Sights in the
Venosta Valley
The Vinschgau - a landscape of contrasts. From 400 to almost 4,000 meters above sea level; a vegetation between Mediterranean and high alpine, and climatic conditions that give the valley the most sunny days in the Alps. The cultural development of the Venosta Valley is shaped by the many influences of different cultures. Through the centuries, important trade routes – such as the Via Claudia Augusta – led from the Romanesque to the Germanic via the Vinschgau. This has shaped the people and their culture, as can still be seen very well in the old, but also in the new buildings, in the cultural landscape and in rural life. Numerous museums and exhibitions in Castles and monasteries offer those interested the opportunity to get close to our culture.
Resia Lake
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.
The Marienberg Abbey
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.
​Churburg Casle
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.
Glurns
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.
Lasa marble
The world-famous marble is mined in the mountains above Laass. Evidence of this "white gold" can be seen everywhere in the village: the Romanesque apse of the parish church, for example, is carved from Lasa marble. The skill for this is taught in the well-known local stonemason school. About 35 minutes by car from the hotel
Juval Castle
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.
Trautmansdorff
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.