Category: Sights

Alpe di Siusi | Bolzano and surroundings

How to reach the Seiser Alm 

Breathtaking views over the peaks of the Dolomites, 300 days of sun, the vast infinity of Europe’s largest mountain plateau: The beauty of the Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm holiday area is legendary. The best way to discover the incredible nature and countryside on holiday is by getting out and about: Whether it’s on foot or by bike in the summer, by ski or snowboard on the slopes in winter: A holiday in the Alpe di Siusi holiday area in the Dolomites is a perfect blend of outdoor adventure with beautiful countryside and the pleasures of the palate; the South Tyrolean cuisine brings Alpine and Mediterranean culinary traditions together, which means that a holiday in the Dolomites provides something that’s sure to suit every taste.

A holiday on the Alpe di Siusi and the surrounding villages of Castelrotto/Kastelruth, Siusi/Seis, Fiè allo Sciliar/Völs am Schlern and Tires al Catinaccio/Tiers am Rosengarten leads you through the heart of the legendary Dolomites in the Alps. In summer, families can discover magical spots, head out on walks with Martha the witch and explore the nature reserve of the Sciliar-Catinaccio/ Schlern-Rosengarten, while a winter holiday in the Dolomites in winter offers masses of fun for kids on ski courses and at the ski kindergarten.

Cairns | Val Sarentino

How to reach the Cairns

The holiday region Bolzano and environs is full of secrets, legends and curiosities: The cairns are one example. In Val Sarentino on Hohe Reisch, a 2000 m high mountaintop, there are over 100 random stone cairns, some small, others as tall as people. They stand there like soldiers and greet the hikers.

But how did the cairns get there?
Were the cairns once used as signposts? Did herders build them here to while away the time? Do they point to meetings of witches or to some Celtic cult? Rock carvings and flint stone equipment do indeed point to the Stone Age and to the Middle Ages.

Witches cult
A court document from 1540 confirms this origin, and that some 500 years ago the site was a place of witches dances and satanic ceremonies. Ancient engravings even point to this viewpoint having been a Celtic worship site many centuries ago.

 

Primeval larches | Ultimo

How to reach the primeval larches of Ultimo

The three primeval larches stand at 1,430 metres above sea level near St. Gertraud on the edge of a ban forest that protects the Außerlahnhöfe from avalanches.

The people of Ultimo call an avalanche “Lahn”. They are the last witnesses of the first human settlement, when the back Ulten Valley was still the realm of bears, wolves and lynxes.

Over 2,000 annual rings were counted in the case of a larch tree overturned in 1930. The three survivors – often marked by storm and weather – are considered the oldest conifers in Europe. The entire treetop, which at 36.5 metres is the highest larch (trunk circumference 7 metres), dried up as a result of a lightning strike.

Also the thickest tree with a circumference of 8.34 metres, with the conspicuous tuberous growth (height 34.5 m), has lost its top.

The larch, with its large trunk cavity, on the other hand, burst at a height of six metres generations ago.

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Contact:
Tourist office Ultental valley
St. Walburg 104
39016 Ultimo
+39 0473 795387

Knottnkino | Verano

How to reach the Knottnkino

The open-air cinema at the Avelengo, Verano and Merano 2000 mountain plateau
On Rotsteinkogel mountain, between the villages of Avelengo/Hafling and Verano/Vöran, lies the Knottnkino of South Tyrolean artist Franz Messner. The vantage point, with 30 cinema seats made from steel and chestnut wood, invites hikers to sit, reflect and enjoy the unique view as if in a natural theater.

The view from the Knottnkino in Verano overlooks the entire Val d’Adige/Etschtal Valley, and visitors can enjoy stunning views from the peaks of the Texelgruppe Nature Park up to the Gantkofel mountain, from the Penegal mountain and further to the Weißhorn mountain.

 

Earth Pyramids | Renon

How to reach the Earth pyramids

How old are the earth pyramids? …25.000 years!
Europe’s tallest and most perfectly shaped earth pyramids are to be found on the Renon mountain in several locations: in the gorge of the Finsterbach creek between Longomoso and Monte di Mezzo, in the Katzenbach-creek gorge below Soprabolzano, and in the gorge of Gasters in Auna di Sotto. Earth pyramids consist of cone-shaped pillars formed by deposited clay and a boulder on top – they often form rather bizarre shapes, and tend to be shrouded in mystery. But there is an explanation for their existence. Earth pillars started forming from moraine clay soil left behind after the last Ice Age when the glaciers of the Valle d’Isarco covering the valley melted away. In dry condition the soil is hard as stone, but, as soon as it rains, it turns into a soft muddy mass, starts sliding, and so forms 10 to 15-meter-steep slopes. Through additional rainfall, these slopes will erode. However, where there are rocks in the muddy mass, the clay soil underneath these rocks stays protected from the rain. So, while the surrounding material is continually carried off with the weather, the protected pillars literally rise out of the ground to form majestic earth pyramids. It’s hard to tell how long the formation of a full-blown earth pyramid actually takes, simply because it depends on too many factors. It’s just as difficult to assert how old an earth pyramid might be or can get. What we can say for certain though is that the biggest and prettiest ones develop over the timespan of thousands of years. Once the boulder falls from its peak, an earth pyramid quickly bites the dust. When this happens, the material below is naked, exposed to the rain, and the pillar shrinks with every rainfall. While one earth pyramid vanishes through this process, a bit further up the slope the next one comes to life.

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Contact:
Tourist office Soprabolzano
Ing. Josef Riehl Platz 1
39054 Soprabolzano
+39 0471 345245

Narrow-gauge railway | Renon

Timetable Renon

How to reach:
– Collalbo/Klobenstein
– Colle Renon/Rappersbichl
– Stella/Lichtenstern
– Costalovara/Wolfsgruben
– Soprabolzano/Oberbozen

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Price:

One-way ticket 3,50 €
Return ticket 6,00 €
Children up to 6 free


Note: Save money on ticket rates with a value card, the Mobilcard or RittenCard.

Story:
The day was August 13, the year 1907, when an important part of Renon’s history was written: the inauguration of the Rittner Bahn/Trenino del Renon, the Railway Renon leading from the main square Piazza Walther in the heart of Bolzano directly to the plateau of Renon. From Bolzano to Maria Himmelfahrt/Maria Assunta the train puffed up the mountain on a cog drive, mastering an elevation gain of 1000 meters. Once at the top, the tracks led flat and even on to Oberbozen/Soprabolzano, Lichtenstern/Stella, and finally Klobenstein/Collalbo.

In 1966, the cog railway was shut down and a then modern cable car was built, connecting the city and the mountain from Bolzano to Soprabolzano. In May 2009, this original cable car was replaced by the present modern gondola ropeway. Meanwhile, the historic narrow-gauge railway still runs from Collalbo to Maria Assunta, operating partly with original cars and partly with more modern ones.
It is the only one of its kind left in South Tyrol. The spectacular view of the Dolomites along the track is reason enough to catch a ride on this witness of past times. Plus, at every stop you can get off and start a hike on one of numerous trails leading right into the natural green of meadows and forests.

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Contact:
Tourist office Soprabolzano
Ing. Josef Riehl Platz 1
39054 Soprabolzano
+39 0471 345245

Sculpture Garden | Salorno

How to reach the Sculpture Garden

Only a few minutes from the centre of Pochi near Salorno, there is the sculpture garden of the artist Sieglinde Tatz-Borgogno. The “garden of desire” boasts a large number of artworks of the sculptor in a broad-leaf forest. The collection ranges from bronze and marble figurines to installations of the special kind. In this natural scenery the artworks enfold a particular aura, of course also according to the season and the natural lights.

Freedom and harmony between arts and nature, true to this motto Borgogno exhibits more than 200 artworks in this piece of land. The inner conflicts of the artist and her life experiences are reflected by the sculptures and also her personal development in the course of the years is perceivable. The sculpture garden can be visited both in summer and winter and is open to all the people who are interested in arts.

Opening hours:
Open all year round

Prices:
free entry

Contact:
Sculpture Garden
Buchholz
39040, Salorno
+39 0471 810231

Convent San Floriano | Egna

How to reach the Convent S. Floriano

The convent in S. Florian was built in the 13th century. In the past it was famous for its hospitality to pilgrims. Nowadays it’s one of the best preserved pilgrim hospices in Europe. Also the great german artist Albrecht Dürer is supposed to have stayed in the hopice on his first journey to Venice. During summer there take place a lot of cultural events.

Open all year!

Contact:
Covent S. Floriano
S. Floriano
39040 Egna
+39 0471-810231

World of orchids | Gargazzone

How to reach the World of orchids in Gargazzone

South Tyrol is a special piece of earth. Due to the 300 sunny days a year, the mild, almost Mediterranean climate, the South Tyrol Orchid thrives here to a particularly healthy, strong and lively beauty. Valtl Raffeiner recognized this many years ago. His passion for orchids gave rise to the idea of using the excellent conditions in South Tyrol to delight people with the exceptionally high-quality and colourful variety of orchids.

The “Raffeiner Orchideenwelt” offers not only orchid lovers a world of experience to marvel at and discover, but also families from South Tyrol and holidaymakers from near and far.
However, not only the uniqueness of the exotic beauties will fascinate our visitors, but the entire structure of the complex will make for big eyes:
In the lake landscape the visitor sinks into the play of colours of the Koi carp. Over a bridge he reaches the other shore and passes a waterfall that awakens holiday feelings.
Children are offered space to let off steam in different areas and at the same time they can playfully learn their knowledge about orchids, their growth and reproduction in many stations.
A glimpse into orchid production also opens up to the curious, in order to examine the culture of the beauties that originate from their own production.
The tropical villa with its beautiful pond, where orchids swim their paths, invites you to linger. Your very special event could also take place here. Whether romantic or business – ideal for everyone.
The ORCHIDEA is the best place to round off an eventful tour with a piece of homemade cake or a small delicacy prepared with love. Next door you can keep an eye on the children on our adventure playground.
Whether on your own tour through the jungle world of orchids, which is unique in Europe, or in a group with a guided tour – you will feel our philosophy: to give pleasure to people with extraordinary and magnificent orchids from South Tyrol.
Explore the “Raffeiner Orchideenwelt” and let yourself be enchanted.

Opening hours:
o1. March 2018 – 31. October 2019:
Monday – Sunday 10:00 – 18:00

Prices:

Children until 6 years free entry
Children from 7 to 16 years 6,50 €
Adults 11,00 €
Adults aged 65 and over 10,00 €
small Familycard (1 Adults + children until 18 years) 16,00 €
big Familycard (2 Adults + children until 18 years) 26,00 €
Groups of 15 or more persons 9,50 €
Annual ticket for children up to 12 years old 18,00 €
Annual ticket Adults 30,00 €
Guided tour for individuals 3,60€

guided tours:
Guided tour for individuals daily at 11:00 and 14.00 (60 minutes)
For groups on request.

note:
Dogs are not allowed into the Raffeiner Orchideenwelt. They are welcome to stay at the dog station with water bowl or to be taken to the ORCHIDEA.

Contact:
Orchideenwelt
Via Nazionale 26
39010 Gargazzone
+39 0471-920218

Piazza delle Erbe | Bolzano

How to reach the Piazza delle Erbe

The colourful and lively piazza delle Erbe, heart of the city centre, hosts the famous fruit and vegetable market daily (except on Saturday afternoon, Sunday and public holidays).

The Neptune fountain, with a statue with his trident and bronze shells, by G. Mayr di Fiè (1745), is on the corner with via Portici. It has been classified amongst the one hundred most beautiful fountains in Italy and is also called “Gabelwirt” (Innkeeper with fork).

On the corner with Via Museo a plaque on the façade of the neo-Gothic building, commemorates the old “Al Sole” hotel where eminent personalities such as Goethe, Herder and Emperor Giuseppe II, resided between 1783 and 1790.

Opening hours:
Monday to Friday from 7 am to 7 pm
Saturday from 7 am to 1 pm

Free entry!

Contact:
Piazza delle Erbe
39100 Bolzano
+39 0471-307000