Historie a kultura v Jižní Tyrolsko Vinná cesta

The museum "Avventura Haderburg" shows the historical background of the medieval castle and his residents. There is illustrated the development of the castle, the weir system, the habitation and also the decline of the castle. Over 100 artefacts explain the importance of the castle.

The castle of Salorno stands imposingly on the rocks above the village and is the symbol of the village. Its position makes it one of the most impressive ruins in the Alps. It was built in the Middle Age and during the time it was constantly enlarged. It was in possession of different nobel families and since the 17th century it belongs to the descendants of Earl Zenobio-Albrizzi from Venice. Thank to their help the castle was restored. Since 2003 it can be visited during summer. Nowadays there take place many cultural events during the warm season.

There is a path called "Way of visions" which leads to the hill of the castle in 20 minutes (by foot).

Approaching the Rastenbach gorge, on your way down from Altenburg/Castelvecchio to Lake Kaltern, it suddenly gets really cool and dark. Your steps become more cautious, as if you’re being careful not to disturb the peace. Silently, you look around and enjoy the wonderfully refreshing ambiance. How reassuring to know that the wooden stairs and bridges are reinforced and properly secured. When you get to the bottom of the trail, you are welcomed by a sunny field and Lake Kaltern.

A dozen mighty sequoias, up to 40 metres high, which were planted in 1898 at the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the crowning of the Austrian Emperor Franz-Josef, decorate the small high plateau of Fennhals.

Event venue of Kurtatsch/Cortaccia with stage and seating for 200 people

The museum "Avventura Haderburg" shows the historical background of the medieval castle and his residents. There is illustrated the development of the castle, the weir system, the habitation and also the decline of the castle. Over 100 artefacts explain the importance of the castle.

The castle chapel of Hocheppan with its roman frescos is one of the most important roman art monuments in South Tyrol. The centuries old frescos had been painted over and were only entirely laid open in 1926. Besides religious themes, the hunting scene on the exterior wall can be seen as one of the rarest profane depictions in Tyrol dating from this time period. The wall paintings originate from the first decade of the 13th century and show famous illustrations like the foolish virgins, the dumpling eater - the first proof for Tyrolean dumplings - and the picture of 'Maria Heimsuchung' which is well known far beyond the border of South Tyrol.

Note: Hocheppan Castle will be closed for winter break from November 11, 2025, until March 27, 2026, inclusive. From Saturday, March 28, 2026, we warmly welcome you back and look forward to a new season full of history, culture, and enjoyment at Hocheppan Castle!

The parish church of St. Florian/St. Floriano on the old imperial road north of Laag/Laghetti was first mentioned in 1189, but it dates back to around 1145. The lower part of the nave dates from the time of its first mention (1189). The choir with the accentuated towering choir loft replaced an older end in the 13th century. The church of St. Florian is a unique artistic monument. In the nave, the old Romanesque building form is still preserved. Later, an elevated transverse square was attached to this nave, which was probably intended as a domed building. A round apse was attached to it in the 12th century, the exterior decoration of which features beautiful pilaster strips and a round arch frieze with various sculptures worth seeing. From 2005 to 2008, the church was restored from the ground up. The outside area around the church was also redesigned and a parking lot was built. On May 03, 2008, the church of St. Florian was consecrated by Bishop Wilhelm Egger.

The Lake Kaltern The Mediterranean landscape around Lake Kalterer See leads many to the correct assumption that this lake really is the warmest lake in the Alps! There are four public beaches that offer direct access to the lake, known for its especially inviting water quality and colorful splendor! Sometimes it's a tint of deep blue, other times it mirrors the green of the surrounding landscape! And Lake Kalterer See is so versatile: row boats, sailboats, pedal boats and surf boards glide across the water. Yet it's so incredibly tranquil here. For sure you'll hear the sound of children's laughter; after all, this is their little corner of paradise. Quite simply, it's beautiful in the lake, on the lake and all around the lake.

Position:
Imbedded between forest and hills scenery on 514 meters above sea level, small Montiggl Lake is located. A lot of different walking paths bring you to the lake. With the car you can park at the big Montiggl Lake or at the supercenter Rungg.

Topography:
The small Montiggl Lake has a shoreline of 890 meters and is only about 5 hectares big. Therefore it is a lot smaller then its “bigger brother”, but a lot deeper with a maximum depth of almost 15 meters.

Utilization:
According to analyses the lake has very good data regarding the water quality and is therefore one of South Tyroles most popular swimming lake. It is not directly accessible by car, therefore it's more known for its relaxation and for enjoying the nature. One part of the lake has a grassed area and a small snack bar. Around small Montiggl Lake there is a walking path, along which you can find nice and cosy spots to relax or swim.

To avoid car park problems, there is a public bus to Montiggl and back in the summertime.

The Kastelaz hill of Termeno - Tramin rises on old cultural ground and is accessible in only 15 minutes from the local center of Termeno - Tramin. The panoramic view reaches from the north to the south. Therefore the whole southern valley floor of the Adige is overlookable. The history of the Kastelazer Bühel goes back many centuries. A settlement during the Iron Age is assumed. The Saint Jakob chapel sits enthroned on the hill and supports the energy of the place with its mysterious frescoes. The view above the hill with its vineyard till the lake of Caldaro - Kaltern symbolizes the peace and silence of the insignificant place. The suntrap hill was used quite early for the wine growing and is still in use for the agriculture. Emperor Tiberius should have loved this wine so much, that an imperial guard had to watch over the vineyards in the Bühel.

The unusual phenomenon of the ice caves between the two villages of Kaltern (Oberplanitzing/Pianizza di Sopra) and Eppan/Appiano can be explained with a simple physical principle: air streams down through cracks in the porphyry stone, creating a system of windpipes that becomes cooler as it descends. This heavier, cold air mass collects in a 5 meter high pool in the depression. This climate is ideal for plants that would normally thrive in higher alpine regions. We do recommend to make this excursion during warm summer months.

Juval Castle, the summer residence of the world-famous mountaineer, Reinhold Messner and the Messner Mountain Museum.

Medieval Juval Castle is situated on a prehistoric place of worship at the entrance to the pristine Val Senales. The castle was built around 1278 by Hugo von Montalban. In 1540, Juval Castle changed ownership and reached its heyday in those years. In 1913, the Dutch Colonial William Rowland turned up at the dilapidated castle and had it professionally restored. Since 1983 Juval Castle has been the residence of extreme mountaineer Reinhold Messner and has turned Juval Castle into the main site of the MMM Messner Mountain Museum. The castle contains an extensive Tibetan collection as well as the Mountain Gallery and the ethnic mask collection with exhibits from five continents. Juval Castle also boasts some Renaissance-era frescoes that can be visited. Alpine fauna can sometimes be spotted wandering about in the castle grounds and there is also a farm with its own vineyards and a winery. The attached winery Unterortl, the organic farm Oberortl, and the Schlosswirt revitalize these small-scale cultural landscape in Lower Venosta Valley.

A lovely winding mountain road leads you quickly up from Kurtatsch, through woods, meadows, vineyards and fruit orchards to the high plateau of Unterfennberg. The jewel of this plateau is without question little Lake Fennberg, perfect for a summer swim. Although the lake is a biotope with unusual flora and fauna (more than 35 types of orchids, freshwater crayfish and other types of plants and animals),  a small wooden pier with a ladder leads down to swim in the silky moor water while enjoying the views of the tiny St. Leonard's church and the surrounding mountain peaks. Water lilies and dragonflies build a frame for the lake, which is a popular spot for ice-skating during the cold winter months. The plateau offers many walking paths as well as the possibility of travelling up by car, hiking path or via ferrata. The plateau is also an excellent destination for bikers, be it mountain bikers, motor bikers or racing bikers.

The castle of Salorno stands imposingly on the rocks above the village and is the symbol of the village. Its position makes it one of the most impressive ruins in the Alps. It was built in the Middle Age and during the time it was constantly enlarged. It was in possession of different nobel families and since the 17th century it belongs to the descendants of Earl Zenobio-Albrizzi from Venice. Thank to their help the castle was restored. Since 2003 it can be visited during summer. Nowadays there take place many cultural events during the warm season.

There is a path called "Way of visions" which leads to the hill of the castle in 20 minutes (by foot).

Located at the southern-western outskirts of Bolzano/Bozen, this castle is considered one of the emblems of South Tyrol. The original name "Formigar" stems from the Latin word "formicaria". From the 10th century a.d. the castle belonged to the Prince-Bishop of Trento, while during the second half of the 15th century Duke Sigismond , Count of Tirol, bought it and transformed it into the biggest and most prestigious of his castles naming it Sigmundskron (Sigismonds' crown). At the present date it has become the Mountain Museum of Reinhold Messner MMM Firmian.

The Titschenbach stream ends in a 68 high thunderous waterfall, which makes the village so unique. This is where the prehistoric inhabitants used to fetch water from the stream and channel it into canals for a variety of everyday uses. This place, the oldest in the history of the village, was mentioned in documents as "Tütsche" (Tyrolean Urbar from 1288). This name could have been derived in the course of a millennium from the Latin term "ductia", which, like the ancient "sala", referred to a water pipe. Salurn, the "village on the Tütsche", was created thanks to such watercourses. This dependence is symbolized, among other things, in the coat of  arms and name of one of the oldest families of the village, the family "An der Lahn". It is interesting to note that until the end of the 15th century, the stream crossed the Gries district in the south of the village and was only later diverted to the north on the mountain side of the settlement. The wooden bridge was first built around 1500.

The castle chapel of Hocheppan with its roman frescos is one of the most important roman art monuments in South Tyrol. The centuries old frescos had been painted over and were only entirely laid open in 1926. Besides religious themes, the hunting scene on the exterior wall can be seen as one of the rarest profane depictions in Tyrol dating from this time period. The wall paintings originate from the first decade of the 13th century and show famous illustrations like the foolish virgins, the dumpling eater - the first proof for Tyrolean dumplings - and the picture of 'Maria Heimsuchung' which is well known far beyond the border of South Tyrol.

Note: Hocheppan Castle will be closed for winter break from November 11, 2025, until March 27, 2026, inclusive. From Saturday, March 28, 2026, we warmly welcome you back and look forward to a new season full of history, culture, and enjoyment at Hocheppan Castle!

The most prominent artwork of Tramin and at the same time one of the finest masterpieces of Tyrolean art can be found in the small St. Jakob church situated on a hill above the village.

It contains a well- preserved Romanescue fresco cycle dating back to about 1220. The figures portrayedin the colourful frescoes are quite atypical in painting since they are usually represented as stone sculptures. In fact, on the walls of the small chancel you can admire bizarre hybrid creatures with both human an beastly attributes, fabulous figures emanating from the myths of medieval times. They all seem to represent the sinful antagonism of the overlying scenes showing a graceful depiction of the Twelve Apostels with the enthroned Crist in the Mandorla, the almond- shaped aureole.

The southern annex of the chapel contains yet another jewel: here the painter Ambrosius Gander executed some bright and valuable murals, amongst which the well-known legend of the Pilgrims. The inscription tells us that these paintings were completed 1441.

Our hiking tip: You can reach the Gasthof Buchwald starting from Perdonig following the mark 8/10 to the former Gasthof Pichler on a steeper rise. You can go back on the “Eppaner Höhenweg” (number 9) to Perdonig (number 12) (Time approx.. 3,5 hours)

According the slogan "freedom and harmony between art and nature" the South Tyrolean artist Sieglinde Tatz-Borgogno has created 200 sculptures of bronze, marble and clay at the small village Pochinear Salorno. People with their forces, desires and fears are at the focus of the artist's creativity. The sculpture-garden is reachable in a few minutes from the center of Pochi and is freely accessible.

Position:
The big Montiggl Lake is located in the middle of the nature reserve Montiggl with its stunning mixed forest in the community of Eppan on 492 meters above sea level. It can be reached by car or by the numerous walking paths nearby.

Topography:
The big Montiggl Lake has a shoreline of 2 kilometres and its surface is around 18 hectares wide. At its deepest spot it has a depth of 11.5 meters. In the north-east it is surrounded by rock, whereat the opposite site it changes to a swamp.

Utilization:
According to analyses the lake has very good data regarding the water quality and is therefore one of South Tyroles most popular swimming lake. In the west of the lake there are hotels, restaurants and a swimming pool with a pier located.

The parish church of Montan/Montagna is dedicated to St. Bartholomew. The majestic façade of the church fits perfectly into the picturesque village-scape. The neo-Romanesque broad front is impressive. The tower, which dates back to the 12th / 13th century, is the oldest part of the church. The church owes its present form to a new building constructed in the 19th century (1875-1881). A special piece of equipment of the parish church is the pulpit, whose openwork sandstone tracery forms the year 1489.

After a short hike through the mixed forest up to Hocheppan Castle, visitors are greeted with a unique panorama: towering above the provincial capital of Bolzano is one of South Tyrol’s most famous mountain groups, the Sciliar massif and the legendary Rosengarten. Looking further across the landscape, one can see the Ötztal Alps to the north and the Lagorai range in Trentino to the south.

History:

The castle was built by Count Ulrich II around 1130 and was already one of the most powerful fortresses in the region at that time. In 1158, it was destroyed but soon rebuilt. In 1315, it was handed over to the territorial princes of Tyrol and has since changed ownership several times. Since 2019, Hocheppan Castle has been owned by the municipality of Eppan. Among the many well-preserved castles in South Tyrol, Hocheppan Castle is undoubtedly one of the most impressive due to its unique location.

Architectural Style and Features:

Hocheppan Castle combines the beauty of the surrounding landscape with the romantic charm of a medieval fortress. Particularly striking is the keep, with its pentagonal shape, parts of which date back to the 16th century. The highlight from an art-historical perspective is the castle chapel, featuring a remarkable fresco cycle.

Art-Historical Guided Tours:

Hocheppan Castle and its chapel can be visited as part of guided tours, available every 30 minutes from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM on the following days:

• April – July: Thursday to Sunday
• August: Thursday to Monday
• September – November: Thursday to Tuesday

For more information about guided tours, please contact the Tourist Association of Appiano at info@eppan.com or by phone at +39 0471 662206.

Archery Course at Hocheppan Castle:

The archery course next to Hocheppan Castle is open daily except Wednesdays and offers visitors an exciting and medieval-like experience during the "hunt" with bow and arrow. Completing the entire course takes approximately 3 hours.

Hiking Options:

The hike to Hocheppan Castle is one of the highlights of the "Three Castles Hike," which also includes the ruins of Boymont Castle and Schloss Hotel Korb.

 

Note: Hocheppan Castle will be closed for winter break from November 11, 2025, until March 27, 2026, inclusive. From Saturday, March 28, 2026, we warmly welcome you back and look forward to a new season full of history, culture, and enjoyment at Hocheppan Castle!