Culturele en recreatieve tips langs het fietspad

Always being in touch with the latest trends, Gargazon inaugurated its new Natural Swimming Pool of Gargazon comprising 12,000 m² on May 29th, 2010. It is the first public bath in the Western part of the country that does without any chemical water treatment. Instead the natural water landscape is divided into a natural bathing area and an ecologically untouched regeneration zone that purifies the waters with the help of a number of beautiful plants.

The shower water is exclusively heated by solar collectors, yet another advantage of this ecological concept. The fact that the natural swimming pool is easily reachable on foot and by bike accords with the concept's principle of sustainability.

Children can splash in the naturally established brook, complete with wading pool, and there is an area for non-swimmers (max. depth: 1.20 m) which is accessible through a fine pebble beach. Not to mention, there is a grass play area with beach volleyball courts, table tennis, table soccer, loungers, umbrellas, picnic tables and wooden platforms that are ideal for playing, relaxing and having fun with the whole family. 

This is one of the most suggestive places in town, thanks to its long and curved shape and colourful fruit and vegetable market. Neptune's Fountain is waiting for you, a masterpiece signed by Joachim Reis, based on the model of Georg Mayr from Völs (1745). On the opposite corner a plaque reminds visitors of the existence of the "Zur Sonne" Hotel where, among others, even Johann Wolfgang Goethe, Emperor Joseph II and the German literate and philospher Johann Gottfried Herder stayed.

With its 65,000 square metres of space, Franzensfeste is the largest historical complex in South Tyrol. Begun in 1833 under Emperor Franz Josef, this masterpiece of Austrian fortress architecture was opened by Emperor Ferdinand in 1838 after a construction period of only five years. By this time, however, it had already lost its strategic importance and justification. The enormous effort and the horrendous costs - for nothing. From then on, the huge fortress was only of use as a depot and was frozen in the Sleeping Beauty sleep of a strictly guarded military installation for over a century and a half. Since the military left the fortress in 2003, Franzensfeste has been open to the public and was extensively renovated in the course of two major exhibitions in 2008 and 2009. As a South Tyrolean Provincial Museum, Franzensfeste Fortress is now a magnet for tourists and locals alike and a popular venue for a wide variety of exhibitions and events.

January and february: winter break

A spacious park facility in the middle of the village of Villabassa extending over 5 hectares: the Kurpark - nomen est omen. An inviting, charming lake, a lake stage for varied cultural events, a comfortable audience stage, floodlit tennis courts are some examples of this varied infrastructure. There is a special pavilion for seniors, where they can meet up and discuss everyday life. Walkers and joggers can choose from varied baths, and relaxation areas invite you to rest. At the botanic educational path you can learn a lot about flora and fauna during a comfortable walk through the park.

Egna is located at the foot of he Castelfeder hill. Already in the Middle Ages the village was a thriving trading centre due to its strategic geographical position and today it is the main cultural and economic centre of the Bassa Atesina. It is no coincidence that this lovely village is considered one of the most beautiful places in Italy. A must see is the old village centre with its 500 metres of arcades, its stately manors and magnificent inter courtyards. This is where you will find the perfect mix of entertainment, relaxation and taste.

The St. Proculus Church was probably built at the end of the 8th century to honor its patron saint, St. Proculus, Bishop of Verona. He is also venerated as the patron saint of animals and water. The murals inside the church are among the earliest examples of pre-Romanesque art in the Alpine region. One of the most famous depictions is 'The Saint on the Swing,' located on the south wall, which, according to legend, portrays his escape over the city walls of Verona. In addition, there are many other remarkable frescoes to discover within the church. The Proculus Museum offers in-depth information about the history of both the church and the village of Naturno.

Here, through information and fun, nature becomes perceptible, tangible and accessible. Here are available information on the Natural Parks of the Pusteria valley and the formation of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage. On the first floor you can visit the temporary exhibitions. Free admission!