Holidays in the Val Pusteria

A time for historic treasures

Mühlbacher Klause

Mühlbacher Klause

This historical fortress was once the border between Gorizia and Tyrol, a customs post, hunting seat and fortification in the fight against the French during the Tyrolean liberation struggles. Today the Mühlbacher Klause is in the possession of the market town of Rio di Pusteria: it has been painstakingly restored and opened to visitors.

Open Thursdays from June to September from 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon and 2.00 to 4.00 p.m.

www.muehlbacher-klause.it

Rodenegg Castle

Rodengo Castle

Rodengo Castle is one of South Tyrol's most imposing fortifications and dates from the 12th century. Part of the castle is still inhabited, while the other part is now a museum with exhibits from the late Renaissance. Rodengo Castle is particularly famous for its frescoes, the oldest profane representations of the Ywain saga.

Open from May to mid-October, Sunday to Friday: viewing by guided tour only at 11.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m.

Messner Mountain Museum, Bruneck Castle

Messner Mountain Museum, Brunico Castle

Reinhold Messner has now opened his fifth museum on the subject of mountain peoples at Brunico Castle in the Val Pusteria. The interactive MMM Ripa project is intended to encourage guests from other mountain regions to exchange experiences with the local population. There are exhibits from the everyday cultures of various mountain regions and their inhabitants (e.g. Sherpas, American Indians, Tibetans, Walser, Mongols, Hunza).

www.messner-mountain-museum.it

Hochseilgarten Kronaction am Issinger Weiher

Kronaction high rope adventure at the Issengo Lake

An adventure park for the whole family! Between Chienes and Falzes can be found Kronaction, South Tyrol's biggest high rope course, with over 100 stages, 14 metres above the ground. Helmet, harness and climbing gear plus fun and excitement are all provided: there are eight routes in total, from easy to hard, as well as the Flying Fox aerial ropeway.

www.kronaction.com

Bergila

Bergila

Close to the idyllic Issengo Lake can be found the family business of Bergila. Here, using traditional craftmanship, ethereal oils are distilled and over 70 different herbs organically cultivated and processed. From May until the end of October you can enjoy the splendid scents and colours of the Bergila herb garden on free guided tours. There is also the chance to buy teas, ethereal oils, natural cosmetics, schnapps and tinctures.

Open Monday until Friday from 8.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon and from 1.00 to 6.00 p.m.

www.bergila.it

Loden museum, Vintl

Loden museum, Vandoies

Live productions and modern exhibition techniques illustrate the fabulous world of the famous loden material. Looms, spinning wheels and fulling mills tell exciting tales, while the seamstresses are happy to let you watch as they create their collections.

Open June to September, Monday to Saturday from 9.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.

Dietenheim museum of folk traditions, Bruneck

Teodone museum of folk traditions, Brunico

The oldest South Tyrolean provincial museum, housed in a stately residence dating from the 19th century. The adjacent open-air museum gives a social and historic perspective of the past, showing the life and accommodation of the nobility, the self-sustaining farming folk and the lesser classes.

Open from Easter to end-October, Tuesday to Saturday from 9.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. and Sunday from 2.00 to 6.00 p.m.

www.volkskundemuseum.it

Pragser Wildsee, Prags

Braies Lake, Braies

The Braies Lake, with its wild and romantic setting, is justifiably called "the pearl of the Dolomite lakes". Its astonishing green and blue tones reflect every nuance and the particularly adventurous can refresh themselves in its crystal-clear, cool mountain waters.