Castle Monguelfo | Val Casies

How to reach the Castle Monguelfo

At the entrance of the Val Casies valley there is the oldest castle of upper part of the Val Pusteria: Castel Monguelfo.

Castel Monguelfo – “Schloss Welsperg” in German – is located above the eponymous village and is undoubtedly a particular castle complex, known as “core castle”. One of the oldest parts is the high donjon dating back to 1126 AD. The brothers Schwikher and Otto von Welsperg had this castle built – the Lords of Welsperg were one of the most significant noble families of Tyrol. Due to their smart commercial activity and administrative work as well as their wedding politics, they built up a fortune and increased their importance.

For this reason, in 1359 Georg of Welsperg purchased the castle on the opposite, Castel Torre – Burg Thurn in German. Consequently both castles were in possession of the Lords of Welsperg. In the 15th and 16th century, Castel Monguelfo near the homonymous village was considerably enlarged and reconstructed. In 1765 there was a fire which destroyed parts of the castle complex, including the great hall and the commercial building. Despite of the fact that there were renovation works, the castle started decaying and has no longer been inhabited.

Today the castle, under administration of the board of trustees “Kuratorium Schloss Welsperg”, is venue for numerous concerts and festivities, but it remains the private property of the Counts of Thun-Hohenstein-Welsperg. The complex is also open to the public – several exhibitions are dedicated to South Tyrolean artists, such as Paul Troger, the well-known Baroque painter born in Monguelfo, or the contemporary artist Robert Griessmair who is famous for his faces carved on wood trunks. And how to reach Castel Monguelfo? It is located above Monguelfo (Welsberg) and can be reached in a 10-minute walk. The 2.5 km long Castle Path, a round trail, leads from the village centre past the castle. The extended version, the 6 km long “Big Castle Round”, however, takes you also past the above mentioned ruin of Castel Torre.

Opening hours:
September 17th to October 31st 2019:
Thursday from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Entry fees:

Adults 3,00 €
Children from 6-12 years and seniors over 65 2,00 €
Kids under 6 years free

Contact:
Schloss Welsperg
St. Martin 10a
39030 Val Casies
+39 0474-944118

Braies

How to reach Braies

Attractions:
– Lago di Braies
– Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park
– Lake Lagazuoi | Badia

Braies stretches into the Valle di Braies and nestles in the Braies Dolomites. A large part of the parish is situated in the nature park Fanes-Senes-Braies. The landscape is shaped by the most varied karst formations: Grooves and crevices, depressions, fissures and Dolomite basins create a diverse landscape. At the head of the valley is lake Lago di Braies (1494 m), which is overshadowed by the Croda del Becco (2810 m). A further highlight of nature is the Prato Piazza, a high plateau of fascinating beauty with stunning views.

Altitude village centre: 1,200 m
Inhabitants: Approx. 650
Description: Jewel in the Dolomites

Shopping:
Valle di Braies is an idyllic valley with small shops and all the basics: Groceries, newspapers, tobacco goods. In the patisserie your heart jumps for joy at the sight of all those sweet treats. The cheese dairy Hofkäserei offers home-made temptations. The Alpe Pragas turns fruit into special delicacies and sells these world-wide. Lovers of ceramics also find much to enchant them.

Culinary delights:
From rustic huts, inns and pizzerias to excellent restaurants – from bars and cafés to patisseries, there is something for every taste: Culinary delights in Valle di Braies!

Lago di Braies | Braies

How to reach Lago di Braies

In summer, Lago di Braies lake in South Tyrol reflects colors in all shades from green to blue, in winter Lago di Braies, is covered with ice and snow. In winter and summer, this jewel is the starting point for hikes, ski tours, snowshoe hikes, and walks. Nordic Walkers are also very well catered for.

Origins
According to legend, once upon a time savages dug in the mountains for gold and precious stones. The local herdsmen were jealous and tried to steal the treasures collected by the savages. They were unsuccessful because the savages opened up an underground spring and sunk their treasures in the lake this spring created.

Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee) Lake is situated in the middle of Fanes-Senes-Braies (Fannes-Sennes-Prague) Nature Park. Nestled into a wild and romantic rocky valley basin and dominated by the majestic Croda del Becco (Seekofel) Peak, this is the most beautiful lake in the Dolomites. An easy trail encircles the lake; the loop takes about 90 minutes to walk. On the right side, this circuit trail passes a small chapel in the muted shade of spruce, larch, and pine trees. The eastern part of the trail goes over steps. Croda del Becco Peak is beautifully reflected in the lake. Lago di Braies is known as the Pearl of the Dolomite Lakes.

Obereggen

How to reach Obereggen

Activities:
– Waldhochseilgarten

Obereggen in the Val d’Ega
Simply aim for the heights! Head up to mountain refuges, summit crosses, the start of the piste. Look across to the chain of mountains on the horizon and down towards the valley. Across the tops of forests and expanses of meadows. Simply follow the call of the Dolomites, hiking, cycling or skiing – tobogganing, cross-country skiing or snowboarding! And take the time once in a while to stop, wonder, and reflect. The mountain pastures and refuges of Obereggen in the Val d’Ega will give you that unique lofty feeling, too! The will of the Latemar to send adventure your way is unflagging. Obereggen is acutely aware of the value and beauty of nature: considerable attention is therefore paid to environmental protection and sustainability. All year round – time and again! Yes, in Obereggen you can really rise above it all.

Summer in Obereggen hiking area in the Val d’Ega
Flowering mountain pastures, rugged Dolomite rocks, deep, quiet woodland. Walking along paths, discovering trails, conquering the peaks, stopping off at mountain refuges – taking a deep breath and enjoying the extensive views! The Latemar stretches up towards the sky above the meadows and woodland, while a practically limitless world of adventure sprawls at its feet, involving hiking paths and bike tours and followed by fixed rope routes and themed paths. Places to stop and wonder and spots where you can take it easy. The World Heritage Site of the Dolomites really gets under your skin, drives you to experience new things, calms the soul and touches the heart.

Forest high-ropes course | Obereggen

Climbing adventures in the forest
Be like Tarzan on an adventure through the woods around Obereggen: the forest high-ropes course offers plenty of fun swinging through the trees, defying gravity and enjoying new challenges.

From tree to tree
You can start your climbing career at the valley station of the Obereggen lift: the forest high-ropes course there offers four different levels with no fewer than 30 stations waiting to be mastered. Negotiating swings, wooden bridges and suspended tree trunks, high wire acrobats can leap from tree to tree!

Ranging in difficulty from “no problem” to “don’t look down”, the obstacle courses between the pines demand co-ordination as well as a head for heights. Then there is the zipline, a 90-metre wire that you whizz down on a harness – a real highlight!

For little monkeys (3-6 years) there is a climbing tree and the “Lila” course for kids – minimum height 1.15 metres. Yeah – let’s go!

Registration with mountain guide Hansjörg Welscher!

Opening hours:
July, August, every Sunday in September & 1st Sunday in October:
10 am – 6 pm
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday in September & 1st week of October:
by reservation only
Thursday, Friday, Saturday in September & 1st week of October:
2 pm – 6 pm

Prices:

Blue, red, purple course
Adults 17,00 €
Children under the age of 16 12,00 €
Families from 4 persons & groups from 10 persons
Adults 15,00 €
Children under the age of 16 10,00 €

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black Parcours
Adults 22,00 €
Children under the age of 16 17,00 €
 
Families from 4 persons & groups from 10 persons
Adults 20,00 €
Children under the age of 16 15,00 €

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Season ticket for all courses
Adults 80,00 €
Children under the age of 16 65,00 €

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Contact:
Waldhochseilgarten
Hansjörg Welscher
Obereggen oberhalb Talstation Sessellift Oberholz
 +39 348-8151666

Valles

How to reach Valles

Attractions:
– Fane Alpine village | Valles

The jewel of Valles is the idyllic alpine village Fane Alm, located above the village.

Valles is located only a few minute’s car drive from Rio di Pusteria, at 1,353 m asl at the end of the homonymous mountain valley. Not only its location is striking, but it also boasts one of the most beautiful Alpine hamlets, the so-called Malga Fane.
Valles stands for an idyllic spot of land in the mountains, to which tradition and culture are of utmost importance. In winter Valles is an ideal place for spending one’s family holidays: two ski lifts for beginners and kids are available directly in the village, while more experienced skiers can head for the slopes on the mountain. At the top of Jochtal, there is another highlight, taking place every Tuesday evening: the „Tanz der Vampire“ (dance of the vampires) is a party at 2,008 m asl. The slopes are illuminated for ski touring, the funicular is in operation for party tigers. To make the offer complete, there is a toboggan run from Malga Fane down into the village. And there is also a cross-country ski run, with several possibilities to stop.
Particularly popular events are also the return of the cattle in autumn, as well the alpine festival and milk festival at Malga Fane, taking place in August. Summer in Valles is the best season for hiking, as there are several alpine tours that can be done. A shuttle service takes you to the Malga Fane, which is also starting point for several tours on the mountains. Not only the Rif. Bressanone, but also the Picco della Croce and Cima Valmala are worthwhile destinations for experienced mountaineers.

Fane Alpine village | Valles

How to reach the Fane Alpine village

The Fane Alpine village is considered the most beautiful Alpine hamlet of South Tyrol and is a family excursion destination all year.

The Fane Alpine village is a unique place in South Tyrol. This genuine Alpine village is located in the upper Val di Valles, surrounded by a backdrop without equals. Residential huts, hay huts, a little chapel and three mountain taverns – a total of approx. 30 buildings – form the idyllic hamlet.

Originally the Fane Alpine village was established as a lazaret for pest or cholera patients. Today, however, it represents one of the main family destinations of the area. By the way, it is also starting point for worthwhile mountain hikes, such as to Mt Picco della Croce (3,134 m asl), which is also the highest peaks in the surroundings of the hamlet. Of course also the Fane Alpine village itself is an ideal place for an excursion. Kids can play among in between the mountain huts, there is much space for them.

A highlight is undoubtedly the Alpine Village Festival and the Milk Festival. By the way, the Fane Alpine village can be reached also along the “Milk Trail”, which provides information on milk and cows. Moreover, in winter, it is the starting point for the popular touring ski race “Wurmaul-Umrundung”. Apropos winter: in the cold season, you can enjoy tobogganing, from the alpine pasture down into the village of Valles.

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Contact:
Almendorf Fane
Vals
39037 Vals
+39 0472 886048

Peace bell Plan de Corones | Val Pusteria

How to reach Peace bell

The crown of the Kronplatz: This is the mighty peace bell Concordia 2000, which is located at the top of the ski resort, directly above the 11 metre wide panoramic viewing platform. Perhaps a somewhat unusual place for a bell, but a truly wonderful place.

“Concordia 2000” was the name given to the magnificent bell on the 2,275 metre high Kronplatz, which was placed on the viewing platform at the summit by the municipalities of Bruneck, Olang and St. Vigil in Enneberg as a result of the 25th anniversary of the ski resort in 2003.

This peace bell with the Latin inscription “Donet deus populis pacem” reminds of the development pioneers of the Kronplatz and is dedicated to St. Bernhard, the patron saint of mountaineers and skiers.

With a weight of 18.1 tons, a height of 3.11 meters and a diameter of 3 meters, the Concordia 2000 is one of the largest bells in South Tyrol and the Alps. The bell clapper weighs 500 kilograms and makes a cis sound. The Concordia 2000 was designed by Paul dë Doss-Moroder from Val Gardena. In total, the bell tower is 21.8 metres high.

On the viewing platform in the Kronplatz ski area, on which this mighty bell stands, there is a bronze panorama relief with the names of the surrounding mountains and the cardinal points of the most important European cities.

The Concordia 2000 rings daily at 12.00 noon and when the death penalty is abolished in a country, when a convicted person has been pardoned or when a war is over!

Opening hours:
Monday- Sunday 9 am to 5 pm

Free entry!

Contact:
Concordia 2000
Michael Pacher 11 A
39031 Bruneck
+39 0474-551500

Firefighting Helmet Museum | Gais

How to reach the Firefighting Helmet Museum 

The Firefighting Helmet Museum contains some 700 helmets from around the world and from different epochs (including French metal helmets with feather plumes), sleeve badges, fire axes, officers’ swords and rare uniforms.

Opening hours:
June – November:
daily: 10am – 6pm
Christmas – March:
daily: 10am – 6pm
or with registration

Price:

Adults 5,00 €
Children up to 12 years 2,50 €

Contact:
Firefighting Helmet Museum
Schloss-Neuhaus-Straße 7
39030, Gais
+39 0474-504117

LUMEN Museum Plan de Corones | Brunico

How to reach LUMEN

Man’s fascination with mountains has been unbroken as long as anyone can remember. LUMEN gives this fascination a photographic home: located at the summit of the region Kronplatz (in South Tyrol), 1,800 square metres are dedicated to mountain photography. Spanning four floors LUMEN offers the possibility to experience the history of mountain photography from its beginnings until the present as well as displaying the art of mountain-photographers from all over the world.

Opening hours:
1. June – 13. October 2019
daily from 1o am – 4 pm

December 2019 – April 2020
Monady-Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm

Price:

Adults 17,00 €
Children (8 to 10 years) 10,00 €

Contact:
Lumen
Johann Georg Mahl Str. 40
39031 Bruneck
+39 0474 551500