Bezienswaardigheden in Zuid-Tirol

There is a very special vantage point in "Hochkreuz" in Lagundo, located on the popular Via Claudia Augusta bicycle path: the Trauttmansdorffer Throne. The view of Merano and the surrounding area, including Forst Castle (and the brewery with the same name) and one of the most modern churches in the entire Alpine region, the San Giuseppe Parish Church, is breathtaking in its splendour. Ideal for photographs and an absolute must-see for every tourist in Merano. Especially cyclists often stop here for a break to enjoy the view with a picnic before continuing their journey towards Val Venosta (Vinschgau) valley or Merano. Visitors can see the famous Botanical Gardens at the Trauttmansdorff Castle with binoculars. This observation deck is the ideal starting point for a visit to the Botanical Gardens of the Trauttmansdorff Castle.

High above the Adige Valley, in the mountain village of Aschbach, there is another pair of Trauttmansdorff throne chairs, a unique viewing platform on the edge of the forest. Those who take a seat here experience the feeling of being enthroned above the valley: a sweeping panorama opens up before you, taking in the Adige Valley, the villages of Rablà and Parcines, the impressive slopes of the Texel Group Nature Park and, on clear days, the long stretch of the Via Claudia Augusta towards Merano.

The throne chairs are an ideal photo opportunity and a popular stop for hikers and mountain bikers who start from the Aschbach cable car or are on the high-altitude trail. The silence of the forest, the light wood of the chairs and the majestic view create a perfect place to pause, enjoy and breathe deeply. Many visitors use the chairs for a short rest, a small picnic or simply to let their gaze wander over the alpine panorama.

The Trauttmansdorffer throne chairs in Aschbach combine nature, tranquillity and distant views, a special vantage point that enriches every visit.

Water as a metaphor for music: An installation by artist Ulrich Egger outside the Gustav Mahler music hall in the Cultural Center Gustav Mahler.

Further information on Dobbiaco’s Water treasures

Since 2011 the Schluderns Gate Tower in Glurns hosts a permanent exhibition concerning the history of this little medieval town, such as trade, customs, daily life and curiosities.

The Völser Weiher Lake is located at the foot of the Schlern mountain in the middle of the Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park, a little way from the village of Völs am Schlern. It covers an area of 1 hectare and is located at an altitude of 1,036 m above sea level with a maximum depth of 3.5 meters. The reflection of the Schlern on the water's surface and the dense coniferous forests that reach to the shores give this natural spectacle a powerful aura. The public bathing jetty and the sunbathing lawn invite you to a relaxing break in both winter and summer.

Völser Weiher Lake was originally created in the 16th century by Leonhard von Völs for carp breeding. Today, fishing in the lake is forbidden, and a part of the lake is designated as a biotope. The remaining part of the lake is used for swimming in the summer and ice skating in the winter. Völser Weiher Lake is considered one of the most beautiful bathing lakes in South Tyrol.

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.

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.

The Tschaufen Pond, once an artificial fish pond, is now a protected natural area.

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.

The Earth Pyramids of Mölten were shaped by the forces of water and time.
After the last Ice Age, clay-rich moraine material was deposited and gradually eroded by rain and surface water.
Where large stones protected the soil beneath them, striking column-like formations remained – the Earth Pyramids we see today.
They are constantly changing and stand as a fascinating example of nature’s creative power.

In the summer the lake of Braies reflects every colour. In the winter it is covers of ice and snow. Both as in the summer and winther it is the trail head of hikes, skitouren, snowshoe hikes and walks. Also nordic-walker are going to have walks in this territories. And everyone who likes to go to the limits of one's capacity can go to one of the three climbing crag.

With a height of 82 meters, the church steeple in Castelrotto is not only the highest in the vicinity, it's also – they say – the one with the most-beautiful-sounding bells. But the big tower bell has always been the greatest source of pride. They never fail to admiringly mention "Big Bell." The citizens of neighboring villages were so incensed by this that the young fellows in nearby Laion finally decided to teach the boastful natives of Castelrotto a lesson…
The chapel in the church tower is open daily from 08:00 - 18:00.

“Seabl Lack” is a protected biotope.

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.

The Hill of the Holy Sepulchre is the most beautiful viewpoint of Tiso. The Holy Grave Chapel was built as a baroque building at the end of the 17th century. In it, the suffering and death of Jesus Christ was worshiped. After the entry of Italy into the First World War in May 1915, fortifications were built here on the order of the Austrian Empire army. They should serve as a defense against a possible invasion of Italian troops in the Isarco Valley, if the Dolomite front should fall. The trenches and a bunker were built by Russian prisoners. However, the defenses were not used during the First World War. However, during the final months of World War II, the bunker was used by the village population as protection against air raids and bombing.

The tiny church founded in 1744 by the mine owner, Michael von Jenner, is nestled in extraordinary countryside. The altar paintings by Franz Sebald Unterberger from the Fleim Valley are particullary noteworthy. The church is privately owned and the access is subject to a fee.
However, the church remains closed. 

Please do not enter the meadows surrounded by fence.

Dobbiaco receives its drinking water from two different high quality sources: from the Dolomite limestones and the ferrous primary rocks from the Central Alps.
A drinking water well with an idyllic viewpoint at the edge of the town invites you to taste the two waters of Dobbiaco.

Further information on Dobbiaco’s Water treasures

On the famous Merano High Mountain Trail, above Lagundo and in the immediate vicinity of the Leiteralm, the Trauttmansdorffer Thronsessel (throne chairs) invite you to enjoy a very special viewing experience. Those who settle here can enjoy a regal view over the entire Merano basin, Tyrol Castle, the Mutspitze, the Ifinger and the orchards and vineyards lying far below.

The throne chairs are a popular resting spot for hikers travelling along the Merano High Mountain Trail or taking the basket lift from Vellau to the Leiteralm. The combination of alpine heights, quiet mountain meadows and impressive views makes this place a perfect stopover to take a deep breath, take photos and marvel at the scenery. Many visitors take a break here, enjoy a panoramic picnic or let their gaze wander over the peaks of the Texel Group.

On clear days, the view extends deep into the Burggrafenamt district and far below Merano, an incomparable panorama that changes constantly with the light. The Trauttmansdorffer throne chairs at the Leiteralm combine mountain romance, far-reaching views and the special atmosphere of the Merano High Mountain Trail, a place that delights and inspires every hiker.

The particular homey character of the feudal Taufers Castle astonishes around 70,000 visitors every year. 

As early as 1136 a noble-free family is named Taufers. In the 1220's the family built a new, generously arranged lord house, whose donjon with an attached living tower is constructed against the mountainside, as this was thought to be the possible attacking side. The powerful Taufers Castle is a dynastic seat of the Barons of Taufers with impressive and interesting fortified grounds.

Another great hall (later used as grain storage room) is located at a secured area in the western part of the castle. The naturally given construction space is delimited by a surrounding curtain wall, where there are different living complexes, attached to it.

In the 15th and 16th centuries the grounds were renovated into an expansive castle residence, most of them built in the early 16th century. The impressive weir system, although, dates back to the 15th century.

Taufers Castle has been in the possession of the Südtiroler Burgeninstitut since 1977. The entire furnished and well preserved castle numbers among the greatest and most beautiful castles of the entire Tyrolean region.

Prices:
Adults:
12€
15€ (29.03.2024 - 03.11.2024 including the exhibition)

Students/Pensioners (over 65 years old):
9€
12€/Person (29.03.2024 - 03.11.2024 including the exhibition)

Children (6-16 years old):
6€
7€ (29.03.2024 - 03.11.2024 including the exhibition)

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.

We are the ideal ski resort for connoisseurs, who, after various skiing experiences, have found this modern ski resort in the Italian Dolomites, where skiing as a sport is still the focus and where relaxed time with friends and family in a spectacular nature is of greatest importance.

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.

In 1992 in the church "Unsere liebe Frau auf dem Bichl" the in Laces standing stone (3.300-2.200 B.C.) was found during restoration work by the State Monument Authorities. The stele, which is made from the finest Vinschgau marble, formed the supporting surface of the altar table. 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 in Laces standing stone is great proof of the ancient connection of the Vinschgau and the Etsch valley and the valleys of north-eastern Lombardy.

In the woods near the Ristorante Genziana restaurant you find a labyrinth of river stones with a drinking water well as a source of energy in its centre.

Further information on Dobbiaco’s Water treasures

The valley along the Seres brook, in the mountaineering village Lungiarü, is also known as the Mills because of the many hydroelectric mills along its banks . Between the orographic left hamlet Seres and the orographic right hamlet Miscì are eight mills , two of which are equipped with two water wheels

Schwarzbach Waterfall – where nature meets art

Just above Luttach/Lutago, the Schwarzbach Waterfall plunges 15 meters through a narrow rock crevice into a stunning blue lagoon – a breathtaking natural spectacle!

Feel the cool mist on your skin, breathe in the refreshing air, and admire the colorful reflections dancing in the sunlight.

The path to the waterfall is lined with wooden sculptures created by international artists during the annual Ahrntal Sculpture Symposium. A unique fusion of nature and art – a feast for all the senses.

“It is wonderful here and definitely invigorates soul and body....” so wrote Mahler during his summer stay in Toblach.

During the sommermonth between 1908-1910 Gustav Mahler composed some of his most famous works in this simple wooden cabin in the heart of the Dolomites: the 9th and 10th symphonies and the "Lied von der Erde".

“How can people forever think,” cried Mahler “that Nature lies on the surface! Of course it does, in its most superficial aspect. But those who, in the face of Nature, are not overwhelmed with awe at its infinite mystery, its divinity (we can only sense it, not comprehend or penetrate it) -- these people have not come close to it. […] And in every work of art, which should be a reflection of Nature, there must be a trace of this infinity.”

More informations about composing house

In his honour the town organises the annual Gustav Mahler Music Weeks, when the most famous and beautiful pieces by this famous composer are played.

Dobbiaco also has the Cultural Centre Euregio, where many other concerts and events take place in a historic setting.

Located at 2,000 metres above sea level, visitors find true serenity and pure nature in the area of Prato Piazza. Thanks to its integration into the Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park, the beautiful Prato Piazza area surrounded by imposing peaks, has been able to maintain its naturalness and originality. Far from car traffic and any noise, the alpine plateau fascinates with a splendid view of the surrounding mountains like Picco di Vallandro and Croda Rossa, and in the distance you can admire the Monte Cristallo and Tofane Mountains. Hobby photographers find the best of motives in summer and winter. You can sit down, take a deep breath, and enjoy the variety of nature, or actively discover the surrounding nature. Walking, Nordic walking, hiking, climbing or by bicycle.

At the Wuhnleger you’ll experience one of the most stunning views of the Rosengarten – intense, close, and unique in the entire area. The meadow lies at 1,402 m in the heart of the Sciliar–Rosengarten Nature Park and is home to a rich variety of wildlife: the pond and its surroundings host frogs, salamanders, dragonflies, and many other small creatures.
History has also left its mark here: the so-called “bomb craters” date back to World War II and stem from an emergency bomb drop by an aircraft around 1943.

A place of quiet grandeur - the Reinhold Messner Haus on Monte Elmo

Where once cable car gondolas arrived, a new chapter begins: the Reinhold Messner Haus is an impressive example of how the future can grow from what already exists. The former mountain station on Monte Elmo was not demolished, but upcycled - transformed into a visionary centre for sustainability, environmental awareness, art and culture.

This is where people, ideas and horizons meet. The Reinhold Messner Haus is more than just an exhibition. It is an invitation - to pause, to think, to engage in dialogue. Between old wooden beams and contemporary architecture, a lively place is created where past and future join hands. A house that not only tells the story of Messner's life, but also prompts our own reflections on responsibility and change. A place of quiet grandeur - the Reinhold Messner Haus on Monte Elmo. 

The Corno del Renon: 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 Corno del Renon 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 Corno del Renon 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 Cima Lago Nero.

Altitude training canoeing & kayaking on the Vernago lake

The lake in the midst of the three thousand metre peaks is characterised by its unique turquoise-green colour, especially in summer, which is caused by the glacier cut in tzhe water. It is not for nothing that national teams have been training on the Vernago lake for years.

A welcome guest for example is Antonio Rossi, three-time Olympic Champion and multiple Canoe World Champion.

With its location at 1,700 metres above sea level and marked rowing routes of various lengths, the lake offers ideal conditions for optimal altitude training

 

The reason for the perfonmance-enhancing effect of altitude training is easy to explain: The lack of oxygen at high altitudes forces the human organism to adapt. This affects primarily the respiratory system, the cardiovascular system and the blood.