom of the Bishops of Brixen.

The castle is available as a wedding venue for couples interested in crowning an unforgettable day and experiencing a fairytale moment in a medieval castle.

The church St. Walburg in Antholz Niedertal was built in the 15th century and expanded in 1954.

The South Tyrolean Folklore Museum is the oldest of the provincial museums in South Tyrol and offers a view of social life in the past. The noble residence “Mair am Hof”, built in the 17th century, gives you the opportunity of following a striking itinerary through the refined world of local aristocracy. The stately rooms of the landed gentry and the collections of the museum are located inside the residence. Translocated original farm houses, craft workshops and cottage gardens are situated on the three hectares of the green area. A walk through the open air site takes you into the everyday world of various peasant groups of the past: from the self-sufficient farmers to rural craftsmen, cottagers and labourers.

For a long time, the entire religious life of the valley revolved around the church of La Pli/Pieve Marebbe. Once the most important house of prayer in the valley, records state that since the appointment of one Marquardus as the first pastor in 1214, Marebbe has always had its own resident pastor. Records dating back to 1347 list the church as the "parish church of the Virgin Mary of Marebbe".

Today, it is a grand four-naved Baroque church with a particularly beautiful wooden high altar, skilfully carved in Renaissance style in 1636 – at a time when the Black Death raged through the valleys. The centre features a statue of St. Mary of Graces. Both for the population of the Badia valley and many pilgrims from the Pusteria valley, this picturesque temple remains a well-loved and much-visited place of pilgrimage.

The "Giant Stone" is an impressive dolomite boulder located along the trail from the Kids’ World towards the Brunstalm. According to an old legend, the giant Haunold dropped it here when it became too heavy to carry. At the site, visitors can read the fascinating tale of the Giant Stone – a magical spot for family hikes and lovers of legends.

You can find the legend here: cultural life | Olang-Valdaora

The romantic Castle ruin Rafenstein rises high above the city of Bolzano at the entrace of Sarentino Valley. 

The milestone of the roman emperors Septimus Severus, Caracalla end Geta was found in 1928 to the west of the village of Casteldane- Italy in the vicinity of the “Hinterbühel” and was inserted in a country wall. The Roman road passes the milestone (made of local quartz phyllite), which has the following dimensions: Over-all height: 1.95 m Top circumference: 1.54 m Central circumference: 1.71 m Bottom circumference: 1.89 m The engraved surface measures 82 cm in height and 74 cm in width: the average height of the letters is 4 cm. The milestone dates back to 201 AD and indicates the distance from Aguntum, a roman town close to the modern city of Lienz-Austria. Starting point: Kiens (782 m) at the tourist office; parking facilities nearby, bus stop. Cross the main road (state road SS 49), and between the Gasthof Gatterer (inn) and the Sparkasse bank building head south down to the bridge across the River Rienz. Walk over the bridge and through the railway underpass and now always follow the No. 5 blue-and-white trail markers: first walk east for about 300 m, then turn south and proceed on that path until you reach the first houses of Ehrenburg. From there continue on the tarmac road for about 100 m as far as the turn-off for the “Straße am Römerstein” (road). Now proceed in a westerly direction, always following the No. 5 blue-and-white markers to the milestone. From there initially keep heading west and subsequently take the track which runs north until you reach the road which runs parallel to the railway lines. From there walk east back to the Rienz bridge and to the starting point. Total walking time: about 1 ½ hours Standard: easy Summary: This walk is especially interesting from a botanical point of view since the vegetation is rich and varied.

Two churches overlook the Piazza Cappuccini.
One is the Church Cappuccini and the other the Church of Santo Spirito.