Magazine 2010 - Südtirols Süden
Transcription
Magazine 2010 - Südtirols Süden
EDITORIAL Dear reader, This is the fifth year in which we produce the magazine about Bolzano and environs and during all this time, we have tried to offer deeper insight using articles, reports, stories and satire in our editorial. Once again this year, we have created interesting features, which relate to everyday life, as well as history. It is far away from a type of mixture where too many chefs (authors) created a common verbal porridge. Instead, this magazine is a creation based on three products: the city of Bozen, the vineyard landscape and the Alpine mountain ranges. Individually and in different combinations, refined and nicely decorated, but still tasty, easy to stomach and entertaining! You can read about the unique city of Bozen, as well as cycle routes, exquisite highflying events and musical experiences. The magazine will give you insight into aristocratic wine-growing estates, set you on the trail of dinosaurs and mystic legendary figures. It will speak about bunkers, as well as architectural culture. Helmut Huber Hotel owner and initiator of the Terlan Asparagus Weeks. Currently, he holds the vice-presidency of the South Tyrolean Hotel and Guesthouse Association. He is the long-serving president of the Tourist Office in Terlan, as well as the Tourist Board Bolzano and environs. There is one thing, which the stories and reports have in common – they create an irresistible and special atmosphere, which can only be experienced in South Tyrol. People (and without doubt nearly all the authors mentioned) personify the mentality of our country: conscious of tradition, but still innovative, reliable, full of improvisation, Italian on one side, but still true and authentic on the other. South Tyrol will move you! This is not an empty promise but something people experience every single day. During the unsure times we live in right now, South Tyrol can give you something, which runs much deeper than short-term choreography and fast consumerism. What it is … well, you better start reading all about it! Yours, Helmut Huber MAGAZINE 2010 3 TOPICS 8 Bacchus Urbanus Love at first sight 14 Unfriendly relics 16 Sturdy calves Alpine-Mediterranean biking regions 8 20 Willkommen! Bienvenue! Welcome! Cabaret of South Tyrolean enjoyments 26 Wine and aristocracy – noble wines 32 Culturonda® Wine 34 High-proof treasures 36 Architectural culture for travellers 40 Brilliant reflection! Music with horns and custom 44 A village gone mad 16 Highlighting the Egetmann parade 46 The never-ending ball of wool In the footsteps of legends 50 Hiking and Tyrolean food 56 The joys of winter 58 Dinos for collection 20 COLUMNS 6 South Tyrol ABC 25 Our best – restaurant guide 31 Excellent wines – wine guide 60 365 days events and highlights 26 4 MAGAZINE 2010 64 Museums & churches – culture guide 65 Places worth seeing CONTENT SERVICE 66 Getting there 69 Contact 154 Panorama 155 Transfers & be mobile ACCOMMODATION 40 70 Packages & offers Family & kids, cycling, hiking, wine, wellness golfing, culture, riding 76 Bolzano Bozen Jenesien 81 Terlan 85 Andrian 88 Camping & Youth hostels 89 Eppan 105 Kaltern 46 126 Tramin 130 Südtiroler Unterland Kurtatsch, Margreid, Kurtinig 133 Castelfeder Auer, Montan, Neumarkt, Salurn 136 Leifers Branzoll Pfatten 139 Mölten 141 Sarntal 50 145 Ritten 150 Aldein Radein 152 Trudner Horn Nature Park Altrei, San Lugano, Truden Your thoughts are important to us! Any criticism, suggestions, ideas, praise or reproach? Please let us know: Tourismusverband Südtirols Süden, Pillhofstr. 1 • I-39057 Frangart (Bozen) www.bolzanosurroundings.info 58 MAGAZINE 2010 5 c h ritical THE BEST WINE ROAD IN ITALY PAUL FLORA a phrodisiac TERLAN ASPARAGUS Called after Margarete Maultasch, it grows in the asparagus triangle of Terlan, Vilpian and Siebeneich. From the beginning of April to end of May, it is delivered daily fresh to our tables and is most popular with an original ‘Bozen sauce’. Tip: Culinary asparagus weeks ‘Nature, Culture and nothing but asparagus‘. www.terlan.info onoured Erich Kästner once called Paul Flora († 2009) a ‘picture author‘. Friedrich Dürrenmatt called him a ‘thinker and brooder amongst caricaturists‘. In 1953, he began his co-operation with the Zurich Doegonees publishing house and a little later with the ‘Zeit‘. Sketches of the often award-winning artist decorate some exquisite wines in the Kellerei Girlan. www.paulflora.com Three autochthon types of grape, approximately 70 km long, lead you through 15 South Tyrolean villages: the South Tyrolean Wine Road has been awarded the ‘Roma Wine Festival 2009’ for the best wine road in Italy. Around 140 wine roads from all over Italy participated in this test. The reason the South Tyrolean Wine Road was awarded the prize is due to ‘the unique link between wine, country, tourism and culture’. www.suedtiroler-weinstrasse.it b i HIGH CLIMBING ROPES LABYRINTHOS alanced The high climbing ropes in Terlan and Kaltern allow you to experience nature from a totally new perspective. You need to be on the ball, whether you find yourself on the adventure trail or the special children’s route for 4 to 6 year olds. If you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, you can balance yourself through the newly built ‘bare foot path’ in Terlan: great training for the muscles on your tummy and back and the easiest possibility to massage the reflex zones on your feet. www.xsund.it www.abenteuerpark.it 6 MAGAZINE 2010 f uturistic PROJECT FINCUBE – FIXED-TERM LIVING Project Fincube is a 47 m2 large construction with a minimalist, purist space inside.The ‘take away house’ evolved in connection with the Berlin Designers (Werner Aisslinger, Tina Bunyaprasit) and South Tyrolean craft work (Carpentry Lobis). The finished house can be found in Unterinn at the Ritten mountain and can be viewed on request. www.fincube.it ngenious But what is the right path? To your left, straight on or to the right? They say: every road leads to Rome. But you don’t want to go to Rome, do you? Maybe the best way is to go right to the centre and straight out again. This should be easy enough, you say? Let’s wait and see! Why not try it out – the first labyrinth garden of South Tyrol in Vilpian. For further information call Camping Ganthaler, Tel. +39 0471 678 716 r SOUTH TYROL ABC ooted m GEWÜRZTRAMINER GARDEN obile THE NEW RITTEN CABLE RAILWAY On 23rd May 2009, the first tricable gondola in Italy made its first trip between Bozen and Oberbozen.The ride only took 12 minutes. Waiting times are a thing of the past as the cabins with their large windows and their elegant ‘Magdalene Red’ colour run every four minutes. Tip: Use free of charge with the Mobilcard and museumobil Card. www.mobilcard.info In this display garden at the wine-growing estate of Hofstätter in Tramin you can find treasure growing: 35 different kinds of the Gewürztraminer family, some of which are descendants, cross-breeds and mutations or clones from several countries, but also some from Cabernet or Pinot Nero. However, all of them contain the Gewürztraminer gene! www.hofstatter.com o t hematic HIKING UNDER A MOTTO Theme paths bring a region’s history closer to hikers. In the holiday area Bolzano and environs you can find the famous Ritten Theme Path, the Kaltern Peace Path, the interesting Albrecht Dürer Path, other legendary walks, as well as numerous natural and wine teaching trails. www.bolzanosurroundings.info u riginal FIVEFINGERS IN NEW YORK The toe shoe with rubber soles made of Vibram has been awarded the Italian innovation prize and is now counted by the ‘Times‘ as one of the best innovations of 2007. Some runners are keen to run the New York Marathon with the toe shoe. www.vibramfivefingers.com s nique HOLIDAY WITHOUT BARRIERS tylish BAGS MADE OF WOOD Two young South Tyroleans decided to design a new trend: bags made of wood. These are produced by a carpenter and named after friends. The line of ladies bags is made of a specially glued veneer, which allows popular shapes to be created. The laptop/briefcase line is shaped by leather fixed on strips of wood. This makes the bags more flexible. www.embawo.com The holiday farm Masatsch in Kaltern is South Tyrol’s first holiday and education hotel for people with and without impediment – a unique hotel project for South Tyrol and beyond. The combination of hotel and education centre for people with and without impediment has a true pioneering character. For more information, click on www.suedtirolfueralle.it MAGAZINE 2010 7 Bacchus Urbanus Love at first sight TEXT OSWALD STIMPFL Goethe, Germany’s master poet, has probably best described the wonderful landscape south of the Brenner Pass: ‘A mild breeze fills the air. (…) The hills at the foot of the mountains are covered in vineyards. The vines are trailed over long, low porticos. The red grapes hang decoratively from the ceiling and ripen over the warm floor …’. Every year in May, Castle Maretsch turns into the Mecca of local wine cultivation. Wine producers meet their professional audience in order to see how the new wines are doing. The fi rst Bolzano Wine Tasting took place in the Torgglhaus in Bozen in 1896. www.weinkost.it Magdalene parish church day For many decades, the wine village of St. Magdalena has celebrated this parish church festival, when the wine farmers open their cellars and invite you to taste the ‘classic St. Magdalena‘ red wine from the previous autumn. There are also culinary delicacies from the local cuisine on offer. Lorenzi Night On 10th August, the night sky is lit up with fi res. It is also the evening, when the wine illuminates a brilliant sheen in the glass … and the Bozen wine-growing estates offer their best selection in the city centre. Bacchus Urbanus Anyone who would like to enjoy the world of Bozen wines must come to the ‘Bacchus Urbanus‘ festival. This joint initiative of the Bozen Tourist Office and the local wine growers sets about to unite the culture and uniqueness of local wines. Knowledgeable guides invite locals and guests alike for a comfortable hiking trip through the cultivation areas of the St. Magdalena and Lagrein, ending with a visit to the winegrowing estate and a tasting session. Every Saturday in October. www.bolzano-bozen.it BOZEN WINE EVENTS Bolzano Wine Tasting Festival Grape harvest with ‘Wimm bowl’ and ‘Zumm’ Wine-growing has marked Bozen’s landscape for centuries. Vines cover the hills and mountains up to an altitude of 700 metres above sea level and decorate the steep slopes in a wonderful way. The wine town of Bozen has many a trump card: incomparable landscape, excellent vineyards, hard-working vintners and cellar masters who produce top wines … the target market is right in front of your doorstep! A LITTLE WINE HISTORY When the Romans conquered the southern part of Tyrol, they were very surprised. They saw a blooming wine industry, where the grapes were grown on wooden porticos called ‘Lauben’ or pergolas and came across wooden barrels, which were used for storing the wine. Many old drawings and paintings of Bozen show vineyards reaching down into the town areas. Also the special architectural design of the houses in Bozen, demonstrate that wine trade has always been important for this city. The buildings from the Middle Ages had two stories and an additional wine cellar, which kept the wine cool during the summer and ensured that it would not get too cold during the winter months. VARIETY OF GRAPES ON A SMALL AREA South Tyrol offers the best requirements for growing vines. Bozen is situated at an altitude of only 260 metres above sea level. However, the surrounding mountains climb up to a height of 3,000 metres. The contrast in the landscape is enormous and has an influence on the local climate. During the afternoon, the Etschtal Valley has a constant southerly wind. Towards the evening, the cooler breezes come from the North and the East. These changes in temperature are ideal for the development of acids, which mark the fresh light red wines and the fruity white wines. FACTS & FIGURES In South Tyrol, about 5,200 hectares are covered by vineyards, which produce 350,000 hector-litres of wine every single year. 55% of these are red wines and the rest white wines. The Vernatsch grape with all its varieties is used for about 60% of all red wines. At the moment, Bozen, which has 700 hectares of vineyards, is the third-largest wine-growing town in South Tyrol, after Eppan (approx. 1,000 hectares) and Kaltern (800 hectares). Bozen is also one of the largest wine-producing cities in Europe. The Vernatsch grape is produced on a little more than 300 hectares and is still the most important grape in the region. The warmest and best wine-growing conditions are found on the steep slopes around Bozen. In the hot Bozen basin, the Lagrein grape is grown and the terrain near Gries delivers the best wine made from this grape. 10 MAGAZINE 2010 Cloister green in Gries, a Bozen town district WHITE WINE INCREASING IN POPULARITY The fresh, fruity and acidy white wines from South Tyrol are nearly untouchable and have led the way for a number of years. During the last three decades, the cultivation area for white grapes has almost doubled. In the Bozen area, they grow at an altitude up to 800 metres above sea level! For the Italian consumers, South Tyrol and Bozen’s typical white wines are held in high esteem. LAGREIN, A WORLD CLASS WINE FROM BOZEN The Lagrein has the best growing conditions in the region around Bozen, on the fertile gravel-alluvial land, at the point where the rivers Etsch, Eisack and Talfer flow together. The ancient grape is strong and reaps a high return. The vine carries conical black-blue grapes, which make a rich, dark and storable wine. The origin of the grape is unsure. The name probably derives from Vallagarina, in the neighbouring Trentino region, where the name was given in 927 A.D. to a certain region. Apart from South Tyrol, the Lagrein grape is also grown in the Trentino region. In other wine-growing areas all around the world, this grape is not known. THE HISTORY OF THE VERNATSCH As with many other types of grape, there is not a lot of information about the name and origin of the Vernatsch. It most likely derives its name from the Latin word ‘vernaculus‘, meaning local or domestic. The grape comes in a number of varieties and apart from the Bozen area – it is also grown in the warmer locations near Meran, as well as in the sun-exposed hills and slopes of the Etschtal Valley and the Upper Etsch region. The Vernatsch grape is also very suitable for eating and is known by the name of the ‘Meran spa grape’. Due to the fact that the St. Magdalena wine is 12 MAGAZINE 2010 also a Vernatsch wine, the winery cooperative of Bozen incorporates Vernatsch into more than 60% of the red wines produced. However, the percentage of Vernatsch in wine production decreases constantly year on year. ST. MAGDALENE – THE BOZEN CLASSIC Since times gone by, the Justina and Leitach wines have been cultivated in the St. Magdalena area. It was only about 100 years ago that ‘St. Magdalena‘, the little church on the hill, gave its name to the famous red wine. In 1923, as the first wine-growing town in Italy, the little village of St. Magdalena near Bozen founded the Voluntary Protection Consortium of St. Magdalena. Its own trademark, which carries a control number on each bottle, guarantees the origin of the wine. This wine must only be produced from Vernatsch grapes, but a mixture of up to an additional 10% of Lagrein or Pinot Noir is allowed by law. Wine from the central region in the area can carry the ‘classico’ marking: besides the cultivation area on the hills of St. Magdalena, this includes the areas of St. Justina, Rentsch, Leitach and St. Peter. BUY AND ENJOY An excellent bottle of wine not only makes a wonderful present, but also allows you to carry home a piece of memorabilia. At wine growing estates, we offer you an adventurous buying experience, full of choice. Large companies often avail of sales and tasting rooms; many wine-growing estates sell straight from their own production areas. Even when walking through the city of Bozen, you can find a number of wine cellars and wine bars (there are nearly 30 in Bozen), many in the city centre. Here are a number which are particularly worth checking out, due to their excellent location and assortment. WINE & MORE Cloister wine cellar Muri-Gries On 2.7 hectares around the Baroque cloister, which is bordered by old stone walls, you will fi nd the best Lagrein grape. The cloister green is one of the best and largest Lagrein growing areas in the centre of Bozen – and, together with the surrounding grounds, is protected and an agricultural no-go area. www.muri-gries.com Lagrein Kretzer Wine storage in Barrique barrels ‘Vinum‘, Brennerstr. 28: You will find many quality wines from South Tyrol and Italy; also wholesale and retail trade. ‘Enovit’, Dr.-Streiter-Gasse 30: This wine bar is located in the pedestrian area of the historic city centre. This tastefully renovated building also offers snacks, distillates and olive oil. ‘Gandolfi’, Drususallee 349: Situated at the western boundaries of the town, this wine trade business has a very extensive variety. Parking available, can be easily reached by car. ‘GiDi’, Gaismairstr. 20D: This little wine shop in the Italian part of the town, offers an excellent price to performance ratio; also great offers on lesser known wines. Oswald Stimpfl Born in Bozen in 1946. Explores his surroundings with open eyes and has an extensive general knowledge. Much of it can be found in a number of travel guides. By profession entrepreneur, Oswald Stimpfl enjoys walking in his leisure time, as well as the South Tyrolean cuisine and wines. The Lagrein Kretzer (Rosè version from the Lagrein grape) is an easily drinkable, fruity, fresh and young wine and can be enjoyed only a few months after its harvest. The name ‘Kretzer‘ derives from ‘Kretze‘, meaning woven basket, which in years gone by was used as a sieve to divide the juice from the grape skins. The Bioneer In South Tyrol, the Loacker wine-growing estate in St. Justina near Bozen is a pioneer in biological wine-growing. Loacker’s aim is to grow a healthy and tasty grape, which can be used for eating as well as for wine making. Biological wine estates are found at www.fws.it and www.bioland-suedtirol.it SPOTLIGHT The phylloxera, the most dangerous of all vine pests, was imported during the 19th Century from the Americas and nearly wiped out the entire European vines. American grapes are unaffected by the phylloxera. For this reason, all European vines have been grafted onto American roots. MAGAZINE 2010 13 Unfriendly relics TEXT HERBERT ROSENDORFER Thank goodness, you only see them if you know about them: the unfriendly relics. They never were meant to be admired anyway. Air-raid shelter at Castle Warth, overgrown by vines They were hidden and should hide those who wanted to defend the great ‘imperio’ of the political clown called Mussolini, particularly against the enemies from the north. But didn’t his faithful friend Adolf come from there? Did Mussolini think that Adolf could pull a trick on him? Did he compare him too much with himself? Bunkers and caverns are the unfriendly relics, which – in three-digit figures – are spread around the province of South Tyrol, built on the most important strategic points. These bunkers were built from 1932, and more frequently from 1938 into the years ending the war. Many were only started. None of them were ever used. When the German Wehrmacht moved in during 1943 and occupied the rest of Italy, not one shot was fired from one of these bunkers. However, they were kept as ‘segretissimi‘ (incredibly secret) for the Italian army even after the war ended, and were made inaccessible for the public. NATO showed some interest in 14 MAGAZINE 2010 them up until 1955, while the Russians still occupied Austria, not necessarily anywhere near the Brenner Pass, but further East in the Lower Austrian regions. But then, officially they never knew about them. In 1955, when the Russians left Austria, the military lost interest in the bunkers and they were left to themselves. This is why these monsters have been overgrown by nature. One of these overgrown bunkers can be seen (if you know it is there!) just below Castle Warth. On the one metre thick cement cover of the bunker, a friendly vineyard was planted. The grapes, so they tell us, carry no sign of any fascist distaste. There is a trend to call these relics aggression ’ruins‘. Unfortunately, this isn’t a good term for them, as the six metre strong cement resists the elements day by day. Maybe in two million years, we could imagine finding only gravel instead of cement. However, Fritz Dellago, the master BUNKER & MORE Vallo Alpino: Alpine rampart in South Tyrol On all the frontiers, an approaching enemy would have expected a belt of defence walls, and further down the valleys a second one. Around 350 of these bunkers and ramparts were transferred during the 90s from the Italian government to the country of South Tyrol. Twenty of these are now marketed as a memorial to the past. Hochfrangart art park A cosmos in miniature, in creativity at random reigns– this is Hochfrangart. Mankind, nature and art in a new symbiosis. The ball which is visible from afar is only one of more than 200 partly breath-taking objects of the art created by the patron Karl Nicolussi Leck. Further information regarding guided tours at the tourist office Eppan. Diverted – the Fritz Dellago wine shelter Victory monument of Castle Korb, doesn’t want to wait just that long. He transformed the bunker, which was built by the Fascists against the family’s will and directly in front of the old castle, into a highly interesting wine museum. He left the wall structures, added some bright colour and now organises concerts, readings and exhibitions … and a home for god Bacchus. Another bunker, which looked quite ugly in a Paulsner field, was consecrated to grape juice and is now being called the sparkling wine bunker Kössler, in which the Praeclarus is stored, the most exquisite cuvee sparkling wine from the Kössler wine cellars. Guided tours are arranged, which also lead you into the depths of the bunker and into the secrets of wine production. The art lover Karl Nicolussi-Leck, who recently died at an old age, transformed his bunker in a different way. He used it as a basis for a steel ball of eight metres diameter, which is visible from far away in the Etschtal Valley. Today, the building of the ball is part of the South Tyrolean history of justice, as the Eppan town hall insisted on planning permission, which was never granted. Nicolussi-Leck’s argument was that the steel ball isn’t occupied and therefore, does not need planning permission according to the law. It simply is a piece of art. The Federal Court of Justice decided for Nicolussi, and today, the town hall declares it as a landmark in Eppan. Herbert Rosendorfer 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 works; one of the most famous being ‘The letters of the Chinese past’ (1985). The victory monument, together with the carved frieze on the Gerichtsplatz, is one of the last remaining fascist monuments in Bozen. The triumphal arch with its Latin inscription, ‘Hic patriae fi nes siste signa. Hinc ceteros excoluimus lingua legibus artibus.‘ was sanctified on 12th July 1928 by King Vittorio Emanuele III. In 2005, the city of Bozen put up some panels to keep in mind the ‘inglorious’ fascist times. Between architecture and fascism A theme tour through the ‘new‘ Bozen: Of particular interest is the contrast between monumental and symbolic objects such as the victory monument and the large avant-garde projects in the style of rationalistic architecture such as the Bozen Lido. There are six different theme tours altogether, which lead you through the town’s history. Leaflets are available at the tourist office in Bozen. SPOTLIGHT The ice holes near Eppan even release cold air from ducts and shafts in the summer. The air is that cold, that icicles are formed until the beginning of June. The difference in temperature reaches up to 35 degrees Celsius. Hence, at 500 metres above sea level we fi nd plants, that can usually only be found in high Alpine areas. MAGAZINE 2010 15 TEXT ROLAND SCHOPPER Sturdy calves Alpine-Mediterranean biking regions At the very latest at the end of March, all mountain bikers should get their bikes out from the basement as it is time to work up some muscles for the new biking season. In the area of Bolzano and environs, from Easter to the beginning of November, there are many opportunities for every fitness level. Extensive High-Alpine meadows and ragged rock formations: Bolzano and environs has more to offer than just vineyards MTB REGION DOLOMITI LAGORAI BIKE – TRUDNER HORN Embedded in magnificent and breath-taking mountains such as the Pala Group and the Latemar, between the two very different, but nearby nature parks such as the Trudner Horn and the Paneveggio-Pale di San Martino, a new Eldorado of mountain biking is about to appear: the mountain bike region Dolomiti Lagorai Bike – Trudner Horn. Naturally growing areas such as the Lagorai, the rushing water of the Aviso River and the incredible forests of both nature parks make this cross-border region one of the most beautiful biking areas. MAGAZINE 2010 17 The Schwarzkopf mountain (Tramin) give you great panoramic views Not many Alpine valleys can offer such a variety in mountain bike routes, such as the Fleimstal Valley (this is in the Trentino region): the Val di Fiemme. Whether you are in the valley or high up in the mountains, whether you are old or young, a beginner or professional, there is a right mountain bike tour for everyone. The cycling paths which run through meadows and villages, lead up shady gravel, forest and mountain roads, right up above the tree line to the peaks … and reimburse us for the sweat and hard work by giving us wonderful panoramic views of the Dolomites. On old military paths, you can ride to history-stricken former positions taken up during World Wars I and II and discover after almost every bend an outlook or a romantic forested area which invites you to rest for a while and dream. None of the 25 routes is like the other and all of them come with varying degrees of difficulty. There are altogether 900 km of mountain bike paths and 16,200 metres of altitude wait to be conquered by sturdy calves from the end of April to mid October. A bike park, an MTB school, as well as ten professional MTB guides, ensure that everyone will enjoy themselves. If the broad offer of mountain bike tours is still not sufficient for you, we can offer a further highlight of more comfortable cycling paths, which run through the valley. Culture, tradition and history can easily be linked up in this way. Useful tips for the perfect choice of route are available at specialised bike hotels or the local tourist offices. You will receive a printed bike tour or GPS or you can take part in a guided tour and see how good you are compared to other bikers. MOUNTAIN BIKING IN KALTERN Kaltern is the key word, reminding you of Lake Kaltern, its excellent gastronomy and famous wine, which are just as famous on the northern or southern sides of the Alps. No other region in 18 MAGAZINE 2010 South Tyrol is as Mediterranean as Kaltern. Besides eating, relaxing and dolce vita, Kaltern offers many opportunities for mountain biking, due to its hilly and mountainous natural landscape. The possibility to get active, breathe in deeply and discover the surrounding landscape with impressive nature, enchants many tourists to spend their holidays with us. The area around Lake Kaltern is an ideal starting point for many comfortable cycling tours, but also invites ambitious and sporty bikers to find the right tour for themselves. A variety of tours to beautiful lookouts, comfortable pubs and adventurous stops, let any bikers’ heart beat faster. The well-marked cycling and walking paths, the unique nature, great views, with huts and pubs in regular intervals, make mountain biking in Kaltern very interesting and varied. The following is a tip for the Mendel Pass tour. There are two routes. One, where you have to work hard to arrive at the pass … or the alternative route using the cable railway. The Mendel railway, which covers 850 metres of altitude in only 12 minutes, is the longest and steepest railway in Europe and was built between 1898 and 1903. This way, you save your power for the interesting ride back to Kaltern or for other mountain bike tours the next day. Another great cycling tour leads you from the wine village of Kaltern to Fennberg. At this point, you could have a quick rest at Fennberg Lake and refresh yourself. Very experienced bikers can extend this tour to the Fennberg Lake and ride on towards Margreid, Kurtatsch, Tramin and via Altenburg back to Kaltern. If you prefer to go on your holiday without your bike, you always can hire one in Kaltern. If you prefer to cycle in a group, there are two guided bike tours every week … or you can book a private guide. Professional cycling guides will lead all willing cyclists to the most beautiful spots, show them some secret lookout places and bring them back to their base point in Kaltern. SPORT & MORE EventCard: Bike & Rail Eventcards include a one-day ticket for unlimited travel on the Bozen–Meran–Malles/Mals railway line, as well as a full day’s bicycle and helmet rental. You may purchase your eventcard from all bicycle rental offices located along the Vinschgau/ Venosta Valley line. Cards may also be purchased from any automatic ticket machine. Bicycles can be rented at eight stations along the Vinschgau line from Bolzano Sud/Bozen Süd to Mals and in Resia/Reschen (all train services terminate at Mals, no service in Reschen). www.vinschgerbahn.it GPS Tracks online DISTANCE MEASURED At the end, just another little challenge for you: South Tyrol’s first permanent measured route for mountain bikers and runners is from Tramin (276 metres) to the ‘Verbrenntes Egg’ (1,856 metres). You need to overcome 1,600 metres of altitude and be faster than the current record. Participation is easy: buy a measuring card at Hotel Traminerhof for € 2.50, ask them to stamp it and run as quickly as you can up the mountain. Then stamp the card again there. You might want to rest a little and enjoy the view before you bring your card back to the hotel. A little motivation: all participants take part in a raffle at the end of the season! If you are still not tired, we have another tip for you: The Sarntal Valley Alps offer great challenges. For example, if you are ready to conquer the ‘Stoanernen Mandln’ by mountain bike, you can count yourself as one of the truly well-established mountain bikers in the planet. The Upper Etsch region, with the surrounding mountain slopes, is an ideal area for easy to demanding tours. The best of these have been recorded digitally and are available free of charge for download. In addition, the tourist offices in Kaltern and Eppan will give you competent advice and can hire you GPS equipment. Further information on www.kaltern.com, www.eppan.com Nature hiking tours The Trudner Horn Nature Park is the most southern of the seven South Tyrolean nature parks. With high forests and bush forests, as well as wide alpine meadows, it spreads from an altitude of 220 m to 1,700 m. Through its sub-Mediterranean vegetation zone, it provides a habitat for many plants and animals. Information about guided hiking tours, events and afternoons for children on www.provinz.bz.it/naturparke SPOTLIGHT Roland Schopper Chief editor and photographer at Action Sport & Lifestyle Magazine www.x-aces.com. Photographs and carries out PR work for organisations such as ‘The Voice’, Ralph Schader at Football Training Camps of the HSV, VfL Wolfsburg and other events. He also is involved in Kinderecho Darmstadt and other newspapers. The Altrei coffee is a type of lupin, which for decades has been used for a type of coffee, which is mixed barley or wheat. This plant is a local speciality from a botanic point of view, as well as part of the South Tyrolean cultural history. The tourist office of Altrei organises excursions throughout the village with Altrei coffee tasting. MAGAZINE 2010 19 TEXT WOLFGANG MAIER Willkommen! Bienvenue! Welcome! In Cabaret, au Cabaret, a Cabaret of South Tyrolean enjoyments For a number of years, the South Tyrolean gastronomy has successfully aligned itself with wine agriculture during the important festivals of the Middle Ages. The markets and town squares, which were always the centre of a blossoming eating culture during the Renaissance, are now transformed into extravagant stages for games, dance and entertainment. In times gone by, it was usually the aristocrats who had reason to celebrate – today, an entire village is involved. Come in, ladies and gentlemen, Mes Dames et Messieurs! Good evening! Welcome to all visitors. We are glad to see you! I am the conference leader of the South Tyrolean Enjoyment Cabaret. Before the curtain lifts, allow me to address you with some words. South Tyrol is German-speaking, as well as Italian and Ladin. A real South Tyrolean consists of a third of Italian happy go lucky nature and nearly two thirds old Austrian stubbornness. He is thick-headed, very welcoming and often sentimental … but then, there are also the Ladin elements. They are even more thick-headed on working days, but much more relaxed during the holidays. In South Tyrol, they eat ‘Knödel’, spaghetti and Turtres, as well as speck, risotto and doughnuts. A quick glance at the menu and into cookery books is enough to make you understand that we are dealing with something multi-cultural. Gourmets lick their tongues when they read what was served on South Tyrolean tables during the 18th Century. In 1802, the new Brixen bishops enjoyed ‘chicken pie with ‘Knödel‘ as well as ‘curdled hen blood‘. In 1825, Arch-Earl Johann travelled through Tyrol. His kitchen chef cooked 12 young doves daily and 8 young hens, plus cooked four older hens for soup. In 1839, they celebrated the arrival of Emperor Friedrich I in Sand in Taufers with steamed doves and lentils, with eel and lemon, as well as with almond gateau. Come in, ladies and gentlemen, Mes Dames et Messieurs! Today, we celebrate the arrival of empirical dishes! The great cellar masters are known far beyond our borders, the cooking brigade is Festive table, prepared by Herbert Hintner for more than 300 guests MAGAZINE 2010 21 A beautiful train station FESTIVE DINNER TABLE IN ST. PAULS The ‘festive dinner table’, described by some gastronomy journalists as the most beautiful table in Italy, is a logistic masterpiece situated in the most comfortable lanes of St. Pauls. Frankly speaking, it is South Tyrol’s most risky outdoor meal. Only short, heavy rainfall would ruin this 130 metre long table with its fabric serviettes and delicate crystal glass arrangements, while more than 300 guests would run and look for cover. Herbert Hintner is the head of the cooking team. He is renowned as the best South Tyrolean star chef. The proprietor of the Eppan restaurant ‘Zur Rose‘ has awakened traditional South Tyrolean cuisine with much feeling and inspiration, bringing new life. Classic, international cuisine is his strong foundation and for this reason, he is not shaken easily by the quickly changing trends in the world of dining. Herbert Hintner is always on the go. He masters the entire repertoire of the professional media within South Tyrolean gastronomy. His facial expressions reach from genial to conventional. He works like a slave and makes a lot of noise, as if he was in a Roman galley. But don’t be afraid, this is part of the choreography of the Festive Table of St. Pauls. MOMENTS OF DELIGHT fantastic. There is no fear of boredom! Here, they produce the best wines, while the greatest self-promoters cook for you! Don’t be afraid of proud head chefs, who proudly present you with guinea fowl wrapped in speck. Block out any heart-rendering screams from the kitchen and enjoy the fragrances blowing in through the door. Please stay! All of this is part of the choreography in the great South Tyrolean Enjoyment Cabaret. Voilà! Curtain up! Magic table! The ‘Festive table in the streets of St. Pauls‘ (27th July 2010) under the direction of star chef Herbert Hintner has been the highlight of gastronomy in South Tyrol since its launch in 2003. It is pure culinary enjoyment to the max and a great atmosphere can also be enjoyed at the ‘South Tyrolean Enjoyment Theatre’ in the new lake bath in Kaltern (5th June 2010) and at the ‘Night of the Senses – Gourmet cuisine on the cat walk’ in Sarnthein (end of June 2010). Culinary Weeks ENJOYMENT THEATRE IN KALTERN The Kaltern population are also called ‘God’s children‘ in their neighbourhood. In earlier years, they had more Vernatsch in their wine cellars than water in Lake Kaltern. Today, the Kaltern wines are one of the best in the country. True pioneering can be seen in the foundation of the ‘wein.kaltern‘ association, as wine-growing estates. Gastronomy itself and tourist offices have found a way to co-operate more professionally with each other. One of the common initiatives is the Wine Hiking Day in April, ‘All in White’ in June and the Kaltern Wine Days in September. In addition, every second year in June, there is a guest performance by international chefs at Lake Kaltern. The first performance was give by Roland Trettl, the most daring South Tyrolean cuisine artist of his kind, who became famous as chef de cuisine at the ‘Ikarus’ in Salzburg airport. • • • • • • • • GASTRONOMIC NIGHT JOURNEY AT THE RITTEN MOUNTAIN When it gets really hot, stressed out inhabitants of the valley move • Culinary Speciality Weeks in Jenesien, in April Enjoy your meal! Regional specialties in Bozen, in April Asparagus Weeks in Terlan, Vilpian and Siebeneich, in April/May ‘Gewürztraminer Kuchl‘ in Tramin, in May Gastronomic Night Journeys with the Ritten railway at the Ritten mountain, from May to August Candle Light Dinner in the Rittner Horn cable car during summer ‘Sarner Morgreti Essn‘ in six restaurants in the Sarntal valley, from 9th to 18th July October Wine Pleasure in Tramin, during the month of October 3rd Gastronomic Tour in Kaltern, in October Culinary Weeks in Mölten, in November SPOTLIGHT The most important Terlan asparagus accompaniment is the ‘Bozen Sauce’: Maria Huber from Terlan was the one who served it in the 1920s for the fi rst time to hungry guest from Bozen. The original recipe for four people: Squash two hard-boiled eggs and mix them with oil, vinegar and a little salt; add one tablespoon of fi nely cut chives. Top chef Roland Trettl was born in Kaltern MAGAZINE 2010 23 For about eight years, the Eggerhof in Aldein has produced high-quality egg pasta. The product is made from free-range eggs. Nine different shapes and twelve different dough mixes are available, including three herbal varieties, with spelt wholemeal, egg pasta, spinach, octopus, Lagrein and Cabernet, Gewürztraminer, turnip leaves, blood (for ‘Schwoas’-pasta) and chestnuts. www.eggerhof.it Original Sacher Since 1832, the original recipe of the Sacher gateau has been a strictly kept secret and exclusively made in the Sacher patisserie in Vienna. In Bozen, near the Waltherplatz, you can fi nd the fi rst and only Sacher Shop outside Austria. www.sachershop.it Farm Delicatessen The ‘Red Rooster’ brochure introduces 50 small South Tyrolean farmhouses together with their products. These products can be bought at the farm, at local markets or in exquisite Delicatessen shops. This brochure gives you all the addresses, as well as a number of recipes, which makes it to a unique travel guide fi lled with gourmet taste. Available free of charge at www.redrooster.it BOOK Tyrolean Specialities Tyrolean Specialities is one book of the series of culinary guides of different countries and regions. The recipes are described in an easy way and awesome pictures are of help when preparing the meal. Special terms are explained in detail and a kitchen lexicon provides the reader with an overview to understand the country-typical food and ways of preparation. www.kompass.at 24 MAGAZINE 2010 INFO & MORE Pasta made in Aldein themselves to the higher regions of the Ritten mountain. Historically, the Ritten railway offers evening trips up to the mountain where visitors can enjoy some gastronomic night journeys. Guests enjoy a trip in an originally restored art-nouveau wagon, the Ritten narrow gage train, which celebrated its 100th anniversary only a short while ago! On the five stops, Ritten pub owners serve a different course with the relevant suitable wine. Wine tip: Just in case you can see a bottle of Lagrein Kretzer – take good hold of it, as this is a traditional South Tyrolean rosé wine, which can cause very comfortable hot flushes. There is no better wine to be had in this region. A music band will enchant you with different music styles throughout the entire journey. NIGHT OF THE SENSES IN THE SARNTAL VALLEY There are three dozen tunnels and even more tight bends throughout the Sarntal Valley, so that inhabitants were relatively safe in the past, from encountering any nervous city people. Of course, city people have arrived in the meantime, but nonetheless, the Sarntal Valley comfort and lifestyle are still in place. Apart from the surrounding quietness, guests can enjoy tongue-breaker dishes such as Striezlar, Oufnar, Pfinggischt-Grunggln, Türkenmus and Broutar. Some of the best chefs in South Tyrol come from the Sarntal Valley, chefs such as Gregor Wenter (Hotel Bad Schörgau), Heinrich Schneider (Restaurant Auener Hof) and Gottfried Messner (Restaurant Braunwirt). During the summer, this trio transforms the Sarnthein square into a culinary night of the senses. With a catwalk right beside the dinner tables, models walk and dance like in a French cabaret. Besides traditional dishes, they also offer new creations such as pannacotta made of kohlrabi with ‘Selchkarree’ and ‘Ministriezel’, roasted veal medallion with dried mushroom juice, or iced shredded pancakes with turnip sauce. If the chefs or models are a little behind in time, a cabaret artist turns up and saves the situation! Sometimes even the entire local theatre group are there. As you can see, humour is very important in the Sarntal Valley. KASTELLO IN BOZEN And now, Ladies and Gentlemen, Mes Dames et Messieurs, it is time! If you believe that only Hans-Peter Wodarz with is ‘pomp, duck and circumstance’ can present a world show with slapstick, jonglage and roasted duck, you are thoroughly mistaken. Even here, behind the seven mountains, where the South Tyrolean dwarves are at home, there is a chef for the most spoilt, most beautiful and richest of all. It is not just any chef, but it’s Norbert Niederkofler, the highest decorated chef of all, who with his ‘Kastello – Gourmet Varieté’ at Castle Maretsch was awarded a world prize for the Bozen December celebrations. Now we wait for the next time, when Norbert Niederkofler will once again enchant us as our kindest, friendliest and most intelligent South Tyrolean cuisine artist. This is exactly what he is. Wolfgang Maier Born in Bozen in 1960, grew up in Tramin. Studied in Innsbruck, Vienna and Berlin. Since 1994, he is the ‘Culinary staff member‘ of the weekly newspaper ‘ff’. Publications on the subject of Food & Drink. Our best GASTRO GUIDE Bolzano and environs tastes excellent. This is confirmed by important restaurant and gourmet guides, which present different types of awards each year to gastronomy locations in Bozen and its environs. Edition 2009 locality +39 0471 Osterie d'italia Gault Millau Südtirol Fischbänke Bozen 971 714 Lounge Exil Café Bozen 971 814 mentioned Nadamas (international) Bozen 980 684 mentioned Bozen 053 366 mentioned Bamboo Bar Bozen 050 358 mentioned Gasthof Gutmann Bozen 273 435 12/20 Gasthaus Haselburg Bozen 402 130 12/20 Gasthaus Hopfen & Co. Bozen 300 788 Gasthof Kohlern Bozen 329 978 mentioned Gasthaus Weißes Rössl Bozen 973 267 mentioned Bozen 050 950 12/20 Bozen 981 718 12,5/20 12/20 Restaurant Blue Moon Bozen 972 128 Restaurant Forsterbräu Bozen 977 243 Restaurant Laurin Belle Epoque Bozen 311 000 14/20 Paulaner Stuben Bozen 980 407 mentioned Restaurant Rastbichler Bozen 261 131 mentioned Restaurant Van Gogh Mondschein Bozen 975 642 13/20 Restaurant Vögele Bozen 973 938 12/20 Restaurant Walther’s Bozen 982 548 mentioned Restaurant Zenzero Bozen 301 966 Gasthof Unterweg Jenesien 354 273 Gasthof Patauner 918 502 510 288 Restaurant Arena Weinegg Eppan 662 511 Landgasthof Bad Turmbach Eppan 662 339 662 407 14/20 662 249 16/20 Restaurant Ansitz Pillhof Eppan 633 100 mentioned Restaurant Aehrental Kaltern 962 222 Restaurant Castel Ringberg Kaltern 960 010 14/20 Restaurant Siegi’s Kaltern 665 721 mentioned 090 003 880 116 Gasthaus Schwarz Adler Kurtatsch 880 224 Buschenschank Santlhof Kurtatsch 880 700 Gasthof Dorfnerhof Restaurant Johnson & Dipoli Gasthof Fichtenhof Montan 819 798 Neumarkt 820 323 Salurn 889 028 13/20 mentioned Eppan Tramin mentioned 73/100 mentioned Eppan Kurtatsch 14/20 mentioned Restaurant Zur Rose Gasthaus Zur Rose 80/100 mentioned Restaurant Marklhof Garten Hofstätter 87/100 16,5/20 mentioned 86/100 79/100 14/20 mentioned 15/20 78/100 13,5/20 mentioned mentioned mentioned mentioned Sarntal 623 055 14/20 76/100 14/20 Restaurant Bad Schörgau Sarntal 623 048 14/20 80/100 13,5/20 Restaurant Braunwirt Sarntal 620 165 13/20 Gasthof Ansitz Kematen Ritten 356 356 Ritten 365 267 Restaurant Parkhotel Holzner Ritten 345 231 13/20 89/100 84/100 mentioned mentioned mentioned 14/20 14/20 Gasthaus Signaterhof Ritten 365 353 13/20 Restaurant Zirmerhof Radein 887 215 14/20 Restaurant Krone Aldein 886 825 14/20 77/100 14,5/20 Restaurant Ploner Aldein 886 556 14/20 80/100 14/20 Restaurant Zur Mühle Truden 869 210 Altrei 882 140 Gasthaus Kürbishof 89/100 mentioned Restaurant Auener Hof Gasthaus Patscheiderhof Ristoranti di Veronelli 86/100 14/20 Restaurant Hostaria Argentieri Andrian Guida l'Espresso 12,5/20 Wirtshaus Batzenhäusl Siebeneich Michelin Guida Rossa mentioned Nussbaumer Restaurant Schwarzer Adler Gambero Rosso 87/100 mentioned 13/20 mentioned 13/20 88/100 MAGAZINE 2010 25 TEXT HERBERT ROSENDORFER Wine and aristocracy – noble wines The ’Schlössl’ near Neumarkt It is hard to say what dates back further in the Upper Etsch region: the aristocracy or the wine. The Terentii and Cornelii families’ lived during the Raetian times in Girlan and on the Schreckbichl mountain they also built their villas there. That is, villas in the Antique way of thinking: Villae, which meant residences surrounded by large parks. Unfortunately, nothing remains of these families villas even though the spirit of aristocracy still blows across the country. This type of Roman spirit was much appreciated by the population. In contrast to the pseudo-Romans, i.e. those who were not part of the aristocracy, arrived about 2,000 years later, but had as much in common with the Romans as the Eskimos. About half of the Italian journeys of German kings led them through Tyrol, across the Brenner Pass and down the Etschtal Valley. Tyrol was the eye of the needle and a handful of people could easily hold up an entire army at certain places along the Eisacktal Valley. For this reason, the kings and emperors gave the land to reliable bishops who appointed faithful counts and overseers.Unfortunately, some of them were not as reliable as planned – but that is another story. However, history makes it clear that South Tyrol, particularly the Upper Etsch area, with its inner castles, fortresses and residences, was one of the richest areas in the world. In the Upper Etsch region, there were more residences, castles and fortresses than churches – and that is saying something in the country of Tyrol. MAGAZINE 2010 27 Secret tip: the wine teaching trail passes the Baron Widmann wine-growing estate Or was there a different reason for that love for this land? Maybe the Terentii and Cornelii families, or also some of the Sulpicii and Valerii are now extinct, but not the vines they have left behind. The aristocratic Lords of Ulten, Boymont, Korb and Firmian, as well as nobilities from abroad such as Andechser, von Greifenstein and Morit recognised quite quickly the through pressing and fermentation, these little grapes could be made into a drink, bringing people … joy. Vitis vinifera Linné, the ‘genuine vine’ is – if cared for accordingly – as aristocratic as the blue blood that aristocratic history made in the Upper Etsch region. The Counts of Eppan can no longer be found. The last one, Egno, was Bishop of Brixen and then of Trent. He was terrified, when during the wild 13th Century, the Counts of Tyrol took over power in Tyrol and gave it their own name. Of course, this family died out as well and their land was taken over by the Habsburgs. However, the small world of the Upper Etsch region held on to its nobility. Some families perpetuated themselves in the stone door frames, the coats of arms or in historic documentation. The Firmian, Mörl, Khuen, von Egen and some other families, however, kept on growing. Now people came to power, who had become rich over time in Bozen through their trade and appearance, as well as through wine cultivation. They were blessed by the merchants, who brought their riches from the emperor in Vienna, including patents of nobility and coats of arms. Some bought residences and others built them. The nobility began to mix. A great connoisseur, not only of history but also of wine, Jul Bruno Laner, says that it is difficult to decide whether all aristocratic wine growers are actually as aristocratic as they say. But never mind! In the end, it is all the same. BARON WIDMANN The self-sufficient wine-growing estate of Baron Widmann is located in the old family residence in the centre of Kurtatsch. Since 1824, the family has pressed its own wines. The grapes for the wine making come from their own vineyards, which can be found 28 MAGAZINE 2010 all around Kurtatsch, in altitudes of 220 to 600 metres above sea level. Beside wine, the Auhof in Entiklar produces also an interesting assortment of wine and fruit vinegar. www.baron-widmann.it BARON DI PAULI For more than 100 years, the Di Pauli family has run its wine-growing estate, helped by its good connections to the Vienna aristocracy. They were awarded the title ‘K&K Hoflieferant‘ (purveyor to the court). During the 19th Century, the Di Pauli wines were extremely popular with the Vienna aristocracy and the Upper Middle Classes of this time. The disastrous effects of both world wars, as well as the general crisis of South Tyrolean wine production during the 60s and 70s, brought their own wine production to a stand-still. However, in 1999, the Baron Di Pauli family decided to revive the estate once again. www.barondipauli.com MANINCOR: COUNT GÖESS-ENZENBERG Hieronymus Manincor zu Ehrenhausen built the ‘Manincor‘ in 1608. Through his marriage, Manincor and the Enzenberg family were united in 1662. His service to Tyrol brought him the title of a Count. Though the Enzenberg family produced wine for more than 300 years in South Tyrol, ‘Manincor‘ was only owned by the family in 1977. Manincor was developed from one of the largest grape suppliers in South Tyrol to an independent wine-growing estate and delivers only the highest quality. It is Manincor’s heritage that ‘noblesse oblige’ to understand and develop contemporary tradition. www.manincor.com CASTEL SALLEGG: COUNT KUENBURG The history of Castle Sallegg goes back a long time and is marked by the family: the Arch Earl Rainer of Austria, Vice-King of Lombardia and the Veneto, who bought the castle during this year, as well Boymont Fortress near Missian/Eppan: vineyards and fortresses mark the landscape in the Upper Etsch region Castle Salurn, later also called Haderburg, was built by the Counts of Salurn during the fi rst half of the 13th Century. It was owned by Count Meinhard II of Tyrol and later by the Habsburg dynasty. Since 1648, Haderburg has been owned by the Venetian Count Zenobio-Albrizzi. Since its renovation in 2003, the castle also avails of a pub and offers a number of musical, literary and folklore events. Cultural-historic Castle trip The area around Bozen is one of the European regions with the most castles and fortresses. In Eppan, there are more than 100 listed residences, mansions, castles and fortresses, which present to us the cultural and art history of the municipality. The new ‘castle trip hiking guide’ (Schlossparcours Wanderführer) accompanies all those interested in culture on their walk from residence to residence. Available at the tourist office Eppan. The state of the Vinobardes The state of the Vinobardes, whose reigning prince is Jul Bruno Laner, was founded in 1995 in South Tyrol. In 1999, at the main square in Tramin, the zero meridian was erected: it gives the direction and distance to the most important wine-growing region all over the world. www.vinobarden.info On the best wine teaching trail The three existing wine teaching trails in Bolzano and environs (wein.weg in Kaltern, the wine teaching trail in Kurtatsch and wine teaching trail ‘Hoher Weg‘ Gschleier in Girlan/Eppan) have now been extended to include a fourth tour in Spring 2010: the Terlan wine teaching trail. Numerous panels explain everything worth knowing about the Terlan wine history and culture. Walking time: about 1.5 hours. wein.kaltern Kaltern pours its wines into the specially created Riedel glass and guides its visitors with an unconventional system (the wein.weg) through its town and vineyards. It marks quality-conscious pubs, restaurants and hotels with a red point and presents the very best Kaltern wine-growing estates have to offer, at the Punkt wine house at the town square. www.wein.kaltern.com 30 MAGAZINE 2010 CASTLES & WINE The Haderburg castle near Salurn Michael Count Göess-Enzenberg as its surrounding orchards and vineyards. In a direct heritage line, the entire ownership came via the Princes of Campofranco to the Counts of Kuenburg. The castle’s cellars are up to eleven metres deep and divided over three levels. They are testimony that life at the castle and wine-growing are tied together in South Tyrol. www.castellsallegg.it CASTEL SCHWANBURG In 1286, the ‘House of Gaul‘ was mentioned for the first time. Today’s residence, coming from the Renaissance, was mentioned during the 14th Century as the Schwanburg. The loggias of this picturesque castle are partly made of Roman stone. The wine cellar holds egg-shaped wooden barrels from the time of Maria Theresia. The Schwanburg changed ownership from the nobility of Boymont-Payersberg to the Count Trapp family. The Thaler family from Nals presented their nephew Rudolf Carli with the deeds and his descendants head up this typical South Tyrolean winegrowing estate today. www.schwanburg.com RESIDENCE KRÄNZL: COUNT VON PFEIL The vineyards of Tscherms are first mentioned in 1182 as a gift to the Füssen cloisters in Bavaria. More than 400 years ago, Tscherms and its surrounding areas were an excellent place for profitable wine-growing. The oldest document known comes from the year 1350. The old residence, the huge Torggl (wine press) in the cellars, as well as the wine receipts and correspondence from 1577, present us with a very old wine-growing tradition. www.labyrinth.bz WINE GUIDE Excellent wines The Italian wine guides of 2009 have awarded a number of top grades to South Tyrolean wines. White wines are particularly popular, with the Gewurztraminer top of the pack. For the red wines, the Lagrein is a definite leader. In the list of wine-growing estates, it is the Kellerei Terlan (3 star, Veronelli), as well as Kellerei Nals Margreid (wine-growing estate of the year, D’Agata & Comparini) who have successfully won prices. What’s incredible is that the Kellerei Kaltern enhances the most important wine guides with its Passito Serenade. For more information click on www.southtyrolwine.it GUIDA VINI D’ITALIA DE L’ESPRESSO 2009 ’5 bottiglie‘ Terlaner Sauvignon 2007 Ignaz Niedrist, Girlan/Eppan Exilissi Ice 2004 Baron di Pauli, Kaltern Feldmarschall 2007 Tiefenbrunner, Entiklar/Kurtatsch Sauvignon Lafòa 2007 Kellerei Schreckbichl/Eppan Sauvignon Voglar 2006 Peter Dipoli, Neumarkt Pinot Noir Riserva 2005 Weingut Stroblhof, Eppan Lagrein Grieser Riserva Select 2005 H. Rottensteiner, Bozen Lagrein Riserva Tor di Lupo 2006 Andrianer Kellerei Cabernet Riserva 2005 Unterganzner Josephus Mayr, Bozen Goldmuskateller Passito Serenade Castel Giovanelli 2005 Kellerei Kaltern DUEMILAVINI AIS 2009 ’5 grappoli’ Terlaner Weißburgunder 1996 Kellerei Terlan Sauvignon Sanct Valentin 2007 Kellerei St. Michael/Eppan Sauvignon Lafòa 2007 Kellerei Schreckbichl/Eppan Exilissi Ice 2004 Baron di Pauli, Kaltern Gewürztraminer Nussbaumer 2007 Gewürztraminer Terminum Vendemmia Tardiva 2006 Kellerei Tramin Gewürztraminer Kolbenhof 2007 Pinot Noir Barthenau Vigna S. Urbano 2005 J. Hofstätter, Tramin Pinot Noir Riserva 2006 Josef Niedermayr, Girlan/Eppan Pinot Noir Sanct Valentin 2005 Kellerei St. Michael/Eppan Lagrein Abtei Riserva 2005 Klosterkellerei Muri-Gries, Bozen Lagrein Taber Riserva 2006 Cabernet Mumelter Riserva 2006 Kellerei Bozen Cabernet Löwengang 2004 Alois Lageder, Margreid Amistar Rosso Edizione 2005 Peter Sölva & Söhne, Kaltern Goldmuskateller Passito Baronesse Baron Salvadori 2006 Kellerei Nals Margreid Goldmuskateller Passito Serenade Castel Giovanelli 2005 Kellerei Kaltern Rosenmuskateller 2006 Franz Haas, Montan I VINI DI VERONELLI 2009 ’Super Tre Stelle’ Gewürztraminer Campaner 2007 Goldmuskateller Passito Serenade Castel Giovanelli 2005 Kellerei Kaltern Gewürztraminer Nussbaumer 2007 Gewürztraminer Vendemmia Tardiva Terminum 2006 Kellerei Tramin Gewürztraminer Brenntal 2007 Kellerei Kurtatsch Gewürztraminer Kolbenhof 2007 Pinot Noir Barthenau Vigna Sant‘Urbano 2005 J. Hofstätter, Tramin Pinot Noir Filari di Mazzòn 2006 Ferruccio Carlotto, Auer Pinot Noir Mason di Mason 2005 Weingut Manincor, Kaltern Lagrein Gries Riserva 2006 Euforius Weinberg Dolomiten IGT rot 2006 Weiß Passito Aureus 2006 Josef Niedermayr, Girlan/Eppan Lagrein Riserva Glögglhof 2006 Franz Gojer, Bozen Lagrein Gries Riserva Berger-Gei 2003 Ignaz Niedrist, Girlan/Eppan Lagrein Riserva Waldgries 2006 Ansitz Waldgries, Christian Plattner, Bozen Lagrein Grieser Collection Baron Carl Eyrl 2006 Lagrein Riserva Taber 2006 Merlot Riserva Siebeneich 2006 Kellerei Bozen Chardonnay Löwengang 2005 Cabernet Löwengang 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Cor Römigberg 2004 Alois Lageder, Margreid Cabernet Sauvignon Lafòa 2004 Kellerei Schreckbichl/Eppan Pinot Noir Riserva Selyèt 2004 Col de Rey Weinberg Dolomiten IGT rot 2004 Landesgut Laimburg, Pfatten Istante Weinberg Dolomiten IGT rot 2004 Franz Haas, Montan Lamarein 2006 Unterganzner Josephus Mayr, Bozen Passito Comtess Sanct Valentin 2006 Kellerei St. Michael/Eppan Goldmuskateller Passito Vinalia 2006 Kellerei Bozen GUIDA AI MIGLIORI VINI D’ITALIA 2009 D’Agata & Comparini Ruländer Unterebner 2007 Kellerei Tramin Ruländer Punggl 2007 Kellerei Nals Margreid Müller Thurgau Feldmarschall 2007 Tiefenbrunner, Entiklar/Kurtatsch Sauvignon Voglar 2006 Peter Dipoli, Neumarkt Gewürztraminer Lunare 2006 Kellerei Terlan Beyond the clouds 2006 Elena Walch, Tramin Passito Comtess Sanct Valentin 2006 Kellerei St. Michael/Eppan Goldmuskateller Passito Serenade Castel Giovanelli 2005 Kellerei Kaltern GAMBERO ROSSO 2010 ’3 bicchieri’ Weißburgunder Dellago 2008 Kellerei Bozen Weißburgunder Sirmian 2008 Kellerei Nals Margreid Terlaner Weißburgunder Vorberg Riserva 2006 Kellerei Terlan Sauvignon Indra 2008 Kellerei Girlan Sauvignon St. Valentin 2008 Kellerei St. Michael/Eppan Terlaner Sauvignon 2008 Weingut Manincor, Kaltern Gewürztraminer Kastelaz 2008 Elena Walch, Tramin Gewürztraminer Nussbaumer 2008 Kellerei Tramin Feldmarschall von Fenner zu Fennberg 2008 Tiefenbrunner, Entiklar/Kurtatsch Manna 2007 Franz Haas, Montan Lagrein Abtei Riserva 2006 Klosterkellerei Muri-Gries, Bozen Lagrein Dunkel Mirell 2007 Weingut Waldgries, Christian Plattner, Bozen Lagrein Dunkel Taber Riserva 2007 Kellerei Bozen Gewürztraminer Terminum Spätlese 2007 Kellerei Tramin Goldmuskateller Passito Serenade 2006 Kellerei Kaltern MAGAZINE 2010 31 Culturonda Wine ® The unique wine culture of South Tyrol TEXT ROSWITHA MAIR Culturonda® Wine is divided into twelve points with three experience tips, introducing the variety of the South Tyrolean wine world. The autochthon Vernatsch is particularly cultivated at Lake Kaltern Anyone interested in culture and wine, as well as newcomers to this area have found a guide, which clearly and quickly leads you to the highlights of South Tyrolean wine history and its wine agriculture. 3,000 years of South Tyrolean wine prove that the valuable grape juices have always inspired wine lovers. Take the Romans, for example, who transported wine in then unknown, wooden barrels with an iron ring to the courts of the Roman emperor. Or the Franconia and Bavarian cloisters, which bought one wine-growing estate after the other in South Tyrol. Even under Austrian rule, South Tyrolean wine cultivation was supported for more than 600 years. The autochthon grape types such as Lagrein and Vernatsch, as well as the Gewürztraminer marked the vineyards throughout the centuries. 32 MAGAZINE 2010 WINE EXPERIENCE Culturonda® wine describes more than just the past, grapes and wine cultivation. It also shows places and opportunities, where wine and wine culture can be practically experienced. For example along the South Tyrolean Wine Road, at the wine village of Kaltern, through its quality campaign wein.kaltern or along the various wine teaching trails. Wine-growing estates, as well as wine masters are introduced – not only those who produce exquisite wines, but also those who are able to set wine into context – be it through brave, modern architecture or through old and contemporary art. Over the past few years, a number of popular architects have created true wine temples, while artists transformed these buildings, cellars and labels into something extraordinary. When you speak of wine, the fountain of joy, health and beauty, it is absolutely clear that this also requires good cuisine to keep it WINELIGHTS & MORE Wine Culture Weeks in St. Pauls/Eppan company. The kitchen and cellar form a very enjoyable liaison. The best example is the wine-growing estate in Terlan, where they don’t only produce asparagus wine, but also market the Terlan asparagus itself. Or the old autumn custom of ‘Törggelen‘, where people walk, drink wine and eat some good traditional farming specialities at the same time. The 12th and last point of Culturonda® wine takes you after a short excursion into the world of legends, into the fascinating kingdom of senses: wine should be tasted, experienced and enjoyed. There are numerous possibilities to do this all around the South Tyrolean wine country, but it is a particularly pleasant experience at guided wine cellar tours, walking tours through vineyards and special wine tasting events. South Tyrolean Wine Road Weeks ‘vino in festa 10’ For one month, from 13th May to 12th June 2010, the 15 wine-growing villages along the South Tyrolean Wine Road will be the centre of a very special series of events. Beginning with the Bozen Wine Tasting, the South Tyrolean Wine Road invites you to high-quality events and highlights based around the theme of wine. Great fi nale: The Wine Cellar Night on 12th June 2010. www.suedtiroler-weinstrasse.it Highlights • • • • • • • LEARN MORE ABOUT IT The twelve points of the Culturonda® wine with its three experience tips, further information, recommended literature and links is something for all wine enthusiasts. Available on the internet from Spring 2010 at www.bolzanzosurroundings.info. • • • • • Wine excursion day in Kaltern on 25th April 88th Bozen Wine tasting at Castle Maretsch in Bozen from 13th to 16th May South Tyrolean Pinot Noir Days in Montan and Neumarkt on 20th and 21st May Wine Cellar Night along the South Tyrolean Wine Road on 12th June ‘All in White‘ – Kaltern presents its white wines on 29th June Gewürztraminer Wine Lane in Tramin on 16th July Wine Culture Weeks in St. Pauls/Eppan from 22nd July to 3rd August Lorenzi Night in Bozen and Andrian on 10th August Lowlands Wine Tasting Days in Auer middle of August Montiggl White Wines in Montiggl/Eppan on 20th August Kaltern Wine Days on 2nd and 3rd September Tramin Wine Street in Tramin on 16th October Wine ride – a wine journey Roswitha Mair Born in Bozen, resides in Eppan. Tourism studies in Bruneck and Venice. Since 2002 at the Tourist Board Bolzano and environs. Learn all about South Tyrolean wines for one day, served up by competent wine growers, as you enjoy the good company. The Mediterranean landscape along the South Tyrolean wine road, a culinary intermezzo and everything worth knowing about the country and its people – makes a wine journey on a minibus an unforgettable cultural wine experience. For further information and dates, please click on www.bolzanosurroundings.info MAGAZINE 2010 33 High-proof treasures TEXT JUL BRUNO LANER What’s schnapps? Originally, schnapps is a Northern-German word, a derivative of the Dutch language (snap(p)s), which has now spread across the entire German-speaking region. 100 kg fresh grape marc deliver approx. 9–12 litres of grappa Of course, this term is also used for our South Tyrolean grape juice distillate. It is said that the Arabs invented schnapps. They liked the distillation process, the art of purifying and dividing liquid substances. This is how they produced essences, which carry Oriental fragrances. One day, the workers drunk a little too much of their distillate, because it tasted so nice. After a few rounds, they fell asleep. When they woke up, they tried to find out what they had actually drunk. One said: ‘Alkuhl!’ (this means ‘I forgot‘.) So, the name developed into alcohol. Other sources believe that the old Egyptians were already drinking schnapps. Cleopatra’s eyes were supposed to have been treated with some kind of alcoholic cosmetics. SOUTH TYROLEAN GRAPPA Since the 18th Century, the term schnapps became associated 34 MAGAZINE 2010 with a quick drink. In South Tyrol, grappa is made of the grape’s skin. The local schnapps is internationally protected with the term ‘grappa’. Grappa is in a league of its own amongst other spirits made of fruit or berries. In addition, there are also some types of liqueur, particularly liqueur incorporating grappa. Good quality distilleries which are based along the South Tyrolean Wine Road offer grappa seminars, where they inform you about selection, fine distilling technology, storage, fantasy, technical knowhow, quality control, as well as tradition. The seminars are offered via the tourist offices or directly through individual distilleries, which open their doors to the public. It is not so easy to gain an insight into the happy and colourful world of the distillates, which are usually simply called schnapps. During the tasting process, the liquid is watched, moved about, analysed by smelling and finally, tasted on your tongue, palate GRAPPA & MORE South Tyrolean Grappa South Tyrolean grappa is exclusively made of South Tyrolean grape skin, which is distilled, produced and bottled in South Tyrol. The grappa is analysed and quality-checked at least twice a year. Only after being tested by the ANAG and achieving at least 75/100 points, can it receive the South Tyrol quality mark. For further information click www.suedtirol.info/grappa Awarded distilleries South Tyrolean farmhouses with the ‘Red Rooster’ award produce high-quality products, including spirits. South Tyrolean distilleries were awarded 13 medals altogether during the International Edelbrand Championship ‘Destillata’ in Vienna. The Fischerhof distillery was listed under the top companies at the exhibition ‘Ab Hof’ in Wieselburg (Austria); the Plonhof distillery was listed at the Professional Exhibition. All distilleries can be found at www.redrooster.it The gallery of the senses Distilling – playing with temperatures and throat, so that all the fragrances and aromas are liberated and acknowledged. The well-known wine journalist Andreas März defines a good grappa as follows: ‘First of all, grappa has an unmistakable, highly aromatic fragrance. The bouquet should smell neither green nor biting, and the grappa may not contain faulty aromas. An aggressive nose has nothing to do with typicity. A grappa's fragrance and its intensity are highly dependent on the varieties of grapes used. A grappa should be powerful, but never stinging. It is warm, smooth and distinctly fruity.’ For beautiful women, schnapps can be the finest cosmetics article; the spirit of men lends wings; and for connoisseurs, it brings quality enjoyment. The Roner distillery in Tramin comes from a distillery dynasty and has created the ‘Gallery of the Senses‘ in their shopping area. Visitors can dive into the art of distillation, walk through the ‘parlour of senses’ and see, taste and smell to their hearts content. www.roner.com SPOTLIGHT Jul Bruno Laner Lives in Bozen as a freelance publisher. Author of a number of theatre pieces and books about South Tyrol, screenplays for TV documentaries about South Tyrol and fi lms about art and culture. He writes regularly for national and international newspapers. The idea of a pear inside the bottle comes from the Psenner distillery in Tramin. The pears actually grow inside the bottle, before it is fi lled. It was a really great idea and the start of an even greater tradition, which has been copied many times. In the 70 hectare orchard of the Psenner company, the original process is still in use today. www.psenner.com MAGAZINE 2010 35 Architectural culture for travellers TEXT ANDREAS GOTTLIEB HEMPEL When you visit a country or region, you are automatically drawn by its architectural heritage, as it will tell you a lot about the people and their traditions. Seebad Lido in Kaltern, the next ENTERprise – architects South Tyrol offers you many architectural monuments from various centuries. However, there is also modern architecture, which usually has a surprise effect on visitors. The following are some of them: The Museion in Bozen not only offers some select highlights from the international modern art scene, but is also a town planning and architectural master piece. Two elegant sweeping bridges connect the two parts of the town on either side of the Talfer River, with a silver building, opening to both sides – a symbol of art connecting both language groups living in the town. Nearby, the European Academy holds events on the subject of cohabitation of different cultures in the Alpine region. A building from the ‘razionalismo’ era, built by Miozzo and Mansutti in 1934 was renovated and altered by the Austrian architect Klaus Kada 36 MAGAZINE 2010 in 2002; it is a wonderful example of how the German and Italian building cultures can be brought together. The parish church in Leifers will also offer you a great experience. A modern extension, incorporated into Romanic and NewGothic parts of the building, creates an exciting impression. On the outside, the extension reflects the mountain ranges. On the inside, visitors are somehow thrown by the sweeping lines on the floor, walls and ceiling; only the cross has kept its rectangular shape. The interesting light design gives the impression that the wood inside this space is actually golden. Reinhold Messner calls the largest castle ruins in South Tyrol ‘the enchanted mountain‘. In 2005, he made it the home of the Messner Mountain Museum. These historic walls from where Silvius Magnago declared his ‘Freedom of Trent‘ in 1957, were rescued in (1) (2) (3) (4) (1) The EURAC in Bozen, Klaus Kada (2) Parish church in Leifers, Höller and Klotzner (3) Museion in Bozen, KSV Krüger Schubert Vandreike (4) New Ritten cable car – innovative technology and transparent architecture MAGAZINE 2010 37 Seehotel Ambach in Kaltern, Othmar Barth this way. The insertions, however, are constructed from steel and placed in such a way, that they can be removed at any time. Truly an architectural piece of art! The Ritten mountain is the traditional holiday region for the Bozen population. Since 1907, it has been possible to get there by using the rack railway. This was update in 2009 and exchanged with a new railway system consisting of eight cabins for 35 people each, which run in a four-minute-cycle. In this way, Oberbozen can be reached in 12 minutes. Right beside the mountain terminal, you will find Parkhotel Holzner, built in 1908 in Art Nouveau style – a sensibly modernised holiday hotel. Another alternative to the car is the funicular railway from 1903, which brings you through a 64% ascent from Kaltern to the Mendel Pass in 12 minutes. It was renovated in 2008 and the modern carriages stop once through their journey in order to help you reach the Kaltern high mountain road. On the pass, you will find the Grand-Hotel of the Austrian imperial and royal monarchy. It has been altered and now contains a number of apartments. Over the past 20 years, South Tyrol’s wine-growing cultivation has changed from mass to class and has won numerous awards. This is also true for the new architecture of some wine-growing estates, one of which is the Kellerei Tramin, famous for its Gewürztraminer. The extraordinary steel construction will be consecrated in 2010 and is deemed to be a landmark at the entrance of the village of Tramin. The Stroblhof in Eppan was built during the 16th Century. The well-known hotel and wine-growing estate has been tactfully renovated several times. Wellness facilities and the modern wine cellar are hardly visible and melt into the surrounding landscape. The Old has been successfully merged with the New. A bathing pond – officially declared as biological – is situated on the 4 hec38 MAGAZINE 2010 Goldener Stern in Kaltern, Thomas Mahlknecht/Igor Comploi tare wine estate. 40,000 bottles of top wines are made here every year, which truly gives your holiday a higher note. You are probably astonished to hear that they have built an outdoor swimming pool at the shores of the warmest lake in the Alpine region: Lake Kaltern. Due to its extraordinary, sculptural architecture, it has become a great hit with locals and visitors alike. It gives you illusion of being on a ship’s deck and you have a great view of surrounding vineyards, the reflecting waters of the lake, as well as the beautiful mountain world. Absolutely fabulous! If you want to enjoy great architecture in the midst of vineyards, orchards, meadows and nearby the lake, the best place to stay is Seehotel Ambach. This classic and modern architecture was created in 1974, but it still looks fresh and immaculate! The view of the lake from the hotel is nearly as beautiful as the panoramic experience when you sit on the sun terrace of the house. In the centre of Kaltern, you will find the historic pub and guesthouse Stern. After some careful renovations in 2009, it offers not only tastefully furnished rooms, which reflect a combination of historic flair and modern design, but also a very classy wine bar in the upper floor and a wonderful Wellness facility in the quiet garden area with a view over the roofs of Kaltern. Hotel Greif right at the Waltherplatz in Bozen is truly number 1. It was built during the 15th Century and renovated by architect Boris Podrecca, giving it the modern feel required by our times. Each of the 33 rooms offers different furnishings, created by several artists. The Bar Grifoncino also offers an international flair. You can dine in the park of the neighbouring Grand-Hotel Laurin. The Sarntal Valley is a truly authentic natural paradise, which you can particularly enjoy in Hotel Bad Schörgau. ‘Tradition and zeitgeist’ is the motto introduced by the owners, the Wenter Family. Their cuisine has won awards and they still offer the tradition of the CULTURE & MORE Romanesque: Stairways to heaven Proud fortresses and magnificent castles, colourful church frescoes and individual, quiet chapels, picturesque villages and towns in a number of different cultural landscapes, entice you to use the ‘stairway to heaven’, the Middle Ages in the heart of the Alps. Bolzano and environs has two pearls from the Romanesque: the St. Jacob chapel in Kastelaz near Tramin and the fortress chapel of Castle Hocheppan in Missian/Eppan. www.stairwaytoheaven.info Roman: Via Claudia Augusta The Via Claudia Augusta runs from Donauwörth (Germany) to Venice and connects people, cultures and time. The Roman emperor’s road can be travelled by post coach, by foot or even better using a bicycle. The ‘Via Claudia Augusta cycling guide– from the Danube River to the Adriatic Sea’ can be ordered at www.esterbauer.com, www.viaclaudia.org MMM Firmian Hotel Greif in Bozen, Boris Podrecca old ‘farming baths’. The hotel has been artistically renovated and is harmoniously incorporated into the surrounding landscape. Since 1890, the Zirmerhof in Oberradein has been open for business and has had many prominent guests. You will find absolute stillness, mountain sun and panoramic views over more than 80 peaks at least 3,000 metres high. Nonetheless, it has kept a traditional farming architecture with old lounges, historic dining rooms and careful modernisation has not touched any of its authentic atmospheres. The Wellness area is especially and is built into the mountain, giving views of the wonderful landscape. In the old walls of Castle Sigmundskron near Bozen, supported by a modern structure of glass and steel, Reinhold Messner speaks about the importance of the mountains for mankind. The mountains have an enchanting effect on people and this is what you can feel in Messner’s Mountain Museum Firmian. Opening times: from 1st Sunday in March to 3rd Sunday in November. www.messner-mountain-museum.it Historic guesthouses 2010 This year, the South Tyrolean award is given to two hotels: to one of the most popular and renowned Bozen hotels – Parkhotel Laurin – and to the picturesque Berggasthof Zirmerhof in Oberradein, which is marked by extraordinary historic continuity. To sum it up: The artistic and architectural connection between the Old and the New is a particular strength of our excellent South Tyrolean architects, who show lots of creativity and have a feel for value in a variety of situations. BOOK New Architecture in South Tyrol: 2000-2006 Andreas Gottlieb Hempel Born in 1941, professor of architecture, journalist, author and sommelier. After 30 years working as a freelance architect in Munich and Berlin, president of the Federation of German Architects, chairman of the German Architecture Centre in Berlin and Vice-President of the Int. Architects Union in Paris, he moved to South Tyrol and writes about his adoptive country. This up-to-date and comprehensive book on the new architecture of this Alpine region features 48 buildings from various categories of architecture including residences, housing, schools, cultural buildings, and transport buildings. The book provides an outsider’s view of architecture in South Tyrol and a critical view of the preservation and modernisation of existing building fabric. www.springer.com MAGAZINE 2010 39 TEXT ALEXANDER ZINGERLE Brilliant reflection! Music with horns and custom The Spanish invented Flamenco; the Italians Belcanto; in South Tyrol, we love brass band music. Nearly 10,000 active musicians are involved in the 211 music bands all over the province. Most of these are young people who are interested in music and love entertainment. Brass band and folk music are often misunderstood as being banal, loud and uninteresting. The march begins with a great fanfare. Trumpets, trombones and clarinettists happily play together while Lederhosen squeak and heels click. People with costumes walk in time to the music. With stern faces, straight backs, stiff shirts and a feather in their cap … the parade somehow reminds me of a military march. But this is not the case. It’s simply part of the parade and the wonderful Sarnthein village festival. The cows watch in astonishment, as boys run after the girls and men talk among themselves … this idyllic village picture reminds me of the unconquerable population of Wales. The music band consists of about 50 musicians who all give their best. Naturally, they really do. Music bands are not only there to create a lovely atmosphere. They are representatives of their country as soon as tourists walk around the corner. Often, our South Tyrolean bands are invited to places such as the Rhineland, Northern Germany, and even California. They look at themselves as a living tradition and as the pillars of Tyrolean folk culture. These musicians can be found at all types of concerts, at parish church festivals, funerals and weddings. Tradition is important. Steadfastness Marching with the conductor MAGAZINE 2010 41 Traditional costumes and instruments are usually owned by the music band and faithfulness to your country are as important as an economic boom during this time of globalisation. In our country, opening a new company, consecrating anything or a simple festival cannot be considered without a music band. Without brass music, the actual framework is missing. Like a pot without a bottom. RENAISSANCE OF BRASS MUSIC Brass music is as much part of South Tyrol as Törggelen or Reinhold Messner. There are more music bands than villages and towns (211 vs. 116), more young musicians than old, (54.9% of all musicians have not yet reached the age of 30) and there are altogether nearly 10,000 brass musicians. The central instrument in each band is the ‘horn of plenty‘. Nearly four million Euros were invested into our South Tyrolean music bands during 2008: instruments, costumes, halls, seminars etc. If a musician wants to become a member of a band, he needs a performance medal – either gold, silver or bronze. Tournaments also increase the quality of the games: just as in sports clubs, members of music bands qualify through playing and walking. ‘Musicians are well educated people nowadays. Everyone gives their best‘, says Andreas Andergassen of Kaltern. For three years, the 28 year old has played trombone, is a horn player and leader in the music band at Neumarkt. He only works part-time in his actual profession as a carpenter, so that he can enjoy his music as well. He loves creativity, the perfectionism while playing and also the ceremony itself. Traditional songs and marches are only part of the programme. Nowadays, they also play James Bond or songs from movies and TV, harmonies by James Last and even every now and then, a Dixie tune. A music band today is very modern, frankly speaking. Tyrolean songs are also incorporated into their programme, together with rock, groove and beat, as well as a medley from AC/ DC and Udo Jürgens. The bands have names such as Volxrock, 42 MAGAZINE 2010 Sauguat or Vollbluet. They use about one dozen different instruments and are one of the best entertainers in the country. But this is not all. Traditionally, groups or clubs are ‘strictly men‘; this is true for the fire brigade, the riflemen and numerous sports clubs. Ladies are more looked at as the decoration and frill. They play clarinet, flute or horn, or they wear their costume, carry a barrel of schnapps and lead the eyes of the men towards them. However, only men are allowed into the conductor’s area. At least usually!! Cäcilia Perkmann has encouraged more female self-confidence in the men’s world of music bands. She is only 26 years of age. For three years, she has been the conductor of the Zwölfmalgreien music band in Bozen. Before that, she conducted for the band in Tisens. The larger part of her 50 musician brass music ensemble are young men. They all make music according to the instructions given by young Cäcilia and her beautiful eyes. Cäcilia originally came from Vilpian and has completed a master’s course in conducting, as well as studies at the Linz Music University and the European Institute for Music in Trent and Mezzocorona – and qualified at a high level. She is willing to work hard and earn the respect of the men she ‘plays’ with. COLOUR PALETTE OF FOLK MUSIC ‘Caring for folk music is not to carry away the ashes, but to carry on the fire‘, says Roland Walcher Silbernagele. He is in his 30s and comes from the wine village of St. Pauls; he leads local folk music TV events. He always keeps an eye on the musical background of his programme: the events take place in a local pub, where the zither, dulcimer and harmonica sound great together. ‘Folk music is far more colourful than people might think. The songs were always at the centre of tradition, creating a mirror image. Music is critical, erotic and a healthy valve for society’, says Walcher Silbernagele. EVENTS & MORE Grand Prix for Folk Music Brothers Ulrich and Otto Messner from Andrian are also known as Vincent and Fernando and have been awarded the popular mountain crystal trophy at the Grand Prix of Folk Music in 2009 with their song ‘The Angle of Marienberg’. In 2006, Rudy Giovannini & Belsy sang together with the Monte Pallidi choir ‘Salve Regina‘ and in 1990, the Kastelruther Spatzen won with ‘Tears don’t suit you’. www.vincentfernando.com 10th Köfele Festival with Rudy Giovannini on 4th and 5th June in Leifers For more than 10 years, Rudy Giovannini has been at the top of folk music. For about the same number of years, this descendant of Leifers has also been called the ‘Caruso of the mountains’. Ticket sales from 2nd February 2010 at the tourist office in Leifers. www.leifers-info.it Folk Dance – Europeade Even the youth loves brass music For years, people have talked about and discussed all aspects of folk music. This type of music runs easily from the tongue, but enjoys a little bit of Alpine packaging. Some people call it ‘music for the simple’, think that the simple tones don’t have a lot to offer and that the singers do not need an education in order to perform. Singers just smile and say nothing. In the end, they earn quite a good living with music. However, the population loves them: Vincent & Fernando, the Kastelruther Spatzen, Rudy Giovannini or whatever they might be called. Their highlights are the annual Grand Prix of Folk Music. Folk music? Pop music? Pub music, a waltz or even a folk dance. Everyone should enjoy music just the way they like it! from 21st to 25th July in Bozen The Europeade is the largest traditional costume and Folklore spectacle in Europe and has taken place since 1964 – however, always in a different European city. In 2010, thousands of European traditional costume bearers will sing, make music, dance and celebrate in Bozen. ‘Stadl’ time – It starts now! After the last ‘stadl’ in 2005, the time has come again: on 18th September 2010, the Bozen exhibition centre brings a live transmission of ‘Musikantenstadl‘ with moderator Andy Borg. On the day before, there is a fi nal rehearsal, which also starts at 8.15 p.m. SPOTLIGHT Alexander Zingerle Editor of the South Tyrolean lifestyle magazine ‘IN Südtirol‘. In the past, he worked for Südtirol Online and Südtirol Life. He is author or 15 cabaret and theatrical pieces. Grew up in the Pustertal Valley, military service in Trento, language studies in Innsbruck (Austria) and Scotland, resident in the Upper Etsch region. In the 23 municipalities of Bolzano and environs, 39 music bands still actively preserve the brass instrumental music and old traditions. The Ritten municipality itself lists six traditional bands, while the municipalities of Sarntal Valley and Eppan still have four traditional brass instrumental bands each. MAGAZINE 2010 43 A village gone mad Highlighting the Egetmann parade TEXT WERNER MENAPACE It’s twelve noon. The eye of the tornado rests right above the village. A strange atmosphere can be felt, inexplicable expectation, the type of tension you experience just before a storm, which will blast through the streets and lanes of this village and settle on the main square. The Elemental forces of a group of 1,000 people. The Old women, one of the mysterious figures of the parade It’s not worth trying to describe this parade. Only those of you who have watched the event in the past can understand that this parade simply is a must; i.e. those who have not only watched, but who have dived into the mass of people and sounds, the rattling of geese, the clip-clop of goats, the hammering at the smithy, the clattering of metal and tin, the music of the concertina, singing and shouting, the flapping of wet cloths and the screaming from the audience. The smoke belches out of the oven, the fragrance of tuniper, fir and pine branches, exhaust fumes, feather and dust … (this is when Tramin’s emission levels are going to be too high)! The fine smell of sausages, omelettes, doughnuts and vin brulée, not forgetting the perspiration of horses, as well as flying fish … 44 MAGAZINE 2010 WILD, NOISY FIGURES Young men in potato sacks carrying heavy wooden constructions several metres high, change into pre-historic dragons, running wildly through the streets and crowds for hours … Honourable citizens, riding as part of a wild witches group through the lanes of the village, dancing ancient dances around a smoking fire and screaming their lungs out … Dozens of ‘Burgl’ and ‘Burgl beaters’, who fly like the wind through the lanes, groups of people and porticos, climbing up on facades or hanging head first out of windows … Fishermen with an octopus as a head covering, women and children with wide scheming smiles … Strong sports men, diving head first into village wells, jumping around in cold fountains, playing like children … CATHARSIS THROUGH ECSTASY I guess this sums up what the Egetmann parade is like! It is a spectacle in which the participants ‘clean‘ themselves and their audience through ecstatic behaviour. Looking at it from this point of view, one could say that the Egetmann parade continues its 2,000 years of tradition. Origins, backgrounds, roots, historic data, proof of various events, as well as scientific explanations are left behind. Original fears are exorcised through bears, dragons, witches, demons … Nothing to do with the parade is truly ‘clean’ or beautiful. It is futile to cover up the wild nature of this event. In the meantime, every visitor and onlooker knows what’s coming: that he or she will be drawn in with full body and soul, right down to their last bit of resistance. Really, no-one can escape! Leaving women aside (who are traditionally not allowed to participate), as well as children and old folk plus a handful of compulsive misery-guts, you could say that probably about half of the village population actively takes part in the event. After two years, however at least after Epiphany, the so-called ‘carnival fever‘ is about to break out again, which leaves every genuine Tramin citizen in the blessed state of ‘being besides themselves’. CUSTOMS & MORE ‘Schnappvieher’ or ‘Wudelen’ are often more than three metres high Heart-Jesus-Fire This old custom derives from a promise made against Napoleon at the time of Andreas Hofer and the last liberation battles in 1796. If the enemy was conquered, they would promise eternal faithfulness to the Holy Heart of Jesus. Every year, the population keeps this promise, which is visible all around from the fi res lit on the Heart of Jesus Sunday. Törggelen An old South Tyrolean autumn custom. Enjoy a comfortable walk through vineyards and colourful forests to a farming pub, where you can taste the new wine, some good square meals and sweet doughnuts. Of course, there are also roasted chestnuts. Martini Market in Girlan On 11th November, the Martini market takes place in Girlan. It is the biggest of its kind and a real holiday for the Girlan population – a day off work really. It is said that those who don’t buy anything at the market will not get through the winter well. It’s also an opportunity to taste the new wine of course. Egetmann parade Since 1591, on carnival Tuesday during all uneven years, this parade has been held in the lanes and streets of Tramin, literally in any type of weather. The main figure is the Egetmann Hansl (John), a wealthy fi ne man, who has intentions to marry … Note the following dates: Egetmann childrens‘ parade on 16th February 2010 Egetmann parade on 8th March 2011 www.egetmann.com BOOK The Wedding of John Egetmann Werner Menapace Born and bred in Tramin, but always open to dive into other countries far away from his homeland. A translator, hobby author, musician and Alpinist who enjoys taking part in the Tramin parade. The book to the parade. A picture book with historic words, real highlights and more than 500 photos of various times and years. The oldest picture is from 1909. The book is available at Foto Geier in Tramin for € 28.00. MAGAZINE 2010 45 TEXT GABRIELE CREPAZ The never-ending ball of wool In the footsteps of legends The legendary Neuhaus Fortress near Terlan is also called ‘Maultasch‘ South Tyrol is a land full of legends. Great stories about the past are literally part of the landscape. Some legendary paths line up stories like fantasy summersaults, in every season. A little boy opens the top of the chest and reaches out for the gold coins. The girls are a bit hesitant. On a piece of wood it reads: ‘Don’t you dare take the gold or you will suffer‘. Elias puts the gold coins back and by accident touches a wooden head on the chest. ’Never touch the skull. It brings back luck‘, we read further. Elias bites his lip. The kids run away. WITCHES AND BEAR CONQUERORS We walk along the Truden Legend path, which runs along the socalled Forchwaldegg and through a forest. Children and teachers of the Truden Elementary School have created this path. In the legendary world of the village in the South Tyrolean Lowlands just above Auer, they have heard some terrible stories, freshly told and illustrated with natural materials. In ten stations, the legends about witches, hermits, a bear conqueror and the terrible ‘Pinaidkotz‘ are told in many small, lovingly illustrated ways. On wooden boards, the individual legends (written in German and Italian) invite you to relax and read them. The 45 minutes pass in no time and you have learnt how the Truden farmers feared everything unexplainable and banished to the kingdom of magic. ‘Mum, there is another story!‘ The children run in our direction. It is a little bit like the famous Easter Egg run. Exciting, short-lived and interesting. In one place, a colourfully painted stone face looks out of a bush, while in another, the hand of a witch reaches into the air. The wild Kalchwalder, Aberstückl/Sarntal Valley MAGAZINE 2010 47 The Pfeifer Huisele, Aberstückl/Sarntal Valley Walkers encounter legends and myths with every step. In the land with its mountains, forests and valleys, undiscovered for many years, nature has had the last say. When it cried out, life was unbearable; those who stood up against it were either declared heroes or were punished. Before science started to explain our world to us, everyday life was determined by secret powers, by demons, who would spoil the milk, or wild men who challenged the gods. Hundreds of legends have been told by people. During long winter evenings, the same stories are repeated again and again. Modern life, which finally found its way to South Tyrol, pushed out the legends and declared them horror stories of the Middle Ages. But today the treasure which only existed in the heads of old people, has suddenly been brought back to life. Globalisation has tickled an interest in old stories once again. Fantasy is allowed to do summersaults and show us lookout points – some stone formations which offer up mysteries from the past. THE GOLDEN SKITTLE GAME For centuries, the castle ruins of ‘Maultasch‘ have stood on a steep rock above the Etschtal Valley, near Bozen. A golden skittle game is supposed to be buried somewhere in the ground. It is guarded by a little lady, who waits to be released. The story sounds great. There is also a princess involved somehow in the story. She is called Margarethe Maultasch, who was a former Countess of Tyrol, who lived in this castle. The children don’t believe the story. ‘Did Margarethe ride up to the castle on her horse?‘ The path gets steeper and steeper. ‘Well, and you say that a servant has stolen the golden skittle game from the countess and buried it inside the castle?’ ‘Why did he bury it?‘ As they speak, the little feet walk up the mountain another bit. ‘He wanted to wait until one day he would go down into the village 48 MAGAZINE 2010 Witch figure at the Truden legendary path again and there he would sell the treasure.’ And what happened then? One story after the other introduces some landscape to us. It feels like we have become part of the country and its people. Some facts are repeated in other stories and the only difference is the time and place. The golden skittle game … or the good women, who bless the farmers. Most of the time, the legends do not reflect any true part of history. Does this mean, there isn’t really a golden treasure in Maultasch? 2,000 legends are known today in South Tyrol and some of them were transformed into popular hiking paths such as the Legend Hiking Paths. In the South of South Tyrol, many years ago, a legend hiking path was created on the Salten high plateau just above the Etschtal Valley between Meran and Bozen. In the Sarntal Valley, which turns after Bozen, students have designed a legend path near Aberstückl and transformed it into a quiz. During this year, two legend paths in Altrei and Truden have been newly designed. In all these places, it was the students and their teachers who researched, drew and crafted things until the work was finished. Today, these paths, which are often used by people with rucksacks and binoculars, open a panoramic view over our South Tyrolean world and show how shepherds guided their flock in far-away areas and how the wives of farmers looked in doubt onto the huge buttercup in their neighbour’s garden as if there was some secret connected to it. THE NEVER-ENDING BALL OF WOOL A change of scenery. Sunday morning on the Salten mountain. We left the little ascent behind us. The legendary path runs along the large meadows. The larch trees are moving in the wind. Some sheds lay still in the distance. We have arrived at the legend of the never-ending ball of wool. A young woman FAMILY & MORE Legends on the Salten mountain The legend paths on the Salten mountain leads you straight to Gasthof Edelweiß above Jenesien in the direction of Langfenn. Walking time: 3 hours. www.jenesien.net Legend paths Aberstückl The legend paths in Aberstückl in the Sarntal Valley leads you from the Wippingerhof to the Durr-Alm. Questions for the legend quiz are available at the Wippingerhof and in the Tourist Board office. Walking time: 45 minutes. www.sarntal.com Legend paths in Altrei and Truden Walking time: 45 minutes each. Information about at the Trudner Horn Nature Park house in Truden. Family Hotels Ritten They guarantee a varied and interesting family holiday. Week by week, visits are organized to farms, for trial riding, climbing and children meetings. During the theme weeks, all the focus is concentrated on a particular theme. Who would like to be a Red Indian, a knight or a witch? www.familyhotels-ritten.com The legendary world at the Salten tells us many stories At Castelfeder presented the farmer’s wife with a ball of wool to thank her for something she had done for her. ‘But never ask for the end of the ball’, the young woman says to the wife. The wife does as she is told and the ball of wool runs and runs and never ends … until one day, a daft sewer asks for the end. My six year old daughter, who likes to knit, is impressed. Her little sister looks around and says: ‘Over there! The farmer’s wife is just hanging up her washing.‘ Indeed, only a little stroll away, in front of one of the huts, there is some movement. Legend or reality? Between crooked oak trees and macchia-like bushes, you can feel a special enchantment: the ‘Kuchelen‘ are ruins of about 500 meters in length – a Byzantine circular wall. On the hill top, you can fi nd the remains of the former Barbara chapel. Another mystic place is the fertility slide – an angled smooth rock where women who wanting to become pregnant should slide down. SPOTLIGHT Gabriele Crepaz Cultural delegate of the South Tryolean Marketing Association. Studied journalism in Munich and did journalistic work for printing, TV, radio. Chief editor of the weekly magazine ‘ff’. Previously, she was hiding away in museums and theatres; nowadays, she discovers South Tyrolean cultural history – in the mountains and valleys with her family. Lives in Bozen. On the Ritten theme path, an exciting circular hiking trip, you can get to know the Ritten mountain and its characteristics. On altogether nine panels, the Ritten phenomena such as the Ritten railway, the imperator’s route, the earth pyramids, churches and glaciers are explained in detail. The 2 ½ hour hiking trip is suitable for all the family. MAGAZINE 2010 49 TEXT FLORA BRUGGER Hiking and Tyrolean food The kids had intended to go to the swimming pool. The sky was clear and it looked as if we would have a wonderful summer’s day ahead of us. ‘Just right for a hike’, said Dad at the breakfast table as he put lots of butter on his bread. ‘Do we have some more? This tastes absolutely fabulous – also with speck and cheese‘, he grins and looks at the last bit of bread in front of him. He knew that you must have something to eat in your rucksack when you hike up a mountain. The Sarntal Valley Alps with their 140 panoramic peaks are a true hiking paradise Luis and Martha Huber are keen mountain walkers. They have done lots of beautiful trips in the past. Martha knows the surrounding area like the back of her hand. Still, every hiking day in the Sarntal Alps is like a new adventure. Since the kids are a bit older, the whole family participates in these hiking trips – sometimes they are outdoors all day. Of course, they always stop in one of the Alpine huts or restaurants; there are 45 throughout the Sarntal Valley. ‘Where are we going?‘ asks Felix, the younger of the two kids, who is always very keen on a hike, whereas they need a bit longer to convince his sister Petra about the idea. ‘We’ll go up the Kreuzjoch. We haven’t been there for a while‘, says Dad Luis and waits for some reaction from his family. ‘This means walking for quite a few hours’, says Petra – agreeable at least. ‘Do we take the hiking bus up to Öttenbach‘, asks Felix? ‘The bus which usually picks us up from the ski hut?’ The Sarntal Hiking bus is great for extended circular trips without having to return to the base point where you started. WITH THE HIKING BUS TO THE BASE POINT Dad takes the brochure from the side board. It lists more than 30 suggestions for trips. ‘Today is Saturday‘, he says, while he studies the time table. ‘The next bus leaves in 20 minutes. Quickly, get your rucksacks!‘. Felix is ready to go. Mum distributes the sandwiches. Of course, Dad got some of his favourite bread – with speck and cheese. The hiking bus leaves from the bus station in Sarnthein. During the drive up the mountain road, Petra studies the hiking bus brochure and has already found a suitable route. ‘We’ll do trip no. 10 today. Three hours and 50 minutes walking time‘, she shouts out in an extremely good mood. Taking the bus has already saved them the first long initial ascent. The bus stops INFO & MORE In an Alpine hut, everything tastes better South Tyrolean quality products South Tyrol stands for quality are it in tourism or its foodstuffs. Our bread, our wine and our milk – are all produced with centuries of experience. Nonetheless, we are not closed to modern technology. The ingredients and means of production are the same as our fathers used many years ago. South Tyrolean products must fulfi l a certain criteria, which are much higher and more specific than normal legal standards. Recipes, selling points and criteria are listed under www.suedtirol.info/produkte Farming museum The Rohrerhaus in Sarnthein is a museum, which was built from an old farmhouse with a smoky kitchen and bread oven. Years ago, the house was one of the largest farmhouses in the Sarntal Valley. The large rooms bear witness to the importance of the farm. It is said that at times, the farmhouse employed more than 20 maids and workers on the farm. www.rohrerhaus.it Art and crafts from the Sarntal Just like the traditional costumes and customs, the old craft skills of the Sarntal are still kept alive today. Professions, which are almost extinct such as the quill embroidering, basket making, hand weaving, pipe carving etc. are still in existence here. The people of the Sarntal are very famous for their wood-working skills. The ‘Sarner Jangger’ (jackets) and the Sarn ‘Toppar’ (slippers) are not only much sought-after in the Sarntal. More about the skills of the valley on www.sarner-gschick.com SPOTLIGHT The Sarntal dwarf pine, locally called ‘mountain blessing’, is one of the oldest medical plants used in the 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 MAGAZINE 2010 53 Picturesque mountain lake – Lake Durnholzer See (1,540 metres) at the Obermarcher farmhouse. From there, they go by foot, walking comfortably up the forest road to the Öttenbacher Alm. The other passengers take the short route towards the Sarn ski hut, passing the ‘Heiratsbrünnl’, a spring which can be found just below the Kuhseit Alm. An old wives tale states that if you drink the water you will find yourself getting married in church before the year is out. Luis and Martha took a drink from this spring once. However, it took them years to get married after that. Now, all the family walks up the mountain. The kids determine the speed. ‘Not so quickly!, shouts mum. ‘No need to run!‘ From where they are now, they can see the Sarn Scharte. The temperature is somewhat lower today – a sure sign that Autumn is near. Within a short time, they can see the hut. It is a beautiful hut with old stone walls and a wooden structure. Time for the first break. Petra and Felix find a free table in front of the hut and sit down. In a short time, all tables will be occupied and the terrace and the hut itself will be filled with people. They can smell the fragrance of the roast. The Öttenbach Alm is very popular for its food! A litre of home-made alder berry juice is being ordered together with some water. Shortly after, they start walking again. A comfortable, newly made path leads up to Meran 2000. ‘This path is very beautiful’, says mum, despite the fact that she is so much against new roads in the Alps. She believes that new roads take away from the Alpine flair. Her husband looks at it from a practical point of view: ‘It needs new roads. Otherwise it becomes difficult to use and maintain the Alpine pastures’, he says. A PANORAMIC VIEW The family has reached the mountain gap. From here, they have a fantastic view towards Meran 2000. There are numerous snack bars. They are only a few hundred metres away from the Meran Hut and the Kirchsteiger Alm. But the family decides to take their next break at the bottom of the gap and to eat their sandwiches there. The longer part of this trip is still ahead of them. 54 MAGAZINE 2010 ‘Felix, look! The Sarn Scharte! We took the climbing path at some stage earlier this year’, says dad and looks in an Easterly direction towards the Sarn mountain and its surrounding valley basin. Looking towards Meran 2000, the Ifinger mountain is right ahead of you. It is also called the Edelweiss mountain. Petra and Felix have done this route before together with their parents – right up to the peak! ‘Do we walk on‘, asks mum as she gets her rucksack ready. They start the ascent towards the Kreuzjöchl. The path from Meran 2000 towards the Kreuzjöchl is part of the European Long Distance Hiking Path E5, which runs from Lake Constance to the Adriatic Sea. The Sarntal walking network is nearly 400 km long. It is well kept and marked. With its 140 peaks, the Sarntal Alps form one of the largest closed hiking regions in South Tyrol. Unlimited tours are available for keen hikers: during the summer by foot or mountain bike and during the winter with skis or snow shoes. The sun is hot today. When they reach the peak, the cool breeze is appreciated by all of them. The large cross at the Kreuzjöchl can already be seen. Petra and Felix run ahead and sit down on a wooden bench. Their parents also want to take a break. This panoramic view must be enjoyed in peace! They can see the Dolomites on one side and the Ortler mountain and the Ötztal Alps on the other – right up to the Zillertal Alps in the North. A GREAT END TO A GREAT HIKING DAY The path runs along the ridge, going up and down. ‘This path never seems to end’, Felix says. He is hungry. However, it isn’t far to the hut. The cows are lying on the grass and enjoying the lavish meadows around them. They totally ignore the hikers. As the family descends to the Auener Summit, they see the ‘Stoanernen Mandln’ at the opposite mountain peak: hundreds of large and small towers made of stones rise up into the sky. It is a mystical place of which it is said that witches used it as their meeting place. The Auen Summit is place where several paths come to- HIKING & MORE Hiking guesthouse’ at Ritten There are ten hotels on the Ritten mountain, which have amalgamated in order to meet the best requirements from hikers. Nomen est omen. For this reason, the individual accommodation not only matches the furnishings to the needs of the demanding hiker, but the list of services provided reflects the support by the owners, as well as the beauty of the high plateau in all its facets. www.wanderwirte-ritten.com Hiking tours online More than 16,000 km hiking and mountain trails have been drawn up digitally. More than 700 route suggestions cover the length, grade of difficulty, type of path and difference in altitude. Individual tours can be planned, saved onto GPS and printed out. www.trekking.info With the hiking bus Knödel - hand-made delicacies gether: The Putzer Cross, the Mölten Kaser or the Vöran Alm can be reached from there. The family follows the sign for the Auen Alm. ‘I’ll have some Kaiserschmarrn‘, says Felix in anticipation. The hut is situated at the edge of the forest. Music can be heard in the distance and they can see that all the tables in front of the hut are already occupied. Everyone joins in the well-known songs and it is obvious that visitors are enjoying themselves. ‘Willy is great, as always’, says Luis. The Huber family finds a free table inside the hut and order some knodel, ‘Schöpsernes’ – and Kaiserschmarrn, of course. They all enjoy their meal. The sound of the songs and lots of laughter enters the hut and the Huber family joins the people outdoors until it is time to descend. They enjoyed the fun. With laughter, they make their way home. Car-free hiking made easy! You can use the Tschöggl mountain bus, which runs between the four villages of Jenesien, Mölten, Vöran and Hafl ing and which brings you to the relevant lift facilities …Or you can use the Sarntal Hiking Bus. With this bus you can comfortably reach the starting point of many beautiful hiking trips. Hiking and sightseeing buses are available in Kaltern and Eppan also during the summer time. Crocus blossoms at the Salten mountain The little Spring flowers transform the meadows at the Tschöggl mountain into a sea of white and violet blossoms. A hiking trip to the meadows is an absolute must for nature and hiking lover. Tip: Crocus Festival at the Möltner Joch takes place at the end of April. SPOTLIGHT Flora Brugger The journalist Flora Brugger, born in 1957, lives in the Sarntal Valley. 15 years ago, she changed from the teaching to writing guild with main point Day journalism. On the historic Dürer Path leading from Neumarkt to Buchholz and across the Sauchsattel to the earth pyramids of Segonzano, visitors will fi nd commemoration stones with the initials of Albrecht Dürer in all places, the artist once visited. www.duererweg.it MAGAZINE 2010 55 The joys of winter TEXT KATJA KÖLLENSPERGER Winter in Bolzano and environs is a true paradise for winter sportsmen – whether you ski, do some snow-shoe trips or go to the Telemark. Everybody will enjoy themselves. However, besides the winter activities, individual villages offer a number of culinary delights and romantic secret tips. Christmas atmosphere at the Palais Campofranco After an exhausting day of skiing or an adventurous snow shoe hiking trip, there is nothing more beautiful than some hot wine or a tasty orange punch, to warm your heart and soul. But take care, because after the second glass, you really should eat something if you don’t want to end up with a headache. Numerous culinary delicacies are offered during the Sarntal Valley Alpine Advent, especially as the Sarntal population love their desserts. Homemade doughnuts, ‘Apfelkiachln‘ and Larch chocolate make your mouth water. Don’t be disturbed by the sudden noise breaking the silent atmosphere of the Advent village evening. A group of ‘Zusslmanndln’ and ‘Zusslweibelen‘ run with pans, baskets and stuffed animals through the village and sound the bells. This ancient custom comes from the 16th Century and is celebrated every year in the Sarntal Valley on the first Thursday evening of the Advent season. 56 MAGAZINE 2010 A REAL FOREST IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TOWN Hectic running overshadows the colourful Christmas balls, ponies and hot wine at the Bozen Waltherplatz square. A short walk away from this Christkindl market, at the Palais Campofranco, you will find some real Christmas cheer. The stylish inner courtyard of this historic palace, which was the seat of the Florentine banking family during the 1300s, is decorated with hundreds of fresh fir trees. In the winter forest, you feel as if you are in a little village. In the midst of candle-light and advent music, you can enjoy a glass of hot wine or even a little champagne and forget about the stress ‘outside’. NOTHING BUT ADRENALIN Snow is all around. No better place to go but up the mountain. Pemmern is the ideal starting point for a ski tour. Take a trip via SNOW & MORE Reflections in the snow the Pemmer Stich up to the Saltner Hut and from there to the Schwarzseespitze. From there, you will enjoy a very unique panoramic view of the Dolomites. If you are still up to it, you can walk on via the Unterhorn to the 2,270 metres high Ritten Horn. A secret tip: Start this ski tour in the evening. Every Wednesday, you can dare this nightly adventure as the piste mobiles only start their work around 11 p.m. During the night, with the moon shining, this untouched place offers great enjoyment. All adrenalin fans can have a go on 22nd and 23rd March at the Ritten Horn. They’ll have the opportunity to participate in a snow kite test event. BACK TO THE BEGINNING Flying across the piste: Telemark offers skiers a true experience, which you won’t forget too quickly. Dressed with traditional knickerbockers and a check shirt, you’ll look like Luis Trenker. Pull up your heels and push your knees down … and then down the piste you go. The best thing is to engage a Telemark teacher, who can explain the original form of skiing to you. After a few hours, you should be up to scratch and even be able to try some home-distilled larch schnaps at the Sunnolm in the Reinswald skiing region. After this, elegant Telemark skiing won’t be guaranteed !! Ski safari If you love variety you can try a different ski resort every day, just like the locals do – ‘visiting the neighbours’ allowed: The Obereggen Val di Fiemme ski carousel is practically right outside the door of Bozen, Auer, Neumarkt and Montan, Truden or Altrei. Also the Seiser Alm, the Gardena Valley with the renowned Sella Ronda, and the Schwemmalm in the Ultental Valley are less than 50 km away! With sledge and horse It might be cold, but it certainly is romantic: a horse-sledge ride through the snowy winter landscape, particularly during the night when the torches are lit. Or you can enjoy a horse ride on fresh powder snow and enjoy the snow-covered mountains. Hourly rides, or half-day / full-day rides for inexperienced, as well as experienced riders. Available in the Sarntal Valley, at the Salten and Ritten mountain. Toboggan under the moon On the full moon week-ends of 29th /30th January and 26th /27th February, Reinswald/Sarntal Valley has organised an unforgettable toboggan run: with music, fun and sledging in the moon light. The lift facilities can be used between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. so that the toboggan run can become even more exciting. Feeling well The right place to be spoilt after a long winter’s day is in a hot bath with healing oils, in a South Tyrolean hay bath or with a soft massage or compress. The highly valuable materials used come straight from our farmers: juicy apples, fragrant Alpine hay, honey and the all essential milk. For further information, click on www.bolzanosurroundings.info/ArsVivendi Discover the untouched nature by skies, on a sledge or by foot. The main thing is that you enjoy it, leaving your daily stress behind. The winter in Bolzano and environs offers numerous possibilities to charge up your batteries and to relax. Katja Köllensperger Born in Bozen where she also lives. Studied publishing and communication science in Vienna, as well as Spanish. Since 2006, she has been a journalist at the Lifestyle-Magazine in South Tyrol with emphasis on fashion, design and architecture. MAGAZINE 2010 57 Dinos for collection TEXT HELMUT LUTHER The Bletterbach canyon in the South Tyrolean Lowlands offers some insight into a fascinating chapter of the planet’s history. With a little bit of luck, little fossil hunters might find some not so little trophies. Bletterbach canyon – since June 2009 a UNESCO heritage site It all happened this Sunday morning. At the breakfast table, we told the kids about our idea. ‘Into the mountains? Hiking again?’ When our kids get irritated, they react like a pack of hungry wolves. As we didn’t explain things in more depth, there was an icy atmosphere in the car as we drove up the winding mountain road in the direction of the Fleimstal Valley. Our saviour was already waiting for us at the Geoparc Bletterback Visitors‘ Centre in the form of Christian Giordani, 37 years of age. The voluntary worker at the Geoparc simply knows every trick in the book. With his shoulder-high hazelnut stick, he points in the direction of a table-shaped gray and brown stone. The visitors hear that this is Val Gardena sandstone. If we had not known this, we would probably have just walked past the stone and totally ignored it. However, Christian Giordani points out some holes in it, which are approximately five cm deep and as large as man’s 58 MAGAZINE 2010 hand. ‘This is the fossilised footprints of a pachypes dolomiticus‘, he says. ‘You know – a dinosaur.’ This keyword is enough for our kids to suddenly become highly motivated. The Blatterbach canyon near Aldein in the South Tyrolean Lowlands is not just any old canyon. It was here, that they found the fossilised footprints of 20 different types of dinosaurs. As these are also some of the world’s largest fossil trail findings of four-legged dinosaurs from the Middle and Upper Perm Age (about 270 – 250 million years ago), the Bletterbach is a top address even with geologists and palaeontologists. Together with the nearby Dolomites, the Bletterbach became part of UNESCO in June 2009 and enchants children with the hope of a major finding. Now, the kids are ready to move. Before we left, mum clever enough to pack some hammers, a magnifying glass, as well as some diluted hydrochloric acid. This is the basic equipment need- INFO & MORE Fossil fi ndings in the visitors‘ centre ed by any future geologist. Taking their weapons, our kids follow Christian down into the canyon. The next two hours fly in. The treasure hunters look at every bit of charcoaled conifer. They discover numerous trails of headlegers (cephalopodons) and a huge amount of fossilised mussels. There are even fossilised rain drops, which are very popular these days. They date back an incredible 260 million years. While Christian Giordani continuously acts as a walking lexicon, as adults we can enjoy the scenery in peace and quiet. To the left and right, stony rocks reach up into the sky. Dark-green fir trees and strangely grown larch trees hold on tight to the rocks. The wind-beaten stone shimmers in gray, white and red. Then it is time to go home. The kids stow away their treasures in Dad’s rucksack, which suddenly weighs nearly ten kilos. No doubt who is about to carry all of this back to the car! ‘The hiking wasn’t such a bad idea after all’, says our kids. And they really mean it! Dolomites: 142,000 hectares UNESCO World Heritage Sites The Dolomites are one of the most beautiful mountainous landscapes in the world. In June 2009, nine Dolomite groups altogether, which are divided into five Northern Italian provinces, were added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In South Tyrol, these are the Sexten Dolomites, the Fanes-Sennes-Prags, the Geisler Spitzen, the Schlern massif, the Rosengarten and the Latemar, as well as the Bletterbach canyon. www.unesco.org Alpine Convention There is an international agreement in place between the eight ‘Alpine nations‘, about the comprehensive protection and sustainable development of the Alpine region. Since 2003, the headquarters of this Permanent Administration of the Convention has been in Innsbruck, with a branch office in Bozen at the headquarters of the Bozen European Academy. Apart from a number of EU offices, Italian‘s only institution with diplomatic status (apart from Rome) is now in Bozen. www.alpenconv.org Aldein Museums Besides the Village Museum in Aldein and the Geological Museum in Radein, there is also the Mill Ensemble in Thal near Aldein. The ‘Schiaser’ mills with which the children of Aldein once produced their own ’Schiaser’ (marbles) are truly unique. www.museum-aldein.com For kids ’Bletterbach for Kids’ children’s afternoons at the Geoparc Bletterbach and ’NaturParkKids’ at the Trudner Horn Nature Park: on the trail of dinosaurs, stones, plants and animals, there are lots of secrets to be discovered. www.bletterbach.info www.trudnerhorn.com BOOK Helmut Luther Born in 1961 in Meran. After fi nishing his philosophy and history studies, he worked for many years at a number of South Tyrolean grammar schools. He writes for tourist guides and various magazines such as the Standard, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung and the Rheinischer Merkur. Together with his wife and four kids, he runs a little wine-growing estate near Meran. South Tyrol for all seasons The popular brochure provides readers with highlights in landscape, specialities for tourists and sightseeing highlights. It describes the beautiful landscape along the Dolomites, informs about different hiking tours nearby. www.athesiabuch.it MAGAZINE 2010 59 Wine Culture Weeks in St. Pauls/Eppan South Tyrolean Enjoyment Theatre at Lake Kaltern 365 Days Events and highlights The most important events throughout the year at a glance: concerts, music festivals, wine- and village festivals, traditions and customs as well as important sports events. Further information at the local tourist offices and on www.bolzanosurroundings.info 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, festive atmosphere in the traffic-free centre with live music, street artists, entertainment, music and gastronomic specialities. ‘Sarner Virwitzmitte’, a special evening in Sarnthein every Wednesday from 21st July to 18th 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 end of August. Concerts with music bands, cabaret and family evenings. July Festival at Ritten. Small street festivals with culinary highlights. On Thursday in July alternating in Klobenstein, Oberbozen and Unterinn. Extended opening hours on Thursdays during the months of July and August in the traffic-free town centre of Kaltern. Extended opening hours on Thursdays in Leifers on 3rd June, 1st July, 5th August and 2nd September 60 MAGAZINE 2010 ‘Laubenzauber’ in Neumarkt, every Friday in July & August Extended opening hours on Saturday in September and October in Kaltern. Attractive opening hours of the stores, accompanied by a versatile programme in the centre of Kaltern. MUSIC & CULTURE Concert evenings ‘Music & Culture’ in Lengmoos/Ritten, from May to October Folk Music Evenings on the Ritten mountain during the months February, May and November Eppan Music Nights, 25 concerts between Easter and All Saints’ Days Organ concerts in St. Pauls/Eppan and other churches from March to October Inn celebration in Jenesien - each Friday from June to August in changing inns Castle concerts: Castle Rechtenthal in Tramin on 4th June, Castle Auer, Auer/mid July, Castle Enn near Montan/beginning of August, Castle 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. 10th Rudy Giovannini’s Köfele Festival in Leifers on 4th-5th June Festival Leifers from mid of June to beginning of September Runkelstein Music Festival in Bozen from 17th June to 22nd July Südtirol Jazzfestival Alto Adige in Bozen from end of June to mid July Eppan Music Summer from 5th to 11th July at Castle Englar and Lanserhaus residence, with master courses by Brigitte Fassbaender XONG Festival, satellites event in the Lanserhaus in Eppan in July Bozen Dance Summer in the second half of July Around 30 wine-growing estates open their doors on 12th June Europeade, get-together of European folk dance groups in Bozen and environs from 21st to 26th July Kaltern Lake Festival on 27th July, 3rd and 10th August Bolzano Festival Bozen from July to October Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra, concerts in Bozen International Pianist Competition ‘F. Busoni’ in Bozen, end of August to the beginning of September Transart, Festival of Contemporary art from mid of September to beginning of October WINE FESTIVALS, VILLAGE FESTIVALS & OTHER EVENTS Kalterersee wine tasting in Kaltern on 17th March Eppan Wine Day in April Wine Hiking Day in Kaltern on 25th April Crocus Festival in Mölten at the end of April Asparagus Festival in Terlan a the end of April/beginning May Bozen Wine tasting from 13th to 16th May ‘Vino in Festa’, South Tyrolean Wine Road weeks from 13th May to 12th June South Tyrolean Pinot Noir Days in Montan and Neumarkt on 20th and 21st May Archway Festival in Salurn from 21st to 23rd May Tramin meets Friuli at Castle Rechtenthal on 22nd May Whitsun Festival in Terlan on 22nd and 23rd May Whitsun Festival in Unterinn/Ritten on 23rd and 24th May St. Urbans’s Night in Terlan on 25th May Wine and pleasure in historic walls in Eppan on 22nd May Fair Market in Leifers on 30th May Pasta Festival in Montan, beginning of June 2nd South Tyrol pleasure theatre in Kaltern on 5th June Parish Day in Seit/Leifers on 10th June Kastelruther Spatzen Open Air in Kastelruth on 11th and 12th June The Night of the Senses, gourmet’s kitchen in the gangway in Sarnthein, end of June ‘All in White’ – Kaltern presents its white wines on 29th June Parish Day in Jenesien on 2nd July Parish Day chapel castle Hocheppan on 3rd July Parish Day in Jenesien from 9th to 11th July Festivity of the marksmen company of Klobenstein/Ritten in mid July Gewürztraminer Wine street in Tramin on 16th July Magdalene Parish Festival in Pfatten, 16th to 18th July Parish Day in Pinzon/Montan on 18th July Magdalene Parish Day near Bozen on 22nd July Wine Culture Weeks in St. Pauls/Eppan from 22nd July to 3rd August Festivity of the brass band Lengstein/Ritten on 24th and 25th July ‘Schützen’-Festival in Aldein on 25th July Parish Day in St. Jakob Kastelaz/Tramin on 25th July The Festive Table in St. Pauls/Eppan on 27th July Village Festival in Kaltern end of July, beginning of August Festivity in Oberbozen/Ritten, Jenesien and Gfrill/Salurn on 1st August Neumarkt Portico Festival, beginning of August ‘Knödel’-buffet in Mölten, beginning of August Festival of the brass band Lengmoos on 7th and 8th August Horn parish Day on the Ritten Horn on 8th August MAGAZINE 2010 61 Bozen Christkindl Market Pasta Festival in Tramin on 7th August Alpine pasture celebration in Afing/Jenesien on 9th August Lorenzi Night in Bozen and Andrian on 10th August Wine Festival in Kaltern from 11th to 14th August ‘Knödel’-Festival in Tramin on 14th August Parish Day in Mölten on 14th and 15th August Parish Day in Oberbozen/Ritten and Gschnon/Montan on 15th August Village Festival in Astfeld on 14th and 15th August Strudel Festival in Andrian, mid August Lowland Wine Tasting Days in Auer, mid of August White Wines & music in Montiggl/Eppan on 20 th August Parish Day in Reinswald on 21st and 22nd August Montan Parish Day on 24th August Parish Day in Durnholz on 29th August Kaltern Wine Days on 2nd and 3rd September Village Festival in St. Pauls/Eppan on 4th and 5th September Sarn Parish Day in Sarnthein from 4th to 6th September Village Fair in Oberinn/Ritten on 5th September Vilpian Parish Day on 5th September Parish Day in Flaas/Jenesien from 10th to 12th September Parish Day in Pens on 12th September Parish Day in Schreckbichl/Eppan on 14th September Kurtatsch Wine Festival, mid September Parish Day in Bad Sieß/Ritten, mid September ‘Schupfen’ Festival at the Salten mountain/Jenesien on 19th September Glen Parish Day near Montan, 19th September Parish Day in Kalditsch near Montan on 26th September Fair Market in Leifers on 3rd October 62 MAGAZINE 2010 Festivals & concerts Kastelruther Spatzen Festival in Kastelruth, from 8th to 10th October Tramin Wine Alleyway in Tramin on 16th October TRADITION & CUSTOMS Leifers Carnival Parade on 7th February Carnival Parade in Terlan on 11th February Carnival Parade in Auer on 14th February Egetmann Parade in Tramin on 16th February Tinzltag (carnival custom) in Aldein on 16th February Joseph Market in Salurn on 21st March Markus Market in Auer on 25th April ‘Jörgi’ market in Terlan, end of April Flower market in Bozen on 30th April and 1st May Maypole Festival in Terlan and Auer on 1st May Sacred Heart of Jesus-Procession and village festival in Aldein in June Parish Day of the marksmen of Aldein, 25th Juli Cattle drive on ‘Bartlmä’ at the Ritten Alpine meadows on 24th August Cattle drive on the Salten, end of August Cattle drive in Aldein beginning of September Cattle drive in Altrei, end of September ‘Törggele’ Festival in Unterinn/Ritten, beginning of October ‘Törggele’ Days in Tramin on the fairground, 2nd and 3rd October ‘Törggele’ Festival in St. Michael/Eppan on 3rd October Folk Music Evening ‘s’herbstelet’ in Tramin on 16th October Thanksgiving Festival in Girlan/Eppan, 16th October ‘Törggele’ Festival in Eppan/Berg from 23rd to 24th October Martini Market in Girlan/Eppan on 11th November Oldtimer Time Travel Martini Market and Village Festival with goose drive in Kurtinig on 11th November Martini Shooting at the historic shooting range in St. Michael/Eppan in November Bozen Christmas Market from 26th November to 23rd December Andreas Market in Salurn on 30th November Crib Exhibition in St. Pauls/Eppan from 27th November to 6th January Eppan Winter Forest in St. Michael/Eppan from the end of November Alpine Advent in Sarnthein and the ‘Ritten Christmas Train’ on 28th-29th November, 5th-8th, 12th-13th and 19th-20th December Crib Exhibition in Jenesien in Dezember Santa Clause Market in Kaltern on 6th Dezember Christmas Market in Kaltern every weekend (Friday till Sunday) in Advent in Kaltern Living Christmas in Neumarkt from 8th to 24th December ‘Klöckeln’, custom in the Sarntal on 2nd, 9th and 16th December SPORTS INFORMATION Race in speed skating in the ‘Arena Ritten’ in Klobenstein from November to February Haflinger horse-sleigh-race Jenesien in the end of January Europacup – Downhill, Super G and Super Combi in Reinswald from 1st to 5th February Lake Kaltern Half-Marathon on 28th March Cultural Hiking Weeks in Tramin (IVV) from 11th to 16th April Traditional Folk Cycling in Andrian on 1st May Int. Triathlon at Lake Kaltern, 15th May Int. vintage tractor meeting in Tramin on 15th and 16th May Schwarzenbach Cup, Int. Table Tennis Tournament in Auer from 21st to 24th May Südtirol Nostalgy Run from San Lugano to Montan on 22nd May Meeting of veteran cars in Bozen on 22nd and 23rd May International Eppan Castle Ride from 22nd to 24th May Walter Trophy for sports marksmen in Auer, beginning of June Mendel History in Kaltern and Eppan, from 18th to 20th June Trans Tirol Mountain Rally in Eppan, beginning of July International archery tournament in Klobenstein/Ritten in July Cycling Race Cup Penser Joch in Sarntal Valley on 11th July ‘La Vecia Ferovia dela Val de Fiemme’ mountain bike run with starts in Auer on 3rd August Mountain Duathlon in Reinswald/Sarntal on 7th August Veteran Bike Festival in Leifers on 7th and 8th August International Futures ATP Tennis Tournament in Rungg/Girlan from 8th till 15th August Fit for Business – Company tournament Neumarkt, 3rd September Car-free Day to the Mendel, Kaltern in mid September Cycling Race Bozen-Jenesien on 25th September Fiat 500 meeting in Bozen on 25th September Salten Half-Marathon on 26th September South Tyrolean Marathon from Meran to Bozen on 3rd October Wine-growers Hiking Weeks (IVV) in Tramin, from 10th to 15th October Night Horse Race in Jenesien, end of December Ice Gala in Bozen on 29th December New Year’s Eve Run ‘Boclassic’ in Bozen, 31st December MAGAZINE 2010 63 CULTURE GUIDE Museums & churches There are over 80 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, www.landesmuseen.it MUSEUMS & MUSEUMS Museums are generally closed on Monday. Detailed information in the local tourist offices! Kaltern/Altenburg are a three-nave basilica from the time of Christianisation (4th Century). In the porphyry rock behind the church, there are 10 shell-like hollows from around 3,000 B.C. The South Tyrolean Archaeological MuThe apse of the St. Jacob’s chapel on seum in Bozen is a must for every visitor to the hill of Kastelaz, just above Tramin, is South Tyrol, Tel. +39 0471 320 100. decorated by fighting mythical figures in a The Nature Museum offers regular scienghostly round dance (around 1,200 A.D.). tific exhibitions. Main attraction is the sea The chapel of Castle Hocheppan houses water aquarium, Tel. +39 0471 412 964. Roman frescoes, one of them being ’The New is the Museion, the Museum of Dumpling Eater’. modern and contemporary art, St. Peter’s church near Auer is a Gothic Tel. +39 0471 223 411. building from the 15th Century. The Roman church tower was built during the 12th Other museums in Bozen: Mercantile Century. The church houses the oldest Museum, School Museum and the Crib playable organ in South Tyrol. Museum. The Stephen’s church near Pinzon in At the MMM Firmian near Bozen Reinhold Montan with its famous Hans Klocker altar Messner presents the mountains through is particularly worth a visit. The keys are art and recounts mountaineering history. available on request in the church hall, Open from the beginning of March to end Tel. +39 0471 820 781 of November. Tel. +39 0471 631 264 In Leifers, it is possible to visit the Castle Moos-Schulthaus near Eppan is a St. Peter’s chapel at the Köfele, which was museum describing life and culture for the CHURCHES & LITTLE CHAPELS built during the 13th Century. It has a round Middle Ages. Regular guided tours. Sun Bozen: The Old Gries Parish Church accommodates the famous Gothic wing altar apse. closed. Tel. +39 0471 660 139. by Michael Pacher. In the Gothic FranThe ‘Klösterle’ hospital near Neumarkt In the South Tyrolean Wine Museum in was built in 1220 and extended in 1300. It Kaltern, they exhibit pieces describing the ciscan Church there is a shrine altar with is one of the best kept hospitals in Europe. history of wine. Information & guided tours carved wing doors by Hans Klocker. It is worth visiting the frescoes from the Giotto It is said, that Dürer stayed here overnight on Tel. +39 0471 963 168. School in the Johannes chapel of the Early during his Italian travels. The Tramin Village Museum exhibits Gothic Dominican Church. Also see the The Roman Cemetery church in Mölten tools from wine and farming agriculture, Gothic Dome at the square Waltherplatz. houses a very valuable sculpture: the Pietà, craftsmanship and normal farmhouses. The Parish Church in Terlan is a highmade of cast stone (1440). Sun closed. Tel. +39 328 560 36 45 Gothic building from the 14th Century. The The ‘Kommende Lengmoos’ on the Ritten The Museum ‘Zeitreise Mensch’ (human mountain, which was built around 1200 time travel) in ‘Ansitz am Orth’ in Kurtatsch small Roman side tower was built in the 13th Century and the colourfully glazed A.D., was a place for the emperors to stop offers some insight into the life of the tiled roof of the Late-Gothic tower from on their way to Rome. Stone Age to Modern Times. the 16th Century. The frescoes of the ‘Bozen The churches in St. Cyprian/Sarnthein, Tel. +39 0471 880 267. School’ are from the 14th Century. St. Nikolaus/Durnholz and St. Valentin/ In Neumarkt, you can find the Museum The Gothic Parish Church in St. Pauls/ Gentersberg houses particularly valuable for Everyday Culture with household fresco cycles. appliances from 1815-1950. From Easter to Eppan, the ‘country cathedral’ was built between 1460 and 1560. Due to the long All Saints’ Day: open half day. Closed Sat. building time, it has elements of the RenOpening times & guided tours: Tel. +39 0471 812 472 or +39 0471 812 550. aissance and Baroque. The Fossil Museum in Mölten shows min- The ruins of the Basilica St. Peter in 64 MAGAZINE 2010 erals and fossils from South Tyrol. Guided tours by request at the tourist office. The museum farmhouse ‘Rohrerhaus‘ in Sarnthein is opened from beginning of June to end of September. Opening times and guided tours on Tel. +39 0471 622 786 The Plattner Bienenhof (Platten Bee’s Farmhouse) in Oberbozen/Ritten, 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. Open from April to November. Tel. +39 0471 869 247. St. Madgalena/Villnöss with the Geisler Group Meran spa facility Places worth seeing In Bolzano and environs, you can experience this region in all its variety: from rural to Alpine, from Mediterranean to urban. Here are a few things that you definitely should not miss in and around South Tyrol: The South Tyrolean towns and their landmarks: The Fugger town of Sterzing with its ‘Zwölfer’ Tower, the artistic Dürer town called Klausen with the Säben cloisters, the town of Bruneck with Castle Bruneck, the bishop’s city of Brixen with its Baroque cathedral, the spa town of Meran with its art nouveau-style spa facilities, as well as Glurns, the smallest town in South Tyrol with surviving circular walls. All of these places are worth a visit. An excursion to the Seiser Alm, the highest high-plateau in Europe, as well as the Dolomites, are not only experiences for mountaineers and adventurers. The ‘pale mountains’ reaching from the Tree Peaks to the Rosengarten Latemar, are one of the most beautiful mountainous landscapes in the world and have recently been raised to UNESCO World Natural Heritage status. Lake Garda, with its characteristic villages and idyllic places, is only approximately 80 km away. A varied summer programme at the Arena of Verona, offers all opera fans great entertainment. Venice and its lagoon are also only a day-trip away. GARDENS OF TRAUTTMANSDORFF CASTLE The Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle feature over 80 garden landscapes in a natural amphitheatre, uniquely fusing art and nature: It includes numerous interactive attractions, the Touriseum (South Tyrol’s Museum of Tourism), flowering highlights, as well as magnificent views of the South Tyrolean mountain world. Events programme information is available at 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. You can find detailed road books to the greatest day and half-day tours (in German) listed under ’Motorgeflüster’. See www.bolzanosurroundings.info MAGAZINE 2010 65 GETTING THERE BY CAR 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’ (Sarntal Valley) or in the direction of Trento/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 kilometres 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– Tramin‘, 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. AIRPORT ‘VALERIO CATULLO’, VERONA Only 120 km from the Neumarkt/Auer exit. Taxis and car hire available. Shuttle connection every 20 minutes to Verona Railway Station (approx. 10 km). Trains run regularly to Bozen and Auer where you can be picked up by your hotel owner. www.aeroportoverona.it AIRPORT INNSBRUCK www.innsbruck-airport.at RENT A CAR Information at the local tourist office. WEATHER FORECAST Weather report, forecast, latest pollen count under www.provinz.bz.it/wetter or Tel. +39 0471 271 177 IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR DRIVERS In Italy, you must have your headlights switched on at all times. In addition, you always need safety vests. C L I M AT E I N S O U T H T Y R O L BY TRAIN On the Munich-Innsbruck-Verona line to Bozen, where all trains stop. Bus station is very near the train station, where buses go to all villages of Bolzano and environs. Train time-table under: www.ferroviedellostato.it Bus time-table for South Tyrol under: www.sii.bz.it BY FLIGHT Direct flights to South Tyrol • Airport Bozen Dolomiten www.abd-airport.it • Tel. +39 0471 255 255 AIRPORT MILAN/BERGAMO Flights form the UK and Ireland to the airport Orio al Serio (BGY) with Ryanair. www.orioaeroporto.it 66 MAGAZINE 2010 W I T H M O R E T H A N 3 0 0 S U N N Y DAYS P E R Y E A R A holiday region in South Tyrol/Südtirol MAGAZINE 10 www.bolzanosurroundings.info ACCOMMODATION Official list with prices 2010 PACKAGES HIKING, FAMILIES, WELLNESS, WINE, CYCLING, GOLF, CULTURE, RIDING SYMBOLS BB HB FB ± ◊ ‘ ¤ m Y X ÷ # p · } | Ì ë y ˝ M ` ∂ π ∑ a ˘ ≤ … u , Ü d à K h f i 6 / å = J 3 _ ⁄ ß › ∆ s : Õ « U 68 Bed and breakfast Half board Full board Open all year, apart from holiday Open end of March-begin November Open begin May-end of October Open in winter Number of beds Singles available Triple available Suite Rooms/holiday flat with bath/shower/WC Room with connecting door Radio in room/holiday flat TV in room/holiday flat Sat-TV in room/holiday flat TV room Lounge Internet access Meeting room Direct dial phone in room/holiday flat Safe in room/holiday flat Mini bar in room Hairdryer in room/holiday flat Air conditioning in room Air conditioning in restaurant Lift All rooms/holiday flats with balcony Some rooms/holiday flats with balcony Car park or covered car park Garage or locked car park Bar/café/drinks for guests Snacks Restaurant Diet/wholemeal food (on request) Breakfast buffet Extended breakfast Salad buffet Choice of menu Outdoor pool Heated outdoor pool Indoor pool Sauna (Finnish) Steam sauna (Turkish) Solarium Hot whirlpool Massage Beauty farm Fitness room Own tennis court Volleyball Table tennis Bowling/boccia Riding Golf hotel/agreement with golf club Motorbikes welcome Bikers welcome Free bikes for guests MAGAZINE 2010 Symbols explanation Ä @ ç n D è “ á ^ £ l ≥ ∏ T É Ñ ) Ÿ Ø F ’ < 0 ã Children welcome Children’s playground Terrace Lawn/garden Near woods Near lake Free entrance to beach or lake Quite position Village centre Near centre On the outskirts Animation programme Coaches welcome Suitable for handicapped people Dogs allowed Dogs not allowed Credits cards taken Farm holiday Farm holiday with animals Use of kitchen Winter season Ski and/or hotel bus Ski room Ski/cross-country ski hire in-house R ] ‚ c ! & ¡ „ I H o k $ Special specifications for holiday flats: 3 bedrooms, 1 living room/kitchen 2 bedrooms, 1 living room/kitchen 1 bedroom, 1 living room/kitchen Living room/kitchen together Separate kitchen Kitchenette in living room Washing available Crockery available Washing machine/possibility for washing Dishwasher Cleaning to be paid for separately Barbecue Fresh bread service Symbol maps PRICES: All prices in this catalogue are in Euro, PER PERSON and DAY. For apartments the price is PER APARTMENT AND DAY. All taxes are included. For stays of 1-3 nights, Bank/Holiday Weekends, for single room and suites there is a surcharge. The minimum (min) and maximum (max) prices depend on the size and situation of the room and the furnishings, for apartments the min and max prices depend on the number of people. The seasons are listed in the price table. TIP: This catalogue includes most of the accommodation in Bolzano and environs but is not a list of all enterprises. This catalogue has carefully produced, but does not lay claims to completeness. (Note: prices were given in July 2009 and can possibly have changed). All details without guarantee. REDUCTION FOR CHILDREN Prices with a * offer a reduction for children under 12 if they sleep in their parents bedroom. Prices with mean a price reduction for children sleeping seperately. CLASSES OF HOTELS AND GUESTHOUSES Group (categories) Hotels Boarding house/Inn Bed & breakfast hotel Holiday flats (Residence) À ÀÀ ÀÀÀ ÀÀÀS ÀÀÀÀ ÀÀÀÀS ÀÀÀÀÀ À ÀÀ ÀÀÀ ÀÀÀS ÀÀÀÀ ÀÀÀÀS ÀÀÀÀÀ À ÀÀ ÀÀÀ ÀÀÀS ÀÀÀÀ ÀÀÀÀS ÀÀÀÀÀ À ÀÀ ÀÀÀ ÀÀÀS ÀÀÀÀ ÀÀÀÀS ÀÀÀÀÀ Ã Ã ÃÃ ÃÃ ÃÃÃ ÃÃÃ ÃÃÃÃ ÃÃÃÃ Ô Ô ÔÔ ÔÔ ÔÔÔ ÔÔÔ ÔÔÔÔ ÔÔÔÔ Farm holidays Holiday flats Bed & breakfast Private guest house Holiday flats Bed & breakfast Information & Bookings CONTACT Please book directly at your hotel/guesthouse. In the case of difficulty while booking or if you need further information, please contact the listed tourist offices. Country code from abroad: 0039... Tourist Board Bolzano and environs Pillhofstr. 1, I-39057 Frangart (BZ) Tel. +39 0471 633 488 Fax +39 0471 633 367 www.bolzanosurroundings.info Bozen Waltherplatz 8, I-39100 Bozen Tel. 0471 307 000 Fax 0471 980 128 www.bolzano-bozen.it Kaltern Marktplatz 8, I-39052 Kaltern Tel. 0471 963 169 Fax 0471 963 469 www.kaltern.com Mölten Dorfstr. 16, I-39010 Mölten Tel. 0471 668 282 Fax 0471 667 228 www.moelten.net Jenesien Schrann 7, I-39050 Jenesien Tel. 0471 354 196 Fax 0471 363 745 www.jenesien.net Tramin Julius-v.-Payer-Str. 1, I-39040 Tramin Tel. 0471 860 131 Fax 0471 860 820 www.tramin.com Sarntal Europastr. 15a, I-39058 Sarnthein Tel. 0471 623 091 Fax 0471 622 350 www.sarntal.com Terlan Dr.-Weiser-Platz 2, I-39018 Terlan Tel. 0471 257 165 Fax 0471 257 830 www.terlan.info Südtiroler Unterland Kurtatsch Margreid Kurtinig Hptm.-Schweiggl-Platz 8 I-39040 Kurtatsch Tel. 0471 880 100 Fax 0471 880 451 www.suedtiroler-unterland.it Ritten Dorfstr. 5, I-39054 Klobenstein Tel. 0471 356 100 Fax 0471 356 799 www.ritten.com Andrian Wehrburgstr. 1, I-39010 Andrian Tel. 0471 510 100 Fax 0471 18 80 329 www.andrian.info Eppan Rathausplatz 1, I-39057 Eppan Tel. 0471 662 206 Fax 0471 663 546 www.eppan.com Castelfeder Auer Montan Neumarkt Salurn Hauptplatz 5, I-39040 Auer Tel. 0471 810 231 Fax 0471 811 138 www.castelfeder.info Leifers Branzoll Pfatten Kennedystr. 75, I-39055 Leifers Tel. 0471 950 420 Fax 0471 951 226 www.leifers-info.it Aldein Radein Dorfplatz 34, I-39040 Aldein Tel. 0471 886 800 Fax 0471 886 666 www.aldein-radein.it Trudner Horn Altrei San Lugano Truden K.-Pacher-Str. 9, I-39040 Truden Tel. 0471 869 078 Fax 0471 869 278 www.trudnerhorn.com MAGAZINE 2010 69 PANORAMA Map Everything at a glance with the removable panoramic map of South Tyrol: with 40 experience and worth seeing tips all for the family, wine & pleasure and culture in and around the South Tyrolean holiday region Bolzano and environs. 154 MAGAZINE 2010