Bezienswaardigheden in Zuid-Tirol

The defense Plamort (plan mort = dead ground) covers an area of ​​about 1 square kilometer at an altitude of about 2050 m. A special feature is the tank barrier with a length of about 250 m and their so-called dragon teeth. Categories: culture,

The railway line Verona-Bolzano was completed during the first half of the 20th century, while the railway Station dates back to 1928 and is the project of Angelo Mazzoni, with different allegorical sculptural contributions by Franz Ehrenhöfer (representing electricity, steam and rivers). The "Frog Fountain" right opposite the Station was rebuilt following the original design of 1930, following its destruction after the bombings of WWII.

In the heart of Merano’s green oasis – nestled between the Passer River and swaying palms – stands a graceful marble figure on a pedestal: the statue of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, affectionately known as “Sisi.” Few individuals have shaped Merano’s history as profoundly as she did. Without Sisi, the town may never have blossomed into the celebrated spa destination that continues to charm visitors from around the globe.

When Empress Elisabeth first came to Merano for a health cure in 1870, the town was still a quiet and somewhat undiscovered retreat. Famous for her beauty, wanderlust, and deep affinity for nature, the Empress sought a gentle climate and healing air – and found them both in Merano. Her presence quickly made headlines. Wherever Sisi stayed, Europe’s high society followed. Soon, aristocrats, artists, and intellectuals arrived, hotels and sanatoriums flourished, and Merano entered a golden age of cultural and economic prosperity.

Elisabeth Park was created in 1903 in her honor – a serene retreat along the Passer River that still retains its romantic charm. Amidst manicured flowerbeds and shaded pathways, the statue – crafted by artist Hermann Klotz – has stood since the park’s inception. It depicts Sisi with refined elegance: draped in a delicate veil, her posture poised yet gentle, surrounded by an atmosphere that still whispers of imperial grace.

What sets this statue apart is its subtle realism. Unlike many idealized portrayals of the Empress, this depiction is tender and introspective. Sisi appears thoughtful – almost vulnerable –, a portrayal that may come closer to the woman she truly was than the glorified images found elsewhere.

Interesting Insights

• Sculptor Hermann Klotz designed the statue so that Sisi gazes toward the majestic mountains – a quiet tribute to her deep love for nature and the Alps.
• Today, Elisabeth Park offers not only historical depth but also a tranquil space to unwind: whether on a shaded bench beneath old trees or strolling the riverside promenade, visitors are accompanied by the gentle murmur of the Passer and a sense of timeless elegance.
• In spring, the park becomes especially enchanting: blooming magnolias and camellias fill the air with fragrance, making it a beloved spot for both locals and guests.

A walk through Elisabeth Park is like stepping back in time – where the refined elegance of the Belle Époque meets the relaxed rhythm of South Tyrol. Anyone visiting Merano should pause by the Sisi statue – and perhaps carry away a touch of the inspiration that once so deeply stirred the Empress herself.

In the Avisio River they experience an unforgettable adventure in the midst of nature with the rafting team!

Once you are here, take a hike through the Sommersürs biotope, also called Samesirs, located in a basin between the villages of Naz and Fiumes/Viums. The small habitat of little more than 2 hectares is a biotope of diverse fauna and flora. It is an invaluable refuge for numerous aquatic insects and birds, along with amphibians and reptiles. Cattail, sedge, and marsh clover populate the shallow lake shore.

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

The tour leads through the village of Natz and then turns right onto the Villages round trip [Dörferrunde] through the Fruhnwald forest up to the Waldertor viewpoint. Past Viums and the Viummer Kreuz cross, the route leads mainly through forest paths up to Schabs. Continue through the village trip through forest and later through orchards and then go left along the Villages round trip, up to the Flötscher Weiher pond. At the Seehof Hotel, cross the road and continue through meadows and woods, always
along the signposted road to Raas. Continue through the cultural grounds passing the water reservoir back to the street towards Natz. Follow the street to the right, at the Laugen sports field following the sign Dörferrunde. From here, the Villages round trip leads back to the starting point.

The Rittner Horn: The most beautiful viewpoint mountain of the Dolomites, UNESCO’s world natural heritage. At the beginning of the 20th century the famous mountaineer, Ludwig Purtscheller, enthused: “Whoever wants to take in Tyrol with one glance should climb these mountains.” He was right for on clear days visitors have an unbelievably beautiful panoramic view: from the giant glaciers of the Ortles and the Ötztaler Alps in the west to the legendary world of the Dolomites far in the east; from the Stubaier and Zillertal Alps in the north to the Presenella, to the Adamello and the Brenta Dolomites in the south. The Rittner Horn makes for an ideal excursion at any time of the year. Here you can go for a gentle walk or on more demanding and challenging hikes. The Rittner Horn is ideal for Family skiing in winter. A modern cable car makes the ascent easier. The peak is just about an hour away and nearly 200 metres in altitude difference from the mountain station of the Schwarzsee Spitze.

The "Stolpersteine" (stumbling stones) are a project by the Berlin artist Gunter Demnig that began in 1992. Small memorial plaques laid in the ground, these "Stolpersteine", are intended to commemorate the fate of people who were persecuted, murdered, deported, expelled or driven to suicide during the National Socialist era.

Hiking up to see the Stoanernen Mandln, which translates roughly to ‘Men of Stone’, is quite a popular excursion.

The stone men are located atop a remarkable knoll on Alpine pasture and tower at an elevation of 2,000 metres above the municipality of Tschögglberg mountain plateau, looking out over the Sarentino Alps. Human figures made of stone such as these can also be found in other parts of South Tyrol: they served as a landmark frequently or were simply built by shepherds to pass the time.

Prehistoric flint tools and stone carvings have been found at the Stoanernen Mandln, however, demonstrating that this stone knoll has served as a passage from the Adige Valley into the Sarentino Valley for millennia.

Mythology and Witchcraft:
Myriad tales are linked to this place. In early modern times, people believed witches met with the devil up there, celebrating wild festivals, changing the weather, and sending strong thunderstorms down into the valley.

Tip: Sunrise and sunset hikes.

The Versoaln vine at the vineyards near Katzenzungen Castle is the largest and probably oldest vine in the world. The foliage of the 360-year old vine rests on a traditional pergola of chestnut wood and measures 300 m².

First documented in 1159, the ruins were destroyed many times due to fires and battles, and have always been rebuilt. The castle ruin today bears the name “Sauschloss”, which literally translated means “pork/pig castle”, as according to a legend a pork was thrown out of the castle.

The ruins are only 15 minutes walk from the restaurant Noafer in Cologna/San Genesio.

Suldenbach

 

Der Suldenbach der im Prader Ortsteil Schmelz das enge Gebirgstal verlässt  und später in die Etsch mündet, setzt sich aus dem Trafoi- und Suldnerbach samt deren Nebengewässer zusammen und nennt sich nach dem größeren der beiden, Suldenbach. Dieser Wildbach, im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes, hat die Geschicke des Dorfes Prad und seiner Bewohner stets maßgeblich geprägt. Der Suldenbach, noch von unseren Vätern als der Teufel selbst genannt, war bis zu seiner endgültigen Verbauung im 19. und vor allem 20. Jahrhundert unberechenbar. In seiner Urgewalt, ständig laufwechselnd, hatte der verheerende Wildbach,  als Vollstrecker seiner Wut, den Bauern in Prad-Agums wiederholt auf Jahre die Hoffnung und den Böden die Fruchtbarkeit geraubt, indem er eine Unmenge von Steinen, Geröll und Sand zurückließ. Der Grundherr bzw. die Gerichtsbarkeit gewährte in solchen Fällen zwar einen Steuernachlass, aber weder den Ernte-Verlust noch die  Furcht vor neuen Schicksalsschlägen des Vinschgau weit größten Wildbaches konnten sie nicht ersetzen. Ungeachtet der Willkür dieser Naturgewalten, gab es mitunter auch solche von Menschhand selbst ausgelöste Katastrophen. Darunter fallen jene,

 

 

 

 

die durch das Holztriften aus den Wäldern des Trafoi- und Suldentals auf dem Suldenbach verursacht wurden. So berichtet uns eine “Kundschaftsurkunde“ vom 17. September 1517, dass zu „Unzeiten“ (unbeaufsichtigt) der Holzrechen auf „Beide Wasser“ (Gomagoi) brach. Dieser hatte die Aufgabe das „angewasserte Holz“ (ins Wasser betriebene Holzstämme) aufzuhalten. An die 2000 Baumstämme wurden auf einen Schlag fortgeschwemmt und erreichten schließlich Prad. Unter dem Dorf bei der „Tschengler prugkhen“ machte das Triftholz einen „Knopf“, der Bach wurde aufgestaut, der Runst eingesandet bis zu den hintersten Kalköfen in der „Schmelz“. Wasser und Holz traten über die Ufer, drangen in Haus und Feld und zerstörten alles was sich ihnen in den Weg stellte. Das Holzflößen, von Prad bewilligt vom Heilig-Kreuz-Tag (14. 9)  bis St. Jörgen-Tag (24.4.), verursachte stets eine Lockerung des Bergfußes sowie des Bachbettes selbst und war damit neben den Holz-Kahlschlägen Mitauslöser so manchen Unheils. Während die Lichtensteiner von Tschenglsberg als Grundherren für je 1000 Prügel, die auf dem Bache getriftet wurden, ein Pfund Pfeffer Zinsabgabe einforderten, blieb die ohnehin notorisch arme Bevölkerung bei Instandsetzung und Wiederaufbau von Flur und Haus zumeist auf sich gestellt.

Einer effizienten Bachverbauung standen hingegen nicht nur die Gemeinden von Mals, Tartsch und Glurns als Waldbesitzer im Trafoi- und Suldental, abgeneigt gegenüber, sondern natürlich auch die Kalkofen-Betreiber von Prad. Musste ihr Schlägerholz doch auf dem Wasserweg nach Prad transportiert werden. So blieb es der Bevölkerung von Prad-Agums überlassen, den Wassern des Suldenbaches, zumindest in Dorf-Nähe Einhalt zu gebieten. Allein die konstruktiven Maßnahmen  reichten zumeist nur vorübergehend aus, einem anschwellenden Bach hielten die primitiven Archen nicht Stand. Eine wirkungsvolle Verbauung konnte schließlich erst durch Errichtung von gemauerten Klausen und Uferschutzmauern unter Leitung des Tiroler Bauamtes zu Beginn des 20. Jahrhunderts erzielt werden. Letzte Baumaßnahmen am 1600 m lang regulierten Bachlauf fanden mit einem Kostenaufwand von 1,86 Mrd. Lire  in den Jahren von 1986 bis inklusive 1990 statt.

The roman miliary stone (201 a.C.) was found in 1958 by the Prugger brother while building the power station in Oberolang. The miliary stone stil reported the original incisions made by the roman Emperor Settimo Severo (193-211 a.C.) and his sonsCaracalla and Geta. Now the roman miliary stone is positioned near the Hotel Alte Goste in Oberolang/ Valdaora di Sopra.

The building techniques and the disposition of stones in layers let suppose that this little fortress was built around 1180. It is highly likely that the lords of the castle were the Counts of Tyrol. The last written documentation about the Helfenburg goes back to 1353.

Witches'spring: adventure path with the witch Curadina to the sulfur springs

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.

Castelfeder (from castello, the Italian word for castle) is nestled between the holiday villages on this strategically important porphyry hill. Castelfeder is a prehistoric and Roman as well as early medieval settlement characterized by the remnants of several structures and buildings on a large hilltop. It is a true place of energy and a popular destination for excursions, especially in spring. Today, sections of the encircling defensive wall with the well-known "Kuchelen" castle walls, and parts of the Barbara chapel from the 6th century can still be seen. In addition, the sunny Castelfeder hill fascinates with its unique and diverse flora. A special feature is the smoothly polished fertility chute carved in porphyry. It was a central component of an ancient cult. Rumor has it that even today sliding down it results in the arrival of a much yearned-for baby.

Over time, the stream Gaiderbach has cut deeply into the porphyry rock and formed a narrow, distinctive gorge with waterfalls. The gorge presents itself simply fascinating and breathtaking: the mossy rock faces, the power of the water, the species-rich vegetation (including ferns and various species of orchids) form an undisturbed interplay of nature.

The ice holes, also called ice cellars, are generally found in the Otradige, but also in Pontives/Laion three such ice cellars have been found. This is a rare natural phenomenon that can be explained by the physical principle of the wind tube. The warm summer air flows in the scree from the top to the bottom and is cooled down very much. The heavy cold air flows out of the "cellars" again and thus the surrounding area is also cooled very strongly. Ice forms on the rock surfaces. In the winter months, this system collapses as the conditions are reversed. The cellars were built over gaps in the ground and insulated from the outside. They look like small bunkers. 
The three ice cellars of Lajen are located in the Val Gardena valley at the turnoff to San Pietro in Valle. The largest one is located right next to the road and consists of two chambers. The two smaller ones are located in the forest.

Tiroler Platzl is one of the largest initiatives in the greater Tyrol region. The park in the center of Marling was redesigned as part of Tyrol’s 200th anniversary in 2009. Rocks from the respective parts of Tyrol and the historic map, which shows the greater Tyrol region, commemorate Tyrol’s common history.

The viewing platform at the Unterstell Cable Car mountain station extends outwards above the rock, offering a magnificent view of the Etschtal Valley and the Vinschgau
Valley. In late 2016, a new via ferrata was installed on the rockface just beneath the platform.

The "landmark" of the Cislesalpe is the Pieralongia, a small rock tower that broke off from the Fermeda walls at some point.A beautiful and peaceful place to rest, hike and marvel at.

At the end of the parking lot, pass the game reserve. Trail. n° 9 continues through the forest, along the ditch until it turns left crossing a small bridge over the waters of the glacier. The winding path continues up to three cascades, made up of water from the glacier, then descending to the flat section of the woodlands and back again to the starting point.

The idyllic Lech Sant (Ladin for ‘Holy Lake’) is the largest mountain lake on the Mastlé Alm. The meadow at the edge of the lake with a magnificent view on the Odle peaks invites you to linger and relax.

Due to its exposed position, Mont Pic is a wonderful panoramic mountain with views of the Sella, Sassolungo and Alpe di Siusi.

Emma Hellenstainer (23 April 1818 - 9 March 1904)

Emma Hellenstainer was a charismatic host, an excellent cook and a pioneer for tourism in the Alpine region. The “Schwarzer Adler” (Black Eagle), as the Hotel Emma was known then, became known far beyond the country’s borders. Her charm captivated guests from all over the world. Visitors from Germany, Great Britain, Italy - they all came to Villabassa because of the beautiful local landscape, but mainly because of Emma and her engaging personality.

As you stroll through Merano today, you can feel it everywhere – the legacy of a spa town steeped in history. At the center of this legacy stands the Historic Thermal Baths Merano: a place where health, science, and the elegance of refined living have long come together.
By the end of the 19th century, Merano had already earned acclaim as a haven of wellness. Its mild Alpine climate, pristine mountain air, and therapeutic treatments attracted nobles, artists, and intellectuals. But it was the opening of the Historic Thermal Baths in 1906 that marked Merano’s transformation into one of Central Europe’s most progressive health destinations. The concept was visionary: combining cutting-edge medical treatments with the stylish atmosphere of a spa resort.
Designed by architect Max Langheinrich, the building still impresses with its commanding dome and harmonious symmetry. A sweeping semicircular portico, supported by stately columns, adorns the façade – now the entrance to the Civic Hall. Inside, a broad, ornately decorated marble staircase leads to the upper floor. From the beginning, the building embodied the merging of scientific progress with the art of well-being. It housed state-of- the-art bath facilities, inhalation rooms, and light therapy equipment – alongside early innovations like an electric heating system, which was groundbreaking at the time.
Interesting Insights:
- The early days of the facility focused on the celebrated Merano Grape Cure – a wellness trend embraced by the European elite.
- The Historic Thermal Baths were architecturally and medically ahead of their time. Treatments addressed respiratory conditions, circulatory issues, and nervous disorders. Drinking therapies with mineral-rich spring water were especially popular – combining health with indulgence.
- The thermal complex also served as a social hub: mornings were devoted to treatments, while afternoons were spent promenading along the Passer or enjoying concerts at the nearby Kurhaus. Merano thus became synonymous with cultured living, medical sophistication, and restorative leisure.
A walk through Merano is incomplete without pausing at the Historic Thermal Baths. The building stands as a silent witness to how a small Alpine town made its way onto the grand stage of Europe – with a singular blend of natural healing, bold innovation, and timeless elegance.

At the instigation of the friends of the Austrian-Hungarian monarchy, local group Laces, the monument made of marble from Lasa, which was erected in 1908 and disappeared under mysterious circumstances in 1919, was replaced in 1994 by a valuable bronze bust from Prague. The monument commemorates the 60th anniversary of the reign of the penultimate Austrian-Hungarian Emperor, Franz Josef I of Habsburg Lorraine.

The circuit crosses the 4 Dolomite passes - Campolongo, Pordoi, Sella and Gardena - and 5 famous resorts: Corvara and Colfosco in Alta Badia, Arabba, Canazei and Selva di Val Gardena. In 2020, the Sellaronda was awarded the title of 'Best Ski Tour' by the portal skiresort.de.
Alta Badia is the ideal starting point to begin the tour, which can be done clockwise or anticlockwise: either way, you will cross 40 km of beauty and enchantment, surrounded by the extraordinary Dolomite landscapes.
Clockwise the signs are orange, anticlockwise green. 
The slopes are suitable for skiers of average experience in good physical condition. For those who wish to do something more daring, there are some 'disgressions', such as the Gran Risa giant slalom slope in La Villa in Alta Badia or the Saslong descent in Santa Cristina in Val Gardena. 
To complete the Sellaronda, leave about 6 hours to complete the tour, allowing enough time for ascents, descents and breaks.

Some data:

• Total length: 40 km (lifts and slopes)
• Slopes: 26 km
• Ascent time on the lifts: approx. 2 hours - calculate that waiting times are possible
• Average duration of descents: approx. 1.5 hours

The historic archades are the heart of the medieval Commercial centre, a title that it has conserved up to the present day, thanks to the unbroken chain of Shops which Stretch out before you, some traditional and typical and others more modern and elegant. The facades are a bright presentation of different architectural styles: the bay windows, the stucco decorations. The old Town Hall has some beautiful archways, which are expecially nice, which now houses the Headquarters of the Local History Archive, built with a ponted arch with some nice fresco decorations. The alleys which connect to the parallel streets are also interesting. Of special mention are those of the old Town Hall, now home to the Town Records Office, with pointed arches and pleasant decorative fresco effect. also of note are the alley which connect to the parallel streets that maintain the architectural style of the buildings around and abound in various activities (shops, warehouses, cellars, courtyards, workshops).

A Natural Monument!
The 82 m high waterfall is fed by the Möltner Brook. The path leads past the old Vilpiano's Wasserwaal from the 17th century. The water was once used to irrigate the fields.

Accessible by foot in ten minutes from the village center of Vilpiano.