Bezienswaardigheden in Zuid-Tirol

The Texelgruppe Nature Park, which encompasses more than 30,000 hectares, is the largest nature park in South Tyrol. It is situated between the Etschtal, Vinschgau, Schnalstal and Passeiertal valleys and the main chain of the Alps.

Some of the most beautiful hiking routes around Meran/Merano are located within this unique protected area. Examples include the Merano High Mountain Trail, which loops around the Texel Group over the course of several days, or the hike to the Spronser Seen lakes, one of the largest lake districts in Europe. The diverse geography and nature of the Texelgruppe Nature Park boasts deciduous and larch forests, high moors, blooming Alpine pastures, rugged rock faces, roaring streams, crystal-clear mountain lakes and panoramic peaks.

The Texelgruppe range boasts attractions beyond its diverse flora and fauna: the remains of prehistoric settlements, fortifications and places of worship demonstrate that mankind has long been attracted to this fantastic area. Neolithic engraved stones, "Ötzi the Iceman,” as well as the old ‘path of the dead’ from Pfelders/Plan to Dorf Tirol/Tirolo underscore the early presence of man in the Texelgruppe range area. In the late Middle Ages, due to the increase in population, farmsteads were operated year round up to an altitude of 2,000 metres. 

The Texelgruppe Nature Park is shared by the municipalities of Schnals/Senales, Naturns/Naturo, Partschins/Parcines, Algund/Lagundo, Dorf Tirol, Riffian/Rifiano, St. Martin in Passeier/San Martino in Passiria and Moos in Passeier/Moso in Passiria.

 

Father Joachim Haspinger, also called "The warlike Capuchin", was born in 1776 in Val Casies Valley. After completing his studies, he entered the Capuchin Order and in 1809 he participated in the Tyrolean battles for freedom. Alongside of Andreas Hofer he fought at the Bergisel against the French and Bavarian troops. In his honor, a monument was erected in the village square of his birthplace St. Martin.

Stadtgasse, the main shopping street in Bruneck, is fringed on both sides by picturesque houses, some of which still display ancient frescoes; the various gable structures are noteworthy.The buildings on Stadtgasse are exclusively residential, with shops and inns located on the ground floor.

Old watermill

At the entrance to the village there is an old water mill. The mill and its giant millstone is restored and fully functional - even the interior can be visited. The aim of the old water mill is to remind people of the ancient, significant profession of the miller and of the many mills, sawmills and forges that made usage of the streams until the last century

Piazza Walther/Waltherpaltz is the central quare of Bolzano. Thanks to its cafés and pretty shops it has become the front parlour of the town and it hosts many traditional events such as the Flower Market and the Christmas market.

It dates back to 1808 when it was named after Maximilian of Bavaria who had decreeded its construction. It then became "Johannesplatz" as a homage to the Archduke Johann of Austria and in 1901 changes ist name yet again to that of Walther von der Vogelweide (one of the most important German poets who lived between 1170 and 1230) and keeps it untile present date, except for a brief period between the two WWs, when it got named afer King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy.

Registered as a natural monument since 1979 with the Provincia Autonoma of Bolzano Department of Nature, Landscape and Spatial Development.

The reason for protection is the great age of the tree and its aesthetic peculiarity.
The chestnut is located directly at the Happichlhof (Happichl Inn) in Rabland/Rablà in Geroldstraße/Via Gerold and can be visited during a hike along the Rablander Waalweg/sentiero della roggia di Rablà (irrigation channel).

According to the owner, the roots reach under the adjacent barn of the Happichlhof (distance 10 m).

As a result of its free standing, it was able to develop unconfined.
The trunk divides into two main branches at a height of 6 m.

 

A rustic circular hiking trail along the Schwarzenbach/Rio Nero torrent to the waterfall offers a breathtaking natural spectacle offer. The "Katzenleiter" is a stone staircase consisting of 540 steps carved into the rock. The waterfall plunges into a 120-meter-deep gorge and offers a magnificent view of the entire south of South Tyrol all the way to Lake Kaltern. If you continue climbing the steps, you will reach the Brückenwirt inn in Montan/Montagna after a two-hour hike.

Ganglegg is the best-researched fortified Bronze-Age/Iron-Age Alpine settlement in the entire Alpine region.

The picturesque Castelbello Castle, first mentioned in 1238, was built by the Lords of Montalban. Majestically, it is situated on a cliff on the left bank of the Adige River. Because of its exposed position, the castle had to be protected by strong fortifications, which needed to be remodernized over the years. In 1813 and 1824, the castle was largely destroyed by fire. The Counts of Hendl rebuilt only a small part for residential purposes. At the end of a protracted court process held over decades between Count Siegmund von Hendl and the Republic of Italy for the possession of the castle, eventually a settlement was reached. This allowed the State to acquire the castle. The Castelbello Castle is the cultural center of the village. In addition to permanent exhibitions in Spring and Autumn, alternating art exhibitions take place here.
The building of the chapel followed in the late 13th or early 14th cent. The walls contain a frieze with the Twelve Apostles as well as texts from the Confession of Faith. Because the apostles are turned towards one another in pairs, the quotations are alternately written in plain and inverted script.

The small mountain lake "Blaue Lacke" is located in the basin of the Blaulackenkopf, the Kreuzspitze and the Texelspitze and lies at approx. 2915 m.
Size: approx. 105 x 65 m;
Colour: brownish-green, murky water;
The lake lies lonely and alone. At present only a small slope glacier remains.
It has changed a lot in the last 10 years and has shrunk considerably.

It is best reached from Katharinaberg, via the Schrofl-Hof, from there continue in the direction of the Mair-Alm, then take path no. 9 to the GinglJoch, which lies at 2938 m; now go left up over large stone slopes to the Blaulackenkopf (3163 m), from here the lake is clearly visible.

(Source: Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano / Ripartizione Natura, Paesaggio e Sviluppo del Territorio)

This wayside shrine is a beautiful and slender “tabernacle” with a pyramid-shaped roof. The four niches contain a cycle of paintings including the Madonna with the infant Jesus, Catherine and Margaret, the Mount of Olives, Wolfgang and Martin, a scene of the ascent to Calvary, Andrew and Leonard, the Crucifixion and the patron saints of the Taisten church, Ingenuin and Albuin. The frescoes are attributed to the Bruneck School of Painting (around 1460).

The Laranz Forest between Seis and Telfen is the quintessence of a mysterious fairytale forest: The trail through the forest is a gift of peace, strength and inner contemplation. Settlements had already been established on this hilly knoll in the days of Ötzi the Ice Man, and to this day we can still see the Wallburg fortresses of Gschlier and the pre-Christian sacrificial site at the Rungger Egg. The leisurely loop route leads through dappled pine forests to the Königswarte (the "King's Keep"), a spectacular lookout point. Shortly before the Lanzin farms the trail branches off into another loop route, which will take you to a further lookout point, the Katzenlochbühl.

These three larch trees, to be found near St. Gertraud in Ulten Valley, are considered to be the oldest conifers in Europe. Legend has it that these ancient larch trees are more than 2,000 years old.

The historic bridge of stone in the center of Prissiano (called "Stuanbogen") was first mentioned in 1308. By 1591 at the latest, the bridge was provided with a roof and was used to store the fire ladder.

Further information on the Old Stone Bridge in Prissian will be published here shortly.

The hill of St. Hippolyt in Naraun, a fraction of the municipality of Tisens/Tesimo, forms the highest point of the plateau. Due to its striking appearance and its breathtaking panoramic view, it is not only a popular destination for excursions, but has also radiated a special atmosphere on people since time immemorial. 

The first traces of settlement date back to the Neolithic Age, i.e. the 4th millennium BC. Since that time, the hill has been continuously settled or at least visited. In addition to small finds such as arrowheads, knives, garment clasps and various tools, numerous house foundations and an Iron Age fire sacrifice site from the 4th-2nd century BC have been found, giving us insight into the life and cults of the former inhabitants.

The numerous circular shells cut into the rock, so-called shell stones, still pose a mystery to us, and their function has not yet been clarified. Also puzzling is the scoring of a beautiful spiral that is hardly visible today. It is located on a rock slab ground smooth by the glacier near the pond at the foot of the hill (Narauner Weiher), directly on the path to the hill of St. Hippolyt. 

Today, the little church of St. Hippolyt, first mentioned in 1288 but certainly older, dominates the hilltop. It shows how much this place retained its mystical attraction for people even in Christian times, although other rituals took hold. 
One of these important rituals was certainly the weather ringing, the task of which the sacristan of St. Hippolyt had to fulfil. During heavy summer thunderstorms, however, the exposed nature of the hill repeatedly led to accidents, which is why the church of St. Hippolyt was nicknamed "Zum bösen Segen" ("To the evil blessing"). As late as 1925, a sacristan couple was killed by lightning, which is commemorated by a memorial plaque inside the church. 

Whether due to the lonely location of the sparsely overgrown hill, its long history or the vastness that can be seen here, there is no doubt that the hill of St. Hippolyt in Naraun with its church possesses a special aura that invites people to inner contemplation and makes it a place of spiritual energy. 
It is also for this reason that the path of reflection to the Luminous Rosary and in memory of Pope John Paul II was built in 2010, leading from the car park at the foot of the hill to the church.

In the 19th century La Val was widely known for its sulphur baths of Al Bagn in Rumestluns. They contained water which should prevent sexually transmitted diseases, scurvy, rheumatism, red murrain and others. A popular guest was the physicist and Nobel Prize winner Max Planck. After the reconstruction of the building in 1978, the baths were removed from the guest house because of their high operating costs. The source (silicic acid, sulfuric acid, hydrogen sulphide and elements) was restored in 2009 and can nowadays be used publicly.

"BZ '18–'45: one monument, one city, two dictatorships", is an exhibition opened to the public in July 2014. It illustrates the history of the Monument to Victory, designed by Marcello Piacentini and erected by the Fascist regime between 1926 and 1928. The monument reflects and provides a link to local historical events during the twenty years of Fascism and the Nazi occupation, within the context of national and international events in the years between the two World Wars (1918–1945). The exhibition also covers the radical urban transformations for the construction of a new “Italian” city of Bolzano, from the end of the 1920s. Finally, the exhibition confronts the difficult relationship between the different language groups, caused by the overbearing legacy of Fascism, within the evolving social and political framework of the second half of the twentieth century to the present day.

 

Abgesehen von einem durch Schlackenfunde bezeugten vorgeschichtlichen Bergbau im Bereich der Urzeit-Siedlung Kaschlin, sind uns aus dem 14. Jahrhundert erstmals konkrete Angaben über lokale Montangeschichte überliefert. Aus der Lehensurkunde des Ludwig von Brandenburg  vom 26. März 1352 erfahren wir, dass dem Berthold von Lebenberg mit der Feste Tschenglsberg auch das inkorporierte Bergregal in Sulden verliehen wurde1. Um 1421 wechselte  dieses Lehen dann an die Herren von Lichtenstein2, die das Bergrecht weiterverliehen und dafür Ertragszinse einhoben. Während um dieser Zeit das geschürfte Erz dortselbst verhüttet beziehungsweise zu Rohmetall verarbeitet wurde, entstand später parallel dazu ein gewerblicher Schmelzbetrieb in Prad. Die auf den Obervinschgauer Bergbau fußende „Prader-Schmelz“ bestand darin, dass dieser Betrieb nicht nur die Erze der ausgedehnten Gruben vom nahen Stilfs dem Schmelzprozess zuführte, sondern metallhaltiges Gestein auch aus den Gruben und Stollen von Prader-Berg, Gomagoi, Eyrs, Nauders etc. entgegennahm. Das in Prad gewonnene Rohkupfer und Roheisen, wobei letzteres zum Teil in der werkseigenen Wasserschmiede3 in Prad zu Halbfabrikaten Verarbeitung gefunden haben dürfte, deckte wohl nicht viel mehr als den lokalen Eigenbedarf4. In der zweiten Hälfte des 16. Jahrhunderts ist dann vom Verfall des Hüttenwerkes in Prad die Rede, aber gegen 1700 wurde der Bergbau nach Kupfer- und Bleierzen intensiviert, sodass in der Folge die „Prader-Schmelz“ eine dementsprechende  umstrukturierte Aufwertung erfuhr. Dazu hatte 1726 der Werksunternehmer Graf Caspar Ignatz Trapp, gegen alte Rechtsprinzipien und trotz heftigster Proteste nicht nur von Seiten der Prader Bevölkerung, eine neue Schmelz errichtet. Die sich mit der Verstaatlichung im Jahre 1729 „Das Kayser und Königlich Freye Schmölzwerkh zu Pradt“ nannte. Mit dem Ausklang des 18. Jahrhunderts endete allerdings der Schmelzbetrieb ohne Wiederkehr und an den Gebäuden fing der Zahn der Auszeit an zu nagen. Loses Gesindel und Wegelagerer begannen sich einzunisten. Sodass selbst das Landgericht Glurns, durch die Einstellung des Anton Fahrner als Hüttenwächter dem Frevel Einhalt gebieten musste. Mit der Landnahme durch Bayern 1805 – 18145, wurde die „K. K. Schmelz“ vorerst in „Königliche Schmelz“ umgetauft und schließlich 1812 an den Hüttenwächter verkauft. In der Folge veräußerte Anton Fahrner der Ältere nach und nach, gewinnbringend, sämtliche Realitäten der ehemaligen Prader-Schmelz. Aus dieser entstand dann bis 1850 eine neue Wohnsiedlung, so wie sie sich uns zum Teil noch heute präsentiert.

Im speziellen Teil soll es nun darum gehen, die Gebäude-Chronik der „Prader-Schmelz“ ab der Zeit der Erstellung des Steuerkatasters von 1775, zu beleuchten. Zumal uns damit erstmals konkrete Angaben über die Funktionen der ehemaligen „Schmelz-Gebäude“ vermittelt werden.

 

First documented in 1180, from year 1600 it has been used as a holiday station by the Agostinian monks from the convent of Muri Gries. All around the little church of S. Magdalene you can find the old master's house, the prelate's house, the 'Stegerhof' with its rural buildings that is nowadays' summer residence of the Benedictine monk of Muri Gries.

The old dam wall in Val Martello is a very special place of power, the many people who have built this wall hundreds of years ago with their hands and the simplest tools, reflect the power of the in the middle of the untouched natural landscape.

The earliest mentions date back to 1220 and 1249. In 1499 the church was set on fire after the Battle of the Calven and was rebuilt as a Gothic church in 1570/1580. Excavations brought to light surprising results in the form of a predecessor church from the 6th/7th and 8th centuries. The patrocinium, however, points to the 9th century. Furthermore, parts of frescoes from the time before the first mentioning of the church were found, which turned out to be picture decorations of the Romanesque predecessor church and are of excellent artistic quality.


Open only for guided tours in german language on request (+39 0473 831097).

Site of the Roman settlement Sebatum, once spreading from the Schraffl-Bühel vis-à-vis the Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche guite far downstream the Rienz on both sides (new digs have been undertaken from time to time). There are remains of residential buildings, storehouses and troop quarters.

The Lago Santo (Holy Lake), situated in the Cembra Valley in Trentino, near the South Tyrolean border, sits at approximately 1,200 meters in altitude and is enveloped by dense alpine forests. Its crystal-clear waters make it a popular spot for anglers and hikers seeking peace and breathtaking mountain landscapes.

The Tervela waterfall is situated at the opposite of the centre of S. Cristina. The creek has its source at the Sassolungo and after crossing Monte Pana, it falls 50 m and flows into the Rio Gardena.

Nestled in the pristine nature of Bad Bergfall, just a few kilometers from the village center, lies one of the region’s most fascinating natural wonders – the sulfur spring. Known for its healing properties, the spring has been valued since the 16th century. The mineral-rich water that bubbles from the spring contains a high sulfur content, traditionally used for treating skin conditions and promoting overall health.

At the eastern entrance of Silandro one sees the white blocks, which are worked in the marble work of the company Covelano Marmi.

In the Schlandersburg castle with the Menhir exhibition and in the entire municipality of Silandro, one sees traces of the marble, e.g. at the town hall and at the main square in Silandro and at the ornate fountain in front of St. John's Church in Corzes - as well as in the marble studio at Art & crafts (Covelano marblework).

Covelano marble is used all over the world, for example in luxury bathrooms and kitchens in the One57 - New Yorker skyscraper of superlatives and also the tombstone of Udo Jürgens, the white stone of the grand piano comes from South Tyrol.

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

The Town Hall of Sterzing is considered a true gem in the entire Tyrolean region. It was built in the years 1468 - 1473, and the distinctive bay window was added in 1524 during a renovation. The Gothic council chamber, with simple paneling and beamed ceiling, is considered the most beautiful in all of Tyrol. The rooms of the Town Hall have been repeatedly used for historical meetings: in 1525, the emergency council met in the council chamber during the peasant uprising, and from the 15th to the 17th century, several sessions of the Tyrolean Landtag were held there. Additionally, members of the imperial family were received there (Emperor Maximilian, King Philip of Spain, Archduke Ferdinand, Maria Theresa, Joseph II, and many others).

In the courtyard, flooded with light by flat arch windows on the south wall, various museum objects related to the city's history are exhibited. The Town Hall is connected to a citizens' hall, named after Vigil Raber, born in Sterzing and the first theater publisher in the German-speaking world.

In the courtyard at the end of the ground-level gallery, finds from the history of Roman settlement are displayed. A copy of the "Mithras stone" found in Mauls in Freienfeld bears witness to the well-known mystery cult practiced by many Roman soldiers. The adjacent Roman milestone (circa 200 AD) confirms the expansion of the Roman road along the Brenner Route under Septimius Severus.

The courtyard and the historic council chamber are open to visitors during the Town Hall's opening hours.

Like every city Bolzano too faces the fast pace of urban life. However, with just a few steps you can leave your stress behind and immerse yourself in the peaceful tranquillity of famous walks.

Guncina and S.Osvaldo, for example, completed at the end of 1800, are well renowned routes gently climbing through Mediterranean vegetation up to the top of the surrounding hills and offering stunning views over the city.
Lungotalvera Bolzano and Lungotalvera San Quirino are immersed in the lush Petrarca Park and meadows along the Talvera river. These walks are right adjacent to the city centre and provide an opportunity to practice various sports and recreational activities.

Download the paths: Promenades in Bolzano

Frankbach Waterfall in St. Johann/S. Giovanni – A natural gem along the Witch’s Trail

The Frankbach Waterfall in St. Johann/S. Giovanni is a true natural wonder, admired not only for its breathtaking beauty but also for its stunning location. The waterfall is situated along the picturesque Witch’s Trail, a popular hiking path that takes visitors on an enchanting journey through nature.

The Frankbach Waterfall is also easily accessible from the Restaurant and Hotel Berggasthof Platterhof, making it an ideal destination for a hike or a relaxing walk. Here, you can enjoy the refreshing sound of the rushing water while immersing yourself in the magical atmosphere of the Witch’s Trail, with its unique views that are sure to captivate.

An unforgettable nature experience – the Frankbach Waterfall awaits you!

Der Mühlbach

 

Kurze-Chronik zum Mühlbach

 

> Der Mühlbach wird unter der Bezeichnung Lafad *  im Vertrag vom 24. Mai 1484 der Tartscher vor dem Richter zu Glurns wegen der „Holzlände“ in Prad erwähnt. * Lafad, Lavad, Lavod, E: von rom. levate = heben, aufheben, hier im Sinne von > Wasser führen <, synonym für Aquädukt, romanisch: Lavadotg.

    

> Da der ungezähmte Suldenbach für einen kontinuierlichen Betrieb von Wasserrädern nicht geeignet war, fasste man wohl schon im 14. Jahrhundert den Entschluss, seine Wasser mittels eines künstlichen Kanals zu nutzen. So wurde der Suldenbach immer mehr aus der Dorfnähe verbannt und der Mühlbach geschaffen. Seit dem 15. Jahrhundert ist er urkundlich als wichtiges Gewässer nachweisbar und spiegelt die Siedlungsentwicklung Prads wieder.

> Mit dem Wachstum des Dorfes stieg nicht nur die Anzahl der verschiedenen Betriebe am Mühlbach, sondern ihm kam durch die Urbarmachung der Ödgründe vermehrt auch die vordringliche Aufgabe zu deren Bewässerung zu.

> 1591 entstand ein Streit zwischen den Gewerken (Handwerkern) am Mühlbach und der Gemeinde Prad wegen des Mühlbach-Unterhalts. Daraufhin entstand eine eigene “Mühlbachordnung“. Die Aufgabe der Gewässerüberwachung teilten sich zwei Aufseher, nämlich der Bachmeister, der für den Abschnitt von der Schmelz bis zur Unteren Mühle und Säge zuständig war, und der Saltner, der die Einhaltung der Wasserrechte und den Zustand des Kanals unterhalb der unteren Mühle überwachte.

> Der Mühlbach hatte bis zu seiner Verbauung 1958 bis 1963, ein Normalprofil von 1,6 m Breite und 0,8 m Tiefe und führt an die 700 l/sek. Wasser im Sommer und an die 150 l/sek. im Winter. Seine Gesamtlänge betrug bis zur Neufassung durch das E.Werk Prad im Jahre 1986 an die 2.3 km, wobei der Kanal laut Grundbucheintragung von 1937 eine Grundfläche von 16.667 m² einnimmt.

> Fünf Brücken überquerten im Dorfbereich und deren sieben im Flurbereich, vor der Verbauung den Mühlbach, wobei es im Dorf auch einige Stegüberquerungen gab.

> 13 Betriebe am Mühlbach: 1. Getreide-Mühle und 2. Säge in der Prader Schmelz, 3. „Tschurtschelmühle“ (Klenganstalt) seit 1850), 4. Trappische- oder Schmölzschmiede, 5. Walch, 6. Dorf-, später Moserschmiede, 7. Bochmühle (Gerstenstampfwerk), 8. Gerber, 9. Säge und 10. „Obermühl“ (Garbermühl), 11. Mittermühle, 12. Säge und 13. „Untermühl“ (Sägemühle).

 

> Seit der Einführung der offiziellen Straßennamen per Gemeinderatsbeschluss vom 27.12.1954, teilte der Mühlbach exakt die Hausnummern zwischen Haupt- und Silberstraße.

 

> In der Zeit zwischen 1958 bis 1963 kommt es unter Bürgermeister Hubert Gapp in drei Baulosen, zur Verbauung bzw. Abdeckung des Mühlbaches im Dorfbereich. Dadurch wurden sowohl die altbewährten Mühlfuhren als auch die Wasserräder mit Zubehör überflüssig. Die damals noch vorhandenen  Betriebe mussten sich, wollten sie ihre alten Konzessionen nicht verfallen lassen, für den Einbau eines Turbinenantriebes mit Elektrogenerator entscheiden.

> Am 7. März 1986 beginnt das E.Werk Prad mit dem Bau des so gen. Mühlbachkraftwerkes I. Das Werksgebäude wird an die Klenganstalt in der Prader-Schmelz angebaut. Die Leistung des E.Kraftwerkes beträgt ca. 620 KW. und liefert damit jährlich an die 4 Mio. KWh. Strom. Die Baukosten beliefen sich auf 1.6 Milliarden Lire. Die Wasserableitung aus dem Suldenbach beträgt an die 4.500 l/sek.

>  Am 28. März 1990 beginnen die Arbeiten zum Bau des Mühlbachkraftwerkes II unterhalb des Sportplatzes. Das neue Kraftwerk leistet an die 600 KW und liefert damit jährlich an die 3.6 Mio. KWh. Strom. Die Baukosten beliefen sich auf 1.65 Milliarden Lire. / Beide E.Werke liefern damit zusammen an die 7.6 Mio. KWh. Strom jährlich.