Excursion tips for South Tyrol Abwechslungsreiche Möglichkeiten für Ihren Urlaub

Juval Castle in South Tyrol - Retreat of mountaineering legend Reinhold Messner

The medieval Juval Castle is the home of mountaineering legend Reinhold Messner and is not very far from the hotel Lindenhof in Naturns.

Staben Waal trail in Naturns - Escursion to Juval Castle

The most beautiful route to Juval Castle leads via the Staben Waal trail along the Sonnenberg Mountain. Once arrived at the Unterörtl vineyards, there are a further 200 altitude metres to be accomplished before reaching the castle. Having arrived at the top, you will not only be rewarded with fantastic view. Occasionally, Reinhold Messner himself gives you a guided tour of his fairy tale home. Many souvenirs from his mountain and adventure travels can be admired in the 'Saal der tausend Freuden - Hall of thousand Joys', in the 'Haus der Gnome und Trolle - House of Gnomes and Trolls' and the 'Bilderturm - Picture Tower'.

Juval Castle in Naturns - History

Juval Castle was built by Hugo von Montalban on the former site of a prehistoric settlement in 1278. It was owned by the von Starkenbergs for 100 years. The castle fell into disrepair due to the frequent change in ownership up until 1913. The Dutch colonial gentleman William Rowland purchased the castle in 1913 and redeveloped the castle grounds. The Juval Castle in South Tyrol has been Reinhold Messner’s home since 1983.

Sights in South Tyrol: St. Prokulus church and museum in the Vinschgau district

The St. Prokulus Church and the St. Prokulus Museum in the Vinschgau District in South Tyrol are worth a visit. Discover the St. Prokulus Church, built in 650 AD, and its unique early medieval mural paintings.

The bishop on the swing - famous mural in South Tyrol

The St. Prokulus Church is only a few walking minutes away from the Hotel Lindenhof. This church is one of the oldest early medieval churches in South Tyrol and is world-famous for its frescos. The "Bishop on the Swing" is an image that is well known far beyond the borders of South Tyrol.

History of the St. Prokulus church in Naturns

The in 650 AD built St. Prokulus Church remains unchanged to this day and it still stands on consecrated soil near the Hotel Lindenhof. Experts believe that the massive steeple of the St. Prokulus Church was added in the 12th, 13th or 14th century. The noble family Annenberger initiated the redevelopment of the church in 1365. The history of the St. Prokulus Church can be traced at the St. Prokulus Museum in Naturns.

St. Prokulus museum in Naturns

The St. Prokulus Museum directly next to the early medieval St. Prokulus Church in Naturns opened its doors in 2006. The subterranean-built parcourse of the museum brings the history of the region‘s people to live. The museum’s focus is on the Late Antiquity era, the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Age. Man-sized gravedigger figures from the epidemics cemetery illustrate the horrors of the plague.

Information and opening times

• Opening times St. Prokulus Museum in Naturns - South Tyrols
  From the end of March until the beginning of November
  A registration for guided tours is required. Please call +39 0473 673139.
  Closed on Mondays, always open on Bank Holidays

• Opening times St. Prokulus Church in Naturns - South Tyrol
  From the two weeks before Easter until the beginning of November
  9.30 am - 12.00 pm and 2.30 pm - 5.30 pm
  From 15th October open from 9.30 am - 12.00 pm and 2.00 pm - 5.00 pm
  Closed on Mondays, always open on Bank Holidays

Further information about the St. Prokulus Church in Naturns - South Tyrol are available by calling +39 0473 673139 or by email info@prokulus.org

Trauttmansdorff Castle in South Tyrol - unique garden world - adventure obstacle course

The botanical garden in Merano with its magnificent diversity of plants and the Touriseum (South Tyrol Museum of Tourism) at Trauttmansdorff Castle are the ideal location for an eventful family day out.

The gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle

The unique garden of Trauttmansdorff Castle stretches across 12 hectares and has a difference in altitude metres of 100 metres. From thousands of sunflowers to cacti above head height and geometrically shaped English perennial gardens, the 4 garden worlds couldn’t be more different. The many interactive adventure stations like the geological mosaic, the maze and the 200 metres long “Botanical Underworld“ make the gardens exciting and informative especially for children.

Trauttmansdorff Castle in Merano - History

The site was first mentioned in a document as Neuberg homestead in 1327. Count Joseph von Trauttmansdorff had the castle extended with neo-Gothic elements to its current size in the middle of the 19th century. Trauttmansdorff Castle was then chosen by Empress Elisabeth of Austria as winter residence because of its sunny and wind-protected location. Having changed owners many times, the castle became more and more derelict up until 1977. The castle was greatly neglected after the world war until it was renovated in the years 2000 – 2003. Trauttmansdorff Castle has been accommodating the Touriseum, South Tyrol’s State Museum of Tourism, since 2003.

Information and opening times

• Opening times of the gardensand the Touriseum in Merano:
  30 March – 15 October: 9 am - 7 pm (last admission: 5.30 pm)
  16 - 31 October: 9 am - 6 pm (last admission: 4.30 pm)
  1 - 15 November 9 am - 5 pm (last admission: 3.30 pm)
  Every Friday in June, July and August: 9 am - 11 pm (last admission: 9.30 pm)
• The visit of the State Museum of Tourism is included in the admission fee for the gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle.

Ötzi Museum in Bolzano - South Tyrol

The mummy from the glaciers of the Ötzal Valley alps at the Archaeology Museum in Bolzano

Ötzi, the man from the ice of the Similaun Glacier, can be admired at the Archaeology Museum in Bolzano.

Archaeology Museum Bolzano: Ötzi, the man from the ice

Opening times:
Tue to Sun: 10:00 am until 6:00 pm
Thu: 10:00 am until 8:00 pm

Ötzi Village and Ötzi Museum in Schnals - South Tyrol

Archeo park Schnals

The Archeo Park Schnals is situated at 1.500 metres above sea level: the life of Ötzi can be actively followed here. The Archeo Park Schnals is the first activity museum in South Tyrol: explore the museum grounds and trace Ötzi’s tracks. The museum exhibits Ötzi’s equipment, clothes and weapons.

Archeo park Schnals: Ötzi Village and Museum

Opening times:
From March until November
Tue to Sun: 10:00 am until 5:00 pm
The Ötzi Village is open in July and August as well as on Bank Holiday Mondays.

Ötzi Express - Glacier Life

Visit icefalls, glacial moraines and glacier caves during a guided tour. Guided tours take place from end of June until the beginning of September. Glacier tours take place daily at 11:30 am.

Railway world and South Tyrol Miniature

Model trains and miniature landscapes in the railway world in Rabland near Merano

The Railway World in Rabland near Merano with its 20.000 model trains is Italy’s biggest model railway layout. Besides this fascinating private collection, the whole of South Tyrol and its attractions can be admired in the wonderful miniature landscape on a scale of 1:87 (H0). The regular day-night presentation with its man lights and special effects creates a unique atmosphere in the Railway World. The kids’ corner offers plenty of fun for the younger visitors. Here they can control a train and get interested in the subject in a playful way.

History of the railway world

It was in 2004 when a longstanding South Tyrol visitor had the idea to make his extensive model train collection available to the public. This idea inspired the association Friends of Model Trains and was subsequently the beginning of the Railway World with the miniature landscapes of South Tyrol and the fantasy landscape “Uplands“. The Railway World opened its gates in summer 2009.

Information and opening times

• Opening times of the Railway World
  Tuesday - Sunday: 10 am - 5 pm

Merano high mountain trail in South Tyrol - Hiking in South Tyrol with the Hotel Lindenhof

The Merano high mountain trail is the best known circular hiking trail in South Tyrol for hikers. From the Wellness Hotel Lindenhof in Naturno near Merano, you can easily reach the Merano high mountain trail by the cable car "Unterstell" from Kompatsch. The Merano high mountain trail, called in Italian "Alta Via Meranese", is one of the most beautiful and high alpine hiking trails in South Tyrol. The nearly 100-kilometer hiking trails surround the massif of the Texel Group. The Merano high mountain trail offers breathtaking views of the spa town of Meran, the Adige Valley, the Vinschgau, the Passeiertal and the Schnalstal.

Merano high mountain trail - 5 to 8 day stages

In five to eight days you can completely hike the Merano high mountain trail with the Hotel Lindenhof in Naturno near Merano. The stages of the circular route are particularly suitable for experienced and sure-footed hikers. On the way, snack stations and accommodation provide food and accommodation.