Magazine 2006 - Südtirols Süden

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JO UR N A L 2006
EXTRA//ACCOMMODATION 2006 Official list of accommodation, with prices!
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FAX ENQUIRY
JOU RNAL 2 0 0 6
To the Tourist Board South of Südtirol
or another Tourist office
To
Tourismusverband
Südtirols Süden
Fax 0039 0471 633 367
Please send me
copies of
ARS VIVENDI JOURNAL &
ACCOMMODATION
or one of the 15 Tourist offices (see address on page 66)
TOWN BROCHURE &
SPECIAL OFFERS
ACCOMMODATION
Name of town
Special requests
First- and surname
Street and house number
Post code and town
www.suedtiroler-weinstrasse.it
Closing date: 15th November 2006
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2006
Int. Dialling code/tel. number
Fax. number
South Tyrolean Wine Road
Julius-v.-Payer-Str. 1
I-39040 Tramin
Tel. +39 0471 860 131
Fax +39 0471 860 820
www.suedtiroler-weinstrasse.it
[email protected]
JOURNAL
TOURISMUSVERBAND
SÜDTIROLS SÜDEN
Pillhofstr. 1
I-39010 Frangart (Bozen)
Tel. +39 0471 633 488
Fax +39 0471 633 367
[email protected]
www.suedtirols-sueden.info
MMM
FIRMIAN
Opening Easter 2006
WINE EMOTIONS
Along the South Tyrolean Wine Road
THE CRADLE OF
SUMMER HOLIDAYS
A nostalgic excursion to
the Ritten mountain
‘BELLA FIGURA’
WITH MOUNTAIN VIEW
Bolzano Bozen
Fascinating Opposites
w w w. s u e d t i r o l s - s u e d e n . i n f o
EDITORIAL
THE SOUTH OF
SÜDTIROL
EVERYTHING YOU
WANT TO KNOW
Come to a holiday destination that all your senses can enjoy - giving you an
experience second to none. A mixture of Mediterranean joie de vivre and
a sunny climate, picturesque vineyards and majestic Alpine backdrops, romantic villages and urban flair, authentic customs and modern elegance.
The South of Südtirol offers you all its typical landscape and culture, features
which mark this region south of the Brenner Pass. A holiday destination full
of highlights. Visit the buzzing city of Bozen with its cultural treasures, museums, exhibitions, theatres, elegant pedestrian zones, as well as its attractive
hotels and restaurants. The nostalgic Ritten mountain was once the centre
of true summer flair. The typical Sarn Valley offers proud peaks and archaic
villages. The wide Etsch Valley combines its famous wine road, excellent
wines and picturesque villages with southern relaxation and classic South
Tyrolean hospitality. The fascinating Trudner Horn Nature Park and unique
Bletterbach canyon offer picturesque bathing lakes, quiet trails leading
from vineyard to vineyard, apple orchards and sunny peaks with panoramic
views.
PORTRAIT//GEORG WEINDL
Journalist and author, Emphasis
on Cars and Tourism, published
by the Frankfurter Allgemeine
The South of Südtirol is ideal for enjoyable idleness and flattering elegance.
You’ll find all styles of restaurants, from a cosy farmhouse to nostalgic guesthouses and great gourmet restaurants. A paradise for sportsmen and nature
lovers with demanding mountain tours, idyllic hiking trails, comfortable for
sporty cycling trips or refreshing water sports. A holiday region, which is still
natural and down to earth, despite its numerous attractions. No obtrusive
commercial action, but authentic and typical landscape full of vitality and
joie de vivre.
Zeitung, Die Welt, Stern, Capital,
Merian etc.
Qualified Economics Engineer
Sun, mountains, lakes, culture, wine and gastronomy. Everything you need
to enjoy your holiday.
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SOUTH OF SÜDTIROL
ARS VIVENDI JOURNAL 2006
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MMM FIRMIAN
Boys’ trip to the MMM Firmian
At Easter 2006, the South Tyrolean extremist
mountaineer Reinhold Messner will open a centre
for his museum pieces at Castle Sigmundskron
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THE CRADLE OF
SUMMER HOLIDAYS
Nostalgic excursion to the Ritten mountain
It offers many artists and philosophers such as
Sigmund Freund, inspiration and relaxation
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WINE EMOTIONS
Along the South Tyrolean Wine Road
South Tyrol’s ascent to one of the world
renowned wine regions of Italy
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BELLA FIGURA WITH
A MOUNTAIN VIEW
Bolzano Bozen: fascinating opponents
Where you can choose from the best the South and
North have to offer. An interesting mix!
CONTENTS
ARS VIVENDI JOURNAL 2006
TYROLEAN TRADITIONS AND ITALIAN RELAXATION
Cultural trip through the South of Südtirol
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FORTRESSES AND CASTLES
Straight through the Upper Etsch region with Herbert Rosendorfer
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MOMENTS OF LEISURE AT THE LAKE
True relaxation for your feet and soul
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WHERE SIMPLE THINGS ARE TRULY SPECIAL
Genuine customs and old crafts
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LESS IS MORE
Wellness and relaxation: natural and stylish
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EUROPE’S UNIQUE CANYON
Bletterbach canyon: time engraved in stone
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PURE NATURE
Trip into the Trudner Horn Nature Park
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THE JOYS OF WINTER
The South of Südtirol: quiet and romantic
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EVENTS & HIGHLIGHTS
The most important events throughout the year
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COLUMNS
EDITORIAL
ZOOM//Making a good figure
FOCUS//The best tips and news
40 SECONDS//Short break with Goethe
WINE//Highlights
CULINARY//Weeks
GOURMET//Our best
BACCHUS//Excellent wines
CULTURE//Museums & churches
AGENDA//In & around South Tyrol
ENIGMA//A quiz about your holiday
CONTACT//All addresses at a glance
ARRIVAL//How to reach us
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EXTRA//ACCOMMODATION 2006
Official list of accommodation,
with prices!
YOUR THOUGHTS ARE IMPORTANT TO US!
Any criticism, suggestions, ideas, praise or reproach? Please let us know:
Tourismusverband Südtirols Süden, Pillhofstr. 1, I-39010 Frangart (Bozen) [email protected]
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ZOOM
DO’S AND DON’TS FOR SOUTH TYROL LOVERS
HOW TO CUT A FINE FIGURE AND AVOID
LITTLE EMBARRASSMENTS
Most of the time, it’s only the little things, which divide the experts and
connoisseurs from the unsuspecting tourists. We have put together a
list with which you can leave a good impression and enjoy your holidays
even more.
| by Georg Weindl
WHAT YOU DEFINITELY SHOULD DO
South Tyrol is blessed with elegant gourmet restaurants.
Still, you should not forget to try some of the great traditional restaurants. Typical cuisine, a hearty atmosphere and
friendly hosts await you.
YOU DON’T NEED TO STAY ON THE RIGHT TRAIL.
Why not enjoy a hiking trip early in the morning or at sunset? Delve into a great atmosphere and unique stillness in
the South Tyrolean mountain world.
COMPLETE STRANGERS WELCOME YOU.
No need to worry! In many places it is still traditional to
greet people when you meet them, even though you don’t
know them. Exchange a smile and enjoy a little chat.
TOP
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THE ULTIMATE LIST OF DON’TS
NUMBER 1
Call the locals Italians/Austrians/Germans. They are
South Tyrolean citizens.
NUMBER 2
Use the Italian names for South Tyrolean villages etc.
NUMBER 3
Order pasta as an accompaniment.
NUMBER 4
Drive to Bozen on a Saturday morning while it
rains. Take the bus or train!
NUMBER 5
Believe that all fast-driving cars with a Munich,
Rosenheim or Starnberg registration plate are tourists. Wrong! These are tax-saving South Tyroleans
citizens.
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IN SOUTH TYROL, PEOPLE DON’T GET TOO WORRIED
TOO QUICKLY.
Even if you have to wait for a while for your meal to be
served – no need to panic. Here, people go out to enjoy
good company and not only to get a meal. Be gracious and
discover how quickly time goes by if you enjoy yourself.
WHAT YOU DEFINITELY SHOULD NOT DO
CIAO!
Everyone can say that! However, you should only use it with
friends and family, and not when you speak to the waiter, your
host or other people. I guess, you wouldn’t kiss the lady at the
cashier’s desk in the supermarket, would you?
A GLASS OF RED WINE BEFORE LUNCH.
Recommended only if you intend to make yourself known
as a notorious drinker. You better take a glass of white
wine.
DON’T ORDER DRY WINE IN A RESTAURANT.
It’s too basic! People will identify you easily as an inexperienced tourist.
SPAGHETTI WITH A FORK AND SPOON IS UN-COOL.
The same is true for pasta as an accompaniment or ice
cubes in your wine. If you order some ‘Törggelen‘, you
should expect the waiter to get excited. You just ordered
an old South Tyrolean custom.
THE CLASSIC FAUXPAS.
After a fine meal, you shouldn’t order a cappuccino or
– even worse – a latte macchiato. This is the true barbarian
style in the eyes of every connoisseur. Show some style and
order an espresso or ‘caffè macchiato’.
TAKE OFF YOUR SHIRT AFTER A HOT MOUNTAIN TOUR.
But not in the restaurant or on the terrace. This would be
looked at like visiting a church in your swimming trunks.
AUTONOMY
The South Tyrolean package and autonomous status
guarantee the country of South Tyrol legislation and
executive powers. It gives South Tyrol an extensive
independence status towards the region and the state.
For further information about South Tyrolean autonomy, please click www.provinz.bz.it/aprov/suedtirol
FOCUS
TIPS AND NEWS
THEME PATH//‘FRIEDENSWEG’
The Kaltern ‘Friedensweg’ leads you from the centre of
Kaltern to St. Peter in Altenburg. Seven stations invite
you to rest and meditate. The five themes ‘moderation/wisdom/justice/faith and hope’ were designed by
artists and adopted to the local environment. The sixth
station (courage) is the Rastenbachklamm itself. The
seventh (love) features the early Christian church ruins
of St. Peter in Altenburg, which are probably the oldest
church ruins in Tyrol.
CLIMBING FANS
The first climbing paths in South Tyrol were mostly created during World War I, in order to supply the soldiers
at the Ortler and Dolomite fronts. Today, there are
more than 80 climbing paths. An El Dorado for climbing fans are also the climbing gardens of ‘Marderwand’
between Kurtatsch and Graun, the ‘Unterlegstein’ in
Fennhals, the ‘Sefnar Plottn’, the ‘Tanzbach-Knottn’
and the Samer Scharte in the Sarn Valley, as well as the
climbing gardens in Truden, the climbing halls in Eppan
and Tramin and the climbing wall in the Montiggl forest.
SARN PINE
ORIGINAL PINUS SARENTENSIS
The Sarn pine tree, locally called ‘mountain blessing’,
SECURED! is one of the oldest medical plants used in the Sarn
The tight-rope garden HETZ in Terlan offers adventure for adults and kids at the highest level: have fun,
walk on new paths, conquer frontiers, change look out
points... Ideal for leisure and sports clubs, annual office
outings, company days and family events.
For further information, please call Tel. +39 0471 257 944
www.xsund.it
Valley. Even the Celts used its healing powers. Today,
the precious oils are obtained according to old recipes,
whereby for every 1 kg of pure oil, 250 kg of pine needles are required. Nature and Wellness on
www.trehs.com
CRISP SOUTH TYROLEANS
WHERE ANGELS LEARN TO FLY...
At the Thuniversum, you can meet a number of angels.
In the visitors centre in Bozen South, you can watch
professional painters create these Thun ceramic arts.
Surrounded by light, colour and sound, we will introduce you to our product range made during the last
fifty years.
www.thuniversum.it
In an area of 18,000 hectares at an altitude of 250 to
1,000 metres, every year they harvest 961,000 tons of
apples in South Tyrol. There are 14 cultivated types of
apples including Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Gala,
Granny Smith and Braeburn. The orchards along the
river Etsch form the largest linked cultivation area in
Europe. Around 12% of the European harvest, as well
as every third biological apple comes from South Tyrol.
To check the various sorts, click
www.suedtirol.info/produkte
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LAKE KALTERN//Southern perspective
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40 SECONDS
SONG OF THE GHOSTS ACROSS THE WATERS
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
A person’s soul
Is like water:
It comes from heaven,
And returns to heaven.
Again and again
It comes down to earth,
Changing constantly.
It flows from the high,
Steep rocky wall,
Creating a fine ray.
Like dust.
In airy waves
At the smooth rock.
Welcomed,
With a vale,
It comes quietly
Down.
Cliffs
Want to protect it.
It resists
Restless
Step by step
Down into the deep.
It slowly moves along the valley
And into the calm lake.
It’s face.
Like a star.
The wind
Makes waves.
It moves the sea
The soul of a person.
You are like water!
Destiny of mankind.
You are like the wind!
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CASTLE SIGMUNDSKRON NEAR BOZEN//The largest fortress in South Tyrol
and centre-piece of the Messner Mountain Museums (opening: Easter 2006)
BOYS’ TRIP TO THE
MMM FIRMIAN
| by André Bechtold
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The boys wanted to see Dragobert again, so we drove to Frangart, to the road just below the shining globe. This is where it
stands, the 25 metre long steel dragon with gleaming eyes and
a huge tongue. In the forest, all around him, strange trees grow
and many one-eyed people look down on us. After an hour of
extensive observation, we intended to drive back to Bozen.
Just then, my youngest son asked me whether it would be possible to re-build the fortress again. He was talking about Castle
Sigmundskron! Several construction cranes reach out of the old
walls and there were a number of roofers working on the ‘White
Tower’.
I said ‘No, the fortress is just becoming a new museum’.
‘Museums are boring’, said my oldest son.
I replied: ‘Well, it’s not really a museum, more like a meeting
room!’ And immediately I noticed, that he thought this was an
even dumber idea.
‘The museum is called MMM Firmian and is organised by Reinhold Messner!’
‘Reinhold Messner climbed Mount Everest and, last year, ran
through the desert’, said our other son.
I wanted to reply ‘Yes, and say he also conquered both Poles and
hiked up mountains more than 8,000 metres without any oxygen supply – the first person on earth to achieve this’.
But I was interrupted by my oldest son who asked: ‘And why
does a mountaineer organise a museum? Can he do that?’
There and then, I decided to drive them up to the fortress in
order to give them more insight about the castle’s history and
the new museum. Soon, we arrived at the lower gate. But it was
closed. A sign emphasised that unauthorised persons were not
to enter this area. We sat down in the shade of the tower and I
began to tell them a story:
‘Once upon a time, a long time before Ötzi was born, some peo-
ple decided to settle on top of this hill. The place was ideal as it is
situated at the edge of the so-called Bozen basin and one could
see across the entire Etsch valley, towards the Schlern, the Mendel, the Ritten, Kohlern and into the Lowlands. For this reason,
people lived here for a long time. At a later stage, the Romans
came here and in Castelfeder and built in a fortress, which they
called ‘Formicaria’ and later ‘Formigar’. During the Middle Ages,
there was an Emperor called ‘Sigmund der Münzreiche’ and he
had trouble with the Bozen bishop Nicolaus Cusanus. Sigmund
drove Cusanus from the land and renamed ‘Formigar’ Sigmundskron. The name ‘Firmian’ is derived from the fact, that – during
the 14th Century -, the counts of Firmian hired the fortress. For
this reason, the fortress has two names today: in Italian ‘Castel
Firmiano’ and in German ‘Castle Sigmundskron’.
I knew that this was already enough information for my boys,
apart from the fact that the castle was of great importance in
the early days of South Tyrol’s history. On 17th November 1957,
Silvius Magnago had organised the largest demonstration in
the history of this country. 35,000 South Tyroleans came to the
fortress in order to demand autonomy for the region of South
Tyrol: the ‘Destiny of Trient’.
One of my sons asked: ‘So many in this castle? Were there more
than all the kids at the kindergarten?’
My oldest son answered straight away: ‘More people than you
have ever seen in one place before.’
There was a noise at the wall. A lizard was running across the
wall. We were silent. What would South Tyrol be today without
this autonomy? I thought for a moment.
My youngest son became impatient: ‘When will they open the
door?’ He knocked at the old wooden doors.
‘Next year in April, just before Easter’, I replied. (2006)
‘Do we have to wait here until then?’ he asked and smiled.
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ERICH WONDER//
„Wilhelm Tell“
PORTRAIT//ANDRÉ BECHTOLD
Qualified professor of the Middle Ages
and freelance artist. From 1999 to end
of 2003, he was the charismatic and
creative project manager at the castles
of Runkelstein and Marestch. He loves
making music and enjoys the culture of
South Tyrol, preferably on the back of his
Hafling horse ‘Oma’.
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‘No, of course, not’, I said, ‘But before we go, I’ll tell you something about this
new museum.’
‘Just a question’, said my oldest son. ‘What does this Messner do all day?’
I had to laugh and said quickly: ‘Messner does not have a proper job. He
enjoys life and does what he wants. He’s earned enough money to make
this project possible.’
‘Hey, that’s cool! But now, he must be old and cannot walk in the mountains
any more, and therefore, he built a museum. Logical? Well, this museum
shows us what his life is all about.’
I answered and said: ‘Messner is only 62 years old. And he still walks in the
mountains. Maybe he’s not as fast anymore as he was years ago. Your idea
about why he builds this museum is not too far off, though. I’ll try to explain
it to you as best I can.’
‘MMM stands for Messner Mountain Museum. The MMM is not only a museum but is several museums in one. One is at the Monte Rite in Belluno
and is called MMM Dolomites. It presents things about the Dolomites, the
rocks and climbing. Then, there is the MMM Juval. That is the castle, where
Messner lives during the summer. You can visit the castle if you want and get
information about the mountains in general and also about religious things.
And in Sulden, with a good view to the Ortler mountain, you will find the
MMM Ortles. It introduces us to the world of ice and crystal. There, you can
stand in a room, press a button and hear the sound of an avalanche coming
down.’
‘A real avalanche?’, asked my oldest son.
‘No’, I said, ‘but it gives you the sound of an avalanche experience. And you
also can see a Yeti.’
‘What’s that?’ he asked.
One of my sons answered: ‘A Yeti is a friend of the Yak!’
My youngest son wanted to hear more. ‘And what is a Yak?’
‘Okay’, I said, ‘I have a suggestion for you. Why don’t we drive to Sulden
tomorrow? We will have a look at the MMM Ortles and then you can find
the answers to your questions – or what do you think? Yak and Yeti are still
somehow a little secret. But now, we are here at Castle Sigmundskron and
I just wanted to let you know that a 5th MMM is planned. It will introduce
us to the profane world of the mountains and the work of the people living
here. This museum will be called MMM Mountain people. Here in Sigmundskron, in MMM Firmian, the subject will be ‘The heritage of the mountains’.
They say that Reinhold Messner will be here one day a week in order to talk
to visitors. He has planned all of the museums by himself, where all the parts
of the exhibitions come from his own collections. And then, they also plan
special events, concerts etc.’
‘And when people get hungry?’, asked my youngest son. I realised, we had
to go.
‘When MMM Firmian is opened, they also will have a restaurant attached to
it and you can sit in the shade, eat knödel and drink elderberry juice.’
This idea made them all hungry and we went home. On the way down, I
looked back: Somewhere around here, in the mountain, there is supposed
to be a tunnel, where King Laurin lives. I had to think about the questions,
my own father asked Reinhold Messner: ‘What happens if the tunnel gets
thinner?’
I really look forward to the opening of MMM Firmian. The boys will love it!
Foto: Arne Schultz
They plan to have a special kind of meeting room in Sigmundskron. The MMM Firmian will not only offer information about the arts, but will also present information about the mountains and its people. Pieces of art will be inserted at different points, bringing together a collective biography of alpine life. It is intended that visitors, work
and the meeting room will from a type of open dialog. The emphasis is less on the documentation concerning the
surrounding mountains, but more about the people and their mountains, as well as the areas close by and in the
vicinity, offering curiosity and amazement.
MMM Firmian is located at Castle Sigmundskron (south of Bozen) and has a truly central location in South Tyrol.
This centre-piece of the total MMM project will open around Easter 2006.
The full museum concept is as follows:
MMM FIRMIAN
MMM JUVAL
Mountain Heritage – The Heritage of the Mountains, Bozen/Sigmundskron.
Mythos Mountain – The religious Dimension,
Kastelbell-Tschars, Tel. +39 348 44 33 871
MMM DOLOMITES Dolomites/Rock – The vertical World.
Belluno, Monte Rite, Cibiana di Cadore, Tel. +39 0435 890 996, www.museonellenuvole.it
MMM ORTLES
Ice/Ortler – Ice and Crystal Worlds, Sulden, Tel. +39 0473 613 266
MMM BERGVÖLKER Mountain people – Profane World of the Mountains (Project phase)
The entire MMM concept is the first, the largest and the most unique mountain museum in the world.
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WINE EMOTIONS
ALONG THE SOUTH TYROLEAN WINE ROAD
South Tyrol is one of the oldest and smallest wine cultivation areas in Europe. Wine, culture and tradition are closely connected. Numerous generations of wine-growers have shaped the history of South Tyrolean wine cultivation. The discovery of grape seeds bears witness to the fact that grapes
have grown here, long before the conditions were ideal.
The richness of the range of wine can without doubt be traced back to particularly good climate conditions. In the North, the Alps form a protecting
shield against the cold winds. From the South, the mild Mediterranean influence is noticeable. An average of 1,800 sunny hours ensures that the grapes
truly feel at home in this region. The charming South Tyrolean vineyard is a
synonym for extraordinary and memorable wines.
| by Herbert Taschler
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VERNATSCH
GEWÜRZTRAMINER
LAGREIN
the typical South Tyrolean wine
the South Tyrolean wine which is at
home all over the world
the South Tyrolean wine with
international recognition
An easily digestible wine for every occasion and every day. Young, fresh, fruity, dry
and soft with little acid. Harmonic and
mild with a fine, well-developed cherry
and bitter almond tone. Kalterersee, St.
Magdalene, Grauvernatsch, Meraner and
all the other South Tyrolean Vernatsch
wines are suitable for different types of
local meals, go well with a speck and
sausage supper and/or guide you comfortably through any menu.
An aromatic wine with a bouquet of
roses and cloves. Headstrong, dry and
strong. With a fine flavour, full-bodied
and intensive on the palate. A good
accompaniment to seafood, prawns and
lobster, to curry dishes, pate and strong
cheese. Or simply take it as an aperitif or
dessert wine.
Ruby-red in colour with light violet tones,
full-bodied and strong. Fruity and soft
with a juicy aroma and soft tannins. A truly unique wine. Excellent accompaniment
to typical dishes of the local cuisine, with
game, red meat and strong cheese.
Accepted origin: Kaltern
Accepted origin: Tramin
Accepted origin: Bozen
Serving temperature: 13 - 15 degrees,
cool but not cold
Shelf life:
1 - 2 years
Serving temperature:
Shelf life:
Even during the Bronze Age, settlers cultivated the oldest wine-growing area in the German-speaking region. The
‘Rhaetian wine’ from the Etsch country was admired by the
Romans. In wooden caskets, bound by iron belts, the Rhaetians transported their wine, renowned as being ‘second to
none’. It was even delivered to the King’s court. This is when
the Romans learnt that wine ripens much better in wooden
caskets, rather than in earthy amphorae.
From the 8th Century, Franken and Bavarian cloisters bought
some wine-growing estates in order to ensure a continued
supply. The South Tyrolean wine cultivation was supported
for more than 600 years by the Austrian regime.
Lagrein and Vernatsch, as well as Gewürztraminer formed
many old and local types of grapes along the vineyards. This
is still the case today. During the second half of the 19th Century, international grapes moved into the vineyards of South
Tyrol.
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11 - 13 degrees
2 - 4 years
Serving temperature: 16 - 18 degrees
Shelf life:
3 - 5 years, good
vintage even longer
SOUTH TYROLEAN WINES ON THE WINNING LIST
Today, the wine-growers of South Tyrol cultivate more than
20 types of grapes – and this only on 5,000 hectare of land.
Less than one percent of the Italian wine comes from South
Tyrol. However, the quality measures up to the excellent
wines from the Tuscany or Piedmont regions.
TIP: All awarded wines from the South of Südtirol are listed
on page 63
VARIETY & QUALITY
SOUTH TYROL’S GRAPES
AND WINES
Just as South Tyrol’s landscape is varied, so is the assortment of grapes available. There are three important types of
grapes, which have their origin in South Tyrol: the Vernatsch
– a typical fruity, fresh and easily drinkable South Tyrolean
red wine ‘par excellence’, the Gewürztraminer – now found
all over the world as well as the Lagrein, the South Tyrolean
red wine of international acclaim.
er is available as a fine and aromatic wine. In addition, South
Tyrol’s wine cellars and wine-growing estates offer a broad
variety of magnificent wines, made from the most valuable
international grapes available.
WHITE WINES
BOZEN AND THE SURROUNDING AREA
White grapes are covered by nearly 40% of all South Tyrolean
vineyards. The trend is growing. Pinot Bianco and Chardonnay are at the top of the list representing more than 50% of
the quantity. Nowhere else in Italy, do white grapes such as
Gewürztraminer, Pinot Nero, Silvaner, Müller-Thurgau, Riesling, Sauvignon, Veltliner or Kerner produce such fruity, fresh,
typical and characteristic wines, as in South Tyrol.
Framed by vineyards and orchards, the provincial capital
of Bozen, where the rivers Etsch and Eisack merge, is situated in a wide valley basin. Bozen’s fame as a city of wine is
based on two autochthonous wines: the St. Magdalene and
the Lagrein. Some of the best vineyard regions of South
Tyrol are the hills and slopes of the St. Magdalena region
just above Bozen. Altogether, there are approximately 300
hectares of vineyards from which the St. Magdalene wine
is produced. On the other side of Bozen, in the suburb of
Gries, the South Tyrolean Lagrein has found its home in
the deep and well aired stony grounds of the Talfer and
Eisack rivers. The Lagrein wine from around Bozen is cultivated on approximately 250 hectares.
RED WINES
60% of all vineyards in South Tyrol are red grapes. In this statistic, the Vernatsch grape has the most important role. The
great red wines of South Tyrol enjoy international importance, such as the characteristic Lagrein, the elegant Pinot
Nero, the strong Merlot and the expressive Cabernet.
SWEET WINES
The tradition of South Tyrolean wine history shows that
dry wines were always cultivated. Unique exceptions are
two classic South Tyrolean rarities: the fruity Rose Muscatel
and the aromatic Golden Muscatel. For some years, the cellar masters of South Tyrol have produced impressive sweet
wines. The South Tyrolean Passiti (straw wines), as well as
the late vintage wines today count among the most desired
sweet wines of Italy.
SPARKLING WINE
Since the beginning of the 19th Century, sparkling wine has
been produced according to the classic bottle fermentation
method. South Tyrol’s manufacturers of sparkling wines,
produce about 150,000 bottles per annum in careful manual work. It is marked through its fresh, sparkling finesse, its
lovely dry fruitiness and typical light yeast tones.
A COLOURFUL MOSAIC
VINEYARDS MARK THIS LAND
At the slopes and hills of the Etsch Valley between Meran and
Salurn, the vineyards rule the landscape. 52 of 116 towns in
South Tyrol produce wine. The South Tyrolean vineyards
are like a colourful mosaic of 5,000 individual companies,
in which more than 10,000 people offer their best abilities
and efforts. 16 wine co-operations, about 40 wine-growing
estates and wine cellars, as well as a huge number of self-distributing wine farmers intend to make the best wines from
the grape capital given to them.
A discovery journey through South Tyrol’s varied vineyard
landscape along the South Tyrolean wine road will surprise
you. All around Bozen, you will find the soft but still strong St.
Magdalene wine, as well as the characteristic Lagrein. In the
Upper Etsch region and the Etsch Valley itself, you can taste
excellent white wines and the famous Kalterersee-Vernatsch.
In the Lowlands, with its home in Tramin, the Gewürztramin-
PORTRAIT//ROBERT SCHERER
The works of this freelance artist not only consist
of various techniques of wall painting (fresco,
sgraffito, mosaic), panel painting, drawing and
print graphics, but also include marble sculptures
and creations of glass. Worth seeing: the Puntaykeller of the wine cellars Erste & Neue in Kaltern,
designed by Robert Scherer.
www.erste-neue.it
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UPPER ETSCH REGION
The Upper Etsch area, for many a byword for South Tyrol’s traditional wine cultivation, is situated at the foot of the Mendel mountain range at the soft hills of the Western Etsch Valley between
Bozen and Tramin.
The wine-producing villages of Eppan and Kaltern are both rich
in tradition and at the same time are the largest wine-producers
in South Tyrol. The idyllic and famous Lake Kaltern makes an impressive Mediterranean backdrop. Eppan with approximately 950
hectares of vineyards is the largest wine village in the country. Just
as each individual fraction offers a different characteristic in the
large villages of St. Michael, St. Pauls, Girlan with Schreckbichl and
Frangart, so each vineyard is varied and unique. Kaltern, with 760
hectares of vineyards, is the second largest wine village in South
Tyrol, and is a byword for many for South Tyrolean wine as a whole:
not only due to its famous lake, but also for its magnificent winegrowing conditions.
THE LOWLANDS
About one third of the wine-growing area in South Tyrol (approximately 1,700 hectares) is found in the wine villages of the
lowlands in the South of Südtirol. Salurn with 400 hectares,
Tramin with 380 hectares and Kurtatsch with 280 hectares are
found at the top of the list. They are followed by Margreid, Neumarkt, Montan, Auer and Kurtinig, Pfatten and Branzoll. The
individual vineyards with their different soils and many microclimates allow the cultivation of the entire grape assortment
available. Despite this broad variety, there are some grapes,
which are prominent and which find particularly suitable conditions for growth: such as the Gewürztraminer, Ruländer and
Chardonnay in the white wines and the Cabernet and Merlot,
as well as the Pinot Nero with its classic growing region in the
higher locations of Montan and Salurn, for red wines.
CENTRAL ETSCH VALLEY
In the central part of the Etsch Valley between Bozen and Meran, lies the Terlan basin, which is famous for its white wines.
The porphyry soil of the Terlan hills, covered by the river sand,
with its warm and well-aired climate, allows special white wines
to grow. These are full-bodied and contain particular mineral
substances. The villages of Terlan and Andrian are right in the
centre of the white wine cultivation area. The Pinot Bianco
and the classic Terlan Sauvignon are in the forefront, followed
by Chardonnay and the ‘Terlan’ without classification (at least
50% of Pinot Bianco and/or Chardonnay), Riesling, Müller Thurgau and Silvaner. Also the red wines of the central Etsch Valley
have something to offer. Due to the climatic conditions and the
sandy loamy soil in the lower locations, these are full-bodied
and well structured.
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BOZEN WINE TASTING
In 1896, the 1st Bozen Spring Wine Market took place. Today, the Bozen wine tasting takes place in the famous Castle
Maretsch, which is surrounded by wonderful vineyards. Wine
producers and wine connoisseurs taste more than 300 South
Tyrolean wines.
www.weinkost.it
CLOISTER WINE CELLARS
The monks make the best wine, it is said. Three important
cloisters dedicate their time to the art of wine-making: Cloister Muri-Gries near Bozen, the Stiftskellerei Neustift near
Brixen and the cloister cellars of Pircher in Lana.
www.muri-gries.com
CRYSTAL CLEAR – SOUTH TYROLEAN GRAPPA
In South Tyrol, there are five renowned distilleries today,
among them the Psenner and Roner in Tramin and the Walcher in Eppan. These guarantee extraordinary quality in
South Tyrolean grappa. The grapes only come from South
Tyrol, where 100 kg of fresh grapes results in an average of 9
to 12 litres of grappa. South Tyrolean grappa producers are
found on
www.grappaweb.it
WEIN.KALTERN
Wine producers, tourist agents farmers and representatives
of public life founded the ‘Projektgruppe Weindorf Kaltern’
(project group Kaltern wine village) in 1999. From this, the
label ‘wein.kaltern’ developed. Today, there are also other labels such as wein.weg, wein.wegweiser, wein.magazin and
soon wein.brevier, as well as wein.haus.
www.wein.kaltern.com
DID YOU KNOW, THAT
the Fennberg is the highest Müller-Thurgau vineyard in Europe? From the grapes, which are harvested at about 1,050 metres above sea level, they
produce the wine ‘Feldmarschall von Fenner’.
Mölten has the highest-altitude sparkling wine
cellar in Europe? Since 1979, the sparkling jewels
are filled into bottles at an altitude of 1,200 metres
above sea level.
the oldest South Tyrolean grape found in Margreid
still bears fruit? The vine was planted in 1601 and
produces up to 80 kg of grapes every year.
the Andrian wine cellar is the oldest wine-producing estate in South Tyrol? It was founded in 1893.
Only four months later, the Terlan wine association
became established.
Eppan has the largest wine-cultivation in South Tyrol?
It has approximately 1,000 hectares, which is about
20% of the entire South Tyrolean wine growing area
and is the largest vineyard area in South Tyrol. For
more information about the wine country in South
Tyrol, click www.suedtirolerwein.com
the Gewürztraminer grape comes from Tamin?
Today it is cultivated in all five continents.
WINE//HIGHLIGHTS
84th Bozen Wine tasting: End of April at Castle Maretsch in Bozen
wein.kaltern – hiking, adventure, enjoyment on 23rd April
South Tyrolean Pinot Nero Days in Montan and Neumarkt in May
Gewürztraminer Wine Road in Tramin on 13th July
Wine Culture Weeks in St. Pauls/Eppan from 27th July to 8th August
Lorenzo Night in Bozen on 10th August
Kaltern Wine Days on 7th and 8th September
Tramin Wine Street in Tramin on 21st October
Lowlands Wine Week in Auer end of October
The ‘wine ride’ is a one-day discovery tour through the South
of Südtirol’s wine and cultural landscapes. You will visit some
historic wine estates, cellars and cultural monuments and taste
some exquisite wines. A 5 course tasting menu will be the finishing touch. Dates & information at:
www.suedtirols-sueden.info
South Tyrolean Wine Road
Julius-v.-Payer-Str. 1 • I-39040 Tramin
Tel. +39 0471 860 131 • Fax +39 0471 860 820
www.suedtiroler-weinstrasse.it
THEME PATHS//ALL ABOUT WINE
Kurtatsch Wine Teaching Trail
The wine teaching trail leads for 1.5 km through a closed vineyard. Visitors get to learn about the ‘road of life’ of wine itself,
as it takes you through planting the ‘rasel’ to wine tasting.
wein.weg
Along the wein.weg, limestone-white stones mark the way
and show the names of the individual wine-growing estates.
The names of the vineyards are given partly in Rhaetian, partly
of Roman origin, and remembered in poetry: Keil and Ölleiten,
Vial and Prunar, Puntara and Palurisch, Salt and Plantaditsch...
SOUTH TYROL//WINE ROAD
The South Tyrolean Wine Road was established in 1964 and
is the oldest in Italy. The following villages are found along the
road: Nals, Andrian, Terlan, Bozen, Eppan, Kaltern, Tramin, Kurtatsch, Margreid, Kurtinig, Salurn, Neumarkt, Auer, Montan, Pfatten.
Wine Teaching Trail in Girlan
In co-operation with the Laimburg school, an interesting wine
teaching trail was established, which explains different cultivation methods, all about the local grapes, as well as thousands
of years of wine tradition.
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A CULINARY JOURNEY THROUGH
THE SOUTH OF SÜDTIROL
TYROLEAN ROOTS
AND THE EASY ITALIAN
WAY OF LIFE
| by Herbert Taschler
PORTRAIT//
HERBERT TASCHLER
Born in Toblach, he has lived
for 15 years in Kaltern and
watches the South Tyrolean
wine and gastronomy scene
with a careful eye. As a freelance specialist publisher,
gastronomy expert and sommelier, he tastes, tests and
writes for several magazines
A successful symbiosis of Alpine charm and Mediterranean temperament are uniquely reflected in South Tyrolean cuisine. The enjoyment
that comes from South Tyrolean cuisines and cellars is a result of Tyrolean
earthiness and Italian refinement. Whatever they put on a plate in South
Tyrol mirrors the climate, the landscape, the culture and the people of
this region.
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such as Gambero Rosso, Der
Feinschmecker-Weingourmet, Merum, Tageszeitung
Dolomiten-Wirtschaftskurier
and the Südtiroler
Weinpresse.
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CASTLE TRIANGLE//
Missian/Eppan: Castle Korb, castle ruins
of Boymont and Castle Hocheppan
Its cuisine is sunny, mild, rooted and full of temperament
at the same time. It is traditional but still open for soft impulses from all over the world. The extensive menu has true
tradition: hearty, strong dishes with a farming background,
menus from the Old Austrian type of cuisine, as well as the
elegant and enchanting Italian way of cooking complement
each other perfectly.
Up and down the country, you can find strong aromas and
fragrances in every kitchen. A hearty tradition of cuisine
combines harmoniously with the southern refinement and
Mediterranean easiness. South Tyrol’s cuisine shows itself in
all its facets: from Mediterranean and soft to strong and Alpine. The same is true for the landscape around you.
CASTLE HOTELS KNÖDEL & SPAGHETTI, SPECK & CARPACCIO
Numerous fortresses, castles and noble residences
invite you to dine and sleep like a king. The South of
Südtirol offers many manor-style rooms
and accommodation - mostly in the castle
region of Eppan, but also in other places.
For addresses of castle hotels and castle restaurants click
www.suedtirol.info/burgen
DID YOU KNOW, THAT
for more than 100 years, they have cultivated exquisite asparagus in Terlan? The Terlan asparagus
was first mentioned at the end of the 19th Century.
Most important asparagus accompaniments: Bozen
sauce and Terlan asparagus wine.
BOZEN SAUCE
In the 1920s, Maria Huber was the first person to serve
the Bozen sauce in a Terlan restaurant. It was a creation of
Bozen citizens. The original recipe was for 4 people:
Squash two hard-boiled eggs and mix them with oil,
vinegar and a little salt. Add one tablespoon
of finely cut chives. (No mayonnaise!!)
Speck on a wooden plate, grey cheese with onions, pickled
tongue of veal, luke-warm goat’s cheese and baked horseradish are found on menus in typical ‘Buschenschank’ and
traditional village restaurant. In Spring and Summer, the
cuisine is more Mediterranean. In Autumn and Winter, it is
often Tyrolean: farming barley soup with spinach – buckwheat shapes with grey cheese – roasted knödel and mushrooms with coleslaw – braised lamb leg on rosemary polenta
– bacon & sausage dish during the Törggele season – sweet
doughnuts with poppy seed, jam and chestnut fillings –
chestnut rice with quinces, as well as quince ice-cream, invite
you to discover and enjoy something new.
The term ‘Marende’ translates into snack and these are very
popular in South Tyrol. They offer speck and mountain
cheese, ‘Schüttelbrot’ (type of bread) and often also hot potatoes, horseradish and everything the pub owner may be
able to put on a plate.
South Tyrol is like the Garden of Eden, a paradise rich in fruit
and other wonderful products. Those who love quality, want
to enjoy food with all their senses and, at the same time,
would like to support the local economy, could allow the
‘Roter Hahn’ restaurant to spoil them, as they use only quality products from South Tyrolean farms.
CREATIVE AND TEMPTING
Young and innovative kitchen chefs have imported some
new ideas into South Tyrolean kitchens. Visitors will be
tempted with a variety of dishes, which come predominantly
from the Mediterranean region and demonstrate some Asian
influences without losing sight of the local traditions.
SOUTH TYROLEAN GOURMET
Hoods, forks and stars decorate the gastronomic sky in South
Tyrol. In the local cuisine, Alpine and Mediterranean styles
meet and enchant connoisseurs and gourmets alike. More information in ‘Gault Millau Südtirol’, which is available in every
bookshops or can be ordered at
www.athesiabuch.it
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Fresh products and dishes – first of all South Tyrol’s quality
products – are right in the centre of everything. The following is a small selection from an Upper Etsch menu: Carpaccio
of goose paté with apple cream brulé, Balsamico juice and
pistachio croissant – warm and cold smoked trout with white
beetroot and horseradish shake – small potato & mushroom
dumplings on truffle apple sauce and well-roasted pikeperch filet – shoulder of chamois ‘in Lagrein’, roasted, with
red cabbage – pears in ginger and Topinambur crisps – coat-
ed apple with sabayon cream of Gewürztraminer – quince
jelly and ice-cream.
Creations full of fantasy, as well as home-made cakes and
chocolates form the crown of every festive menu, or each
simple meal. And the wine culture with exquisite wines from
the broad and varied assortment along the South Tyrolean
Wine Road is always part of every meal.
HOSPITALITY AND JOIE-DE-VIVRE ARE
CONTAGIOUS
The Southern Dolce Vita, lifestyle and savoir-vivre transport
our guests into a culinary discovery trip with many enjoyable
delights. Discover your love of life, while drinking a glass of
good South Tyrolean wine with some tempting specialities from the South Tyrolean kitchen. In such an inviting atmosphere and warm hospitality, it is easy to enjoy the easy
Southern way of life and the hearty Alpine charm.
SOUTH TYROLEAN PRODUCTS
From January to December, there is always a part of South Tyrol
on our tables: bread, Zelten (type of fruit cake), strawberries,
speck, wine and grappa are only a few of the South Tyrolean
quality products, which guarantee a special culinary adventure.
Recipes, addresses and information at
www.suedtirol.info/produkte
TIP: A list of our best restaurants and most beautiful pubs
are on page 62
CULINARY WEEKS IN THE
SOUTH OF SÜDTIROL
Asparagus Weeks in the Asparagus Triangle
Terlan-Vilpian-Siebeneich, end of March to end of May
Cheers!
Specialities from different Italian regions plus ‘Gourmet Market’ in April in Bozen
SCHÜTTELBROT
This thin type of bread is made of soft rye dough. Leaven is
used for loosening the bread and spices round off the flavour.
Small pieces of dough are ‘shaken’ into shape with a round
piece of wood and then baked. Schüttelbrot is nearly all crust
and is served with speck, sausage, cheese and wine or simply
offered as nibbles.
www.brot.org
Culinary Speciality Weeks
in Jenesien, beginning to mid April
Gewürztraminer Cake with lots of Enjoyment
Tramin in May
Sarn Valley for Connoisseurs
in five gourmet restaurants in May
Gastronomic Nightly Tours
with the Rittner Cable Railway from June to August
‘Sarnar Morgreti Essn’
in six Sarn Valley restaurants during the 1st half of July
CHEESE
During the summer, numerous Alpine meadows produce their
own cheese. The dairymaids can be watched at their work and
you can try the cheese if you like. Lots of fun not only for kids!
Guided farmhouse tours and more information about the quality products can be found at www.roterhahn.it
WEINoktober,
events based around wine during October in Tramin
GOLDEN MILK
essen.kaltern
drinking, eating and enjoyment in October/November
Hansi Baumgartner, Italy’s first cheese specialist, distributes
South Tyrolean cheese specialities world-wide.
www.degust.com
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CASTLE HOCHEPPAN//
Missian/Eppan: Once the mightiest castles in the country. The
castle chapel is worth seeing and hosts the first graphic display
of the Tyrolean knödel (fresco from the 12th Century)
‘Statistics and the like can only be trusted’, said Churchill, ‘if you have worked on
them yourself’. (Whether this statement can be trusted or not is another question.)
Who knows, whether it is true or not, that South Tyrol and in particular the Upper
Etsch region have the largest number of fortresses and castles in the world. Maybe
certain provinces in the Inner Castilles have some more ... Nonetheless, there are a
huge number of castles in this area!
Fortresses, castles, noble residences – a clear art or culture-historic divide do not
exist. The descriptions overlap. Hocheppan is a fortress, which was built during
the great times of the knights, around the time, when Emperor ‘Rotbart Lobesam’
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BOYMONT CASTLE RUINS//
Missian/Eppan
FORTRESSES
AND CASTLES
| by Herbert Rosendorfer
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(Barbarossa) moved towards the Holy Land. In order to have
more defence against other armies, the Lords built fortresses
with thick walls and high towers. Englar, however, is not a
fortress but more like a castle. A very fine distinction! Englar – and many similar buildings – were built around a time,
when they still remembered the times of tournaments and
minnesingers, but the military and strategic importance had
long gone. Therefore, they wanted to keep these times alive
and built residences in their vineyards, decorated with Venetian loggias, merlons and towers. Then, and also today, Englar
was owned by the Counts of Khuen-Belasi. Rainer Maria Rilke
stayed here at some stage. Rilke loved everything aristocratic
and had the talent of getting close to the ladies of the castle. He wrote poetry and was paid in free lodging. The poetry
about Englar is exhibited in the castle.
Above:
ROMAN FRESCOES//castle chapel Hocheppan (Missian/Eppan)
Below:
CASTLE ENGLAR//accommodated Rainer Maria Rilke. A fine ambience
for concerts and readings (Pigeno/Eppan)
PORTRAIT//
HERBERT ROSENDOFER
Born in 1934 in Gries near Bozen.
Studied law in Munich.
Until 1997, judge in Bavaria.
Since 1997, he has lived in
St. Michael/Eppan. Numerous
awards, such as the literature award
of the City of Munich in 2005.
Rosendorfer is the author of an
extraordinary range of work; one of
the most famous being ‘The letters
of the Chinese past’ (1985).
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Around the middle of the 16th Century, long after the Renaissance moved northwards into the old ‘mountain country’ (Tyrol), the people of this region finally realised that it was possible to build beautiful large houses between vineyards and
orchards without surrounding them with high walls and merlons. They began to build around 180 fine residences, which
were not exactly fortresses or castles but could be defined
as architectural pearls. The great South Tyrolean art historian
Provost Joseph Weingartner invented the term ‘Upper Etsch
style’. The mighty walls and the farming manor-like architecture were kept, but many decorative items began to show on
the outside: oriels, arch windows, outdoor stairs and porticos,
balconies and wrought iron ornamental grilles on the lower
floor windows. A residence was always a type of aristocratic
residence of certain jurisdictional liberty. Often, the residences were named after the builder. Of course, today, most of
these families are extinct. The residences are owned by other
people, many of whom are farmers and wine-farmers. Some
of these (like the Massauerhof ) have been renovated into
comfortable and representative apartments. Some (like the
Tschindlhof ) use their charm to accommodate guests – even
to enchant them.
The Reinsberg residence is probably the finest example of
Tuscan Renaissance character, with a loggia, a balcony-type
extension and free standing steps. It is situated on a quiet
path at the Eppan mountain and shows off its charm with
a chapel dome (Holy Cross chapel), which hosts impressive
paintings and other exhibits of Late-Baroque style. Another
residence, and as many believe the most beautiful one, is the
Thalegg residence, situated on the road between St. Michael
and St. Pauls, in a suburb mystically called Mademeid, which
was mentioned in the works of Hubert Mumelter. The Thalegg
residence is a mighty mansion, an aristocratic fine residence,
a Renaissance building of noble proportions. It nearly fell into
ruins, but has now been carefully renovated. Even the small
‘Maria-Hilf’ chapel is used again for services, in particular at
the Patrozinium Day (12th September), when the host invites
family and friends to a service and welcome drink. This is a
custom, which has been kept alive by many residence and
castle owners. The Thalegg residence is also famous for other
reasons: it was re-built in 1900 in Paris, on a scale of 1:1 for the
world exhibition of that time as an architectural contribution
by the Austrians. The reconstruction did not use cardboard
PORTRAIT//FRANZ MESSNER
UPPER ETSCH ARCHITECTURE//
The most important building material is sandstone
and plaster, but stone and bricks right up to the roof top. Inside, however, they displayed a ‘genuine Tyrolean wine bar’,
which won the hearts of the Parisians straight away.
Many of the families, whose pride – and money, of coursecovered the country with castles, fortresses and residences,
no longer exist. Some rich merchants from Bozen bought
summer residences in the Upper Etsch region and even many
art-loving foreigners settled there, such as the famous Munich painter Schraudolph, who once owned Thalegg. However, ownership came without the emperor’s seal, displayed
in the title given to fine residence owners, such as Lord and
Lordship in Tyrol ... These titles are nowadays only existent on
gravestones.
If you look closely, you will discover that the residences were
not only mighty mansions of idle layabouts. They also consist of functional buildings such as stables, barns, tool-sheds
etc. Many of these are still closed estates today, such as the
Kronhof, whose Baroque ornamental garden covers only
part of its land. The lifestyle of the residences’ inhabitants
and builder are naturally expressed in the interior design.
Richly decorated tiled stoves, mostly kept in green, heated
the rooms and frescoes and wooden-panelled lounges were
used during the cooler part of the year. If you want to understand the history of these stoves, you would need to study
them for years!
A residence building or even a castle or fortress (in other
words: an architectural building of art) never stands on its
own, even if it is typically separated by gardens and other
buildings. It is always a part of art and nature. A construction created by the hands of men, as well as God. If it would
stand alone, it would merely be a museum-like building. Only
the invisible network of aesthetic lines displayed in vineyards
and orchards combines the inner order of these residences
and castles and creates an earthly paradise, which is reflected
in the Upper Etsch region, in the eyes of their inhabitants, as
well as their guests.
Franz Messner, an artist of extravagant works
of art. The artist blacksmith of Ritten created
amongst other things a ball in Frangart, which is
visible from a distance.
MODERN ART
Since 1987, the Museum for Modern Art has been open in
Bozen. Regional art, but also some of their own collections,
as well as historic developments form part of the common
Italian and German-speaking cultural region.
For more information, click on
www.museion.it
DID YOU KNOW, THAT
South Tyrol’s Southern region is one of the European
areas with most castles?
More than 400 castles and fortresses are found in
South Tyrol. Alone in Eppen, there are more than
180 fortresses, castles and residences from the former
‘aristocratic paradise’.
www.suedtirols-sueden.info
from 2,500 inhabitants, the village of Eppan had
around 500 people of aristocratic decent in the year
of 1650?
during the Renaissance, a unique architecture was
created in the Upper Etsch region?
Venetian and Tuscan architects created the ’Upper
Etsch architecture’.
in the chapel of Castle Hocheppan, you can find the
oldest display of the knödel?
The Roman frescoes derive from the 12th Century.
CASTLE HIKING TRIP
Easy hikes for all the family in the Eppan Castle Triangle of
castles Korb – Boymont – Hocheppan.
www.eppan.net
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THE RITTEN
CRADLE OF SUMMER HOLIDAYS
GUESTS, BOZEN CITIZENS, AS WELL AS THE LOCAL
RESIDENTS  ALL LOVE IT: THE RITTEN MOUNTAIN
JUST OUTSIDE THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL. A POPU
LAR HOLIDAY DESTINATION FOR HIKERS, ALL THE
FAMILY AND INDIVIDUALS. SUMMER HOLIDAY
TRADITION PAR EXCELLENCE AND A NUMBER OF
NATURAL BEAUTY SPOTS AWAIT THE FRIENDS OF
THIS CLIMATICALLY WONDERFUL TOWN, WHICH
INSPIRES YOU AND OFFERS INSPIRATION NOT
ONLY TO ARTISTS AND PHILOSOPHERS.
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| by Beatrix Unterhofer
Above: EARTH PYRAMIDS//A Ritten natural phenomenon
Left: HISTORIC RITTEN NARROW GAGE TRAIN//Years ago and today
PORTRAIT//BEATRIX UNTERHOFER
Dr. phil., publisher, daughter of restaurant
owner in Ritten: studied the German language
and literature and publishing in Vienna. Since
1982, freelance writer with several media companies (television, radio and print) nationally
and internationally. Organisation and implementation of projects (such as film, symposium,
exhibition Ritten summer holidays).
UP INTO THE ‘SUMMER FRESHNESS’
‘CRADLE OF SUMMER HOLIDAYS’
Every year at the beginning of the summer, it was always customary to take a summer holiday. This custom was born in
1576 around the time of the plague.
Around 1650, the first documents speak about the summer
holidays, recorded on artfully painted targets and beautiful
wooden ceiling paintings in the old summer holiday guesthouses at the Ritten. The traditional summer holiday period
spread for 72 days. This is how it is commentated in the annual lists: Exactly on 29th June, the day of St. Peter and St.
Paul, the people packed household items, sufficient clothing in boxes and chests; children were packed into wicker
baskets and sat, together with ‘Mylady’ in the ladies’ saddle
on the horse.
The second residence, the Ritten summer resort, was mostly
appreciated by the children of lords. Due to their work, the
men usually stayed only for a few days and visited their
families only at the week-ends. A regular summer holiday as
we know it today, was not known then.
In the ‘Eight Bozen Rules’ – the etiquette of every ‘correct’ citizen of Bozen – Karl Theodor Hoeniger writes: ‘Rule
number 3 speaks about a summer holiday house at the Ritten
mountain...’
Also the aristocracy and the upper class from the Vienna region with its former crown estate citizens did not mind the
long journey. They literally brought their house and home
to the train station and travelled with the Southern Railways
across the Semmering mountain, Lienz and the cool Puster
Valley to Bozen, from where they journeyed up the Ritten
mountain.
In around 1505, the first visitors came to the Ritten high
plateau: Hanns Ried, customs officer at the Eisack, wrote on
behalf of Emperor Maximilian I, a legendary book about region of the river Etsch. It is known as ‘Amraser Heldenbuch’.
Due to the heat in the town of Bozen, he asked whether it
would be possible to do his work in a slightly cooler place.
Another document refers back to the year 1675, when the
Bozen philosopher Christoph Parth asked for a plot to build a
summer holiday residence: ‘...where the town of Bozen keeps
you fresh ...’. In a description about the country of South Tyrol, Marx Sittich von Wolkenstein wrote around 1600: ‘Above
Pozen, there is a lofty place with flat meadows and a larch
forest...’ The Ritten mountain is known as the original source
for the much-used and fashionable word ‘holiday resort’.
POETIC PATRICIAN SON
On 16th August 1877 around 2 p.m., Johann Nepomuk Anton Josef Maria zu Tirschtenberg and Hoffensthal was born
(later known as the Ritten poet Hans von Hoffensthal), in
the summer holiday resort of Maria Himmelfahrt, in the Zallingerhaus near St. Magdalena. The son of a Bozen patrician
family not only spent the summer time at the Ritten, but
lived there most of his life. He was able to enjoy extensive
hunting sprees and romantic hiking trips through the Ritten forests. He fell ill in 1911 with TB and closed the doors to
his neurologist surgery in the Mustergasse in Bozen, where
he offered his services every day for about 2 hours. Then he
regularly went back to the Ritten mountain. In his novels and
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Above:
TYPICAL FARMHOUSE//Ritten
Below:
MENZ GARDEN PAVILION//Maria Himmelfahrt, Ritten:
This is where the world-famous primaballerina Fanny
Elssler presented her dance in July 1987.
Beautiful alley with ancient lime trees.
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THE RITTEN PEOPLE ARE NO LONGER UNIQUE,
THEIR BEHAVIOUR IS LESS ‘MOUNTAINOUS’.
FOR CENTURIES AT THE RITTEN,
THE BOZEN HOLIDAYMAKERS HAVE DECIDED THEIR COURSE.
THEY PRESENT THEMSELVES WITH PRIDE,
IN WHITE COATS WITH RED COLLARS.
WITH PRIDE  BECAUSE THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS
WERE INVENTED IN BOZEN AND NOT IN THE NORTH.
KARL THEODOR HOENIGER, SÜDTIROLER WEINFIBEL, 1946
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writings, Hoffensthal not only talks about the scenery at the
Penegal, the Mendel and Ritten mountains, but also about
the start of high altitude therapy on the Bozen mountain, offered ‘free-of-charge’:
‘At the beginning of the summer, when the heat laid like a
cloud of lead over the Bozen valley basin, the women sat in
their comfortable sedan chairs or used their two-wheeled
coaches. Only the less slim ascended to the Ritten mountain
on horse back. The summer villas were opened, the green
benches put underneath the lime wood trees, and thin blue
smoke rose from white chimneys...
THE RITTEN TRAIN
Besides the traditional relaxation regions of Klobenstein and
Lengmoos, the little hamlet of Oberbozen-Maria Himmelfahrt was established as an exclusive resort. The Zallinger,
Gummer, Graff, Menz, Eyerl and Hepperger families built
some summer holiday residences in this area. While the women stayed with their children for the summer months, the
husbands visited them only from time to time, as they had
work to do in their offices. From 1907, the comfort of the cog
railway carried people straight from the Bozen Waltherplatz
– the salon of the town – to the summer houses. Hoffensthal
sceptically watched this technical innovation, as well as the
building of a hotel and announced the coming of Alpine tourism in his ‘Return from Oberbozen’:
‘Maybe the opening of the Ritten train will take place on 18th
August. They talk about a great number of people coming,
talk about shares, a large meadow on which the children play,
now the hotel. We will meet elegant foreigners, well-dressed
men and women, children with high heel shoes and sun umbrellas, richly decorated huts. Over there, I see the hotel with
all its flags, ready for its guests to arrive. The owner and his
personnel wait for them in front of the freshly painted doors.
They bow and bow again and smile happily. They see good
days ahead ... but one thing we have which the foreigners
don’t. That is our memory, like a heritage, lovely, irreplaceable and dear. We won’t give it away.’
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PERSONALITIES//
SIGMUND FREUD
‘Paradise at the Ritten...’ as Freud describes it. He
celebrated his silver wedding anniversary on 14th
September 1911 in Klobenstein. This is where ‘Totem and Tabu’ was written – one of Freud’s most
acclaimed works.
PETER MAYR
Born in Siffian at the Ritten mountain, he belonged to the leading group of the Tyrolean freedom
fighters of 1809, together with Andreas Hofer
HANS V. HOFFENSTHAL (1877-1914)
The Bozen patrician son and doctor lived at the
Ritten around the turn of the century. In his novels, his poetry and other writings, he describes
the landscape and people of the high plateau and
became known in the history of literature as the
‘Ritten poet’.
VILLA IN THE COUNTRY
One article in the Graz Tagespost (newspaper) from 1913
gives some insight into the architecture and the building
construction of the Ritten summer home. ‘The architect Marius Amonn has built a wonderful Ritten house in Oberbozen, which displays country-like and well-rooted motifs of a
highest standard. There is a music room with old farmhouse
oriels, from where a lovely country scenery appears through
the windows ...’
Monument-like manors and extensive parkland were declared as a refuge in a small, closed facility with its own customs
and regulations. Through the conversion of the natural landscape, alleys, porticos and hedges divided the noble aristocracy from the local people and farmers, and at the same
time, they created an elegant, nearly theatrical ambience.
Under the Italian influence, the ‘Merltennen’, a small pavilion
with nets was established – a home for birds. It is a wonderful summer resort with a great view over the town of Bozen,
as well as the Lowlands to the Salurn retreat. Even the Menz
monument, which was dedicated to one of the descendants,
can still be seen in the Menz meadow, together with the garden pavilion, in which in July 1877 the world-famous primaballerina Fanny Elßler presented her dance. These residences
are for some guests and hikers like small copies of a mini
Schönbrunn castle or a Belvedere.
In the alley, between the century-old lime trees, they placed
benches and little tables. This was the place to meet people for coffee or tea in the afternoon or after the siesta at 4
p.m., they played cards and other games. Boat trips at the
Wolfsgrubner Lake, moonlight hiking trips and day excursions determined the programme. The people up here lived a
wonderful life: between bridge parties and after target shooting, the women served snacks. It was the place to meet the
love of your life, marriages were arranged or broke up and
on 18th August – the Emperor’s birthday – they celebrated a
large lantern festival with fireworks.
The artificial town, a colony of villas, brought high life to its
citizens and the landscape became a stages adventure. Fashion developed, e.g. the Ritten coat, one with a red collar
and a white cape. It was easily distinguished from the green
shepherd’s coats and, today, still carries a status symbol and
an emblem of aristocracy.
The Ritten mountain was and is for artists a platform and
showroom for feelings and motifs. Up there, Franz Kafka wrote his ‘Milena’, Sigmund Freud was inspired by the landscape
and its people to write ‘Totem and Tabu’, Friderike Zweig and
Otto Flake manifested their impressions and feelings about
the Ritten mountain in their literary work.
Together with the holiday makers and their leisure activities
such as boccia tournaments, target shooting, bridge and tarock games, as well as the annual Emperor’s birthday celebrations, a highly developed city culture arrived in the mountain
world. The travelling painters of the 19th Century found food
and lodging in the old villas and, in return, paid by painting
the wooden ceilings of the individual houses. The targets of
the shooting range established in 1668 were often painted
‘to maintain good friendship and the neighbourhood’. They
show adoration of saints but also about happy social events.
Even Archduke Johann visited the Ritten mountain in 1839
and the target given to him expressed the cultural vicinity of
the former Danube monarchy.
DID YOU KNOW, THAT
the Ritten train was the last, functioning
narrow-gage train of South Tyrol?
The historic wagons were built in 1907.
the Ritten cable railway is mentioned in the
Guinness Book of Records?
At 4,565 metres, it is the longest cable railway in the
world (without a terminal in between)
the Ritten is particularly famous for its earth pyramids?
The most beautiful earth pyramids can be found between Lengmoos and Mittelberg.
in the middle Ages, the German emperors went via
the Ritten to their crowning ceremony in Rome?
More than 60 emperors lodged in the village of
Lengmoos, which then was a hospice under German
command.
As quickly and as punctually as the holidaymakers appear, so
they disappear again - mostly at the beginning of September. The shutters are closed, the benches and tables carried
back into the houses, the doors closed ... and when the first
leaves fall onto the streets, the people of the city have returned to the valley.
THEME PATHS//
THE LEGENDS AROUND THE SALTEN MOUNTAIN
OF JENESIEN
The European distance hiking path called E5 accompanies
you along the Salten to the Edelweiss pub in the direction
of Langfenn. There are twelve legends told in the region of
Jenesien. The scenes of these legends mark the landscape
of larch meadows and make the Salten mountain even more
attractive!
THE RITTEN THEME PATH
The Ritten theme path shows the special features of the high
plateau: from the fascinating coming and going of the earth
pyramids, to the old emperor’s road and the ‘invention’ of the
summer holidays.
THE SARN VALLEY HORSESHOE TOUR
An experience for all the family. The six to seven stages from
one hut to the next in the Sarn Valley Alps, offers you breathtaking views of the ice-covered mountain, at a height of more
than 3,000 metres and into the jagged Dolomite peaks.
HOLIDAYS//ON THE MENDEL
MOUNTAIN
Just like they did in times gone by, most of the inhabitants of the Etsch Valley go to the surrounding higher regions of their towns, as soon as the hot summer
months arrive. Many families from Kaltern go with
their families to the Mendel mountain. Already during
the 17th Century, the first holidaymakers went to the
Mendel. At the end of the 18th Century, the Mendel
mountain became the destination of the social elite
of Europe. In 1903, the Mendel cable railway, the
steepest and longest cable railway in Europe, was
put into operation. Today, it still covers a difference in
altitude of 850 metres from St. Anton/Kaltern to the
Mendel Pass in only 12 minutes.
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LEISURE TIME
AT THE
LAKE
JUST SITTING THERE, WITH YOUR FEET IN THE
WATER AND WATCHING THE WAVES COME IN,
COMBINED WITH THE REGULAR NOISE OF THE
WAVES ON THE SHORE, DOES WONDERS TO CALM
YOUR NERVES. THIS SOOTHING EFFECT IS ONLY
DISTURBED BY NEUROTIC AND STRONGMINDED
STRESS MACHINES. A SIMPLE AND EFFECTIVE
METHOD.
| by Georg Weindl
The classic place for this adventure is Lake Kaltern. Your view moves
across the soft hilly vineyards to the steep walls to the left and right of
the Mendel Pass. Or as a romantic alternative look at the large or smaller
Montiggl Lakes in Eppan - two romantic bathing lakes, framed by shady
forests. They are ideal for a leisurely walk. If you want to move into higher
regions and fill your lungs with some hearty mountain air, look no further than the Durnholz Lake, a clear mountain lake at an altitude of 1,545
metres, in the back part of the Sarn Valley. A refreshing experience in
every aspect. As a secret tip, there is the small Fennberg Lake. A nearly
perfectly hidden mountain lake just above Kurtatsch at the Unterfennberg. During late summer, it is a favourite location for the locals, as you
can relax well here without the usual crowds. The same quietness can be
experienced at the Göller Lake near Aldein and the Wolfsgrubner Lake at
the Ritten mountain.
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STILL ANOTHER SECRET TIP//
The Montiggl Lakes in Eppan
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Above:
LAKE KALTERN//The warmest bathing
lake in the Alps. The belt of reeds in
the south of the lake with more than
100 types of birds, is a true paradise for
ornithologists.
Left:
DURNHOLZ LAKE//Sarn Valley
With the St. Nikolaus church
INFO//LAKE
SAILING & SURFING
Due to the southern wind which flairs up
during the late afternoon, it is possible to
run regular sailing tournaments at Lake
Kaltern. It is a paradise for surfers. For
information about the beach at ‘Gretl am
See’ call Tel: +39 0471 960 055.
There is a rental service for rowing boats
and pedal boats at the beaches of the
Large Montiggl Lake, as well as Lake
Kaltern.
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The project of the architects Fuchs and Harnoncourt, was presented during the Biennale in Venice in 2005.
LAKE POOL KALTERN
LARGE-SCALE HORIZONS
The new lake pool in Kaltern moves away from the direction of pre-fabricated water slides and theme parks. The architects lifted the swimming
pools out of their usual anchoring, individualised the theme adventure
and realised their impression of nature and landscape. The bathing scene
is subdivided into different levels. There are children’s, sports and enjoyment pools. The roof hangs above the integrated free pool, which has
a view across the landscape. There is no frontier between the lake pool
area and the garden – bathing inside and outdoors.
Opening: Summer 2006. For further information, click
www.kaltern.com
NOT ONLY FOR CHILDREN: ADVENTURE POOLS
Tramin’s sports and adventure pool with a water surface of 1,300 m2 is
a fascinating experience for everyone. Climbing rocks and a waterfall, a
jacuzzi and other water sports such as a floor whirlpool, current pool and
underwater massage pool offer you an exciting and cooling variety. The
adventure pool at the Large Montiggl Lake with the largest slide in South
Tyrol, is a great highlight. The locals call it the ‘Lido’. It combines the comforts of a swimming pool with the experience of a lake.
PUT ON YOUR SWIMMING SUIT...
300 sunny days a year. Lots of time to bathe and get tanned in the bathing lake, the adventure pools and the outdoor swimming pools. These
are found in most villages and at all altitudes: from 220 metres in Salurn
to 1,221 metres in Oberbozen! The accommodation area of South Tyrol
has the highest density of swimming pools in the entire Alpine region!
DID YOU KNOW, THAT
PERSONALITIES//
KLAUS MARAN
the South Tyrolean bathing lakes are continually checked?
The results can be found at
www.provinz.bz.it/umweltagentur
‘Aqua Walking’ was invented at the Montiggl Lake?
Try it out at the Large Montiggl Lake!
Klaus Maran from Kaltern is the three
times world champion in wind-gliding.
Today, he owns a surfing school at Lake
Kaltern, as well as two successful
restaurants.
the Small Montiggl Lake at a depth of 14.8 metres is the
deepest lake in the Upper Etsch region?
Lake Kaltern has only an average depth of 3.5 metres, which
in turn makes it the warmest bathing lake in the Alps.
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BOZEN AND THE ROSENGARTEN//
According to the legend, when the
Rosengarten glows a red colour in the
sunset, you can see the rose-garden of
Laurin, the king of the dwarfs.
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BELLA FIGURA
WITH A
MOUNTAIN
VIEW
NO OTHER TOWN OFFERS SO MANY OPPOSITES
AND IS YET STILL FASCINATING AND VARIED. IT
IS RICH IN TRADITION, MODERN, ELEGANT AND
WELLROOTED, MOSTLY ITALIAN AND SOUTH
TYROLEAN.
| by Georg Weindl
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Every town creates its own impression. Venice has its St. Mark’s
Square, the canals and the gondolas. Milan has the Scala, the
dome and the elegant shopping arcades. Rome has the Colosseum, the Via Veneto, and Antique Forum Romanum. Other
towns have churches and areas of interest. But what about
Bozen?
Of course, there are small fruit markets, the dark and varied
porticos with their shops and bars, the wide and airy Waltherplatz with its majestic parish church. Then, your view slides
across the roofs to the suburbs of the town and up to the
vineyards at the Ritten mountain, the forests of the neighbouring mountain ranges of Jenesien and further South,
where the Etsch Valley opens, to the left and right with vineyards stretched along the roads. In the North, there are the
mountains, in the South the flood light Etsch Valley with its
DID YOU KNOW, THAT
the fairy-tale castle of Bozen, Castle Runkelstein,
houses the largest maintained explicit fresco
cycle of the Middle Ages?
You can ‘read’ the tragic love story of ‘Tristan and
Isolde’. Tel. +39 0471 329 808
Mediterranean climate. Bozen is not only at the frontier of
two regions geographically. It is classic South Tyrol, just as
you like it - alpine, comfortable and full of tradition.
Bozen has many facets. Visitors from the North love the Italian and sometimes Tyrolean characteristics. Why not try it out
and sit in a street café at the Waltherplatz or in the Silbergasse
near the fruit market. Order a cappuccino or an espresso and
glance along the streets. You will see an old farmer with his
typical blue apron. Most likely, he will have just appeared
from a bar, where he was enjoying a glass of red wine with
his friends. Businessmen are totally different characters. They
walk fast, with their mobile phone pressed to one ear. Their
eyes are hidden behind dark sunglasses. Their suits are made
by Armani or Zegna. Their shoes are elegant and polished.
Don’t think that these are people from Verona, Milano or Vicenza. It is possible, but it is more likely that these stressed people work in banks around the area, on their way to the next
appointment. Soon you will discover some elegant women,
holding a small bag in their hands, on the left some shopping
bags, a mobile phone somewhere in
their possession, wearing beautiful
shoes. Everyone discusses things
in a lively fashion.
ARMANI & LUIS TRENKER
the Ötzi Museum is the most visited regional
museum between Florence and Munich and receives 250,000 visitors per year?
www.iceman.it
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Shopping in Bozen is a truly special experience. In the
heart of the town, between the Rathausplatz, Waltherplatz
and Sparkassenstrasse, you could think you were in a NorthItalian metropolitan city. There are boutiques with tempting
displays and expensive designer goods. Armani, Dolce & Gab-
bana, Prada and Gucci are worn in Bozen, as well as in the
large Italian cities. However, there is also a different type of
shopping available. Tradition-conscious and proud, with a
touch of nostalgia, such as Oberrauch Zitt or the established
hat maker Rizzolli, as well as the fine wood carvings of Tschager and the traditional assortment of the South Tyrolean craft
trades. Don’t forget the interesting bookshops and the small,
well-sorted food stores.
markets and streets, you will discover some new and interesting wine bars. They mostly serve South Tyrolean wines – not
only due to their patriotism. The South Tyrolean vintners have
made a good name for themselves all over the world, e.g.
Alois Lageder from Margreid, Franz Haas, Baron Widmann,
Count Enzenberg etc. Of course, Bozen also offers wines from
Tuscany, Piedmont or Umbria. However, the local wines are
preferred in this region. There is a saying in Bozen:
Talking about food! Bozen, the town between the North and
the South, has lots to offer. In the centre, there is a broad variety of food on offer, for example, the classic South Tyrolean
cuisine, such as the Gasthaus Vögele near the fruit market.
There are also a number of pubs, a restaurant with its own
brewery, or other traditional pubs such as the Batznhäusl or
the Löwengrube. Here, you will not only sit in a nostalgic ambience, but also find the protagonists of the good old South
Tyrolean cuisine. Schlutzkrapfen (large ravioli), knödel (dumplings) and speck, as well as other hearty meals can be found
on the menu. The menu is not only bi-lingual but includes
also classic Italian food, given that Bozen citizens and their
guests discovered the advantages of the Italian cuisine long
ago. Nowadays, as many of us sit in offices and don’t move
too much, we cannot eat like the old farming generations.
Therefore, places such as the Hostaria Argentieri in the Silbergasse, as well as other well-established Italian restaurants and
pubs show off their pizza selection.
IN BOZEN, THEY ALWAYS LOOK FOR THE BEST.
So much about food. Let’s move on to talk about drinks ...
more precisely wine. Bozen citizens, together with the rest
of South Tyrol, enjoy their own wine. If you walk through the
Depending on your personal taste, this can be South Tyrolean
or Italian. You could be jealous! The wines you enjoy during
your holidays are available in this region all year round. Combining the cultures of Italy and Tyrol was not without its problems. Nowadays, however, fighting between South Tyrol and
Italy is more or less over. At least generally.
PERSONALITIES//
DR. EDUARD EGARTER VIGL
Pathologist at the Bozen hospital and Ötzi’s
private physician. A scientific attraction was
the discovery of an arrowhead in the left shoulder of
the world-famous glacier corpse.
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PORTRAIT//
MATTEO THUN
Matteo Thun was born in Bozen as the son
of a South Tyrolean count, whose dynasty
was also world-famous as a manufacturer
of ceramics. Today, the top architect and
designer lives in Milan.
www.matteothun.com
Bozen has seen its chance and used it for its own good. The
city is a link between the North and South. Apart from the
good trade connections between the North and the South,
which has existed for many centuries, Italians have learnt to
love the orderly nature and reliability of the Northerners. A
new trend is also their love of the mountains. And the people
from the North have fallen in love with all things Mediterranean.
And in the midst of it all, you will find Bozen, which offers
something of everything. There are also the climate – and
the architecture. In the centre of town, you will find classic
art nouveau-type houses, as they were built around the turn
of the century by Vienna architects. In between, you can see
Gothic facades and every now and then even a piece of Rococo. In the old days, Vienna was the capital – also for the
Bozen region – until South Tyrol was given to the Italians after
World War II. Today, there are also typical Italian suburbs to be
found, e.g. the Don Bosco quarter or the European quarter
along the Palermo Road. These are not shopping or entertainment areas but more residential in character.
But when you have walked through the relatively new Greif
Passage with its fine boutiques, you will soon realise that you
won’t find another in Milan or even Rome.
FROM THE TRADE TOWN TO A CITY WITH CULTURE
BOZEN//
Above: Façade in the Sparkassenstrasse
Below: F. Busoni tournament
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Many years ago, Bozen was known as the town of merchants. Due to its location, it was practically suited to it. It was
full intended to use the central position between the North
and the South to trade in wool, spices and oil. One of the
sovereigns of that time was Archduke Sigismund of Tyrol,
who was also called ‘Moneybags’ as he lived a very luxurious lifestyle. Culturally, the town is not one of the biggest
cities in the country. During his Italian travels, Goethe only
stayed here for a short while and, then, moved to Trento.
Also Mozart travelled through the town, as did many others
on their way to the sunny South and to the Adriatic coast or
the Roman temples. ‘The sun was shining when I arrived in
Bozen. The many faces of the merchants made me smile. A
truly relaxed lifestyle with a touch of action’, wrote Goethe
in 1786. The new modern town theatre represents the cultural Renaissance of the town, which finds its own place between the North and the South. Part of the programme are
the great Italian operas by Verdi (who has given for a short
period his name to the theatre), as well as German works of
art. Things have changed! Today, the Germans love Verdi and
the Italians are interested in foreign music as well. The Bozen
theatre is using this fact to keep in touch with other theatres
from the North and the South. The cultural town of Bozen is
not only the provincial capital with regular visits of Maestro
Claudio Abbado. Since the people of Bozen have discovered
their role between the North and the South, they have a lot
of interesting activities to offer to their guests.
WWW.UNIBZ.IT
For example, the new university was founded in 1997. The
curriculum is taught in three languages. This suits the Italians just fine as they are known not to be too eager in general
to adapt to other languages. But it also works the other way
around. The German students have the opportunity to study
design or tourism, as well as German, English or Italian. Surely,
this atmosphere motivates many students to come and stay,
as there are only few universities, which can offer such cultural and other attractions.
In addition, Bozen has official recognition for its attractiveness. The renowned Italian economy magazine ‘Il Sole 24 Ore’
lists Bozen beside Bologna, Milan and Verona as the town
with the highest quality standards of life. This type of standard is usually calculated by facts and figures. Far more important, however, is the atmosphere.
Whether you enjoy a visit to a wine estate on the Ritten mountain or whether you look across the vineyards down into the
wide valley basin. Whether you like to take a walk through
the orchards of cypresses, olive groves or palm trees of the
Etsch Valley or whether you like to enjoy the Mediterranean
climate. Whether you love to dive into the active atmosphere
of the town centre while shopping or do something else. This
town will win you with its charm, as it offers something for
everyone. It does not matter whether you are a romantic,
whether you love nature, a good lifestyle or anything else.
Bozen has a broad variety of offers for all its guests.
THEME PATHS//BOZEN PROMENADES
The new parish church of Leifers
All around the Bozen valley basin, you will find a circle of
promenades. Some of these gems are the Guntschna and the
Oswald promenades with a wealth of flora and many lookout
points. Mediterranean plants grow here, such as palm trees,
magnolias and agaves. The Talfer promenade and the new
Virgl promenade pass fortresses and castles (Castle Maretsch, Castle Runkelstein and the Haselburg).
ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN–DARING TO BE MODERN
Design is not only a factor in the great cities of this world.
The people of South Tyrol have shown great courage when it
comes to modern architecture, such as the European Academy in Bozen, the wine cellars of Manincor at Lake Kaltern
or the project for the Museum of Modern Arts. An absolute
highlight of modern architecture is the new parish church in
Leifers for which the Meran architects Höller & Klotzner received the South Tyrolean Architecture award in 2004. In particular, the jury considered ‘the high quality of the geometric
appearance’. Just so that you can visualise it: the Bronze exterior design consists of 105,000 kg of bronze and 3,210 panels.
The internal construction is made of 25,000 kg of high-grade
steel.
Lecture hall of the Free University of Bozen
‘LUIS TRENKER’–A SOUTH TYROLEAN CULT LABEL
The trendy Alpine fashion designs of the Bozen brothers
Michi and Hansjörg Klemera, a modified retro look for mountaineering gear from the 30s and 40s, comes across as fresh
and youthful and can be worn anywhere, any time of the day.
Just ask Arnold Schwarzenegger or Thomas Gottschalk. For
further information about the cult fashion, click
www.luistrenker.it
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THE QUILTERS IN THE SARN VALLEY AND
THE BARREL MAKERS OF GIRLAN ARE
ONLY TWO EXAMPLES THAT SHOW HOW
REAL CUSTOMS AND GOOD OLD TRADE
PRACTICES ARE SOMETHING TRULY
SPECIAL TODAY. IN PARTICULAR, IF THE
WORK IS DONE WITH GREAT
ATTENTION TO DETAIL AND QUALITY.
WHERE SIMPLE
THINGS
ARE TRULY SPECIAL
| by Georg Weindl
It is a long way from a plain oak trunk to a precious barrique wine barrel.
And this is not only because there are many stages of work, which require
a lot of attention and time, until the barrels reach their final destination. For
this reason, barrel makers are usually people with lots of patience. Konrad
Mittelberger and his brothers Markus and Peter have returned to this old tradition in an old workshop just below Castle Sigmundskron, near Girlan. The
oak wood is personally checked and purchased by the brothers in a place
in France. The trunks are transported by train to South Tyrol, where they are
cut in a saw mill and split by a machine. This is a very tedious job as it is important to keep the highest standard of quality. The planks need to be sawn
parallel in such a way, that the wood will not move at a later date. And this is
only the start of the process. The cut wood is moved to a warehouse above
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BARREL MAKERS//Mittelberger
The pieces used for making barrique barrels are stored
for two to three years near Mölten at an altitude of
1,200 metres above sea level, the highest storage for
this type of wood in Europe.
Bozen at an altitude of around 1,200 metres. It can take up
to three years before the wood is ready to be made into barrique barrels. Then, it is brought to the workshop. The pieces
are once more cut, as well as compressed and shaped inside
and out. When the parts are ready, the hoops are fixed and
finally pressed together and baked. The three brothers learnt
this trade from their father. However, working with wood in
itself isn’t the secret of the trade. As a barrel maker, you also
need to understand something about wine as the customers are renowned wine-growers. The character of the barrel
is very important for the wine. In the meantime, the brothers have several South Tyrolean wine-growers on their client
list. Over the past few years, the Tyrolean wines have been
awarded for having a higher quality than ever and therefore,
many wine-growers who produce top wines are returning to
the traditional processing methods.
Old trades, as well as customs have an important role to play
around Bozen and the Etsch Valley. Quality needs time, they
say. In the time of mass consumption and anonymous cheap
products, it is exciting to select high-quality materials with
care and process them into unique products. Of course, handmade articles have their price. However, the end product will
award you with quality and character. This is something they
truly love in South Tyrol. On the other hand, it isn’t that long
ago that the people of this region earned their daily bread
with craftwork. A new way of earning money arrived with
tourism. Old customs are not long forgotten and our guests
are very interested in them.
BEAUTIFUL FEATHERS
THEME PATH//CHESTNUT PATH
Approximately 30 km long Ritten part of the Eisack
Valley Chestnut Hiking Path leads you along ancient
settlements, numerous churches, a Roman
cemetery and other legendary places.
Not only recommended during Autumn!
www.ritten.com
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The Sarn Valley is a region, which is known for tradition. Many
customs have been kept alive in this area like nowhere else.
Not only Sarnthein, the main town in this long valley, but
also many small hamlets have kept their original charm and
identity. There are no concrete blocks and glittering Wellness
stamps. Instead, you will find genuine farming charm and
originality. This is today’s attraction.
The same is true for the famous embroidery of the Sarn Valley. Johann Thaler in Sarnthein practises this art the same way
it has been done for generations. When modern-day people
see how this craft is carried out for the first time, they could
easily mistake it as a ‘living anachronism’. And somehow, this
is what it is ... only in a positive sense. For centuries, the Sarn
Valley has kept this tradition. During the early years, the farming people used it to earn some extra money during the long
and cold winters. This type of embroidery is carried out with a
quill. Tradition says that is must be taken from peacock feathers, which are cut into strips and used as needles. The embroidery is often made on a pair of braces and the broad hems
of the Sarn Valley tradition costumes. They are also used on
shoes, but to be honest, they don’t turn out as decorative. The
Thaler workshop also decorates purses or belts and key rings.
Of course, it is also possible to ask for personalised crafts. No
problem at all, as everything is done by hand anyway and
each piece of work is unique. It is necessary to have lots of patience, of course and a fine, accurate hand. Some ornaments
require 100 working hours or more. In addition, a good worker must also bring a certain type of creativity. Nobody wants
to keep repeating the old patterns over and over again. New
patterns are required and make the work more pleasurable.
Johann Thaler senior from Sarnthein watches carefully over
this trade. In the meantime, doing embroidery with a quill is
an official teaching profession and young people from South
Tyrol and abroad are being trained in it.
Of course, it would also be possible to have this work carried
out by a machine. However, it really would not be the same.
The material must be selected with care and worked by hand.
People who love to wear hand-made shoes will hardly buy
cheap slippers in the supermarket. An authentic product with
history and personality, as well as the quality of the craftsmen
are on regular demand. As you can see, there are sufficient
reasons to check out the barrel makers and quill embroiderers. In addition, there are many other farming traditions in
South Tyrol, such as wicker makers or manufacturers of felt
slippers.
CHESTNUTS AND NEW WINE
South Tyrolean festivities involve lots of traditional customs.
Parish church festivals and processions are still the highlight
of the year in many villages. ‘Törggelen’ has become a real
tourist attraction. However, in the autumn, when it’s Törggele
time, it’s not only the tourists who enjoy these events, but the
locals as well. A lovely autumn walk through vineyards and
shady mountain forests with their genuine ‘Buschenschank’
(a kind of snack bar) or farmhouses invite you to some new
wine and home-made dishes. They also serve chestnuts,
speck, cold meats or even a farming roast and, for dessert, a
calorie rich sweet. Now, you might understand why ‘Törggelen’ is linked to walking or hiking.
Life here moves in accordance with nature and the seasons.
This makes the farming traditions in South Tyrol very lovely
and to be recommended. It is great to meet people who do
not only want to make a profit but are willing to produce less,
respecting their culture and tradition. Their work is also their
hobby. Many of us realise that nowadays this is a privilege,
almost luxury.
PERSONALITY//
RUDY GIOVANNINI
The trained tenor and star of folk music was born in
Leifers, where he invites to the ‘Köfelefest’ in June
every year.
‘TAKE YOUR OATH, TYROLEAN LAND,
lift your heart and hand to God!’ The custom of the Heart of
Jesus fire derives it roots from an oath, which the Tyrolean
craftsmen took in 1796, while fighting against Napoleon: if
they were able to defeat the enemy, at Heart of Jesus–sunday,
they would sweat eternal faithfulness to the Heart of Jesus.
Every year, hundreds of people renew this oath, lighting Heart
of Jesus fires all over the South Tyrolean mountains.
‘KLÖCKELN’
When spine-chilling tones, bells and other sounds break
through the quiet winter nights, everyone in Sarn knows
that the ‘klöckel night’ has arrived! The bell ringers walk from
house to house and sing their ancient songs. This advent custom has its roots in a German fertility rite: the road must be
cleared for Donar, the God of fertility, and the bad winter spirits must be driven out.
THE SOUTH TYROLEAN DIALECT
The German-speaking part of South Tyrol has about 300,000
inhabitants, which means that about 99.995% of all mankind
are foreigners. The German-speaking part of these foreigners are recommended to learn some of the most important
words of the South Tyrolean dialect, to make themselves understood.
Learn the South Tyrolean dialect at www.oschpele.ritten.org
SARN COSTUMES
The Sarn Valley is one of the few valleys in South Tyrol where,
even today, on Sundays and sometimes even during working days, people wear their local costumes, which is considered as one of the most sober costumes of the whole German
speaking area and it kept its ancient nature. After observing a
group of Sarn people, Ludwig Thoma wrote that due to their
smarty aspect they made him think to English lords. A small
secret for the feminine guests who meet a man wearing the
costume: if he wears a red bow on hat he is still single, if he
wears a green bow his wife is not far.
SARN CRAFTS
There are altogether 13,271 craftsmen in South Tyrol. This includes the Sarn craftsmen, who – for centuries – have kept
alive old traditions such as art weaving, wood turning, quill
embroidery and wood carving to name but a few.
www.sarner-gschick.com
DID YOU KNOW, THAT
the community of the Sarn Valley with 303 km2 is
the largest community in South Tyrol?
the smallest church near the refuge hut of the Latzfonser Cross in the Sarn Valley Alps is the highestaltitude pilgrimage place in Europe?
This place is called ‘Black God of Latzfons’ and is located at an altitude of 2,305 metres.
the Tramin Egetmann procession is one of the oldest and strangest carnival festivities in Tyrol? It was
first mentioned in 1591. Its origin, however, most likely
comes from pre-Christian times. The festivity is only
celebrated in odd-numbered years.
www.egetmann.com
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SPRINGTIME//Blossoming time
From mid to end of April, the largest
orchards in Europe begin to blossom
LESS IS MORE
FORGET EVERYDAY LIFE. RELAX IN NICE PLACES AND
CHARGE YOUR BATTERIES. THE SOUTH OF SÜDTIROL
IS A LITTLE PARADISE FOR BEING IDLE. WELLNESS
AND RELAXATION COME IN A NATURAL AND
STYLISH WAY.
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| by Georg Weindl
Left:
LONELY//Perdonig
Eppan
Below:
TOGETHERNESS//Little church near Castle Englar
Eppan
It is remarkable how many people make the effort to do
absolutely nothing. They sit for many hours in a crammed
aeroplane in order to stay for weeks in the monotony of a
beach. They pay a lot of money for exotic productions in exquisite Wellness hotels and then try to relax with the help
of Tibetan bells, sheep wool massages, purification through
deep massage or Yin-Yang-Thalasso baths from their stress
of life. The aim is always the same: relaxation, time out, down
sizing, slow motion. Relaxation through minimal leisure time
activities or by doing nothing. As new as this theme seems
to be, it is not really. ‘Boredom – is the mother of all leisure’,
wrote Goethe in his Venetian epigram. This was written at a
time, when Wellness was not even known. In the 1950’s, the
USA started its first real Wellness movement, a preventative
medicine measure. The health-supporting effect was quickly
acknowledged, including the cost-reducing effect for the
health system. This might not sound much like a spa holiday
and the NHS.
However, a relaxed person knows quite well, that it is possible to relax without Thalasso and a sheep wool massage.
All you need it a certain measure of inner contentment and
a suitable place, which will have a good influence on you.
The mountains are very popular. It is interesting to watch
how people change so much and leave their hectic life behind when they walk in higher altitudes. Water and beautiful
beaches will do the same trick. It is highly recommended to
visit historical places with some atmosphere.
Mountains, lakes, picturesque historical places. South Tyrol
has lots of these on offer, including endless hours of sunshine and a mild Mediterranean climate. These are ideal preconditions for comfortable and stylish relaxation. Don’t forget that relaxation cannot be switched on like a button. You
need some instructions South Tyrolean style.
FOR THE ADVANCED
Keep cool. Look down into the valley and realise how far your
problems are away from you. The therapeutic effect of mountain hiking is indisputable. Just sitting down, enjoying the fresh
air and the quietness and looking over the mountain ranges.
You don’t need to walk to one of the refuge huts. Visiting the
peaks even without eating at a hut, might even give you more
relaxation. On the left side of the Etsch river, you will be able
to discover many beautiful hiking tours with panoramic views.
Comfortable walks through vineyards, passing stylish residences or hike up into the Alpine regions of the Trudner Horn Nature
Park. If you like to be more sporting, you can enjoy an excursion
into the Sarn Valley Alps.
If long hiking trips are too much for you, you can choose different lift facilities, e.g. from St. Anton/Kaltern to the Mendel
mountain, von Vilpian to Mölten, from Bozen to Jenesien, Oberbozen/Ritten or Kohlern. Higher up you can get a lift to the
Rittner Horn and from Reinswald.
FOR THOSE WHO LOVE TO ENJOY LIFE
The entire region of the South of Südtirol is full of romantic
places and paths, which will help you to relax. For example
on a bench in one of the vineyards, looking across the wide
and open Etsch Valley, letting the sun touch your skin while
your eye moves across the vineyards, olive groves and cypresses. Historic castles and residences are wonderful places
to relax.
At the legendary hills of the castle ruins of Castelfeder, between Auer and Montan, there is a magnificent view over the
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DID YOU KNOW, THAT
Italy’s first lama and alpaca culture is found
at the Ritten mountain?
On the meadows of the Kaserhof in Oberbozen, you can find lamas, which are used as
carriers, hiking companions, wool suppliers
and leisure animals. Trekking with lamas at
www.lama.bz.it
the Mendel cable-car is the oldest and
longest of its type in Europe?
It was built in 1903, in order to connect two
spa towns: Gries near Bozen and the Mendel
Pass. This is where the Empress Sissi spent
some time.
the name of the ‘Frühlingstal’ (Spring
Valley) is a true reflection?
Already at end of February/beginning of
March, there are some signs of Spring in the air.
the old aristocracy feels right at home in
the mountains of South Tyrol?
Descending from an ancient aristocratic
desert tribe, which dates back to more than
4,000 years, ‘Paks von Aswan’ from the
Gaughof farmhouse in Wangen has found
a new home in South Tyrol. Today, the first
Arab stud farm in South Tyrol is owned by
the Selva family (Stilmöbel Selva).
Etsch Valley. It’s a perfect place to experience an unforgettable sunset. Or you could go to the small romantic church
of St. Jacob’s just above Tramin at the hills of Kastelaz. Beautiful places and adventures can be combined in wonderful
ways, e.g. on a comfortable cycle trip along the river Etsch
or a hiking tour. Discover the excitement of real ‘Törggelen’, a
comfortable walking tour to a traditional farmhouse, where
you can take a snack in the shade of their beer garden or in
the nostalgic lounge. It’s also worth taking an excursion to
the Ritten mountain, using the almost 100 year old Ritten cable-car. The nostalgic and elegant atmosphere of the Ritten
with its beautiful villas makes for great relaxation time. Summer holidays have a long tradition in this region and mean
nothing more than people enjoying the cool altitude during
the hot summer months and doing ... nothing! For those who
could afford it, they did this all summer long.
TAKE A PIECE OF SOUTH TYROL HOME WITH YOU!
You can capture all the impressions you made in this beautiful region and take them home with you! A moment of inner
peace and stillness is better than anything else, as the old
Persian saying goes. You can always come back. In the South
of Südtirol, there are many beautiful places and adventures
to discover!
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SOFT MOVEMENTS//
Cycling paths
More than 600 km of well-marked valley cycling paths can
be discovered in South Tyrol. Cycle through apple orchards
and forests or along a river. The new ‘South Tyrolean Apple
Cycling Path’, South Tyrol’s first theme path on a bike, runs
between Algund and Bozen and offers you 40 km of ‘apple
pleasure’ for all the family!
Cycling through 2,000 years of history
The Via Claudia Augusta connects people, times and cultures.
Along the cycling paths, the ancient cultural and trade paths
of the Roman Empire come alive again. The cycling guide ‘Via
Claudia Augusta – von der Donau an die Adria’, ISBN 3-85000131-8 can be ordered at Verlag Esterbauer,
[email protected]
www.viaclaudia.org
A bit of advice!
Be safe on the roads and use the cycling path in the South of
Südtirol – with 41 detailed cycling-hiking and bike tour suggestions. Available at your local tourist offices, from € 3.80!
On the back of a Hafling horse
The best way to discover nature is on the back of a Hafling
horse. Due to its good-nature and its safe step, it is the ideal
FOTO NORDIC
riding companion for beginners and children. For Haflings,
the best riding village is Jenesien: there are 6 equestrian
centres, where you can find the popular horses. Why don’t
you try it out!? Wide forest roads and small forest paths offer something for everyone. Find more information on riding
courses, excursions, trekking tours and riding camps for children at www.jenesien.net
There are equestrian centres in Leifers, Eppan, Kaltern, Kurtatsch, Neumarkt, Mölten, in the Sarn Valley, at the Ritten
mountain and in Aldein-Radein.
Information in your local tourist office.
Tee off in relaxation mode!
There are four beautiful golf courses nearby: the 18 hole
course ‘Petersberg’ near Aldein and ‘Dolomiti Golf Club’ in
Sarnonico (TN), 8 km behind the Mendel Pass. In addition,
there are the 9 hole courses of ‘Gutshof Brandis’ in Lana and
‘Karersee’ at the Karer Pass. More information at
www.golfinsuedtirol.it
THEME PATHS//
Dürer Path
Nordic Walking
Love sports! There are five different Nordic Walking tours in
the beautiful hilly vineyard region of Eppan.
PERSONALITIES//
ANDREAS SEPPI
After his victory at the Masters Series tournament
in Hamburg against Guillermo Canas (August
2005), the tennis player from Kaltern is now for the
first time amongst the top 100 in the world.
SEPP MESSNER
The ex chief trainer of the Italian Men’s Ski National Team from Vilpian is now director of the International Ski Association (FIS) at World Cup Run,
World Championships and Olympic Games.
On the historic Dürer Path leading from
Salurn via Neumarkt to Buchholz and across
the Sauchsattel to the earth pyramids of
Segonzano, visitors will find commemoration stones with the initials of Dürer in all places, the artist
once visited. www.duererweg.it
Nature teaching trail ‘Gleif church – Eppan ice holes’
A nature teaching trail informs you about the geological particularities in the Eppan village area, from glacier pots to glacier cuts and the legendary ‘devil’s chairs’, as well as the natural phenomenon in Eppan: the Eppan ice holes (‘Eislöcher’).
Nature adventure trail Castelfeder
A hiking path gives you insight into the particularities of Castelfeder’s nature, culture and history during the past centuries.
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THE BLETTERBACH CANYON
EUROPE’S UNIQUE
CANYON
| by Beatrix Unterhofer
In the footsteps of the dinosaurs, the Bletterbach canyon
gives some fascinating insight into the Old Times of our
planet’s history. With the opening of the visitors’ centre,
the forest teaching trail and the panels complement the
geological trail. The canyon was opened to the public and
has its own programme, particularly for children.
you like an open book. It is said, that if you walk along and
down to the Bletterbach, you should always keep an eye towards the sky. Weather changes are not rare in this region.
Enjoy this excursion, while discovering many figures and
faces engraved in the rock, or eyes, mouths, noses and ears
are often associated with cave entrances ...
Open mountains. Time in a fossil. Bletterbach.
Many millions of years ago, in Aldein, situated south-east of
Bozen, the little Bletterbach (creek) developed, at a length
of 8 km and more than 400 metres deep into the soil. This
created an imposing canyon, which is unique in Europe. The
best time for an excursion is the afternoon when the light
conditions are best and the creek is like an exciting amphitheatre. In approximately 3 hours walking time, you can get
an impressive insight into the past. Descending into the canyon, which takes about 2.5 hours, you will come across 260
million years of the earth’s history. The creek lies in front of
One million years - for us an eternity
It is fascinating, what geological layers can tell us. A creek in
search of a new beginning. The Bletterbach shows numerous layers from different times. The lowest layer, the porphyry, is of a volcanic origin and extremely free of erosion.
Clouds of fire spread across the creek at speeds up to 500
hours/km. Steep, rocky walls and vertical cliffs still bear witness to this today. Now, the creek runs quietly into the valley.
The evening air is mild and the last sunrays look through the
trees. It is difficult to imagine that animals from the sea once
lived here. In some places, you can discover plant materials
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Geoparc Bletterbach | Lerch 40, I-39040 Aldein | Tel./Fax +39 0471 886 946 | www.bletterbach.info
Opening times: 1st May to 4th November, daily from 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
in the stone. Beside the fossils of plants and wood, you also
can find some micro-organisms and traces of different types
of dinosaurs and also crustaceans. This gives some indication
that the sea spread from the East and finally reached America and Japan.
Things are constantly changing. Every winter, every thunderstorm, disintegration and decay play their part and make the
Bletterbach canyon a unique natural phenomenon, impacting the earth’s history, as well as natural monuments.
Be tempted ...
to visit Alpine huts, farmhouses and mills or the legendary
world of Aldein. And for the kids, there is ‘Bletterbach for
Kids’. Beside some guided hiking trips, there is also the museum card Aldein-Radein and interesting family tickets!
On nature’s trails
Guided hiking trips bring nature lovers just to the right spots.
Every tourist office offers special hiking trips: blossom hiking
trips or culinary asparagus trips in Spring, Törggele weeks in
Autumn, excursions from castle to castle, to the Ritten earth
pyramids or walking from farmhouse to farmhouse. Specially
recommended are the nature-scientific hiking trips into the
Trudner Horn National Park or into the Bletterbach canyon.
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THE TRUDNER HORN NATURE PARK IS A UNIQUE
HIKING PARADISE. IT CONSISTS OF 7,000 HECTARES
OF LAND AND IS THE MOST SOUTHERN OF THE
7 SOUTH TYROLEAN NATURE PARKS. WITH HIGH
FORESTS AND BUSH FORESTS, AS WELL AS WIDE
ALPINE MEADOWS, IT SPREADS TO AN ALTITUDE
OF 220 METRES TO 1,700 METRES. THROUGH ITS
SUBMEDITERRANEAN VEGETATION ZONE, IT
PROVIDES A HABITAT FOR MANY PLANTS AND
ANIMALS.
PURE NATURE
NATURE PARK HOUSE
The Nature Park House in Truden offers you several exhibition areas, giving information about the park. An amphibian
pond, a herb garden and a corn field are part of the facility.
The elevator mill was built in 1948-49 and is the only functioning mill of its kind in South Tyrol. It was carefully renovated and grinds up to 2,000 kg of corn daily for the farmers
of Truden and the surrounding area.
The Nature Park House is open from mid April to mid November. Tues – Sat 9 a.m. to noon and 3 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. (JulySeptember also Sundays)
For further information, please call Tel. +39 0471 869 247
BIOTOPS IN THE SOUTH OF SÜDTIROL
The reed area of the biotop ‘Kalterer See’ is home to more
than 100 types of birds, of which many are migrating birds.
The biotop ‘Castelfeder’ near Montan is preferred by the emerald lizard. In the biotops ‘Langes Moos’ and ‘Peraschupf’
many rare types of orchids and plants grow, as they need
lots of water. The biotop ‘Fennberger See’ with the lake creek,
the reed area and the wet meadows, offer important living
space to partly threatened species of flora and fauna. Crayfish can also be found here. Other biotops are: the ‘Fuchsloch’
near Andrian, the ‘Eislöcher’ near Eppan, the ‘Lengmoos’ and
the ‘Frühlingstal’ (Spring Valley) near Montiggl, the ‘GisserAuen’ and the ‘Heiss-Aue’ with its rare tamarisk bushes near
Weißenbach.
NATURE CONSERVATION
South Tyrol’s territory stretches to an area of 7,400 km2. 40%
of this is taken up by nature reserves, as well as national and
nature parks. For more information check out
www.provinz.bz.it/natur
THE FARMER
The farmer is the natural landscape gardener and a guarantor
for the protection of our cultural landscape. Around 27,000
agricultural and forestry enterprises can be found in South
Tyrol. More about agriculture at
www.provinz.bz.it/landwirtschaft
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THE JOYS OF WINTER
| by Georg Weindl
THE SARN VALLEY, THE RITTEN
MOUNTAIN, THE SALTEN MOUNTAIN
WITH MÖLTEN AND JENESIEN,
ALDEINRADEIN, TRUDNER HORN.
WINTER IN THE SOUTH OF SÜDTIROL
IS JUST THE RIGHT PLACE TO BE IF
YOU LOVE NATURE ... AND IF YOU ARE
A ROMANTIC!
Leave the city behind, turn off the motorway and jump into the joys of
winter. Wonderful snowy landscapes, clean brisk air. Relaxing stillness instead of bars and après ski pubs. Far away from the stress of life, you can
enjoy genuine winter romance. Just ideal for relaxation and having lots
of fun in the snow. More and more people discover the advantages of the
smaller, lesser known ski resorts. These are comfortable and friendly. The
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landscape is untouched and you feel right at home.
The peaceful Sarn Valley, for example, is a hot spot. The family-friendly ski resort near Reinswald offers beautiful and wellcared pistes for unspoilt winter fun. No endless queues at the
lifts. Space to move about in the snow. The ‘Pensertal’ crosscountry trail could not be further away from being on a boring circular course, but offers pure enjoyment at a length of 24
km. The prices are still a bit lower than anywhere else, which
makes the Sarn Valley with its true South Tyrolean culture and
lifestyle even more attractive.
Do you have a longing for nostalgia and elegance? Do you
love romantic winter landscapes without any trouble? Then,
the Ritten mountain is just the right place for you. The view
from the peak of the Rittner Horn across the Etsch Valley and
the Dolomite summits is stunning. The Ritten mountain will
also give you lots of fun in the snow, on the pistes, as well as
on the cross-country trails.
However, also the romantics will not come up short. From the
Ritten, you can reach quietness and get away from the buzzing centre of Bozen within minutes. Before lunch, you could
go snow-shoe hiking or do some cross-country skiing and in
the afternoon, the shops of Bozen await you. This is how varied a winter holiday can be at the Ritten.
Stress and noise are all around us, day in day out. There is no
logic reason to live through it all during your precious holiday.
No wonder, that more and more people discover the advantages of untouched winter landscapes. Wellness – the natural
way. Far into the South of Südtirol, where many people don’t
think about winter holidays, you’ll find great offers at AldeinRadein with the Weißhorn mountain, the Jochgrimm and the
Trudner Horn Nature Park - a perfect winter wellness scene. On
a sunny terrace between 900 and 1,200 metres in altitude, you
can undertake wonderful hiking trips in untouched snowy
landscapes and still be only minutes away from the busy ski
resorts. You feel like you’re in a different world. You are one
with nature, relaxed and quiet inside. A real holiday! Stress and
hectic are forgotten. And how? Simply by deciding that you
don’t do what everyone else does. This is the special winter experience at the Trudner Horn or in Aldein-Radein, at the Salten
mountain and its villages of Mölten and Jenesien. Individual
winter adventures! Authentic natural beauty with romance,
instead of overcrowded motorways. Just like it was years ago!
You’ll see that it will do you a lot of good!
Mountains covered in snow
The winter season runs from the beginning of December to
mid April. Enjoy an altitude of 1,000 to 3,000 metres: while skiing, cross-country skiing, snow-shoe hiking, snowboarding or
enjoying a ride in a horse-drawn sledge. Further information
on winter in the South of Südtirol look at
www.ortlerskiarena.com
Snow-shoe hiking
Away from the ski-runs, you can experience South Tyrol’s winter landscape in snow-shoes. The 40 most beautiful tours are
listed in the book ‘Schneeschuhwandern in Südtirol’ (snowshoe hiking in South Tyrol – with a compact information section about walking times, difference in altitude and grades of
difficulty. Available in every bookshop or online at
www.folioverlag.com
PERSONALITY//
PATRICK THALER
Born in 1978, Sarn Valley. 2002 Italian Champion /
Great Slalom. 2004 1st place in Europa Cup Total/Slalom. 2005 19th place in Slalom World Cup.
2005/2006 Member of the Italian National
Team/Slalom.
Fast ascent
80% of South Tyrol’s area is mountainous – only 8% of this is
habitable. In 1908, the first cable railway in the world for transporting people was built: from Bozen to Kohlern (1,100 metres
altitude). Today, 377 different lift facilities transport hikers and
skiers from all over the world from our valley into the mountains.
As quietly as the lake
In winter, the bathing lakes transform themselves into large
ice-skating courses: the Wolfsgrubner Lake, the Montiggle
Lakes as well as Lake Kaltern. But attention! Ice-skating is only
possible for a short while!
Winter dreams between tradition & customs
Bozen Christmas Market
from 25th November to 23rd December
Crib exhibition
in the historic wine village of St. Pauls/Eppan in December
‘Klöckeln’ in the Sarn Valley
the first 3 Thursdays during the Advent season
„Alpenadvent“
in Sarnthein in December
www.alpenadvent.sarntal.com
DID YOU KNOW, THAT
the ice rink at the Ritten mountain is the fastest
open-air rink in the world?
The combination of water (soft water) and the altitude
(thin air) ensures that the fastest times can be measured.
www.arenaritten.it
in Reinswald you can find the longest toboggan
run of South Tyrol?
The 5,200 metres long course is extremely popular
with the locals in full moon light.
www.reinswald.com
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GIRLAN CELLAR FESTIVAL 2005//
On summer week-ends, we have a number
of wine and village festivals organised for you
EVENTS & HIGHLIGHTS
IN THE SOUTH OF SÜDTIROL
365 DAYS OF DANCING, INDOOR OR OUTDOOR THEATRE,
CONCERTS AT THE CASTLE OR IN THE PARK, PARADES,
EXHIBITIONS, WINE TASTING OR GASTRONOMIC EVENTS. FOR
MORE INFORMATION, CLICK
www.suedtirols-sueden.info
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THE FESTIVE TABLE//
Event in the small streets of St. Pauls/
Eppan on 1st August 2006
SOUTH TYROLEAN SPECK
Tradition says that it is necessary to slaughter animals
and process their meat before and after Christmas. Pork
legs are cured with salt and herbs. The mixed spices
give speck its special taste. Then, at a maximum temperature of 20 degrees, the meat is smoked and then
air-dried. After 22 weeks, the speck is ready to be eaten.
www.speckfest.org
EVENINGS UNDER A BLUE SKY
Extended opening hours on Tuesdays in Auer during July
and August.
Extended opening hours on Wednesdays in St. Michael/
Eppan in July and August. – The shopping event! Extended
shopping hours until 10 p.m., festive atmosphere in the traffic-free centre with live music, street artists and lots of other
highlights!
Sarn ‘Virwitzmitte’, a special evening in Sarnthein. Every
Wednesday from the end of July to the end of August.
‘Laubenzauber’ in Neumarkt. Every Friday during July and
August.
‘s’Traminer Dorfleben’ in Tramin. Every Wednesday from
the end of July to the beginning of September the Tramin
people present their culture, customs and crafts, linked with
entertainment and extended shopping hours.
Summer Holidays in Jenesien. Every Wednesday evening
from mid July to the end of August. ‘Schronnenkuchl’, village
highlights, concerts with music bands and jazz bands, family
evenings.
July Festival at the Ritten. Small street festivals with culinary
highlights. Every Thursday in July. Alternating in Klobenstein,
Oberbozen and Unterinn.
Extended opening hours on Thursdays in Leifers during
July, August and September.
treff.kaltern – The longest shopping event in South Tyrol. In
Kaltern in July and August.
Castle concerts: Castle Enn near Montan/mid August. Castle
Auer, Auer/mid August. Castle Rechtenthal in Tramin/3rd August. Haderburg near Salurn. In Eppan at the castles of Englar,
Hocheppan and Boymont, at the Lanserhaus residence and
in Kaltern at the castles of Kampan and Sallegg.
Organ concerts in Kaltern and St. Pauls/Eppan
Concert evenings ‘Music & Culture’ in Lengmoos, from May
to October
Jazz festival in Bozen in June
Runkelstein Music Festival and Bozen Dance Summer in July
International Music Summer. Eppan in July at Castle Englar
and Lanserhaus residence, with master courses by Brigitte
Fassbaender
Musical – At the stage at Lake Kaltern in July
Bozen Festival in August 2006
56th International Pianist Competition ‘F. Busoni’
2006-2007 end of August/beginning of September in Bozen
CONCERTS & EVENTS
Ritten Summer Festival in Lengmoos, end of July/mid August
CURTAIN UP
New town theatre of Bozen and concert house ‘Josef
Haydn’, addresses in South Tyrol with 30 to 50 events each
month, ranging from theatre to ballet, dance and music
events, as well as opera and musicals.
Time-table 2005/2006 on
www.ntbz.net or www.theater-bozen.it
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ALWAYS ACTION IN BOZEN//
The best pubs are around the Fruit Market
Lowland Open-Air Festival in Neumarkt, end of July/mid
August
IT’S FESTIVAL TIME
There is always a good time to have a party. South Tyrol offers
you the opportunity to follow this motto all year round: from
the traditional speck festival to parish church events, from jazz
festivals with an international cast to folk theatre. Events under
www.suedtirols-sueden.info
WINE FESTIVALS, VILLAGE FESTIVALS
& OTHER EVENTS
84th Bozen Weinkost
End of April at Castle Maretsch in Bozen
wein.kaltern – Hiking, excitement, enjoyment, 23rd April
International Eppan Castle Ride from 29th April to 1st May
Maypole Festival in Terlan and August on 1st May
South Tyrolean Pinot Nero Days
in Montan and Neumarkt in May
3-day Archway Festival in Salurn at Whitsun, 2nd- 4th June
Whitsun Festival in Terlan, 3rd-4th June
125th Anniversary of the Leifers Music Band, 20th-21st May
South Tyrolean Speck Festival in Bozen, 25th-28th May
Parish Festival in Leifers, 27th-28th May
Rudy Giovannini’s Köfele Festival in Leifers on 10th June
Seit Parish Day on 10th June
Kurtatsch Parish Day with village festival on 28th June
Gewürztraminer Wine Road in Tramin on 13th July
Magdalene Parish Day near Bozen on 22nd July
Wine Culture Weeks in St. Pauls/Eppan
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AV JOURNAL 2006
from 27th July to 8th August
Kaltern Market Festival on 29th-30th July
Marksmen Festival in Altrei, end of July
The Festive Table in St. Pauls/Eppan on 1st August
Hay Festival in Gfrill on 6th August
Lorenzi Night in Bozen on 10th August
Wine Festival in Kaltern from 11th to 14th August
Oberbozen Parish Day on 15th August
Village Festival in Montan in August
Leifers Festival during the last week in August
and first week in September
St. Pauls Village Festival in St. Pauls/Eppan
beginning of September
Kurtatsch ‘Wimmet’ Festival, beginning of September
Vilpian Parish Day on 3rd September
Kaltern Wine Days on 7th and 8th September
‘Schupfen’Festival at the Salten/Jenesien on 17th September
Tramin Autumn Festival in Tramin
on 30th September and 1st October
‘Last Grape Cart’ in Girlan/Eppan in October
Pumpkin Festival in Bozen in October
Tramin Wine Street in Tramin on 21st October
Lowland Wine Tasting Week in Auer, end of October
Kastelruther Spatzen Festival in Kastelruth, 6th-8th October
TRADITION & CUSTOMS
Leifers Carnival Parade on 19th February
Joseph Market in Salurn on 19th March
Markus Market in Auer on 25th April
Fair Market in Leifers on 28th May and 1st October
CHRISTMAS MARKET BOZEN//
Tip: Shopping & Winning
The Christmas lotteries in the villages
are very interesting!
Etsch Rafting in Branzoll in June/July
Heart of Jesus Procession with village festival in Aldein
in June
Parish Day in Mölten on 15th August
Cattle Drive on ‘Bartlmä’ at the Ritten Alpine meadows on
24th August
Cattle Drive in Aldein in August/September
Sarn Parish Day in Sarnthein, 2nd to 4th September
Cattle Drive in Altrei, end of September
Folk Music Evening ‘s’herbstelet’ in Tramin on 19th October
Martini Festival and Shooting Event at the historic shooting range in St. Michael/Eppan in November
Martini Market in Girlan/Eppan on 11th November
Martini Market and Village Festival with goose drive
in Kurtinig on 11th November
Andreas Market in Salurn on 30th November
‘Klöckeln’ in the Sarn Valley, first 3 Thursdays in Advent
Bozen Christmas Market from 25th November to 23rd
December
Crib Exhibition in the historic wine village of St. Pauls/
Eppan in December
‘Alpine Advent’ in Sarnthein in December
SPORTS INFORMATION
World Cup Sprint in speed skating
at the Ritten from 28th to 29th January
Hafling Horse Sledge and Ski Jöring Run
at the Salten mountain, Jenesien, 29th January
Women’s’ Europa Cup Run – Downhill & Super G
in Reinswald, 6th to 9th February
Snowboard Contest ‘Horn of Flames’
at the Ritten Horn in February
International Tournament in Curling in Auer in February
International Yacht Regatta
at Lake Kaltern in April/May and September
Traditional Folk Cycling in Andrian on 1st May
Oldtimermeeting in Bozen on 21st May
South Tyrolean Nostalgy Run
from San Lugano to Montan on 27th May
International Triathlon at Lake Kaltern in May
International Wine Road Tournament
German Shepherds in Eppan at Whitsun
Competition with historic bows
at the bow route in the Eppan Castle Triangle in July
Giro delle Dolomiti (Tour de Dolomites)
from 30th July to 5th August
Pichlberg – Duathlon mid August in Sarn Valley
South Tyrolean Running Tour
in Neumarkt & surroundings,18th-20th August
International Futures ATP Tennis Tournament
Rungg/Girlan, end of August
Fit for Business – Company tournament
Neumarkt, 1st September
Mountain Run Leifers Weißenstein 3rd September
Motocross Hill Climbing in Sarnthein, 9th September
South Tyrolean Marathon in Neumarkt, 8th October
Half Marathon
villages of Leifers, Branzoll, Pfatten on 22nd October
Ice Gala in Bozen, end of December
New Year’s Eve Run ‘Boclassic’
31st December, Bozen city centre
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GOURMET
OUR BEST
Whether you are in a renowned pub with stars, an award winning restaurant, a fine gourmet or aristocratic castle restaurant,
a farming pub with tradition, an inviting pizzeria, a simple but
unique snack bar, a mountain hut or a similar place: the South
of Südtirol always has something to offer you. This is confirmed
by important restaurant and gourmet guides, which present
different types of awards each year to gastronomy locations in
the South of Südtirol.
Edition 2005
Gasthaus Hopfen & Co.
Restaurant Hostaria Argentieri
Restaurant Luna-Mondschein
Gasthof Kohlern
Restaurant Laurin Belle Epoque
Restaurant Vögele
Restaurant Walthers‘
Restaurant Zur Kaiserkron
Restaurant Pra Meisa
Bistro Reinisch
Vinoveris
Gasthof Patauner
Landgasthof Bad Turmbach
Restaurant Marklhof
Restaurant Zur Rose
Restaurant Ansitz Pillhof
Restaurant Castel Ringberg
Restaurant Ritterhof
Restaurant Schlosskeller
Restaurant Siegi‘s
Gasthaus Zur Rose
Buschenschank Santlhof
Restaurant Johnson & Dipoli
Restaurant Tenz
Restaurant Auener Hof
Restaurant Bad Schörgau
Restaurant Bar Günter
Gasthof Ansitz Kematen
Gasthaus Patscheiderhof
Restaurant Holzner
Restaurant Berghofer
Restaurant Zirmerhof
Restaurant Krone
Restaurant Ploner
Restaurant Zur Mühle
62
AV JOURNAL 2006
L‘Espresso &
Gault Millau
Bozen
Bozen
Bozen
Bozen
Bozen
Bozen
Bozen
Bozen
Bozen
Bozen
Bozen
Terlan
Eppan
Eppan
Eppan
Eppan
Kaltern
Kaltern
Kaltern
Kaltern
Kurtatsch
Kurtatsch
Neumarkt
Montan
Sarntal
Sarntal
Sarntal
Ritten
Ritten
Ritten
Radein
Radein
Aldein
Aldein
Truden
Osterie d‘Italia 2005/2006
Gasthaus Weißes Rössl
Gasthaus Hopfen & Co.
Gasthof Kohlern
Gasthaus Batzenhäusl
Gasthof Unterweg
Restaurant Schwarzer Adler
Restaurant Badl
Buschenschank Santlhof
Gasthof Fichtenhof
Gasthof Dorfnerhof
Gasthof Tschürtsch
Gasthaus Patscheiderhof
Gasthof Signaterhof
Restaurant Krone
Gambero Rosso
12,5/20
12,5/20
13,5/20
mentioned
13/20
13/20
80/100
76/100
Bozen
Bozen
Bozen
Bozen
Jenesien
Andrian
Kaltern
Kurtatsch
Salurn
Montan
Auer
Ritten
Ritten
Aldein
Michelin
Guida Rossa
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Veronelli
82/100
78/100
14/20
mentioned
mentioned
mentioned
84/100
13,5/20
16/20
mentioned
14/20
85/100
78/100
89/100
82/100
mentioned
13,5/20
mentioned
mentioned
14/20
14/20
75/100
mentioned
75/100
82/100
83/100
mentioned
12,5/20
13/20
mentioned
81/100
12,5/20
13,5/20
14/20
mentioned
80/100
82/100
mentioned
BACCHUS
EXCELLENT WINES
The road to the success of the South Tyrolean wines is visible
from afar: in renowned Italian wine guides, they have South
Tyrolean wines on the top of the list. And this is not enough:
In 2000, the wine cellars of St. Michael/Eppan were awarded
the ‘Cantina dell’Anno’ by Gambero Rosso – the best wine
cellar of the year in all of Italy. Cellar master Willi Stürz of the
Tramin wine cellars was awarded the best cellar master of
DUEMILAVINI AIS 2006
’5 GRAPPOLI’
Cabernet Mumelter Riserva 2002
Wine cellar Bozen
Lagrein Taber Riserva 2002
Wine cellar Bozen
Lagrein Abtei Muri Riserva 2002
Wine cellar Muri-Gries, Bozen
Terlaner Chardonnay 1993
Wine cellar Terlan
Terlaner Sauvignon Quarz 2003
Wine cellar Terlan
Cabernet Sanct Valentin 2002
Wine cellar St. Michael/Eppan
Sauvignon Sanct Valentin 2004
Wine cellar St. Michael/Eppan
Cabernet Sauvignon Lafòa 2002
Wine cellar Schreckbichl/Eppan
Goldmuskateller Serenade Passito 2002
Wine cellar Kaltern
Amistar Rosso Edizione 2002
Peter Sölva & Söhne, Kaltern
Beyond the Clouds 2003
Elena Walch, Tramin
Gewürztraminer Kolbenhof 2004
J. Hofstätter, Tramin
Pinot Nero Barthenau Vigna S. Urbano 2002
J. Hofstätter, Tramin
Gewürztraminer Nussbaumer 2004
Wine cellar Tramin
Gewürztraminer Vendemmia Tardiva Terminum 03
Wine cellar Tramin
Goldmuskateller Passito Baronesse Baron
Salvadori 2003
Wine cellar Nals-Margreid
Rosenmuskateller 2004
Franz Haas, Montan
Pinot Nero Schweizer 2002
Franz Haas, Montan
GUIDA ESPRESSO „VINI D’ITALIA“ 06
‘5 BOTTIGLIE’
Goldmuskateller Vinalia 2003
Wine cellar Bozen
Italy by the same guide in 2004. In 2005, the wine cellars of
Terlan received an award for their price – performance ratio
for the Terlan Pinot Bianco with the national ‘Oscar qualitàprezzo’.
Up-to-date wine news and other awards at
www.suedtirolerwein.com
Terlaner Chardonnay 1993
Wine cellar Terlan
Terlaner Sauvignon Quarz 2003
Wine cellar Terlan
Gewürztraminer Vendemmia Tardiva
Terminum 2003
Wine cellar Tramin
Gewürztraminer Baron Salvadori 2004
Wine cellar Nals-Margreid
I VINI DI VERONELLI 2006
’SUPER TRE STELLE’
Lagrein-Merlot Mauritius 2003
Lagrein Riserva Taber 2003
Wine cellar Bozen
Terlaner Chardonnay 1993
Terlaner classico Nova Domus 2003
Wine cellar Terlan
Chardonnay Cornell 2003
Wine cellar Schreckbichl
Lagrein aus Gries Riserva 2003
Euforius Vigneti delle Dolomiti Rosso 2003
Josef Niedermayr, Girlan
Chardonnay Sanct Valentin 2003
Gewürztraminer Sanct Valentin 2004
Wine cellar St. Michael/Eppan
Gewürztraminer Tenuta Freienfeld 2004
Wine cellar Kurtatsch
Contest Hirschprunn Mitterberg 2000
Casón Hirschprunn, Alois Lageder,
Margreid
Goldmuskateller Passito Baronesse Baron Salvadori 2003
Wine cellar Nals-Margreid
Chardonnay Passito Aurum 2003
Happacherhof, Auer
Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon Iugum 2003
Peter Dipoli, Neumarkt
Manna Vigneti delle Dolomiti Bianco 2003
Fanz Haas, Montan
Rosenmuskateller 2002
Winery Laimburg, Pfatten
FALSTAFF WEINGUIDE 05/06
(93-95 of 100 points)
Gewürztraminer Nussbaumer 2004
Gewürztraminer Terminum 2003
Wine cellar Tramin
Gewürztraminer Ansitz Freienfeld 2004
Merlot Ansitz Freienfeld 2002
Wine cellar Kurtatsch
Blauburgunder Vigna S. Urbano 2002
J. Hofstätter, Tramin
Merlot Cabernet Arzio 2003
Baron di Pauli, Kaltern
Lagrein Merlot Mauritius 2003
Goldmuskateller Vinalia 2003
Wine cellar Bozen/Gries, Bozen
Cabernet Sauvignon Còr Römigberg 2000
Alois Lageder, Margreid
Cassiano 2002
Manincor, Kaltern
GAMBERO ROSSO
’3 GLASSES 2006’
Lagrein Riserva Abtei
Wine cellar Muri-Gries, Bozen
2002
Lagrein Taber
Wine cellar Bozen
2003
Goldmuskateller Passito Vinalia 2003
Wine cellar Bozen
Lagrein Riserva Grieser Select
Hans Rottensteiner, Bozen
2002
Sauvignon St. Valentin
Wine cellar St. Michael/Eppan
2004
Stoan
Wine cellarTramin
2004
Gewürztraminer Nussbaumer
Wine cellar Tramin
2004
Gewürztraminer Kolbenhof
J. Hofstätter, Tramin
2004
Gewürztraminer Kastelaz
Elena Walch, Tramin
2004
Weißburgunder Vorberg
Wine cellar Terlan
2002
Lagrein Porphyr
Wine cellar Terlan
2002
Blauburgunder Schweizer
Franz Haas, Montan
2002
Sauvignon Palladium
Martini & Sohn, Girlan/Eppan
2004
JOURNAL 2006 AV
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CULTURE
MUSEUMS & CHURCHES
THERE ARE 70 MUSEUMS ALL OVER THE REGION:
ARCHAEOLOGY AND CULTURAL HISTORY, NATURAL
HISTORY AND AGRICULTURE. OPENING TIMES AND
INFORMATION ON THE INDIVIDUAL MUSEUMS AT
www.provinz.bz.it/museenfuehrer
MUSEUMS & MORE MUSEUMS
CHURCHES & LITTLE CHAPELS
The Nature Museum in Bozen offers regular scientific exhibitions. Main attraction is the sea water aquarium. Tel. +39
0471 974 625.
Castle Moos-Schulthaus near Eppan is a museum describing
life and culture for the Middle Ages. Regular guided tours.
Sundays and Mondays closed. Tel. +39 0471 660 139.
In the South Tyrolean Wine Museum in Kaltern, they exhibit
pieces describing the history of wine. Mondays closed. Information & guided tours on Tel. +39 0471 963 168 or 0474 552
087.
The Tramin Village Museum exhibits tools from wine and
farming agriculture, craftsmanship and normal farmhouses.
Sundays and Mondays closed. Tel. +39 0471 860 132.
The Museum ‘Zeitreise Mensch’ (human time travel) in ‘Ansitz am Orth’ in Kurtatsch offers some insight into the life of
the Stone Age to Modern Times. Tel. +39 0471 880 267.
In Neumarkt, there is a Museum for Everyday Culture. Middle Ages living culture.
The Fossil Museum in Mölten shows minerals and fossils from
South Tyrol. Guided tours by request at the tourist board.
The Plattner Bienenhof (Platten Bee’s Farmhouse) in
Oberbozen, is South Tyrol’s only apiary museum. Open from
Easter to All Saints’ Day, daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tel. +39 0471 345 350.
The Village Museum in Aldein (May to October) reflects art
and religious culture of the Baroque and Rococo Times. The
mill museum is particularly special.
In Radein, there is a Geological Museum worth visiting.
The Nature Park House in Truden offers some insight into
the cultural landscapes and the cultural history of the Trudner Horn Nature Park. Mondays closed. Tel. +39 0471 869 247.
Detailed information in the local tourist offices.
Bozen: The Old Gries Parish Church accommodates the famous Gothic wing altar by Michael Pacher. In the Gothic Franciscan Church there is a shrine altar with carved wing doors by
Hans Klocker. It is worth visiting the frescoes from the Giotto
School in the Johannis chapel of the Early Gothic Dominican
Church. Also see the Gothic dome at the Waltherplatz.
The Parish Church in Terlan is a high-Gothic building of the
14th Century. The small Romanic side tower was built in the
13th Century and the colourfully glazed tiled roof of the LateGothic tower from the 16th Century. The frescoes of the ‘Bozen
School’ are from the 14th Century.
The Gothic Parish church in St. Pauls/Eppan, the ‘country cathedral’ was built between 1460 and 1560. Due to the long building
time, it has elements of the Renaissance and Baroque.
The ruins of the Basilica St. Peter in Kaltern/Altenburg are a
three-nave basilica from the time of Christianisation (4th Century). In the porphyry rock behind the church, there are 10 shelllike hollows from around 3,000 B.C.
The apse of the St. Jacob’s chapel on the hill of Kastelaz, just
above Tramin, is decorated by fighting mythical figures in a
ghostly round dance (around 1,200 A.D.).
The castle chapel of Castle Hocheppan accommodated the
Roman painting of a person eating knödel.
The St. Peter’s church near Auer is a Gothic building from the
15th Century. The Roman church tower was built during the
12th Century. The church houses the oldest playable organ in
South Tyrol.
The Stephen’s church near Pinzon in Montan with its famous
Hans Klocker altar is particularly worth a visit. The keys are available in the church hall.
In Leifers, it is possible to visit the St. Peter’s chapel at the Köfele,
which was built during the 13th Century. It has a round apse.
The ‘Klösterle’ hospital near Neumarkt was built in 1220 and
extended in 1300. It is one of the best kept hospitals in Europe.
It is said, that Dürer stayed here overnight during his Italian travels. In Lengmoos, which was built around 1,200 A.D., there was a
place for the emperors to stop on their way to Rome.
The churches in St. Cyprian/Sarnthein, St. Nikolaus/Durnholz and St. Valentin/Gentersberg house particularly valuable fresco cycles.
The South Tyrolean Archaeological Museum or ‘Ötzi Museum’ in Bozen is a must for every visitor to South Tyrol. It gives
insight to different historic epochs in South Tyrol.
Undoubtedly, the major attraction of the museum is Ötzi, the
ice-man. Tel. +39 0471 320 100.
www.iceman.it
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AGENDA
IN & AROUND
SOUTH TYROL
EXPERIENCE SOUTH TYROL IN ALL ITS BEAUTY. NOWHERE
ELSE IS THIS POSSIBLE THAN IN THE SOUTH OF SÜDTIROL:
IN PICTURESQUE WINE AND IDYLLIC MOUNTAIN VILLAGES
OR IN THE BUZZING TOWN OF BOZEN. YOU WILL FIND EVE
RYTHING FROM MEDITERRANEAN TO HIGHALPINE. SOME
POINTS YOU SHOULD NOT MISS WHILE IN SOUTH TYROL:
Castle Trauttmansdorff/Meran
An excursion to the Seiser Alm and into the Dolomites is
not only something for mountaineers and adventurers. The
wide high-Alpine meadows and jagged mountain peaks are
fascinating natural landscapes.
A short trip to the former spa town of Meran is also a must.
Watch the art nouveau architecture and charming promenades, which bear witness to times gone by. It is also worth
seeing the historic centres of Klausen, Brixen and Sterzing,
as well as Glurns, the smallest town in South Tyrol.
Lake Garda is approximately 80 km away. With its lovely,
characteristic villages and idyllic places, it is a popular holiday destination. A varied summer programme is on offer at
the Arena of Verona, where entertainment is guaranteed
for all opera lovers. Venice is approx. 220 km away and can
be visited on a day trip.
Further information about organised tours is available in the
local tourist offices.
CASTLE TRAUTTMANSDORFF
The gardens of Castle Trauttmansdorff are worth seeing not
only because of the variety of fauna. The castle, the former
Dome/Brixen
winter residence of Empress Sissi of Austria, houses the ‘Touriseum’. This museum gives you some entertaining insight
into 200 years of Alpine tourism.
For further information and concerts:
www.trauttmansdorff.it
MERANO THERMAL BATHS
An oasis of physical and spiritual health, rich in tradition in the
famous spa town. Wellness and proven therapies in the midst of
unique architecture.
www.thermemeran.it
‘TIME TRAVEL IN SOUTH TYROL’
Enjoyable tours with Vintage Cars through wonderful vineyards, romantic villages and impressive mountain pass
roads in South Tyrol and further away. Together with an optimal service package: from detailed road book (in German)
with the best routes and places of interest to Vintage Carfriendly accommodation and meetings in local clubs. Please
write to us if you need further information!
[email protected]
JOURNAL 2006 AV
65
INT. DIALLING: 0039
CONTACT
SOUTH OF SÜDTIROL
CHARMING & MYSTERIOUS
Do you know and love South Tyrol ... and particularly the South of Südtirol? Then
quiz with us and win a one week holiday into the charming south. And if you
should get stuck with a question – no need to worry! Most answers can be found in
this brochure. One more tip: the solutions are words from our lovely dialect...
Have fun!
Tramin carnival costum
9
Cable railway, 1903
13
9
TOURIST OFFICE EPPAN
Rathausplatz 01 • I-39057 Eppan on the Wineroad
Tel. 0471 662 206 • Fax 0471 663 546
www.eppan.net
4
Capital of province (in Italian)
6
Autumn custom
7
11
Canyon
3
Mummy
1
Author, Eppan
1
Language frontier, place
TOURIST OFFICE SÜDTIROLER UNTERLAND
Hptm. Schweiggl-Platz 8 • I-39040 Kurtatsch o.t.W.
Tel. 0471 880 100 • Fax. 0471 880 451
www.suedtiroler-unterland.it
2
Local type of horse
7
Personality at the Ritten
4
Ski resort
2
TOURIST OFFICE SALURN
Rathausplatz 2 • I-39040 Salurn on the Wineroad
Tel. + Fax 0471 884 279
[email protected]
Most southern nature park
6
TOURIST OFFICE CASTELFEDER
Hauptplatz 5 • I-39040 Auer
Tel. 0471 810 231 • Fax 0471 811 138
www.castelfeder.info
4
Mountain range
3
South Tyrol (in Italian)
TOURIST OFFICE
LEIFERS BRANZOLL PFATTEN
Kennedystr. 75d • I-39055 Leifers
Tel. 0471 950 420 • Fax. 0471 951 226
www.leifers-info.it
12
10
Fairy-tale castle
6
Asparagus stronghold, place
TOURIST OFFICE MÖLTEN
Dorf • I-39010 Mölten
Tel. 0471 668 282 • Fax 0471 667 228
www.moelten.net
8
Highest sparkling wine cellar in Europe, place
5
Climbing garden, Kurtatsch
1
Oldest wine cellar, place
South Tyrolean farewell
2
5
1ST PRIZE: one week for 2 people with half board in a
2
ND
TH
4 star hotel in the South of Südtirol.
– 10 PRIZES: a little surprise
Conditions for participation: Everyone can take part in the ‘Rätselraten’ quiz, by writing the correct answers on the postcard. Residents of South Tyrol are not allowed to participate.
Closing date for entries is 15th November 2006. The draw will take place mid December 2006 and the winners will be contacted
by writing. The first prize must be used before 31st August 2007. The prizes for places 2 to 10 will be sent to you by post. The judge’s
decision is final. The equivalent of money is not permissible. The above named conditions are valid.
66
AV JOURNAL 2006
TOURIST OFFICE KALTERN
Marktplatz 8 • I-39052 Kaltern on the Wineroad
Tel. 0471 963 169 • Fax 0471 963 469
www.kaltern.com
TOURIST OFFICE TRAMIN
Julius-v.-Payer-Str. 1 • I-39040 Tramin o.t. Wineroad
Tel. 0471 860 131 • Fax 0471 860 820
www.tramin.com
3
Pop singer, Leifers
TOURIST OFFICE TERLAN
Dr.-Weiser-Platz 2 • I-39018 Terlan
Tel. 0471 257 165 • Fax 0471 257 830
www.terlan.info
8
Local architectural style
Mystic hill
BOZEN MOUNTAIN & VALLEY
Waltherplatz 8 • I-39100 Bozen
Tel. 0471 307 000 • Fax 0471 980 128
www.bolzano-bozen.it
www.jenesien.net
TOURIST OFFICE ANDRIAN
Wehrburgstraße 1a • I-39010 Andrian
Tel. 0471 510 100 • Fax 0471 510 642
www.andrian.info
5
Autochthonic wine grape
TOURISMUSVERBAND
SÜDTIROLS SÜDEN
Pillhof 1 • I-39010 Frangart (Bozen)
Tel. 0471 633 488 • Fax 0471 633 367
www.suedtirols-sueden.info
TOURIST OFFICE SARNTAL
Europastraße 15 • I-39058 Sarnthein
Tel. 0471 623 091 • Fax 0471 622 350
www.sarntal.com
TOURIST OFFICE RITTEN
Dorfstraße 5 • I-39054 Klobenstein
Tel. 0471 356 100 • Fax 0471 356 799
www.ritten.com
TOURIST OFFICE ALDEIN RADEIN
Dorf 34 • I-39040 Aldein
Tel. 0471 886 800 • Fax. 0471 886 666
www.aldein-radein.it
TOURIST OFFICE WANDERGEBIET
NATURPARK TRUDNER HORN
Am Kofl 2 • I-39040 Truden
Tel. 0471 869 078 • Fax 0471 869 278
www.trudnerhorn.com
PUBLISHER
Tourismusverband
Südtirols Süden
BY CAR
Surname
TEXTS JOURNAL
Georg Weindl
André Bechtold
Herbert Taschler
Herbert Rosendorfer
Beatrix Unterhofer
Roswitha Mair
PHOTOS
Archives Tourismusverband Südtirols Süden, Archives Tappeiner
AG/Lana, Archives of associated
tourist offices, Thuniversum,
Michael Schindel, Free University of Bozen, Luis T. GmbH,
SMG/Frieder Blickle, Consortium
Südtiroler Speck, Sarner
Natur GmbH, Walter Gimplinger,
Private collection of Reinhold
Messner, private collection of
Beatrix Unterhofer
PRINT
Athesia/Bozen
On the Munich-Innsbruck-Verona line to Boze where all
trains stop. Bus station is very near the train station, where
buses go to all villages in South of Südtirol.
Train time-table under: www.trenitaliaplus.com
Bus time-table for South Tyrol under: www.sii.bz.it
EDITION 2006
Total edition of 170,500
125,000 in German
37,000 in Italian
5,000 in English
3,500 in Dutch
BY FLIGHT
Airport Bozen Dolomiten
Flights from/to Dortmund, Hanover, Berlin Tempelhof,
Zurich, Rome and Milan
see advertisement on page 2.
www.abd-airport.it – Tel. +39 0471 255 255
”Valerio Catullo” Airport, Villafranca, Verona
Situated directly on the Brenner motorway, only 120 km
from the Neumarkt/Auer exit. Taxis and car hire available.
There is a shuttle connection every 20 minutes to Verona
Railway Station (approx. 10km). Trains run regulary to Bozen and Auer where you can be picked up by your hotel
owner.
Information about flight times:
from Airport ”Valerio Catullo”, Verona, Tel. +39 045 80 95 666
RENT A CAR :
At the local tourist office
TRANSLATIONS
Cizeta Studio/Meran
DATE OF PUBLISHING
Annually – end of October
WEATHER FORECAST
Weather report, forecast, latest pollen count under
www.provinz.bz.it/wetter or Tel. +39 0471 271 177
CLIMATE IN SOUTH TIROL
WITH MORE THAN 300 SUNNY DAYS PER YEAR
WITH THE FRIENDLY SUPPORT
OF THE DISTRICT COUNCIL
ÜBERETSCH-UNTERLAND
EDITOR’S REMARK
Despite careful selection of
sources, we cannot accept any
responsibility for the correctness
of this content. Reprint and use
only after written confirmation
through the editor.
© 2005
Tourismusverband
Südtirols Süden
All rights reserved.
house number
TOURISMUSVERBAND
SÜDTIROLS SÜDEN
Pillhofstr. 1
Postcode and town
I-39010 Frangart (Bozen)
State
GRAPHICS/CONCEPT
www.tappeiner.it
BY TRAIN
Alps Fly Reservation GmbH
[email protected]
www.suedtirol.info – Tel. +39 349 21 61 373
Street
A R S VIVEN D I J O U R N A L 2006
(Please write in capital letters )
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Hansjörg Mair
Firstname
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR DRIVERS:
In Italy, you must have your headlights switched on at all times. In addition, you always need safety vests.
stamp
SENDER:
CO-ORDINATION
Roswitha Mair
From Munich in approximately 3.5 hours via the motorway
(Rosenheim – Kufstein – Innsbruck - Brenner) until you come
to the motorway exit ’Bozen Nord’. Take this exit, drive in the
direction of Bozen and toward the Ritten mountain. From the
motorway exit ‘Bozen Süd’, you must follow the signs in the
direction of ’Sarntal’ (Sarn Valley) or in the direction of Trient
in order to reach Leifers, Branzoll and Pfatten. If you want to
go to Eppan and Kaltern, you take the dual carriage way Meran-Bozen for some kilimetres in the direction of Meran and
then take the first exit. To reach the villages Terlan, Mölten and
Andrian, take the second exit, and for Vilpian the third exit.
From the motorway exit ‘Neumarkt - Auer‘, turn in a westerly direction (turn right) and you will come to Kaltern, Tramin,
Kurtatsch, Margreid and Kurtinig. In an easterly direction (turn
left), you will come to Neumarkt, Auer, Salurn, Montan, Aldein,
Truden-San Lugano and Altrei.
Apply
SOUTH OF SÜDTIROL
CHARMING & MYSTERIOUS
Südtirol - ITALY
Int. Dialling and tel. number
Request card to Hotel, Landlord etc.
INFORMATION REQUEST//BOOKING CARD
Apply
stamp
Plaece send me your house brochure and price list
and special offers
I wish to book with you, please make me an offer
for the period from
or from
to
to
We are
adults and
children of the ages
request accommodation with
breakfast
half board
single room
double room
room with bath/shower/WC
and
holiday flat
double room with third bed
Special request
A R S VIVENDI JO UR NA L 2006
HOW TO REACH THE
SOUTH OF SÜDTIROL
IMPRESSUM
First- and surname
Street and house number
Postcode/town
Südtirol - ITALY
Int. Dialling and tel. number
Enquiry card for brochure
and accommodation must be
sent to:
Enquiry card for the town
brochure and accommodation must be sent to:
Tourismusverband
Südtirols Süden
Pillhofstraße 1
I-39010 Frangart (BZ)
or one of the 15
Tourist offices
Please send me
Please send me
copies of:
ARS VIVENDI JOURNAL
& ACCOMMODATION
Apply
stamp
(see address on page 66)
copies of:
TOWN BROCHURE
WITH ACCOMMODATION
special offers
special request:
A RS VIVEN D I J O UR N A L 20 06
INFO
First- and surname
Street and house number
Postcode/town
Int. Dialling and tel. number
Südtirol - ITALY
13
JO UR N A L 2006
EXTRA//ACCOMMODATION 2006 Official list of accommodation, with prices!
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FAX ENQUIRY
JOU RNAL 2 0 0 6
To the Tourist Board South of Südtirol
or another Tourist office
To
Tourismusverband
Südtirols Süden
Fax 0039 0471 633 367
Please send me
copies of
ARS VIVENDI JOURNAL &
ACCOMMODATION
or one of the 15 Tourist offices (see address on page 66)
TOWN BROCHURE &
SPECIAL OFFERS
ACCOMMODATION
Name of town
Special requests
First- and surname
Street and house number
Post code and town
www.suedtiroler-weinstrasse.it
Closing date: 15th November 2006
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2006
Int. Dialling code/tel. number
Fax. number
South Tyrolean Wine Road
Julius-v.-Payer-Str. 1
I-39040 Tramin
Tel. +39 0471 860 131
Fax +39 0471 860 820
www.suedtiroler-weinstrasse.it
[email protected]
JOURNAL
TOURISMUSVERBAND
SÜDTIROLS SÜDEN
Pillhofstr. 1
I-39010 Frangart (Bozen)
Tel. +39 0471 633 488
Fax +39 0471 633 367
[email protected]
www.suedtirols-sueden.info
MMM
FIRMIAN
Opening Easter 2006
WINE EMOTIONS
Along the South Tyrolean Wine Road
THE CRADLE OF
SUMMER HOLIDAYS
A nostalgic excursion to
the Ritten mountain
‘BELLA FIGURA’
WITH MOUNTAIN VIEW
Bolzano Bozen
Fascinating Opposites
w w w. s u e d t i r o l s - s u e d e n . i n f o