A valley to be discovered
Val Venosta in all its beauty
The Val Venosta
Val Venosta is the place where our hotel in Sluderno is located and is one of the largest and sunniest valleys in South Tyrol.
The valley is located on the border with Switzerland and Austria and a short distance from the town of Merano, an ideal place where multiple cultures meet.
It is the westernmost part of the province of Bolzano and includes the Ortles, which with its 3,906 meters is the highest peak in Trentino Alto Adige.
The entire territory is protected by the imposing mountain massifs of the Ortles-Cevedale group (to the south) and the Ötztaler Alpen (to the north). The two chains form a barrier capable of retaining the perturbations coming from the two sides, keeping the water-laden clouds on the peaks of the two areas. If in the past drought has often been a difficult problem to solve, it is equally true that the benevolent and sunny climate of the valley attracts many tourists every year in love with nature and the unique characteristics of this wonderful land. Of the 300 waalwege built in the past, which were used to convey the water that came down from the mountains and irrigate the fields, today only a dozen remain, along which it is possible to take pleasant walks on foot or by bicycle. The function of these ancient irrigation canals today has taken on a purely tourist purpose, as they have been replaced by more modern irrigation systems.
The Val Venosta is a land that over the course of history has witnessed an unparalleled living continuity: the presence of man in a stable form has been attested since the most remote times, as evidenced also by the discovery in the Ötztal Alps of the Similaun Ötzi Mummy. Discovered by a couple of German hikers in September 1991, the mummy seems to date back to over 5200 years ago, while some artifacts unearthed in the surroundings even belong to the Mesolithic period (9000 – 8000 BC). The conservation status of the Ötzi mummy is unique, having come down to our times completely intact, through the conservative action of ice. The mummy of the Similaun was covered by the advance of the homonymous glacier, which returned it after millennia, exactly as happened for the mammoths found in Siberia. After being disputed for years between Italy and Austria, it was exhibited at the Archaeological Museum of Bolzano, located at number 43 in Via Museo. The Otzi mummy is not the only archaeological attraction in the area –
Val Venosta reaches its maximum splendor in many places that require a stop: Glorenza, Castelbello, Lasa, Laces, Martello, Malles, Resia, Ortles, Silandro, Sluderno , Prato allo Stelvio, Solda, Tubre and Trafoi are the major inhabited centers of the Val Venosta, each one with its own characteristics and a special charm, coming from a mix of elegance, hospitality and architectural beauties. Here are some of the stops not to be missed during a stay on site: the Castel Coira di Sluderno, perfectly preserved and dating back to 1260; the Benedictine Abbey of Monte Maria in Malles, built during the twelfth century; the Church of San Benedetto di Malles, built in 800 AD; the stately home of Castel Coldrano in Laces. Without forgetting what many call the “white gold of Val Venosta”, or the marble of Lasa, known throughout the world and used for the construction of museums, churches and buildings of all kinds. And what about the famous apples from Val Venosta? Available in six different variations, they are protected by a brand that has been a guarantee of taste and quality for decades. In short, this land is ready to welcome any visitor with a truly endless list of proposals, proud of its unmissable treasures and enchanted nature, capable of captivating any mountain lover in any season of the year. Easy to reach and able to offer a great variety of different activities and attractions, Val Venosta is one of the most suitable places in the Alps for those who love skiing, trekking, mountain biking and outdoor walks. And those who want to observe the valley in its entirety can opt for a short trip aboard the now famous Val Venosta train, the so-called “Vinschgerbahn”, which travels on a modern railway system inaugurated in 2005 and offers its guests views and exceptional panoramas. The historic train crosses the entire Venosta region slowly and silently, in total harmony with natural rhythms. And now let’s take a look at some of the most enchanting places in this historic region.
The Resia lake
In the municipal area of Curon Venosta, at 1498 meters above sea level, lies the artificial lake of Resia, which with its six kilometers in length is one of the largest in the region. In addition to the beauty of the views and the nature that surrounds its shores, the lake offers a spectacle within the spectacle, with the ancient bell tower that rises from its waters. The bell tower has become the symbol of the valley and is a popular destination with both tourists and locals. And whoever observes the bell tower for the first time, with the breathtaking view of the Ortles in the background, does not imagine how painful its history may have been.The Adige cycle path
Those who love outdoor sports, amidst landscapes of absolute beauty, cannot miss the appointment with this cycle path, by far one of the most beautiful in the entire Alpine arc. From Resia to Merano, the route winds along the Via Claudia Augusta: it is an easy track, intended for amateurs and families, just over 80 kilometers long. It crosses historic villages, castles, archaeological sites and ruins and retraces the ancient road commissioned by Emperor Augustus and traveled by thousands of people in over 2000 years of history. The Via Claudia Augusta was born as an extension of the ancient alpine itineraries, which proceeded from the Po Valley to reach Gaul, Germany and the banks of the Danube. Today this road is experiencing a new golden age.
Chur Castle
This splendid historic site rises above the town of Sluderno, in the heart of the Val Venosta. It is one of the most fascinating castles in the Italian Alps and rightfully one of the best preserved in South Tyrol. It was built in 1260, on the initiative of the Prince-Bishop of Chur, Heinrch von Montfort. From the beginning of the sixteenth century it belongs to the Trapp counts, who transformed the fort into a beautiful Renaissance residence, equipped with a loggia, a Romanesque-style chapel and many lavishly furnished rooms. Do not miss the armory, which houses one of the largest collections of this kind, consisting of dozens of weapons of the time and numerous armors, almost all made to measure by the most famous artisans of the time. In the room of the ancestors, on the other hand, there are portraits of all the members of the Trapp family, from the sixteenth to the nineteenth century.Glorenza
Overlooking the Tarces hill, in the heart of the upper Val Venosta, stands the town of Glorenza, an authentic wedding favor whose historic center stands out for its extraordinary architectural richness. The medieval citadel has come down to us in perfect condition, defying time and natural disasters. Glorenza was founded in Roman times, because even then it was a very important hub on the trade route that involved the Via Claudia Augusta and the so-called salt roads, which crossed the Alpine region and also reached South Tyrol.
In 1499, at the end of the Engadine war, Glorenza was in a state of almost total destruction and, precisely to avoid other unpleasant situations, the locals decided to build mighty perimeter walls. The refurbishment works were inaugurated at the dawn of the sixteenth century and lasted for many years. The height of the walls, the ten watchtowers and the mighty access gates, protected the city from enemy raids and still today make a fine show, attracting thousands of tourists every year. But the walls and towers are not the only interesting elements of Glorenza, which can also boast splendid noble palaces, medieval arcades, churches and, finally, the castle.
For some years now, a permanent exhibition has been set up inside the Tower of Tubre in honor of one of the most famous natives of the city, the illustrator Paul Flora, who passed away in 2009.
Stelvio National Park
The Stelvio National Park is one of the largest protected natural areas on the European continent, as well as one of the oldest Italian parks (it was established in 1935). Over 40% of its total area, including the Ortles-Cevedale group, is located in South Tyrol. Of this large portion, a large part belongs to the Val Venosta territory. The Stelvio park is an authentic paradise, frequented by hundreds of mountaineers, skiers, hikers and families in search of peace, tranquility and adventure.The paths of the canals
The paths of the canals are paths that wind along the so-called waalwege of the Val Venosta, or the irrigation canals used for centuries by local farmers. The Val Venosta was affected by heavy rains and long periods of drought for long periods and the farmers decided to dig these irrigation canals on the slopes of the mountains, with the aim of conveying the water produced by the melting of the snow. The waalwege run through both sides of the valley, descend from both Monte Sole and Monte Tramontana and for some years have been transformed into footpaths. These itineraries are accessible at any time of the year and offer fantastic panoramic views of the impressive mountain ranges and the valley below. The paths of the canals are perfect routes for families, for those who wish to try their hand at excursions that are not excessively demanding and especially for those who want to enjoy the extraordinary flora that characterizes the Val Venosta.
