|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Sights in the Vinschgau Valley
|
|
|
Church Tower in Lake Reschen – Landmark of the Vinschgau Valley
(approx. 40 minutes by car)
Next to the Reschen pass where the river Etsch has its origin, a sole church tower rises up from the water. When the local reservoir was built, the entire village was flooded and its inhabitants were forced to relocate. The upper part of the church tower is still visible today – more or less so, depending on the water level. Numerous myths and legends have evolved around this church tower and the flooding event. In summer the lake is popular with visitors seeking to relax. In winter “ice sailors” and “ice surfers” are attracted to the frozen lake and the strong winds. Legend has it that the church bells can still be heard deep down below the lake.
Top
|
Marienberg Monastery – Europe’s highest Benedictine Abbey
The Marienberg monastery is located within the municipality of Mals at 1340 m. It was gifted by Count of Tarasp in the 12th century and has a long tradition as being a centre for education. In 1724 the monks founded a humanist grammar school in Merano, and since the 20th century a private grammar school has been established at the Marienberg monastery.
Top
|
Castle Chur at Schluderns (approx. 35 minutes by car)
The Churburg is a majestic castle in the Vinschgau Valley. Situated at the entrance to the Matscher Valley, the castle combines elements of the Romance, Gothic and Renaissance periods. The photo shows the view from Schluderns. Of particular interest are the Madonna sculpture and the “death shields” in the chapel and the Renaissance vaulting in the painted archway.
Top
|
Glurns – smallest Alpine town (approx. 35 minutes by car)
Glurns was first recorded as a “town” in 1304. It is located where Switzerland, Austria and Italy join and is considered the smallest town in the Alps. The circular town wall, which has been preserved to this day, its Renaissance towers, pergolas and numerous buildings dating back as far as the 13th and 16th centuries contribute to the unique charm of this small town of approx. 800 inhabitants. Restoration works were carried out in the 1970s and have resulted in renewed interest in Glurns as a popular tourist destination.
Top
|
Laas marble and local hiking interest (approx. 35 minutes by car)
Laas is a village with ca. 3500 inhabitants, situated 868 m above sea level. You may already be familiar the name of Laas, as the world famous Laas marble originates from the mountains above. There is evidence of this“white gold” in the village itself – for example the Romanesque apse in the local parish church. The special skills which are necessary for working with marble are taught at the local stone masonary school.
Numerous hiking paths connect Laas and its neighbouring villages, Allitz, Eys, Tanas and Tschengels Laas, up to the Laaser Spitze (3000 m). There are facilities for biking and hang-gliding and a “contemplation” path with wooden sculptures. Experience the stunning views from the Panorama Road via Allitz and stop over at the St. Sisinius’ church.
Top
|
Castle Juval at Naturns – the home of Reinhold Messner
The castle dates back to the 13th century and towers above the entrance to the Schnals Valley. It shares its name with Juval village, near Kastelbell. It was acquired by Reinhold Messner in 1983 and since then Castle Juval has been home to a museum, a vine-growing estate, an inn, as well as an organic farm – all at the same time. It houses a stunning collection of masks, brought together from five different continents, the world’s largest collection of Tibetan artefacts and a gallery depicting mountain scenes, as well as the so-called “cave of enlightenment”, the “house of trolls and gnomes” and Reinhold Messner’s mountaineering equipment.
Top
|
Trautmansdorff (approx. 1 hour by car from the hotel)
At the eastern periphery of Merano, on an area covering 12 hectares, there are gardens in eleven themed pavilions displaying plants from all corners of our planet. To name but a few:
“The Sun Gardens”: Mediterranean plants (including the northernmost Italian olive grove);
“The Water and Terrace Gardens” (including a formal Italian garden and an English garden);
“South Tyrolean scenery” (examples from the natural and cultural landscapes of South Tyrol and including a range of examples from the mountain peaks down to the foot of the mountains);
“Woodland Gardens” (examples of deciduous and coniferous trees from Asia and America).
Since 2002, Castle Trautmansdorff has been home to the “Touriseum”, a museum on the history of tourism.
Top
|
