South Tyrol is particularly rich in stories that weave round secret locations and unusual natural formations. Places to see, like the witches’ benches at Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm Alpine pasture, recount stories of witches and kings, while places of power, like the “Stoanerne Mandln” with over one hundred cairns or the old ruins on the hill of Castelfeder, invite visitors to relax and take a deep breath. Unique natural formations like the earth pyramids are places worth a hike and exploring.
At the far end of the valley, just before reaching Mühlwald/Selva dei Molino, is the beautiful Mühlwald lake, a small dam lake at around 1,220 m above sea level that can be easily circumnavigated in half an hour on a barrier-free circular trail. Numerous rest areas with shady seating invite you to linger along the way.
[[For the "Gasthaus Hippolyt: https://gasthaus-hippolyt.it, Tel. 0039 0473 42 00 37]]
The St. Hippolyt church in the north of the municipality of Tisens/Tesimo, near the village of Völlan/Foiana and above Lana, dominates the hill of St. Hippolyt in Naraun/Narano, which is visible from afar.
This is not only a popular and easily accessible excursion site, whose panorama from the mountains of the Texelgruppe all the way down to Bolzano is second to none, but also an ancient settlement and cult site. Finds of Neolithic arrowheads, blades and mortars show that people were already living here in the 4th millennium BC, almost 6,000 years ago, making it one of the oldest prehistoric settlement sites in South Tyrol. There is also evidence of a prehistoric sanctuary on the hill.
The little church of St. Hippolyt was first mentioned in 1288, but is probably much older - not least because of its rare patron saint. Parts of the nave walls and the offset round apse still bear witness to the Romanesque church. The two pointed-arched slit windows and the likewise pointed-arched entrance door with rosette in the west were created during reconstruction work in the Gothic period. Towards the end of the 17th century, the tower was added (a votive picture from 1679 still shows the church without a tower, but with a choir bell wall). The bell was cast in 1566 by Simon Hofer and is thus the oldest surviving bell in the parish. The barrel vault in the nave was inserted in 1762 (see date on the triumphal arch).
Inside the church, the altar and the pulpit date from the 2nd half of the 17th century, the statues of St. Isidore and St. Roch, as well as the image of St. Hippolytus from the 2nd half of the 18th century.
As Saint Hippolyt is also venerated as the patron saint of the weather, ringing the bells in thunderstorms were once part of the duty of the sacristan of St. Hippolyt in Naraun. Due to the exposed location of the church, however, lightning strikes occurred time and again. Since the 17th century, no fewer than six deaths during weather ringing have been recorded in the parish's death register, which is why the little church was given the nickname "Zum bösen Segen" (to the evil blessing).
The church is only open on certain holidays. However, the hill offers a wonderful panoramic view all year round.
The path of reflection to the Luminous Rosary and in memory of Pope John Paul II, built in 2010, leads to the church. Six bronze reliefs with the mysteries of the Luminous Rosary and a portrait of the deceased Pope await the pilgrim on the way. They are works by the artist Robert Giovanazzi from Merano, which were realised by the art founders Stefan and Vinzenz Dirler, natives of Prissian/Prissiano.
High above the San Lugano Pass there are the ruins of Austrian trenches.
The mystical Hill of Tartsch towers amidst the green valley of Upper Vinschgau Valley, surrounded by the villages of Glurns/ Glorenza, Matsch/ Mazia and Mals/ Malles. Due to its position as viewing platform, the schist drumlin was already settled in prehistoric times. In the 11th century A.D. the Romanesque St. Veit Church dedicated to St. Vitus was erected upon a pagan cult site. It is one of the few churches that were never restored and displays precious medieval murals.
The Romanesque frescoes, which unfortunately have only been preserved in a few places, are of great art-historical importance. The interior of the church has a wooden ceiling from the 16th century.
Traces of fire can still be seen in some parts of the church. These date back to the Engadine War of 1499.
The church S. Veit is open from June to October every Thursday at 5pm for the guided tours in german and italian language (Info: +39 0473 831190).
The water of the Bad Überwasser was formerly mainly recommended for baths against anemia, weakness, arthropathy and so on. In 2009 it was analytically proven that the water is bacteriologically pure. Compared to drinking water, however, it has increased levels of iron and manganese.
The Lago Gioveretto is an artificial lake in the Ortler Alps in South Tyrol. The reservoir has an area of 70ha, situated at an altitude of 1850m in Val Martello and is crossed by the river Plima. The storage capacity is 19.6million cubic meters. The reservoir is situated in the Stelvio National Park and is used for generation of energy. The associated hydroelectric power station is located in Lasa.
From June to September you are allowed to fish with a state licence. You can buy the ticket at the keeper of the dam.
Thermal Baths Although the use of the thermal springs that source here certainly dates back to Medieval times, the traces of the earliest thermal spa establishment only dates back to the 16th century. In 1856, the sanatorium of Dr. Johann Scheiber was built. The sanatorium was transformed into the Grand Hotel Wildbad at the start of the previous century. In 1939 the imposing building was put for auction and abandoned for a long time. Chapel of San Salvatore at the Thermal Springs in Alta Pusteria This Chapel, regularly inhabited by a religious hermit until 1786, was consecrated in 1594. A small sanctuary had already been in place before this date. The altar most probably dates back to the 8th century. The area was probably even an area of worship from a pre-Christian age. Highest point: 1333 m Accesible only by foot, aproximately 45 minutes from Innichen / San Candido
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.
This very early church stands in the south-east part of the village, in the midst of green meadows. The church was built in the Romanesque style by the von Tschengels as their proprietary church at the end of the 13th century; it then benefited from the pastoral care of clerics from Tschengls. The last member of the Tschengls died in 1421. Inside the church John the Evangelist and John the Baptist are revered as patron saints. In the course of time the church was adapted to contemporary architectural styles and enriched with devotional pictures. Particular sights worth seeing are:
The last constructional measure was the reroofing with small shingles in 2002.
For visits, contact the Prad am Stilfserjoch tourist office.
Since 2000, the world's largest nativity scene has been displayed in the Iman Sports Centre in S. Cristina. The project is beeing carried out by a group of 18 sculptors. It was initiated in 1998 with the first statue being that of the Holy Mary with Baby Jesus. Creativity, sensibility, sense of art and skill fostered the idea: St. Joseph, the Magi, a shepherd, a donkey, three sheep, an Angel and a camel are now part of the scene, and the family continues to grow year after year.
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 Solda Lake is situated in the homonymous valley, in the centre of the Stelvio National Park.
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
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.
The ten Spronser lakes, the largest collection of lakes in the high alpine region, can be found to the north west of Tirolo, at the heart of the Texel group of mountains at around 2,500 metres above sea level. These enchanting mountain lakes form one of the most beautiful and significant groups of lakes in South Tyrol, with the Langsee lake, at 1 km long and almost 300 metres wide, also being one of the largest in the country.
The most beautiful group of mountain lakes in South Tyrol is so high that even in summer there is often snow on their shores. The Spronser lakes supply a large part of the city of Merano and its surroundings with water. The flora and fauna at this altitude are also noteworthy and absolutely fascinating.
This is one of the major wine growing regions of Bolzano, embellished by the slopes lined with grape vines. The "schiava" grape variety is cultivated here and vinified in the Santa Maddalena hills, hence the name of its famous ruby red table wine. Rows of wine farms line the hill.
The small church of Santa Maddalena, situated in a stunning panoramic position on the hill's summit, and hosting a precious fresco cycle dating to 1300, which is still well preserved on all its interior walls, is always woth seeing. Ask at the Tourism board for opening hours.
The panoramic view from the Santa Maddalena hills ist astonishing. In the sunset the Catinaccio Dolomite massif takes a pink shade, due to the presence of dolomite mineral. Its German name "Rosengarten" meaning "Rose garden" refers to the legend of King Laurin and the glowing in the sunset remembers his Rose garden.
Each year on the 22nd of July a splendid festival takes place in Santa Maddalena, celebrating the saint Mary Magdalene.
This viewpoint behind the St. George Church in Graun offers splendid views of Penon and the Adige valley.
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.
Tiroler Platzl is one of the largest initiatives in the greater Tyrol region. The park in the center of Marling was redesigned as part of Tyrol’s 200th anniversary in 2009. Rocks from the respective parts of Tyrol and the historic map, which shows the greater Tyrol region, commemorate Tyrol’s common history.
In the St. Georg and St.Jakobs Church in Soprabolzano you can admire beautiful murals from the late 13th century.
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.
Like the village of Tablà, Stava was also a separate municipality in the past. In 1928 the village was joined with the municipality of Naturno. Today Stava has around 360 inhabitants. Even in the Middle Ages Stava was renowned for its hospitality. There was even a health resort in the "Bad Kochenmoos" inn which provided hospitality to illustrious guests taking a break from the exertions of their travels.
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.
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