Bezienswaardigheden in Zuid-Tirol

biotope with a special animals and plants - descriptions during the walk

31 August 2012 marked exactly one hundred years since the Mount Vigiljoch cable car made its maiden voyage, the world's third suspended cable car approved for passengers. To mark this anniversary and beyond the cable car monument remembers this technological breakthrough.

In Lana, at the roundabout of Meranerstrasse / Ultnerstrasse streets, looking down to the station towards the valley, one of the decommissioned cabins of the Monte S. Vigilio cable car, still functioning today according to the latest safety standards, serves as an all-around visible eye-catcher.

The Lana Monte S. Vigilio Cable Car

As the world's third suspended cable car approved for passengers, in 1912 the cable car on Monte S. Vigilio made history. Today, rebuilt according to modern safety standards, the cable car is a technical monument of national importance.

Since the company of the Monte S. Vigilio cable car tried already in 1912 to attain a refined artistic impression, it proclaimed Gustav Birkenstaedt as the artistic consultant to the company, which included, beyond the cable car, also the planned “high colony” (Höhenkolonie). As a result, Birkenstaedt developed the plans for the mountain hotel located near the mountain station and for a holiday house model that proved influential for the emerging residential area.

In 2008 the cable car once again underwent a general refurbishment. New cabins allow passenger transportation today without accompaniment in the cabin, and a video surveillance system ensures maximum safety. The journey from Lana to Monte S. Vigilio (1,486 m above sea level) takes 8 minutes.

The imposing ruins of Lichtenberg Castle are a landmark with centuries of history. The castle was built in the 12th century by the Bishop of Chur and later passed to the Counts of Tyrol. It once served as a fortified residence. Today, the castle is largely in ruins, but its impressive silhouette still dominates the landscape.

A visit to the ruins transports visitors back to the time of knights and nobility. The mighty walls of the large palace with its well-preserved window openings give an idea of how magnificent the castle once was. The view over the valley is particularly fascinating – a perfect photo opportunity!

The castle ruins are easily accessible on foot. A short but rewarding hike starts in Prad am Stilfserjoch or in the district of Lichtenberg and leads through picturesque paths up to the ruins. Mountain bikers also use the route as part of their tours through the Vinschgau Valley.

Those interested in history can visit Churburg Castle in Schluderns or the Vinschgau Museum to learn more about the Middle Ages and the noble families of the region.



The Lichtenberg Castle ruins are an ideal place for nature and culture lovers. Whether as a hiking destination, photo spot or historic retreat, a visit is worthwhile in every season!

This large stone from the Bronze Age can be found along the Grauner Weg, but unfortunately, its original place of origin is not known. Its many engraved symbols are still a mystery today.

Stone of mica schist with 53 sunken bowls. They point to ancient sacrificial and cult ceremonies. Furthermore, two ships and a
Swastika can be seen (a sun). These type of stones ​​date back to the Bronze Age. The remaining symbols may have been engraved
later. The exact location where it was found in Graun is unknown.

Just below Stuls/Stulles, the third highest waterfall in Europe, cascades down a drop of 112m and then another 230m.
It can be seen from Breiteben/Pianlargo, from the road to Timmelsjoch mountain pass or from the trail Passer Gorge.

The artificial pond at Teis is ideal for relaxing. It is situated amidst meadows and a circular trail (suitable for baby carriages and wheelchairs) will take you around this pond. Benches and a fountain with drinking water invite to take a rest and boulders on the eastern side of the pond stand witness to the area's geological history.

The landmark of the village Trodena/Truden at the Nature Park, the 600 year old linden, in the Monte Corno Nature Park.

Since 2000, the world's largest nativity scene has been displayed in the Iman Sports Centre in S. Cristina. The project is beeing carried out by a group of 18 sculptors. It was initiated in 1998 with the first statue being that of the Holy Mary with Baby Jesus. Creativity, sensibility, sense of art and skill fostered the idea: St. Joseph, the Magi, a shepherd, a donkey, three sheep, an Angel and a camel are now part of the scene, and the family continues to grow year after year.

The old Lippa sawmill from the 19th century is located in Oberolang, in an easily accessible location in the immediate vicinity of the Val Pusteria cycle path and the Olang nature and culture trail. It is the last remaining Venetian sawmill, which was restored and put back into operation in 2011 after it was last used in 1958. It is a unique testimony to the history of the Val Pusteria timber industry.

Guided tours are only possible in SUMMER! For more information, please contact the Valdaora/Olang tourist office.

St. Nicholas’s Church in Laces is a Romanesque church from the 14th century. Formerly it belonged to the monastery of Laces, now it belongs to the municipality of Laces. The remains of the frescoes by the southern front of the church, which portray the crucifixion of St. Nicholas and St. Christopher, are well worth a look.

Since 2017 it is exibition place of the menhir: the top and bottom parts as well parts of the left upper side of the 107 cm high, 77 cm wide and 12 cm thick stone are missing. It was probably originally located around where the current church stands on the hill and would thus have been visible from afar. As well as the iconic features common to all the male engraved stones from the Etsch valley group, such as scalloped belts, axes, daggers, clubs, bows, various decorative elements and fringed capes, elements are present that belong to the Lombardy group from Val Camonica and Valtellina, such as suns, deer and stylised male figure. Thus the Laces standing stone is great proof of the ancient connection of the Vinschgau and the Etsch valley and the valleys of north-eastern Lombardy.

The church is open daily from 09 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The limekiln in Andriano is a kind of kiln where in the past people used to produce quicklime from limestone.

It is one of the most striking skylines created by nature – the unique Sesto Sun Dial mountains. The Dolomite peaks number Nine, Ten (Croda Rossa di Sesto), Eleven, Twelve and One tower high above Sesto and jointly form the imposing stone clockwork. The position of the sun above these peaks can be used to determine the time on clear winter days. And: The Sesto Sun Dial also offers continuous new incentive and stimulation to challenge new records and to go beyond one’s personal limits – or even beyond the limits of the imaginable. The people of Sesto are really creative in this context! Greti Rogger, the innkeeper at the Pian di Cengia hut, and her son Daniel have managed to climb all five peaks of the Sun Dial on a single day. It is hard to imagine a more intense race against time! Insider hint: The best place and time to watch the sun above the Sesto Sun Dial is the main road between Moso and the Congress Hall “Haus Sexten” – in winter! This is when the sun dial will match the time of day rather well.

In 1776, Empress Maria Theresa of Austria built a masonry embankment in Lagundo near Merano. This was meant to serve as protective bulwark against flooding of the Adige River. This masonry can still be visited today. Not far away, on the left bank of the river, are the ruins of an ancient imperial Roman road bridge along the route of the original "Via Claudia Augusta". Construction of the bridge dates to the first century AD. Today, the ruins of the bridge have the status of protected monuments. At the head of the bridge there is also a small shrine and chapel.

Historical restoration of the electric locomotive in Burgstall
A restoration of the historic electric locomotive in Burgstall has been done. The locomotive, once located in the ruined carriage house at the old bus station in Lana, has been placed near the train station Lana-Burgstall and the Adige bridge.

The restored iron truss bridge of the Water Protection Office together with the wicker dome and the locomotive give a round picture of South Tyrol's technical culture.

The St. Valentin church surrounded by meadows and fields, with the Schlern massif in the background, the small church of St. Valentin offers a real idyllic scene. The construction is of great historical and artistic value with precious frescos from the 14th and the 15th century. A peculiarity (among others): the painter has tried to include the local landscape as background in its representation of the three Kings.

The Montelbon manor house with its façade fresco (Maria Hilf) and round-arched passage is situated in the centre of the village of Partschins.
Uphill from it a medieval curtain wall still exists today with an arched gateway. The building is a protected monument.

Some time ago, during work to repair windows on the first floor of the manor, the top part of an inscription stone made of white marble was found. For a long time nobody could explain its meaning, and therefore the stone was left lying in the house unnoticed. In 1954 a second stone was found in the dairy opposite. This proved to be the second part of the inscription stone, which fitted exactly below the top section. 

The inscription on the Roman era votive stone is difficult to read and incompletely preserved. For this reason, its exact meaning is a matter of interpretation. For example, it might be that the words on the so-called “beneficarius stone” refer to a private working for a financial or customs procurator. Equally, it might be about an assistant beneficarius. In the Roman Empire, beneficarii exercised a role resembling that of a police officer. The beneficarius, who was answerable to the governor of the Province of Raetia, could have been stationed in Partschins and responsible for checking the traffic, as well as for maintaining the Via Claudia Augusta. This might be proof of the possibility that the Rhaetian-Italic border ran to the south/east of Partschins. However these interpretations remain open to question. (Cf. Kaufmann, 2018, p. 50).

The Montelbon Votive Stone is on display in Merano Municipal Museum. The building is privately owned and the inside is not open to visitors.

About an hour from Seis am Schlern you will find the ruins of Hauenstein on an enormous mountain slope. These ruins were once home to poet and singer Oswald von Wolkenstein, and every so often in the quiet of the night, one can hear the sounds of violins and the mournful song of a maiden who is said to have been bewitched there. Late one evening, shepherds were guarding their flocks around the castle. They sat to rest at the entrance to the castle and recounted one tale after another. All of a sudden, they sensed that somebody in the castle had opened a window. They looked up and saw, through the shimmering light of the open window, a woman combing her long hair. Her head, however, was but a skull, and the shepherds blood curdled at the sight of such beautiful hair growing from a head so fearsome. The woman threw stones and sand at the flock of sheep, who ran in terror. It's believed that the skeleton is the wife of a banished knight, destined to roam the castle until the return of her lost spouse.

AVIA – Lumberjack Trail from San Genesio village centre to Avigna, and on to the Mezzavia in the Sarentino Valley.
9 interactive stations themed around timber felling and wood processing and the prehistory of the village of Afing will be inviting visitors of all ages to embark on an enthralling journey of discovery.

The St. Benedikt church of Mals was ercted in the 8th century A.D. Its Carolingian frescoes are among the earliest murals in central Europe. Originally, St. Benedict's did not have a tower; this was probably only built in the 12th century and therefore appears somewhat oversized. 
Without doubt, however, the two portraits of the founders are the most interesting. They show the Bishop of Chur and a Franconian landlord in traditional costume. This portrait is unique in Europe, as there is no comparable representation anywhere else. 

Opening hours summer 21.04.2025 - 31.10.2025:
Open to the public: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday from 10:00 - 11:30 am
Guided tours: Monday, Wednesday at 14:00, Friday at 10:00 (only in German language)
Prices: € 1.80 per person; with guided tour € 3.00 per person
Registration not required 

Opening hours winter 07.12.2024 - 15.03.2025:
Open: Saturday at 10:00 am
Price: € 1.80 per person
Registration not required 

Guided tours only in German or Italian language (Info: +39 0473 831190)

The church is closed on Sundays and public holidays.

At Hochhueben Hof farm in Partschins/Parcines, a feudal holding of the Salzburg Bishops dating to the 14th century, a Roman gravestone has been built into the front wall of the house on the right side next to the entrance. The officer Marcus Ulpius Primigenius of the customs station in Töll/Tell did this to immortalize his firstborn son Quintus Caecililus Eutropius, who died only 21 years and 11 months old.

The letters D.M. on the seal (Dis manibus– the gods of death) and the manner of execution of the lettering appear to date to the first half of the 2nd century AD.

Roman tombs and coins have also been found across the courtyard.

Lake Lago di Dobbiaco is situated at 1259 m in the Val di Landro which links Dobbiaco with Cortina. It is located in the Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park. The lake with its varied lakeside vegetation is the ideal resting and breeding place for many kinds of water birds, including those which breed in South Tyrol only rarely and infrequently. During the bird migration periods in the spring and the autumn several rare migratory birds can be spotted here.
Lake Dobbiaco is a safe and relatively undisturbed habitat and one of the few remaining wetlands in South Tyrol.

A nature discovery trail with 11 stations around the lake provides important informations on the vegetation, wildlife and geomorphology of the area. The viewing platform on the western shore offers a place to rest and views of the lake’s plants and wildlife and of the silted areas. Walking time approx. 2 hours from Dobbiaco.

In the summer the lake is refreshingly cool for tired feet. Boat trips (contact boat hire: +39 0474 973 267) and fishing are also recommended: fishing licenses for foreigners can be obtained from the Tourism Association Dobbiaco, day tickets in the restaurant by the lake.

In winter you can enjoy ice stick shooting, curling and ice skating.

Between the 3,337 m high Roteckspitze and the 3,254 m high Rotwand, the glacier "Roteck Ferner" extends in an easterly direction.
The former direction of flow of the glacier can be seen very clearly in the lateral moraines, which point in the direction of the Zieltal valley and are partly already overgrown with cushion vegetation and grasses. In the upper part of the cirque, the glacier is partly covered with metres of very large boulders. The rock that falls and is carried down the valley by the ice consists mainly of muscovite schist and paragneiss in this area. The Ferner used to have an ice surface of 50 ha, of which about 30 ha are left today.

Source: Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano ripartizione Natura, Paesaggio e Sviluppo del Territorio

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.

Das „Sebasn- Wallnöfer - Haus“ - Bp. 86 – Silberstraße  33 + 35   

 

Dieses altersgraue Wohnhaus ist integriertes Bindeglied inmitten einer vierfachen Gebäudereihe im Zentrum des Prader Altdorfes. Die eng aneinander gereihten Häuser und bäuerlichen Wirtschaftsgebäude spiegeln hier die rätoromanische Siedlungsstruktur am Ausgang des Mittelalters wider. Im speziellen Fall handelt es sich um einen zweigeteilten Baubestand aus der Zeit des 15. Jahrhunderts. An der westlichen Fassadenhälfte findet sich über dem Eingangsbereich zwischen zwei Fenstern ein von der Jahreszahl 1606 flankiertes  Sgraffito eines Andreaskreuzes. Jenes Symbols, welches den Lehensherrn und damit auch die Hausbesitzer als Getreue des Tiroler Landesfürsten auszeichnete. Während die linke Fassadenhälfte dekorative Fenster- und Eckbemalungen aufweist, fehlen solche hingegen in der rechtsseitigen, mit Ausnahme des genannten Sgraffitos gänzlich. Dies soll sich nach Auskunft des ehemaligen Bewohners Leo Reisigl (Jhg.1928) damit erklären, dass es auf rechter Seite ein rundbogiges Eingangstor zur dahinterliegenden Scheune gab und damit zum landwirtschaftlichen Bereich zählte. Demzufolge dürfte es sich auch bei diesem Baukörper im Prader Oberdorf um ein ehemaliges „Bündnerhaus“ handeln, dessen Wohnbereich man durch die im Rundbogentor eingebaute Tür erreichen konnte. Zudem soll man das linksseitige Obergeschoss über eine Außenstiege erreicht haben, deren Verlauf sich noch heute ausmachen lässt.

Als im Jahre 1775 der Besitz zur Besteuerung wiederholt aktenkundig wurde, waren Fliri Tafaser und Simon Wallnöfer Inhaber dieses gräflichen Grundbesitzes der Herren Khuen von Belasi zu Lichtenberg. Das Innenleben dieser „Grund-Lehens-Behausung“, wie sie in den Steuerfassionen von damals als konkrete Quelle genannt wird, bestand in einem tonnengewölbten Hausgang, zwei getäfelten Stuben, zwei Küchen, fünf Kammern und drei Keller. Zudem zählte ein 104 Klafter (374 m²) großer Krautgarten ebenso zur Besitzeinheit wie ein bäuerliches Wirtschaftsgebäude an Stadel und Stallung. Dieser einst an der Haus-Südseite angebaute Trakt fiel dem vom Nachbargebäude (heute Sprengelstützpunkt) ausgehenden Großbrand vom 20.- 21. September 1888 zum Opfer und wurde in der Folge an anderer Stelle (Bp.229) neu gebaut. In diese Zeit fällt sicherlich auch die Umstrukturierung des Eingangsbereiches mit einhergehender Neuausrichtung der zwei Besitzanteile. Wovon es damals die Familien des Josef und Franz Wallnöfer sowie jene des Eusebius Reisigl betraf, deren Nachkommen das Gebäude noch heute besitzen. Seit 1. Juni 1981 unterliegt das seit 2010 unbewohnt gebliebene Gebäude unter Denkmalschutz und harrt auf Restaurierung.

 

The mountain lake of Corzes/Kortsch is located in the traditional Schlandrauntal Valley, after the Schlanderser and Kortscher Alm alpine pastures. The Ötzisteig leads directly past the lake into the Schnalstal valley.

The western Lodner glacier is located between the Lodnerspitze (3,228) in the south and the Hohe Weiße (3,278) in the north. 
About 20 years ago, the glacier extended from a height of 2,780 m to a height of 3,180 m and covered an area of 25 ha.
In recent years, this glacier has also receded considerably and no longer reaches these dimensions. Today, the glacier extends from about 2,855 m to 3,030 m. The only larger ice field that can be seen is about 200 m x 200 m, which is an area of 4 ha. In former times, the northern flank of the Lodnerspitze (3,228) was covered with ice all the way to the peak, but today only three or four small ice fields remain as reminders of this.
Four to five smaller ice fields can still be seen on the southern flank of the Hohe Weiße (3,278). The rest of the ice is covered with rocks that fall from the wall.

Source: Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano ripartizione Natura, Paesaggio e Sviluppo del Territorio

Emma Hellensteiner (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.

One wrote the year 1494 as the young artist ALBRECHT DÜRER made a stop in Klausen during his Italy journey. Today a beautiful walk leads to these slopes from Klausen. From this promising place the painter drew the city of Klausen. The result of its feather was lost later, but a copper engraving "Das große Glück" ( the great fortune) is delivered: Klausen calls itself also the "Small Dürer Town": Who wants to visit this place, goes today to the "Dürerstein".

Pojer Waterfall in Luttach/Lutago – A pure nature experience!

Experience the impressive power of nature up close at the Pojer Waterfall in Luttach/Luttach. This picturesque waterfall offers not only a breathtaking backdrop but also a refreshing retreat in the heart of nature.

Enjoy the soothing sound of the water and let yourself be enchanted by the untouched beauty of the surroundings. The trail leading to the waterfall takes you through an idyllic landscape – perfect for a hike or a relaxing walk.

A natural wonder you shouldn’t miss – come and experience the Pojer Waterfall!

An impressive drama of nature is offered by the three Rio di Riva waterfalls which can be reached starting out from the hamlet of Bad Winkel. The Rio di Riva waterfalls are located in the Vedrette di Ries-Aurina Nature Park and offer an impressive view of nature above all else in the summer. Fed by melted snow, the Rio di Riva plunges in three cascades over the rock cliffs into the depths, making it possible for visitors to experience the power of water with all of their senses. 

The St. Francis'Path with the 10 meditational spots lines the path of the Reinbach waterfalls up to the Franziskus and Klara chapel.

Walking time from the starting point "car park Cantuccio/Winkel; Wasserfallbar":

- until the 1st waterfall approx. 20 minutes - 40 m altitude difference -
        up to the 1st waterfall suitable for baby stroller

- o until the 2nd waterfall approx. 40 minutes - 140 m altitude difference

- o until the 3st waterfall approx. 55 minutes - 170 m altitude difference -
        from here you can return with the Fly-Line possible www.fly-line-wasserfall.eu

- o until the Franziskus and Klara chapel approx. 75 minutes - 300 m altitude difference

Way back:

For the way back you can use the same trail or from Gasthof Tobelhof (near 3rd waterfall) on the hiking trail 2A in the direction of Sand in Taufers back to the starting