Bezienswaardigheden in Zuid-Tirol

Campofosso Lake is also a deep blue alpine lake (2.439m) with a legendary story: once upon a time there was a beautiful, green meadow in the Campofosso area. This was the property of the richest farmer in the village of Terento. A young shepherd, with eyes as blue as gentian, used to live here. One day, the only daughter of the farmer brought his lunch up to him. When she looked into his eyes she fell in love. He fell in love too. Some time went by, but the farmer's daughter did not visit the shepherd again. One day, the farm labourer brought lunch up to the alpine pasture and informed the shepherd about the upcoming farmers' daughter's wedding. The shepherd was petrified and the mountain trolls provoked a storm. Instead of the alpine hut, the farmers' daughter found a lake, as blue as the eyes of the shepherd.

The justice palace, built in 1939 on architect Paolo Rossi´s project, tower over financial buildings; the bas-relief it sports is of Hans Piffrader. At the centre of the square the Naiads Fountain of 1960.

Around the village of Teis, from the bottom of the Villnöss valley to the Haube mountain at 1260 m above sea level, you can find a line of partly uncovered and partly hidden trenches, shelters and caverns. These are the remains of the extensive fortifications built as part of the “Barricade of Klausen/Chiusa” at the beginning of the First World War. Over the course of the last century, the trenches have been partly destroyed by human activities and partly reclaimed by nature. A group of locals has taken on the task of investigating the history of these fortifications more closely, preserving them and making them accessible to the public.

Growing on the west side of Unterweirachhof farm is an approximately 250-year-old vine of the Weißer Heunischer grape variety, which has been placed under protection as a natural monument.

Tradition has it that this vine was destroyed by the French during the pillaging of the courtyard during the Napoleonic Wars in 1809. When the farm was rebuilt in 1810, the vine began to sprout again. The base of the grapevine has a circumference of 106 cm.

This formerly widespread grape varietal can now be found almost solely on old stock located on the viticultural fringes. Since it is a winter-hardy variety, it is also said: “From loden skirts and the Heunischer vine, Tyroleans shall never part.”

The Fachschule für Obst-, Wein- und Gartenbau Laimburg (College for Fruit, Wine and Horticulture) used seedlings of this Heunischer to include them in the collection of old grape varieties.

The Vigilius/Blasiuskirche church in Morter is of pre-roman origin and it ranks among the oldest and most important religious buildings in the Venostaregion. Its "oriental" appearing architecture is particularly striking, while the consecration inscription reveals the year 1080. The church is one of the cultural centres of the “Stairway to Heaven” project.

The key can be collected from the hotel at MARTIN's in Morter 
+39 0473 742 049

Once upon a time on a hilly knoll in St. Valentin, a bull began to scratch and scrabble in the ground. It delved all day long without rest until a wanderer chanced along the way. As he came closer, he saw the crown of an enormous bell. The bell was then hung in the church of St. Valentin. And from that day on, the bell was known as "The St. Valentin bull", forever to be feared and hated by witches, as its toll dispels their storms. In Latzfons, further up and to the right in the Eisack valley, the following bell-tale is well known: In days gone by, the local people wanted to move the bell from St. Pauls to Kastelruth. Having failed to move it from its spot even with 40 pairs of oxen heaving, the bell suddenly began to speak: Maria Anna is my name The elements, my domain All the weathers I proclaim And in St. Paul´s I will remain. And there, indeed, she remained!

To be able to irrigate the dry valley of the Sun-mountain then, one led the water in larch-wood-gutters on high wall-pier over house roofs and over the river Etsch away on the opposite valley-side.

Water is, without doubt, one of the most important natural elements in the Texel Group Nature Park. It runs off nearby glaciers and bubbles up from deep underground springs to fill many crystal-clear streams and lakes. The Partschins waterfall is one of the most impressive falls in the Alpine region.

The thundering water shoots out over a towering rock wall and thunders, rages and roars downwards like a "liquid curtain”. The sun’s rays shine on the drops of water making a fascinating myriad of rainbow colours. The 97 mt. high falls are at their best from May to July, when they swell with melted snow water, or after heavy rain storms (water capacity 4,000 – 10,000 per second). Water in all its mighty, majestic forms – the Partschins waterfall is an absolute must, especially around the end of March to the beginning of April when the snow starts to melt and the falls reach a 50 to 60 lt. per second capacity, at the end of April with an average 100 to 200 lt. per second or the end of May with records of between 350 to 500 lt. per second.

The falls reach their full weight with melted snow from mid-May to the end of June or beginning of July with 5,000 to 6,000 lt. of water crashing over them. The most impressive sight of all was seen in July 1989 when an estimated 10,000 lt. per second went hurtling its way towards the valley.

Alpine Health: The high level of humidity found at the waterfall has an extremely beneficial, refreshing and re-vitalising effect on our body, helps improve the circulation of air in our lungs and boosts our immune system. The “WATERFALL CURE” is recommended as a means of combatting the effects of air pollution as well as for itscleansing action on the breathing mucous membranes. The Partschins waterfall is known to have an exceptionally high concentration of so-called oxygen-ions, estimated at an incredible figure of 50,000 per sq: cm. These particular oxygen-ions are present in our homes as 100 ions pro cm³, 200 ions in town and city air, and 5,000 in mountain and seaside regions. You can either walk up to the bottom of the Partschins waterfall from the village centre in about 1,5 hoursor take the bus line 265. A well-marked, safe path then leads up to a viewing platform with a fantastic panorama out over the nearby valley and imposing mountain peaks.

The Partschins waterfall is fed by various side streams and other smaller falls all along its 8km. journey on through a steep gorge. The watershed of the Texel Nature Park, which is completely encircled by the Merano High Path, totals some 25 sq. km. and includes the highest peak of the Partschins/Parcines area, the Roteck peak at 3,337 mt.

The falls are most swollen at about 20.00 by which time the run-off water from various mountain streams and little lakes, which takes five hours to reach the main stream, has found its way to the waterfall. The water volume decreases during the night.

The sulphur springs are located at the Tirler on the Seiser Alm. They are a geological natural monument. There are two springs that emerge at the upper edge of a marshy forest seal. At the larger spring there is a wooden fountain from which you can drink. The water is not poisonous, on the contrary, it has a purifying effect. The water is not tasty, because it smells like rotten eggs. The water has whitened those objects that are in the springs.

Marienberg Abbey above Burgeis/ Burgusio dates back to the 12th Century. The highest located Benedictine abbey in Europe is situated at an altitude of 1,340 m a.s.l., since 900 years monks live here according to the rules of Saint Benedict of Nursia. Today, the main hall displays impressions about the daily life of the monks marked by Benedict's credo ora et labora. The exhibition displays also beautiful paintings such as the Romanesque Crypt frescoe with its unique depiction of angels.

Special exhibitions:

- Marienberg in front of and behind the lens
- Maria

Guided Tours
All information about guided tours and timetables can be found at https://www.marienberg.it/en/museum/guided-tours.html.

East of Aicha at an altitude of 700 m, lies the Köstental chestnut orchard in a conservation zone. During the Medieval Period, the chestnut (also known as the poor man’s bread) was a staple food of the population, but nowadays it is a soughtafter delicacy forming part of the classical South Tyrolean cuisine. Today, the traditional fruit is a rarity in the South Tyrolean cuisine and the highlight of the traditional Törggelen in the Eisacktal Valley.

The famous landmark of Sterzing, the city tower, is widely known as “Zwölferturm”. Its name is attributed to the fact that its bell rings the citizens for lunchbreak. Consisting of gray granite blocks from the area, it was erected over the city gate from 1468 to 1472 according to the design of Hans Feur. Two marble tablets above the archway remind us of the laying of the foundation stone by the Duke Sigismund of Austria back in 1469. It became a symbol of the economic and cultural boom in the city in the north of South Tyrol and has established itself to this day as the symbol for the city of Sterzing. 

At certain events, the tower can also be visited also from the inside, e.g. during the Cristmas Market, in summer during the lantern parties or at the famous dumpling festival ("Knödelfest"). 

The old Lasa Stinkabrunn Sulphur Spring was officially opened on 4th September 2011, after extensive renovations. The water is bacterially clean and rich in mineral content and is therefore well-suited to those with digestive, liver and skin-related ailments.

The mystical place: "ZirmtalerSee"aboveKastelbell
Itinerary:ParkingSchartegg(1490m) - path number4- path number18A-Altalm- path number18-path number 18A-ZirmtalAlm/ZirmtalLake(2119m), 2hours 15 minutes-moderate hikeor parking Alte Säge (1498m) - path number7-MarzonerAlm-MarzonerAlm- path number18-ZirmtalAlm/Zirmtallake(2119m), 2hours -moderate hike

High above the San Lugano Pass there are the ruins of Austrian trenches.

The Ursuline Gate is located near the Ursuline Church at the western entrance of the "Stadtgasse". It was enlarged in 1758 to allow a large fountain to be transported into the town. The fresco was designed by Johannes of Bruneck in about 1420.

Natural spectacles awaken the curiosity and fantasy of kids. In Lana and its surroundings you can not only find phenomenal mountains, but also waterfalls, that can easily be reached via short hiking paths. The whole family will enjoy a visit to the waterfall at the Brandiswaalweg.

The Marian Sanctuary is located in the village of Senale in the region of Alta Val di Non. Various legends surround this place of pilgrimage, on of the oldest of South Tyrol.

On 1.184 the first stone of  the Sanctuary was placed. On 1.432 the church was enlarged, to get the present shape. At the beginning of XIV century the pilgrims flow, decreased, so the convent, attached to the hospice, lost its independence, then to belong to Augustinian order of Gries, Bolzano.

The idyllic mountain lake, situated at 2252 metres above sea level, lies in a deep natural basin surrounded by the rugged cliffs of the Sella Group. The lake can be reached from the top station of the Boé cable car in just 20 minutes on an easy footpath. Those who want to walk a little longer can reach the Franz Kostner hut on the Vallon from Lake Boé on path no. 638.

Prato allo Stelvio  was and still is marked by a continuous changing. As a living organisms it is drawing itself through the history. People come and go, the buildings crumbles and there are built new ones. The forces of nature continue shaping the landscape. Also wars and catastrophes didn’t spare the peaceful place at the road of Passo dello Stelvio.

Something is lasting. The building of historic value have been listed on a historic register; the churches testify the architecture of the past; customs are kept alive. Memories are preserved and kept alive for future inhabitants and visitors of our place.

An important role have for this the historic village points, that are distributed among  whole Prato. They help us to understand our place  with its history at the bottom of the National park of Passo dello Stelvio.

Tree showers, water wheels and a raft, these are just some of the attractions that make Schwemmalm Adventure Pond the ideal destination for the whole family, guaranteeing fun and excitement for the young ones.

The pond is a natural playground oasis for children and adults alike, and with its diverse habitat, blends harmoniously into the Schwemmalm landscape. Wooden tables and chairs ensure that this natural children's playground is also a real place for parents to relax on the meadows while the kids experience pond adventure.

To the Valdaun creek to the gorge "Gurgl". The creek has here broken through the rock and a waterfall rushes down about 20-25 m. The hike in the shady Stelvio National Park is especially recommended on hot summe days.

In the area of the station you can already see the marble blocks weighing several tons, which are processed in the marble factory of the company Lasa Marmo.

In the world of marble and in the whole place one finds the white stone: sculptures, buildings and even marble sidewalks - at sculptor workshops and at the technical school for stone-treatment.

Lasa marble is not only popular in South Tyrol, as in the Silandro Hospital and Bolzano Concert Hall, but worldwide - to marvel at the World Trade Center Transportation Hub.

The world of marble can be discovered during guided tours and hikes.
www.marmorplus.it

The historical museum dedicated to the First World War is located on the summit of Monte Piana, a place that also offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, including the iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo.

As the border between Italy and the Habsburg monarchy of Austria-Hungary crossed Monte Piana, during the war this peak (2,324 metres high) became the scene of intense fighting between the Italians and Austrians, both eager to control this strategic position. The northern peak was occupied by the Austrians, while the southern one was under Italian control. The positions, trenches and tunnels of both fronts were only a few metres apart, making the location an extremely bloody battlefield.

The 14,000 soldiers who lost their lives during these battles are now buried in the Sorgenti War Cemetery. For two years, a bloody positional war was fought, which, however, did not lead to a decisive breakthrough in the conflict.             

The "Human Shapes" project is a tribute to ten personalities from the past, who made a significant contribution to Merano’s cultural life during the course of their lives. The project embraced a wide temporal arch. It draws back to the theme of the plastic representation of the human shape, although it supports a free interpretation through contemporary art’s expressive means. The "Human Shapes" project has given life to an open-air art gallery along the Passer Promenade, between the Theater Bridge and the Iron Bridge. Every year, three to four busts of influential personalities were created.
Find out more at www.kunstmeranoarte.org

St. Karpophorus Church in Tarres was taken over between 1212-1214 as a gift from Emperor Friedrich who was in possession of the German Order of Knights. The church tower, which was spared from being converted at a later stage, is probably the most beautiful of all of the structured roman towers in the Venosta region. The church forms part of the “Stairway to Heaven” project.

The church can be visited on request on Thursdays from 1.30 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. 

Wild stories are around the Radlsee. Is it actually connected underground to Lake Durnholzer and the Mediterranean? Is it really a wheel of devouring and gauntlet-bearing sea:

The eponymous bronze statue were built on the "Raida dl luech" walk in S. Cristina. The project is the result of a competition backed by the partnership between S. Cristina, the Tourist Association and the S. Cristina Art Sculpture Association to embellish the "Raida dl luech" and to o emphasize the importance and value of artistic activity in Val Gardena. The bronze statue freerider was built in 2012 near the Cisles Street in S. Cristina.

The Carnic mountain ridge appears almost insignificant compared to the stately Dolomite rock towers on the opposite side of the Sesto valley. But this impression is deceiving! From Sesto, you can not only reach the Tre Cime Dolomiti, a popular and panoramic hiking and skiing area, but also the western foothills of a mountain range that stretches for over 100 km, almost to Villach in Carinthia. Interesting detail: The Carnic Alps were formed long before the Dolomites. Numerous fossil finds indicate a turbulent, geological past. However, the mountain range also has great historical importance, as it forms part of the Italian-Austrian border. Those who want to experience a border passing on high tracks can walk from the Monte Elmo peak (2,434 m) past the Helmhaus and along the ridge - with their left foot in Austria and the right one in Italy. This is also the starting point of the popular Carnic high route, also called the "peace route", which leads in eight to eleven days of walking to Arnoldstein in Carinthia.

Do not miss out! The 3 Zinnen Dolomites mountain cable cars organise spectacular sunrise walks to the Elmo peak during the summer months. Celebrate the dawn of the day with a mountain experience to satisfy all your senses!

Marvel the impressive spectacle of the Lappach Klamm above Lappach/Lappago. Feel the cooling freshness on your skin, breathe in the pleasant fresh air and admire the colorful light reflections when the sun shines.