The most stunning sights around Kastelruth
“What are we doing today?” is a question many ask themselves on holiday. And you know what? Around Kastelruth, there’s so much to see and do that one holiday alone hardly feels enough. Museums, events, concerts, traditions, active experiences … the list goes on. What are you in the mood for today?
Here, you’ll find the top sights in Kastelruth that are worth a visit no matter the weather.
We are of course talking about Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm, which spans 57km² – that’s nearly 8,000 football fields! It’s nestled within the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage area, famously dominated by the iconic peak of Mt Sciliar/Schlern. Along your hikes on Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm, you’ll find numerous mountain huts – from modern to traditional. But at every single one, you’ll get a true taste of South Tyrol.
This scenic trail runs gently from Compatsch on Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm to Saltria and is dedicated to the legendary mountaineers and ski pioneers Hans and Paula Steger. Along the 4.5km route, informative panels offer insights into the culture and landscape of Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm. It’s an ideal outing for the whole family – and even suitable for families with strollers.
He’s one of South Tyrol’s major attractions: Ötzi, the world’s oldest glacier mummy, who lived more than 5,300 years ago. He was discovered back in 1991 in the Val Senales/Schnalstal valley and is now on display at the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano. Alongside Ötzi, the museum showcases fascinating artifacts and stories from the Stone Age. It’s an ideal rainy-day activity for curious minds of all ages.
Culinary highlights around Kastelruth
Ever heard of Törggelen? It is the culinary highlight in the South Tyrolean autumn. This tasty tradition comes from the Valle Isarco/Eisacktal valley and dates back to the custom of gathering to taste the new wine – called “Suser”. Alongside enjoying the wine, people would eat, laugh, and celebrate. And that’s still the case today! A typical Törggelen menu includes Sauerkraut cabbage, Knödel dumplings, cured meats, roasted potatoes, roast chestnuts, and of course, sweet Krapfen doughnuts. You can try it for yourself at one of the cosy local inns near Martina Breakfast Lodge.
Legendary sights in Kastelruth and surroundings
Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm and its surrounding villages are steeped in legends and folklore. Take the Witches’ Benches on Mt Bullacia/Puflatsch, for example – their name alone hints at their eerie past as a site of dark rituals. In Kastelruth, tales swirl around the Calvary hill, also known as “Kofel”. According to legend, a bowling ground lies hidden beneath it, with nine golden pins and two silver balls buried underground. If you dare to visit the Kofel at midnight, you might just catch a glimpse of ghostly knights bowling in the moonlight. Are you brave enough to visit them?
