Highlights around Castelrotto

Visit the Ice Man

Oetzi the Ice Man is certainly the most famous inhabitant of the South Tyrolean Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano. The remains of Oetzi were found near the border with Austria, and had been perfectly conserved over 5,000 years without any artificial help, due to the snowy and icy conditions in the area. In 2011 it will be 20 years since Oetzi was found, sparking a host of celebrations as well as a special exhibition. The Ice Man can be seen from Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm. For further details consult the museum’s website at www.archaeologiemuseum.it .

Did you know that Alpe di Siusi…

…is the highest alp in Europe and covers a total of 57 km², which is as much as some 8,000 football pitches. The area consists of the Sciliar / Le Rose nature park in the west and the imposing Sasso Lungo mountain range to the southeast.

Local tales and legends

Just below Monte Calvario in Castelrotto you will find a dark, shady square called "Kegelplatz" (bowling square). Legend has it that nine golden pins and two silver bowls are buried underneath the square, and apparently, if you look closely, you can see the ghosts of the old knights returning to the square for a game around midnight, every day.

Taken from Ignaz Vinzenz Zingerle’s book on local legends (Sagen aus Tirol, 2nd edition, Innsbruck 1891, 513/3, p. 286).

Hans and Paula Steger trails

This superb new hiking trail was finished in February 2006 and leads towards the east west from Campaccio to Saltria. Along the trail you will find information plaques which provide you with interesting insights into the local flora and fauna of the area of Alpe di Siusi and South Tyrol.
But where does the trail get its name from? Paula Steger, nicknamed “La Paula” by her many fans, was a hugely successful professional sports woman in the 1930s. Her husband, the enthusiastic athlete and mountain guide Hans Steger from Bavaria in Germany constantly supported his wife in her efforts, taking her on long tours in the area of Castelrotto and Alpe di Siusi in the Dolomites. Aside from their sporting achievements, the couple also came to prominence when they acted as the stunt doubles for Luis Trenker and Leni Riefenstahl in their legendary films. After the war, the couple moved to Alpe di Siusi, where they lived peacefully until the end of the last century.

Did you know that…

…the local music group Kastelruther Spatzen has won more than 100 Golden Discs for their musical success over the years, making them the most successful German language folklore band ever? Each year the band celebrate their homecoming gig in Castelrotto – the event first took place in 2008 and in 1984 reached the magical number of 50,000 spectators.

Monte Calvario in Castelrotto – a religious landmark

At the castle wall at Monte Calvario, a monument was erected to the suffering and death of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem. A path leads up from the village to the porphyry which features seven chapels. During Holy Week, the seven chapels are decorated with typical Easter balls and illuminated. They also host the traditional processions on Holy Thursday and Good Friday.

Novacella Augustinian monastery

The building was founded by the Bishop of Bressanone in 1142. The building, which is located in Novacella near Varna in the Bressanone area, initially served as a hospital and place of rest for many pilgrims travelling to Rome or to the Promised Land. It was a vital strategic centre of European intellectual life, and this influence can still be seen today whilst looking at the impressive library or enjoying the atmosphere in the popular monastery cellar which is a great place for a cheeky glass of wine. Guided tours are available from Monday to Saturday. For further information call +39 0472 836 189.

Did you know that Chiusa…

…near Castelrotto is renowned as South Tyrol‘s "Toerggelen capital"? "Toerggelen" evenings are traditional social gatherings which feature the young wine of the season, chestnuts and many other regional specialities, once per year in the season of autumn.

Museion – Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Bolzano

The Museion building not only is home to many wonderful works of art, but in fact is a work of art in itself. It was designed by virtue of a project by an office for architecture in Berlin, and opened to the public in 2008 amidst spectacular celebrations.
The glass facade represents transparency and openness, symbolising a connective link between the old and new parts of town. At night, the stunning artistic performances are projected onto the museum facades. The Museion building is located at 6 Via Dante in Bolzano. Contact +39 0471 22 34 35 or info@museion.it.

Did you know that the Sciliar area…

…boasts some of the richest flora and fauna in South Tyrol? The "Sciliar Habitat" project was conducted in 2006 and 2007 and proved that the area was home to some 5,100 different species of plants and animals, 444 of which were found for the first time in South Tyrol, 128 of which had never even been found in Italy. Read more about the project at www.naturmuseum.it . Gute Unterhaltung!

Castelrotto mushroom trail

Turn right after the sports pitch in Laranzo in Telfen, Castelrotto, and you will find a sign showing the way to the mushroom trail. The trail takes about 30 minutes and is ideally suited to all age groups, leading past various kinds of mushrooms. The highest point of the trail offers superb views of the area around Siusi and Castelrotto.

Please note that in the interest of others you are politely asked to refrain from collecting mushrooms along the way.