Dreaming big: The sky’s the limit Towards the sun
A magical start to a day in the mountains Grain crops are where it’s all at
A carpenter in the cornfield
With the Puflatsch Cableway to the 360° photo point “Engelrast“ and to the most beautiful look out points on the Seiser Alm: Filln Cross, Witches’ benches, Goller Cross ...
Open daily from 9am to 5pm
How quickly time flies! It seems like it was just yesterday that we were celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first nature park in South Tyrol. There’s always something going on in the Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park and our beautiful Dolomites Region Seiser Alm, and we’re delighted to share some of our special stories with you once again.
One tradition which has evolved over the years is the annual autumn cattle drive, which marks the end of the mountain summer. Our mountain farmers are proud of their work, their animals, their customs and the beauty of the countryside, and we share their pride. In complementary contrast, we come to a group of young people who are living their dream: Slacklining, where tightropes affixed to trees or rocks at dizzying heights provide the platform for hair-raising balancing acts.
Somewhat less spectacular, but breathtaking nevertheless, is the sunrise hike to the 2,400-metre Rosszahnscharte mountain ridge, which a number of our ALPE team took together with a group of keen holidaymakers. And that takes us to happiness, by name, and by nature. Felice Squeo’s name
says it all: In this feature article, we introduce you to a man who found happiness in Kastelruth in the 1960s, and is the very embodiment of southern affability and South Tyrolean practicality.
A close-knit village community brings people together in Völser Aicha, a hamlet of Völs am Schlern, where locals of all ages carry out volunteer work for countless associations. In this issue of our series on interesting projects by local architects, we focus on Thomas Urthaler, an art-lover and architect who carried out a remarkable project at the Gatschhof farm.
Towering witnesses to the past, the castle ruins of Salegg and Hauenstein soar on high above Seis am Schlern, inviting us to embark on a trip back in time to the Middle Ages. Last but by no means least, we bring you the story of carpenter Klemens Villgrattner, a passionate farmer of grain crops. And bringing this issue to a fitting close, we end with a recipe for a mouthwatering barley risotto. Happy reading!
It is lovely to have you here with us! We wish you an enjoyable read, and a relaxing break.
Helmut Mitterstieler President
of Seiser Alm Marketing in the name of the Tourist Offices of
Kastelruth,
Seis am Schlern, Seiser Alm, Völs am Schlern and Tiers am Rosengarten.
Page 4
Seiser Alm Aerial Cableway: Prepared for emergencies
Page 6
On the highline: Hair-raising heights
Page 10
The bringing down of the cattle: The evolution of a tradition
Page 16
Sunrise: A magical hike
Page 20
Felice: Happy by name, happy by nature
Page 26
Völser Aicha: A thriving village community
Page 32
Grain crops: A carpenter in the cornfield
Page 36
Middle Ages: Witnesses to the past
Page 40
Architect Thomas Urthaler: The Gatschhof project
Page 45
Recipe: Barley risotto (Orzotto)
Page 46
Highlights summer 2025
Page 48
Preview winter 2025/26
Page 50
Around & about
In a large-scale civil defence exercise, the Seiser Alm Aerial Cableway conducted an emergency drill in November 2024; the simulations of a hypothetical outage of the cable car were carried out over a protracted period of time at the valley station in Seis am Schlern, along the cable route, and at the mountain station in Compatsch. During the drill, numerous passengers were evacuated from the cable cars, while others still were ushered into buses in Compatsch to make an orderly return to the valley. Together with 400 rescue workers and experts, over 1,600 volunteers assisted in the evacuation drill.
For a slackline that runs at a height of 30 metres above the ground, the use of purpose-designed, tested equipment is vital.
It’s a sunny autumn afternoon, and a small group of twenty-somethings are sitting on a patch of rocky scree in a sparse, leafy forest. A complex arrangement of harnesses, ropes, drilled hooks and poles anchor a wide, flat rope which stretches over to the other side of the valley – and everybody’s eyes are glued to it. In its centre, a young man is perched with a poise verging on the feline.
Text: Sabine Funk
Foto Helmuth Rier
This stretch of woodland, located in a sloping, bushy terrain, is not far from the Konstantiner Weiher lake, and is crisscrossed with undulating terrain and small ravines. Below, the view stretches deep into the Eisacktal Valley. This is not a remote area where one could get lost —the hiking trails lead on up to the heights, and the view is not of the mountain summits, but of the motorway. The young folk, complete with their scattered array of backpacks, outdoor gear and whatever else may be useful have come here for a very specific reason: to hone their slacklining skills. Slacklining—or, in this case, highlining— is the technical term for a suspended length of flat webbing stretched over immense distances and heights. Slacklining first began in the American climbing scene of the early 1980s, and has gone on to become almost a mainstream sport. Many playparks are now kitted out with taut ropes where children can hone their balancing skills. Anyone can try it—although most people don’t make it onto the rope, or fall off within seconds which, at half a metre high, poses no risk.
Here in St. Konstantin, a dream has come true for Franz and his friends. They’ve been planning to set up a line here for a long time, and have explored every inch of the area around their hometown and tried out a variety of locations in working out the feasibility of their plan. And now, at long last, the time has come: at a few metres apart, two highlines
of roughly 70 and 100 metres long, run 30 metres above the small valley, bathed in the autumn sun. The delight that the friends feel at having achieved their dream at long last is palpable.
It all began during Covid times, says Franz, who is also a qualified ski instructor, mountain rescuer and experienced mountaineer. Everything came to a standstill, and a group of friends—all experienced mountaineers and mountain climbers—were looking for a sporting activity that they could enjoy in compliance with the regulations at the time. One of them, Manuel, already had experience of handling and tensioning slacklines, and familiarised the others with the basics. They started by tensioning and training on conventional, ground-level slacklines. As time passed, they wanted to progress to greater heights and to span their ropes over ravines, streams, rivers and gullies. Highlines, which should only be attempted when wearing full climbing harness gear, call for a lot of thought, planning and technical expertise, including during the setting-up phase. After all, highlines are not just hung between two trees: They have to be anchored and bolted into the rock. Once the group had taught themselves all they possibly could with nothing but their own knowledge and online tutorial, they took part in a specialised course in Brescia, in the north of Italy. “I have an alpine mountaineering background,” says Franz, “and that was of enormous help. Even when
For all the outdoor romance, without modern technical equipment, including drones, this kind of project would be all but impossible.
you’re climbing, you have to make the most of very little, have a feel for the rock, and know how to set secure anchors.”
Rudimentary and bare-bones thought it may seem, high-tech technology is crucial to the setup in the form of: a drone. Franz describes the process: “First, we use anchor bolts to set up secure belay stations on both sides. Then the pilot with the drone stands on one side, and the person with the slackline and a rope of roughly 4mm thick on the other. The drone flies across with a fishing line to pick up the slightly stronger rope, after which the slackline pulls itself over to the other side. When this operation is
complete, we secure everything solidly. In this terrain, it would have been incredibly difficult to set up a highline without a drone.”
Given the complexity of liability issues, it was not easy to find a landowner who would allow their property to be used for this hair-raising venture. Finding the right terrain is not the only complication; keeping track of the bureaucratic jungle is also vital. Although highlining is still a relative new sport, it is, given the position of the ropes, subject to aviation regulations similar to those of material cableways. However, negotiating one’s way around the nuances of this newcomer sport is also unexplored territory for the relevant offices and authorities. Some projects are so riddled with uncertainties that they are rejected flat out. The fact that everything came together here in St. Konstantin—from the right terrain and rock of sufficient solidity for anchoring purposes, to finding a property owner who supported the group in their endeavour by granting permission–was an immense stroke of good fortune. “Our dream would be to build a highline near the Hammerwand/Croda del Maglio,” enthuses Franz. “However, the fact that it is a part of the Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park makes things even more difficult. We are still hoping to get permission at some point. Even a highline between the Santner and the Euringer peaks would, in theory, be possible!” Higher, longer, ever-more beautiful spots … the sky is the limit for these dreams, “because we know it would work.”
Does there ever come a point where the whole business is just too dangerous? “No,” they say in unison. Highlining is no more dangerous than climbing if you go about it sensibly and preclude error, particularly when securing yourself. All you need to do is position the anchors correctly. The equipment used is standardised, tested and designed specifically for its purpose. “Nothing ever happens that couldn’t happen in other sports, like getting stuck somewhere and getting a scratch or two,” explains Franz. Amazing, when you see the acrobatic feats involved. However, the learning curve varies greatly from person to person. “Some people head out with no fear, push themselves up and give it their all. But it’s not just about strength. From everything I’ve seen over the past few years, it seems to me that women often find it easier at the beginning. The aim is to find the balance between tension and relaxation, and this is
something that you cannot achieve through force,” Franz tells us. The line is long, though, and it’s a constant struggle from start to finish – to get up in the first place, to take the first few steps, and to get to the other side. “But that moment, when you’re standing on the highline and realise that you’re standing on nothing but your own two feet on a two-and-ahalf centimetre-wide band—words cannot describe it!” the acrobatic Franz enthuses.
The acrobatic skill of these skilled highliners is absolutely incredible – and no less so, the warm, friendly atmosphere of this balmy autumn afternoon. Vera, a young Norwegian woman who forged a friendship with the Völs slackliners in Croatia, makes one undeterring attempt after the next to gain her balance on the webbing; each time she falls into her climbing harness, she gets straight back up again and hops smoothly onto the line. The intensity of her rarely-successful efforts is a clear display of just how difficult this balancing act truly is, and the level of coordination, strength and physical mastery it calls for. And everybody sitting on the rocks at the side-
lines beneath the sun is encouraging, praising every sign of progress, utterly focussed. The support of the entire group is unwaveringly directed towards whoever is on the rope at any given time. Everybody should try it, says Vera. “You feel very light.”
The sun is setting over the Ritten, the weekend is drawing to a close, and some members of the group are starting to pack up and get ready to set off homeward. “Hold on!” calls one young man, who got there later than the rest, and has brought his ukelele with him. “We still need to have a sing together.” No sooner said than done, he sets to singing the dated but much-loved “Don’t worry be happy” by Bobby McFerrin with a vigour, and everybody joins in. The cheerful vibes seem to resonate with this special sport and its people who, in a peaceful friendliness that belies their ambition, show a prudence and reserve that contrasts profoundly with the dramatic nature of the activity itself. “My favourite moment is at the end of the weekend, when everything has been packed away, the land is empty once again, and you can’t even tell that we’ve been here,” says Luca. <
Even learning to stand is a long, steep learning curve—it takes a lot of strength and coordination!
It’s a gold-tinged October morning, and the air is fresh and clear. Hikers are setting off in all directions from the Aerial Cableway mountain station, and you can feel autumn in the air. It’s here at last: The cattle drive from mountain to valley.
In every corner of the Alpine lands, the driving down of the cattle from the mountain pastures marks the end of the Alpine summer—and, with it, the end of the halcyon days of cattle grazing freely on the herb-filled meadows of immense mountain pastures. Depending on the weather, the drive is held anywhere from the beginning of September to mid-October; from the higher-lying Schlern mountain for example, the cattle come back down as early as the beginning of mid-September, while their counterparts on the Seiser Alm can stay up in the lofty heights for far longer, as most of the Seiser Alm’s mountain huts have barns to provide shelter for cattle, calves and horses if winter appears earlier than anticipated: even if the first snow doesn’t stay. It is by no means uncommon for the Seiser
Alm to awaken under a blanket of snow as early as September. Many farmers on the Seiser Alm are what is known as “Schwoagbauern” or “hut farmers,” who move their lives and livelihoods up to their “Schwaige” (mountain huts) on the Seiser Alm with the cattle, and don’t return valleyward until autumn – a lifestyle which, nowadays, is rare to be seen, even in South Tyrol.
A group of locals have gathered together early on in the morning at the Almrosen hut, on the far side of the Goldknopf towards the Plattkofel/Sassopiatto, and there’s a lively bustle of activity. This Alpine pasture belongs to the Mahlknechthof farm in St. Michael; first mentioned in documents dating to the early 15th century, the farm has been owned by farmer Konrad Hofer’s family for approaching 120 years now. Today, however, it’s not just the family members who are here: Bringing down the cattle is
Text: Sabine Funk Foto: Helmuth Rier
a task that calls for a good number of helpers young and old, particularly the fleet-footed, all armed with a stick or a ‘Goasl’ (a long cracking whip) to keep the herd together. Before they begin, they have to take care of a few final details, in a ritual which is central to the day: the adornment of the cattle, particularly the magnificent ‘wreath cow,’ who holds her matriarchal lead role for many years, and leads the herd bedecked in a particularly ornate wreath. The animals are all given a final brush before they are crowned with ornate wreaths of mountain pine and Alpine flowers. In the initial moments, the cattle are distinctly underwhelmed by their adornments and the enormous bells they will bear on their way down to the valley, but once they are on their way, they are accepting of their unfamiliar accessories. The two-legged stars of the day have also dressed up for the occasion: the men, who make up the majority of the helpers, are wearing the customary outfit of sturdy mountain boots, a waistcoat in local traditional style, and a blue apron, while some of the younger women have opted for vibrant, modern dirndls paired with mirrored sunglasses. Only farmer Konrad, wrestling with the wreath cow, is wearing his everyday barn overalls.
In the dining room of the mountain hut, the tables are heaving with speck, cheese, bread, doughnuts and “Tschottplatteln,” a dish of deep-fried curd dough which by tradition, is served on this day. The meal is enjoyed by one and all, and you can feel that it is the prelude to the day.
The lavishness of today’s cattle drive is the result of a conscious decision taken by farmer Konrad. Just 15 years ago, he revived the tradition of herding the magnificently festooned cattle, together with herds from the surrounding Alpine pastures, down to their home farms on a certain day. Over the decades, the cattle drive on the Seiser Alm has seen many changes both in format and procedure. While in the middle of the last century, herding the cows up and down on foot was, quite simply, the only option available, in the intervening years it has become more common to transport them to and from the mountains in a cattle truck, enabling farmers to take rapid action if the weather should change. The Seiser Alm is also home to the pastures of farmers from Völs am Schlern and other neighbouring communities,
The cattle drive is also a major event for the younger generation… and traditional doughnuts are one of the day’s absolute musts.
In Kastelruth, the farmers and cattle making their way down to the valley are eagerly awaited by a plethora of spectators.
where, given the distance and traffic volume, undertaking the task on foot would be unfeasible. However, there is a hardcore group of farms who have never abandoned the traditional cattle drive, including the Marmsolerhof farm in St. Valentin, the Oberlanziner and the Fegerhof farms. On Rosary Sunday, the name given to the day before the Harvest Festival, they all herd their cattle down the valley, passing through Compatsch at staggered times from different parts of the Seiser Alm before they proceed onwards down the Seiser Alm road towards the valley. Timing is not easy, as anybody who has worked with animals can imagine: all animals have a mind and a pace of their own. While some of the cattle gallop homewards, others succumb to the temptations of the pastures along the way. However, they proceed, nonetheless, the procession of hundreds of calves and cattle making their way down the mountain is always a magnificent spectacle. And that, even though the animals who meander past onlookers gathered in Compatsch for the occasion, make up only a small portion of the nearing 1,500 animals that spend the summer months in the mountains.
Emmerich Silbernagl, farmer from the Grafaier Hof in St. Michael, who is also a part of the Almrosen hut procession, tells us about some of the changes over the years. While the cattle drive nowadays may be a tourist attraction, it was by no means designed as such: even in days long gone, it was customary to bedeck the cattle in branches, blossoms, and whatever plants and shrubs were still green in early autumn. Today, many flowers and wreaths are brought up from the valley. More than anything, he tells us, it is the perception of the event which has transformed beyond recognition. In the past, he says, people would have been “almost ashamed” to be seen herding their animals down to the valley on foot. Today, all of a sudden, people are standing everywhere, applauding and taking photos. It seems crazy. But for Emmerich, this day is of great personal importance, and is an event which he holds dear. “These are the true festive occasions for farmers, much more so than any family celebration.” The fact that the sociable cattle drive has been revived at the Almrosen hut is rooted in this love of rural traditions, which means so much to the farmers who take part.
There certainly appears to be a new level of appreciation for this kind of tradition. Konrad’s father, old farmer Sepp, is also here; his apron is embroidered with the witty one-liner “Farmer without a farm.” He tells us how, as a young boy, he herded the cattle on the Alpine pastures. He suggested to his father that they do a “grand drive,” as the procession was called. His father wouldn’t hear of it: “We’re not even going to think about having anything to do with such nonsense.” Pragmatism prevailed. And understandably: the journey up to the mountain pastures was an arduous, time-consuming affair back then and, as such, enthusiasm for “feats of showmanship” was thin on the ground. The St. Michael farmers herded their cattle up to the Goldknopf via Pufels and Ritsch on a route of at least seven hours, along which the younger, weaker calves even had to be left behind to rest along the way. And from September onwards, many of the animals would try to find their own way back to the valley and their home barn under their own steam.
So, is this a tradition or an event? The definitive truth regarding the historical background of the cattle drive on the Seiser Alm is not an easy one to determine. Perhaps the question of authenticity itself is misplaced, when we consider that traditions are in constant evolution, and only survive if their advocates are keen to uphold them, in a position to revive them, and intertwine them into present-day life. Everybody who is heading valleyward on this day with the cattle entrusted to their care feels a visible sense of pride. Pride in their work, their animals, their customs, the beauty of the countryside, and an applause to themselves and others for their hard work at then end of an intensive summer on the Alpine pastures. In this light, the cattle drive is certainly an “event,” in that it is a very special occasion—and maybe it was exactly the same 100 years ago. <
In the interests of nature and of other nature lovers, dog owners must follow two or three important guidelines when walking through the forests and alpine pastures.
In order to protect the wildlife and countryside, and preserve the park’s unique flora and fauna, dogs must be kept on a leash in the SchlernRosengarten Nature Park. All dog owners must comply with this rule.
Did you know that wild animals can also die from exhaustion if they are frightened and stressed?
In order to keep the forests and fields clean, all dog waste must be removed. However, collecting dog waste in bags and disposing of the bags in the countryside is futile.
Did you know that grazing animals can become seriously ill from dog faeces?
When dogs meet cows
It is important to pre-emptively familiarise dogs with a variety of farm animals, and to train them to behave calmly and respectfully. Encounters with cows can be dangerous, as the cattle may feel threatened and react aggressively.
When walking with a dog, you should walk past a cow or herd of cows at as great a distance as possible and remain as calm and inconspicuous as possible. Keep your dog on a short leash to ensure that it is firmly under your control and cannot lunge towards a cow.
Do not make any frenzied movements or shout loudly. Dog owners must keep calm in order to avoid creating further stress for their dog. If a cow or a herd approaches you, retreat slowly and do not make any sudden movements.
Do not look a cow directly in the eyes, as they perceive this as a threat.
Will the hike to the Rosszahnscharte ridge be rewarded with sunshine? We’ll only find out when we get there.
It’s Saturday 21 September 2024, and Helmut Kostner, mountain guide from Kastelruth, is waiting for the miscellaneous members of his group at the valley station of the Seiser Alm Aerial Cableway. Kai, Sebastian and Heinz-Georg arrive one after the other at around 4:20 in the morning. Only Timo and Franziska fail to make it to the meeting point on time, as they have got lost somewhere in the valley. And here to bring you this report, the ALPE team are also present and correct: photographer Helmuth, author Elisabeth and graphic designer Markus. After a short briefing session Helmut hurries us on for the scheduled 4:35am departure time, and we hop on the shuttle bus and head off towards the Seiser Alm. It’s pitch black, and, at this time of day, the cable car from Seis am Schlern to the mountain pasture is quiet and
Tempting though an invitation to join a daybreak hike may be, it’s certainly not for the late risers of the world. This romantic date with an altitude of 2,499 metres is something you have to work for.
still. During our trip with Taxi Albert the participants make a tentative acquaintanceship, and talk turns to previous hikes in the Dolomites and their wives, who have eschewed an early-morning tour of the mountains in favour of a leisurely holiday morning.
Outside, it’s 8°C and cloudy, and the group is wondering if they’ll ever see the moon and the morning sun when it rises. During a brief phone call, mountain guide Helmut—still short on words at this time of day—tells Franziska and her boyfriend Timo that they can meet up with the other hikers later on. On arrival at the Seiser Alm the little troupe sets forth, equipped with headlamps provided by Helmut and the vague hope that, despite the unencouraging weather forecast, they might actually see a sunrise. In silence and single file, the galvanised group of summit stormers cross the Ladinser Moos on a partially-boardwalked trail leading towards the mountain ridge. The only sounds we hear are the babText: Elisabeth Augustin Foto: Helmuth Rier
bling of the streams and the occasional pealing of cowbells. By 5:30am it’s getting quite bright, and we start to think about switching off our headlamps. At the foot of the Rosszahlscharte ridge near the Goldknopf peak, a narrow trail winds steeply upwards. There had been heavy snowfall just nine days prior, so the hikers trudge their way through all of the snow that has yet to settle. This sudden start to winter after such a hot summer has taken everybody by surprise, although, it has to be said, heavy snowfall in the warmer seasons is no rare occurrence in these altitudes.
The mountain guide leads briskly upwards and, at 6:55am on the dot, the group sweatily reaches destination—the 2,499-metre Rosszahnscharte ridge, where they can sit back and enjoy the sweeping views over the countless mountain peaks far off into the distance. Sunrise, scheduled for 7:05am, is fast approaching just to the right of the Pordoi Pass mountain station. With a temperature of just 1°C to contend with, all fingers freeze on the cell phones that one would like to capture this magical moment on. Other mountain climbing fans have already made it to the summit and are no less in awe than Helmut’s group: the magical light mentioned in our invitation from Seiser Alm Marketing has exceeded all of our expectations. This fleeting moment, when the sun kisses the morning and bathes the surreal rock formations of the Dolomites, transforming them from darkest of grey to a vibrant orange, encapsulates eternity.
The prospect of a good breakfast at the Tierser Alpl refuge, just a 10-minute walk away, finally gets the better of Team Helmut, who get a warm welcome on arrival from Judith, the landlady of the hut. Now that destination has been reached the tension has eased considerably. Over an abundance of coffee, black bread, homemade jam and cakes, Sebastian, an automation engineer from East Frisia, Heinz-Georg, and architect from Dortmund, and Kai from Siegerland, talk about their love for the mountains. Franziska from Göttingen, who is spending her semester abroad in South Tyrol, and her boyfriend Timo from Hildesheim, have brought a profusion of energy to the table. Mountain guide Helmut’s chattier side comes to the fore now, and he tells of the history and linguistic peculiarities of South Tyrol. The hikers from Germany are nothing short of amazed by the outlandish adverbs of South Tyrolean
dialect, where “oi” means “down, “aui” is “up,” and “enten” simply means “over there.” The list could go on forever.
Delighted with the 6.2 km distance and 662 metres of elevation gain they have accomplished—and, first and foremost, grateful that the sun came out so that they could witness the marvel of this magical moment of sunrise—the adventurers set off back to the Seiser Alm together, each going their separate way just before midday. What a wonderful morning! <
A deft juggler of and between worlds, Felice Squeo is the embodiment of southern affability and South Tyrolean practicality.
You can see it in the English word ‘felicity’ – happiness. The Italian ‘felice,’ indeed, means ‘happy’ and, despite its feminine sound, is also a men’s Christian name, equivalent to the English ‘Felix,’ meaning ‘the happy one,’ or ‘he who is blessed by good fortune.’ “Throughout my working life I was always called Felix. And here in my adopted hometown of Kastelruth, I’m Felice again,” Felice Squeo tells us happily.
Felice’s name could not be more fitting. He tells us that he was born in Tione di Trento on 9 May 1943 by a quirk of destiny: his father, Giacomo Squeo, a railway worker from Apulia, believed that his wife Pina Gottardi would be safer with her mother in their home village in northern Italy as, at that time, the south was under bombardment by the US and Britain. With all the upheaval of wartime life the young Felice did not return to Bari with his mother when
the conflict ended, but instead was taken in by his wealthy aunt Agnese in Meran, where he attended a German-speaking kindergarten. He was five and a half years old when he saw his father for the first time. In 1948, Felice moved to southern Italy with his parents and, just five years later, his father died of lung cancer, an illness which Felice is convinced was caused by his work on the railways. All of a sudden, his mother Pina was the sole provider for three children, Maria Antonietta, Felice Egidio and Ulderico. Help was in short supply, and years of hardship followed for the family.
Felice spent all of his school years in Bari. He has few memories of those years, when, as something of an outsider, he took his mind off his miseries by studying as hard as possible. In 1962, as a newlyqualified surveyor, Felice relocated with his mother
Felice Squeo in his element: Wearing the traditional men’s clothing of Kastelruth, as an ambassador for South Tyrol on Italian television.
and siblings to Bolzano, where he hoped to earn some money at last and help his family out. He applied to the planning office “Crepazzi & Facchinelli” to fill the position of a certain Luciano Zago, who would go on to become his best friend. “My first project was the Pension Brunelle on Seiser Alm,” he recalls. “This was also the first time I saw Kastelruth.”
The handsome young Felice then worked as head foreman on the construction of the Vernagt reservoir in the Schnalstal Valley in the summer months
of 1963 to 1966, while in the winter months he was employed in the State Construction Office. On 1 February 1967, Felice joined the forestry commission; at that time the commission fell within the remit of the region and, as such, the young surveyor commuted between Bolzano and Trento every day.
Through his friendship with Luciano, Felice met the pretty Johanna, five years his junior, at a football match in Kastelruth in 1966. The attraction between them was instant, and they married on 2 December 1967. “That was the first time I heard the word ‘Walscher,’ he remembers. This South Tyrolean term means ‘stranger,’ and is used to refer to Italians, often with a somewhat derogatory connotation. “Any-
way, Hanni’s father had moved to the area from Stettin—even he was considered to be a stranger, although he was a German speaker—and the rest of the family and the village spoke only German. How could I, a migrant from Bari, possibly be offended if a Kastelruther viewed me with a little wariness?” he explains. After the birth of their first daughter, Katia, in 1968 the young family lived in Trento until 1973, where their daughter Barbara was born in 1969, bringing their family happiness to completion.
In 1972, after years of South Tyrolean campaigns for greater independence, the Second Autonomy Statute came into effect. This meant that many administrative and legislative powers were transferred from State and Region to the Autonomous Province of Bolzano – South Tyrol, fortifying the autonomous status of the Province considerably. Felice was now tasked with compiling an inventory of all state and regional assets which had now come under the ownership of the Province. “The reason I was selected for this job is because I was the Italian-speaking member of staff,” Felice is sure. “I travelled every corner of South Tyrol, and learned an infinite amount.” During this time, Felice’s life revolved around work and family alone. Only football remained a small part of his free time. “Together with Luciano, I founded the first football team in the Dolomites Region Seiser Alm,” he says with pride.
In 2002, Felice Squeo retired from his position as vice director of the Provincial Forestry and Estates Administration, where everybody knew him as Felix. And this is the point when his “second life” began. While his wife Hanni was still working as a hairdresser, Felice set himself to studying South Tyrolean culture and customs, and began to work with the Kastelruth Museum Association. In July and August, he still accompanies Italian visitors on guided tours through the traditional costume museum, and on village tours every Monday. On special occasions, Felice wears the “Lodene,” Kastelruth’s traditional men’s costume, and arguably the single most important symbol of identity for the local people.
When Italian TV crews come to the beautiful Kastelruth, Felice is always a welcome interviewee. One memorable highlight of Felice’s TV career was
the 2018 ceremony to declare Kastelruth one of the “Borghi più belli d’Italia” – one of Italy’s most beautiful villages. The prerequisites for admission to this exclusive association, which promotes “primarily Mediaeval towns in Italy of outstanding historical and cultural interest,” includes criteria such as the integrity of the urban fabric, architectural harmony, the liveability of the area, and the artistic and historical quality of public and private buildings. In 2019, a smiling Felice joined presenter Giulia Capocchi, both wearing traditional Kastelruth costumes, for the popular Saturday evening show “Linea Bianca” on RAI1.
As an Italian-speaking Kastelruther, Felice’s first candidacy to the deeply traditional Südtiroler Volkspartei (South Tyrolean People’s Party) in 2015 was nothing short of groundbreaking. As a local councillor, Felice wanted to, and succeeded in, giving so much back to his adopted hometown and the people who had welcomed him unconditionally. Open-
minded and astute, Felice embraces the modern day and is always happy to air his opinions on all manner of topics, both on social media and in the local newspaper.
Felice Squeo has always been a mediator between the German and Italian South Tyrol. “Our multilingualism is a great asset,” he says. He speaks Italian with his wife and daughters and, when he’s with his art group or at events, he speaks in the South Tyrolean dialect that he has picked up over the past few decades. “I don’t have any Italian friends,” he says, “because there simply aren’t any here. And my friend Zago has, sadly, passed away.” When Felice gives the German reading in the church, it’s the most natural thing in the world to him: the 82-yearold man has spent a considerable part of his life in South Tyrol, and feels more drawn towards the German-speaking world than the Italian. “Home is where you feel at home, he says. “and I feel at home in Kastelruth.” <
“How lucky I am to live in this beautiful place,” Felice thinks every time he walks from the small hamlet of St. Michael to the village of Kastelruth. He never tires of seeing the lush green meadows, the old farms, and the view of the Kastelruth church tower soaring up from the village centre.
“Art at the foot of the Schlern” is the name of the amateur art group in which Felice is enthusiastically involved, and he has taken a leading role in countless exhibitions. The works of local artists are particularly well show-cased in the Laechler Gallery.
The Marinzenalm mountain pasture is located at an altitude of around 1,500 metres, directly above Kastelruth. Felice loves the breathtaking views of the Dolomites from up here. The Alpine pasture is a popular destination for family hikes, and is accessible both on foot and by a new cable car. The Alpin Marinzen mountain hut boasts a sun-kissed terrace, and is a wonderful spot to sit back and enjoy a break.
When he’s out hiking with his wife Hanni, Felice enjoys the nature and the beautiful countryside. Below Kastelruth, a cluster of houses and a small church with a pointed steeple always catch the eye: this is the hamlet of Tisens (925m). From here, the route continues onwards through green meadows and forests to Tagusens, where the “School Museum” is open to visitors in the spring and summer months.
Seiser Alm Card Gold
with the Combi Card or the Seiser Alm Card Gold
Combi Card 3 in 7* 70.00 €
In the course of 7 successive days (after first use)
> 3 times to the Seiser Alm and back, with the Seiser Alm Aerial Cableway OR the Seiser Alm Express (route 10)
> unrestricted use of the Shuttle Bus Service (routes 2, 3, 3A, 5, 13, 15) and the Almbus (route 11)
> extra charge for bicycles: 29.50 €
> extra charge for dogs: 9.00 €
Seiser Alm Card Gold*
Combi Card 7* 90.00 €
Valid for 7 successive days (after first use)
> unrestricted use of the Seiser Alm Aerial Cableway and the Seiser Alm Express (route 10)
> unrestricted use of the Shuttle Bus Service (routes 2, 3, 3A, 5, 13, 15) and the Almbus (route 11)
> extra charge for bicycles: 38.00 €
> extra charge for dogs: 21.00 €
136.00 €
Valid for 7 successive days (after first use) | 07.06. > 12.10.2025
Combi Card 14* 136.00 €
Valid for 14 successive days (after first use)
> unrestricted use of the Seiser Alm Aerial Cableway and the Seiser Alm Express (route 10)
> unrestricted use of the Shuttle Bus Service (routes 2, 3, 3A, 5, 13, 15) and the Almbus (route 11)
> extra charge for bicycles: 57.50 €
> extra charge for dogs: 42.00 €
Combi Card Spezial 3 in 7* 70.00 € Meran 2000 & Seiser Alm
In the course of 7 days (after first use)
> 2 times to the Seiser Alm and back, with the Seiser Alm Aerial Cableway OR the Seiser Alm Express (route 10) and 1 time with the Ropeway Meran 2000 or the Gondola Falzeben into the Hiking Resort Meran 2000
> unrestricted use of the Shuttle Bus Service (routes 2, 3, 3A, 5, 13, 15) and the Almbus (route 11)
> unrestricted use of the Seiser Alm Aerial Cableway and the Seiser Alm Express (route 10)
> unrestricted use of the Shuttle Bus Service (routes 2, 3, 3A, 5, 13 and 15) and the Almbus (route 11)
> unrestricted use of the Puflatsch Aerial Cableway, the Aerial Lifts Spitzbühl, Panorama, Florian (Seiser Alm) and Marinzen (Castelrotto)
> extra charge for dogs: 21.00 € > the bicycle transport will be charged extra
The Combi Card and the Seiser Alm Card Gold are not transferable and are available at all cash desks of the Seiser Alm Aerial Cableway, at the Tourist Offices of Kastelruth, Seis am Schlern, Völs am Schlern and at some accommodation. Kids born 2017–2021 and persons in wheelchairs ride free of charge. Juniors born 2007–2016 pay only half fare.
* The Guest Card “Südtirol Alto Adige Guest Pass” from Dolomites region Seiser Alm, which is not available for purchase and is issued free of charge to the guests by the accomodation, includes a price reduction for the Combi Card and for the Seiser Alm Card Gold.
Seiser Alm Aerial Cableway 39040 Seis am Schlern · Schlernstr. 39 Tel. +39 0471 704 270 · www.seiseralmbahn.it · info@seiseralmbahn.it
Inhabited for many centuries, Völser Aicha is an immensely appealing, peaceful village with a strong sense of community.
Far from the main town of Völs am Schlern, the folk of Völser Aicha have created a thriving village community: For the “Oachners,” as the locals are known, life is a whirl of social activity.
Originally a scattered hamlet, Völser Aicha belongs to the district of Völs am Schlern and stretches up from the bottom of the valley to the northern slope of Tiers am Rosengarten and the Prösels plateau. Amongst non-locals and holidaymakers, Völser Aicha is best known for its “Oachner Höfeweg Farm Trail” (“Oacha” is the name of Aicha in the local dialect), a loop route leading through the heart of the rural lifestyle and dotted with well-preserved art and cultural landmarks. Amidst a variety-packed blend of natural countryside and farmland, the route begins at Castle Prösels and leads past ancient farms and taverns to the little St. Katharina chapel; it takes around four to five hours to walk from start to finish, and is particularly beautiful in spring and autumn.
History. Völser Aicha was first settled in the early Stone Age, as confirmed by findings discovered in 1978 during excavation works for an irrigation system. The sun-blessed southern-facing terraced slopes were ideally suited to farming purposes; the first settlers created small farms surrounded by drystone walls, and their livestock found ample grazing land in the surrounding area. However, the first written references documenting Völser Aicha did not appear until 1185, and, later, in the 13th century, when the Lords of Völs in Castle Prösels entreated the farmers of the area to provide them with food and forced labour.
Shaped by agriculture. The lower-lying reaches of this area are generally given over to vineyards, while, a little higher upland, agriculture is based
on livestock farming and orchards. That said, practically all the farms of the area need a second income in order to make ends meet. Most farmers have a craft or trade which they pursue, and others bring in a vital secondary income through farmhouse holidays or farmhouse taverns. Artisan businesses are located in Oberaicha, the village itself. The newly-built residential complexes are home to families, most of whom have at least one parent who grew up in Völser Aicha. A number of non-locals have also made their home in the area, however, as Völser Aicha lies directly beside the panoramic road leading from the Eisacktal Valley to Tiers and the Passo di Costalunga, thus providing a quick, convenient link-route with the regional capital and the surrounding villages where they earn their livings. The area also boasts an excellent public transport network, while the village itself offers a number of rental holiday apartments and one hotel above Aicha is an excellent base for beautiful hikes in the Dolomites Region Seiser Alm. The only downside to village life is that the village inn has been closed for a number of years now, although hopes are currently high that it may open its doors once again in the near future.
A tight-knit village community. Life in Völser Aicha has taken an independent path from that of Völs am Schlern for another reason in that, since the end of the 20th century, the educational policy has been different. Although Völser Aicha has always had its own separate primary school, the village has been part of the school district of Karneid for several decades now. Unlike the kids of Völs,
who attend Kastelruth middle school, the youth of Völser Aicha go to middle school in Blumau, while the kindergarten is attended only by local children. As a result, from childhood onwards, young people and, later, adults, have little contact with the people living in Völs am Schlern. This has generated a village community which, despite its diminutive size, finds fertile ground for village clubs.
If you ask the municipality of Völs am Schlern how many groups and associations they provide with financial support at Völser Aicha, the answer is 18 to be precise. They include, amongst others, the Soil Improvement Consortium, the Young Farmers’ Association and the Livestock Insurance Association. The groups of the area also include the local branch of the “Alpenverein” mountaineering association which organises ski tours and challenging hikes in the surrounding mountains. In addition to an associations’ clubhouse, the village has a library, a fire station with an annexed music rehearsal room and a festival ground with pavilion and multi-purpose hall; in winter, when the temperatures drop to below zero, this area is iced over and converted into a curling rink for the ice-sports association. The fishing club cast their lines at the Oachner Weiher lake, while the Völser Aicha local theatre group treats its audience to annual performances which also attract visitors from outwith the area and are always booked out. Although the centre of the village is still home to the church and the refectory, Völser Aicha no longer has its own priest. On Sundays, the well-attended mass is held by a priest from Völs, with the local men and women’s choir providing a significant contribution to the proceedings. On 19 March, St. Joseph’s Day, a men’s choir performs a number of pieces after mass.
The “Oachner” love nothing more than a good party and, to this end, a special events’ committee has been established to organise festivals. The committee comprises members of the marching band, the voluntary fire brigade and the “Schützen” marksmen’s association. The marching band, which counts 60 members of whom 50 are actively involved, plays a central role in the life of the local associations. “That’s about ten percent of our population,” says chairman Samuel Vieider. For over ten years now, there has also been a youth band for children from 10 years old through to adoles-
cence. “This idea took shape as the children and young people prefer to rehearse together rather than alone at home. The youth band, which has around 20 members, is also a kind of musical lab which provides youngsters with the opportunity to try out everything they want, from modern music through to conducting. The youth band have already won awards in competitions!” Vieider tells us with enthusiasm. Of the firm conviction that music brings people together, he and his group are very welcoming towards non-local musicians and new residents in the village.
The voluntary fire brigade also counts around 60 members. This group, which includes several young women, always provides voluntary aid when there is a risk of disaster such as landslides, fires, floods, car recues and so on. The Schützen marksmen’s association, who number around 30, uphold local traditions and the safeguarding of their homeland and, likewise, provide a great deal of community services including the repair and maintenance of roadside crosses and shrines. They have renovated a mountain hut and barn, and are responsible for cultural preservation schemes.
Festivals in Völser Aicha. Held at the end of June, Church Day in Völser Aicha with its High Mass and parade is undoubtedly the biggest festival of the year, not to mention an opportunity for all of the
From the marching band to the theatre group and the Schützen marksmen’s association: The people of Völser Aicha have a volunteering spirit.
Faith, traditions and customs play a significant role in the village community.
various associations meet up and work together. These include, of course, the church choir, the marching band and a few of the Schützen. The fire brigade cannot turn out in full numbers as many of its members also play in the band or sing in the choir, and a number of men are also needed to carry the standards and statues of saints. The other clubs join in the procession as one, with a number of the congregation who are not members of associations taking up the end of the parade.
The afternoon festivities continue in the festival area with a concert from the band and entertainment in every shape and form, while the children run around and have fun in the surrounding woodland.
The Carnival Parade in Völser Aicha has also been famed far beyond the village confines for many years now. After the award ceremony for the best floats, the festivities continue with a DJ and dancing until late in the evening. And the parties don’t end here: On 27 December, Völser Aicha celebrates another Saint’s Day in honour of St. John the Evangelist. After a small concert in the village square, party-goers exchange New Year greetings with a mug of mulled wine and biscuits, and enjoy and age-old tradition: “Fochats-Drehen,” a wheel of fortune-style game with a loaf of sweet bread set in the middle of the wheel.
Farming associations. Alongside these mainstays of village life, there are also a number of farming associations. These include the farmer’s wifes, who organise courses and trips, the Young Farmers’ Association, whose remit includes the Sacred Heart fires, the local famers’ office, which is the main contact for all matters connected with farming, and the senior citizens’ section of the South Tyrolean Farmers’ Association, who organise meetings and excursions for older members of the community. Everybody bands together to organise the “Schnaggenfest” at the end of September, when a Liturgy of the Word and blessing of the cattle at the Schnaggen Cross are followed by festivities at the Gostneregg festival area. If there were such a thing, there’s no doubt whatsoever that Völser Aicha would be the World Champion of Associations. <
Grain crops are still something of a rarity in South Tyrol. Klemens Villgrattner is giving it a try in Tiers am Rosengarten.
One of the trending pastimes of recent years is baking one’s own bread. A young carpenter and part-time farmer from Tiers am Rosengarten is taking it a step further. Since 2020, he has been growing his own grain.
Text: Katja Sanin
Foto: Helmuth Rier
In years gone by, practically every farm had its own grain field. Over time, however, rye, wheat and other grain crops in South Tyrol were ousted in preference of the more productive monocultures of fruit and wine grapes. Bringing things full circle, a trending pastime of recent years is now leading the way back to local cycles and crop diversity.
The Vinschgau Valley used to be known as the “breadbasket of South Tyrol“ and, at the beginning of the 20th century, grain crops were cultivated on an area covering 4,000 hectares. Over the past hundred years, however, almost every grain crop in South Tyrol has vanished. Initiatives such as “Regiokorn,” have stimulated something of a comeback in grain cultivation since 2011, and almost 60 farmers are now growing grain crops under this scheme. In addition, a growing number of farmers, like Klemens Villgrattner, are also planting wheat, spelt, rye, oats, barley or corn for their own use or for direct marketing sale.
Johannes Tratter, a baker from Tiers am Rosengarten, loves the philosophy of baking bread with locally-grown grain. It was he who approached Klemens with the proposal of growing grain crops in Tiers. His brainwave fell on the most fertile of ground, as Klemens, a young part-time farmer was tired of having to mow his fields with tedious frequency and give away the excess hay, as his sheep
didn’t need so much. After several attempts, ill-chosen seed purchases, bad harvests and countless discussions with experts, carpenter and young father Klemens was so familiar with the subject that he and his partner Anna began to grow rye, wheat, barley, spelt, oats, corn and buckwheat on his field and sell their crops. “I have the good fortune of owning one of the few pieces of flat land in Tiers. My first ‘investment’ was an ancient green combine harvester from the 1970s,” he tells us.
“Grain crops are not actually particularly time consuming. Good soil and crop rotation are important, as, if the soil isn’t cultivated and is exposed to the elements, the nutrients are lost,” explains Klemens. There are summer crops and winter crops: Summer crops are sown in early April and harvested in mid August, while winter crops are sown in late autumn and harvested at the end of July. Winter grains grow until the autumn tilling, after which it is important that the ground freezes through, otherwise wild animals will eat all of the young plants. This catch crop serves as green manure or fodder. This young family wants to grow their crops as naturally as possible, and produce as little waste as possible. The bran left over from milling and sifting is used as fodder for the sheep and chickens, thus bringing the cycle to harmonious completion. “We use a moisture
Growing grain crops has opened up a whole new line of business for the carpenter and his family.
Ever more frequently, locals and visitors alike want to know where the products they purchase were made. Locallysourced foodstuffs are back in demand, and customers want to know about the people and the places behind the products they purchase.
The “Völser Products“ scheme was the first of its kind, and the first step towards fostering local cycles. Given the flourishing development of the scheme over the past two years, it has now been expanded to include the Dolomites Region Seiser Almwhich, with its diversity of agricultural products and creative gastronomy, holds immense potential to create added value for locals and visitors.
This initiative is also bolstered by its social and ecological aspects, which include taking an active approach toward shaping our habitat, fostering the creation and appreciation of value, and preserving local traditions.
You can find out more about this scheme here:
meter to determine the right time to harvest. The only jobs that I outsource are the stones and cleaning the grain, “the enthusiastic grain farmer elaborates.
The yield of around two to three tons per year is a manageable amount. The Tratter bakery in Tiers buy a large share of Klemen’s harvest; every day, the bakery mills the rye and wheat fresh, and use the flour to make fresh Bauernlaib and Tiers Laibchen—farmhouse loaves and bread rolls—and, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, a wholegrain rye loaf known as Bergsteigerbrot (mountaineers’ bread). “We’re planning to make mini cinnamon rolls for the hotel industry, but we still have to create a demand for them,” explains the passionate baker, who has developed a separate brand named “Von do,” meaning “from here,” so that breads using local grains can be given their own distinctive labelling.
Spurred on by the successful team-up with the Tiers baker, Klemens, the young carpenter, has transformed his old barn into a beautiful workspace. The blend of old flooring and beams with modern glass and stylish lighting infuses the barn with atmosphere, and you can feel the passion which Klemens has ploughed into the old hay barn the moment you step through the door. The shelves are laden with 1-kilo bags of flour and corn kernels and other grains sit atop the counter, radiating their golden light from round wooden bowls. The middle of the room is occupied by a wooden mill which can be set to grind either wholemeal or fine flour, while the corner is home to a large box, built by Klemens, with compartments to store the various types of grain. The grains are always freshly ground, as this gives them a longer shelf life and stored ground flour.
Even though grain is back in vogue, in South Tyrol with its orchards and vineyards, grain crops remain a rare beauty. Vineyards, orchards and alpine meadows are all beautiful during the flowering season but grain fields are—perhaps because of their rarity—a feast for the eyes: the sight of
Every day the rye and wheat grains are freshly milled in the bakery, and baked up into loaves and rolls.
golden ears of delicate grains reaching up to the sky or dancing in the summer breeze is mesmerising beyond words.
Klemens Villgrattner wants to share the beauty of grain cultivation, sustainable agriculture and local cycles with locals and visitors to Tiers. After renovating his farm, he plans to open a farm shop complete with showroom, where visitors can gain an insight into natural grain production. In doing so, this Tiers farmer is making a small but significant contribution to encouraging South Tyrolean farmers to return to grain cultivation. <
The South Tyrol Sustainability Seal identifies destinations, accommodation and restaurants that actively contribute to conscious travel. Get to know which they are and walk with South Tyrol towards a sustainable future.
suedtirol.info/sustainable-holiday
If you want to head out on a trip back in time to the Middle Ages, the two castle ruins towering on high above Seis am Schlern are a magnificent destination.
Seis am Schlern lies at the foot of two Dolomite mountains, the Santner and the Euringer peaks, beneath which a vast, sheltering swathe of forestland stretches out. This is the Hauenstein Forest, a part of the immense Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park where, in the winter months, the sun struggles to rise above the mountain peaks and the forest is plunged into frosty obscurity. It was precisely during these seasons of gloom that, in the 12th century, two wealthy aristocratic families built a castle apiece: Salegg Castle, fiefdom under the purview of the ministerials of Brixen and seat of the Lords of Salegg, and the once-magnificent Hauenstein Castle, erstwhile home to the Lords of Hauenstein.
Defensive castles. But why on earth would anybody decide to build a castle in such a remote, inhospitable corner of the land? In the Middle Ages, South Tyrol was of great strategic importance as a transit point across the Alps. Aristocrats with no affiliation to the church built over 800 castles and palaces here, while bishops consolidated their power and founded monasteries of considerable power and magnitude. In the 10th century, to give one example, Otto I conquered Hungary, the East Frankish Empire and Bavaria—including the Kingdom of Italy—and forthwith declared himself Emperor of the Roman Empire; in order to secure the Alpine passes and their crossing routes, he transferred oversight authority of the lands to the Prince-Bishopric of Trento who, in their turn, tasked the shires with upholding the security of the area.
The hilltop castle of Hauenstein was first mentioned in documents dating to 1186. Research tells us that it was built by the ministerials, the bailiffs appointed by the Diocese of Brixen. At that time, the castle clung tightly to the rocky mountain face of the Schlern mountain, affording it a clear, unobstructed view of potential raids from rival families. Built at around the same time, Salegg Castle was, likewise, under the purview of the ministerials of Brixen. Both castles received an income from a variety of fiefdoms in the area. The first castle owners were, respectively, the Lords of Hauenstein and the Lords of Kastelruth.
Legends. As one would expect, these two all but inaccessible castles have given rise to a number of legends, one of which tells of a secret passageway between the two castle ruins. Every now and again, the mournful wail of a golden-haired maiden is said to echo out from the ruins of Hauenstein Castle. According to local lore, it was she who guarded the gold and silver treasures stored within the tunnels. However, neither the treasure nor the passageway have ever been discovered.
Both castle owners were beleaguered by financial difficulties. As a ‘Ganerbenburg,’ which roughly translates as a ‘common inheritors’ castle,’ Salegg Castle and grounds was inhabited by several families at the same time, and the same probably applies to Hauenstein Castle. When Oswald von Wolkenstein (1377-1445) ventured to claim his share of the family inheritance, he learned that one of his brothers had retained and managed the entire inher-
The ruins of the former defensive castles of Hauenstein and Salegg are a reminder of times long gone.
Text: Rosa Maria Erlacher
Foto: Helmuth Rier
Symbiosis: The stone of the Salegg ruins radiate their light together with the Dolomites peaks of the Santner and the Euringer.
itance for himself, and that a considerable portion of the castle and ground also belonged to a certain Jäger family. Ultimately, the protracted inheritance disputes concluded in Oswald’s arrest in Forst Castle, near Meran. The owners of Salegg Castle fell to a similar fate, and, after countless wrangles, the castle finally passed into the ownership of the strongest branch, namely the Wolkenstein family. Both castles reached the end of their lives in the 17th century, when they fell to rack and ruin and were no longer fit for habitation.
Oswald von Wolkenstein. In all probability these castles would have faded from memory had it not been for a colourful character the likes of Oswald von Wolkenstein, resident of Hauenstein Castle. Often described as a “swashbuckler” of the first order, he liked nothing better than to be in the thick of things and was never one to shy away from conflict where it arose. Even as a youth, Oswald yearned to be out in the big, wide world—as indeed he was later
in life, when he travelled widely on pilgrimages, military campaigns and embassy appointments. However, the quality which distinguished him more than any other was his notable talent for music and singing and a sensitive feel for poetry and lyricism, which brought him great renown as a minstrel at countless princely and royal courts. Two surviving handwritten records of his loosely-autobiographical songs can still be read and performed to this day.
It goes without saying that a man of such cosmopolitan leanings would feel somewhat hemmed in in the secluded life of Hauenstein. In the summer of 1417 Oswald married aristocrat Margareta von Schwangau, famed far and wide for her beauty, her literary and writing talents, and her voice. Oswald von Wolkenstein dedicated several love songs to her, which are amongst the most beautiful of the German Middle Ages. After few years, Oswald and his wife “Gret,” as he called her, moved to “his” castle in the Hauenstein forest, in part to settle inher-
itance disputes and in part to secure the support of his family. The couple had seven children. However, the life of isolation as Knight of the Castle and family man was not to Oswald’s liking in the slightest and, in a number of his songs, he bewailed the loneliness of the dark forest, the stresses of family life, and his dealings with the “sooty” peasants.
Oswald would not have been Oswald if, in the latter half of his life, he and his brothers had failed to join the revolt of the Tyrolean nobility against the sovereign, Friedrich IV. Despite a little opposition, the Wolkenstein family – thanks in no small part to Oswald’s connections – held out, and succeeded in retaining their property and prestige. To this day, Oswald von Wolkenstein is an unforgettable character, and the records of his countless ballads are so precious that he is still considered to be one of the greatest singers and poets of the German-speaking western world.
The decline. Hauenstein Castle was extended in the 16th century, shortly after which it fell into a state of disrepair. Restoration works in the 1960s brought to light a number of valuable frescoes and other mediaeval objects, including a bronze sword. Salegg Castle, after several changes of ownership during the 17th century, also fell to ruin; after its decline, the bell and altar were, according to accounts, transferred to the Church of Maria-Hilf-Kirche (Our Lady Help of Christians) in Seis (this small chapel is open to visitors every day.) In 2001, the current owner, the Diocese of Bolzano Brixen, secured the masonry of both buildings and their grounds. Both of these castle ruins are well worth seeing, and can be visited at all times. <
Close to the valley station of the Seiser Alm Aerial Cableway in Seis am Schlern, a theme trail leads to the two castle ruins. At just 5 kilometres long and an elevation gain of 280 metres, this route (not stroller-friendly!) provides an excellent opportunity for a short family hike. The trail takes around two hours to complete, with the return stretch of the walk beginning in Bad Ratzes. In an adventure-packed loop through shady forests, the trail features 15 stations where hikers can stop off to enjoy entertaining tales and legends from the Middle Ages, and is also an excellent option for nature lovers. The highlight of this exceptionally interesting, fun route is, without a doubt, the two ruins with their breathtaking views of the mountainscape at the foot of the Schlern massif. The route is well secured and easily accessible. A brochure is available at the Tourist office in Seis village centre.
For decades now, the Oswald von Wolkenstein Tournament famed far beyond the borders of the land, has paid homage to the unforgettable Lord of the Castle in the early summer. Setting off from Castelforte, over three dozen South Tyrolean horse & rider teams compete at four tournament venues, after which the victory celebrations are held at Castle Prösels near Völs am Schlern. The Tournament is a guarantee of both an incredible show, and an authentic insight into history: the riders all wear traditional clothing, displayed at a large festival which is held the day before the tournament.
This year the Oswald von Wolkenstein Riding Tournament takes place from June 13-15 with a feast in Völs am Schlern.
www.ovwritt.com
A number of architects who live and work in the Dolomites Region Seiser Alm have made a name for themselves through their innovative design features and perspective. One of these is Thomas Urthaler. For this issue, ALPE joined him for a chat about his Gatschhof project in Völs am Schlern.
The term “Hof” has a variety of meanings: in South Tyrol, it generally refers to either a farm or farmstead, but it could equally be applied to the stately home of a sovereign landholder. The Gatschhof in Völs am Schlern belongs to the former category— and, upon extensive renovations, is now a residential building and lodging establishment with more than a hint of the latter. This is particularly evident in the stables, which house an extensive art gallery and events venue carved deep into the porphyry rock, where owner and hotelier Stephan Pramstrahler manages his herd of Arabian thoroughbred stud farm.
Pramstrahler’s initial vision for this remarkable project was to bring his passions for horse breeding and art together with contemporary, distinctive holiday apartment, and a home for his own family. And together with Thomas Urthaler, architect who lives in Seis am Schlern, he turned his vision into reality.
“Our work together was extremely exciting and enriching, in part due to the innovative spirit of the clients and his willingness to go think out of the box. He supported my suggestions, even when they were unconventional, or complex or time consuming in their implementation,“ says Urthaler. “And in like manner, I endeavoured to integrate his ideas into the project to best effect.”
Stone was the material selected to provide the focal, ubiquitous theme. “From the stable to the upper floor, the rock is clearly visible and tangibly intertwined with the interior,” the architect explains. In this regard, one unusual feature is the porphyry columns which we discovered during excavations and now stand in the centre of the stables, several metres high, which is also used as an art gallery.
At first glance, visitors to the gallery may well be unaware that horse husbandry sits alongside valuable works by internationally renowned artists. The
“One unusual feature is the porphyry columns which we discovered during excavations and now stand in the centre of the stables, several metres high, which is also used as an art gallery.”
Thomas Urthaler
sophisticated lighting concept and classical music played through a state-of-the-art sound system create a curtain of sorts between the two, while a very unusual feature of the stable creates the all-important olfactory partition: “The stables are fitted with two large ventilation shafts and, in order
Text: Simone Treibenreif Foto: Helmuth Rier
The exterior of the Gatschhof reflects the traditional architectural style of the region, with an abundance of wood and stone (left); inside, the several-metre-high horse stable, which resembles an immense cave, also houses an art gallery (right).
“The things I enjoy most about my profession are all the things that don’t involve dealing with authorities or paperwork. That’s why I enjoy interior design and construction management so much. Joking aside, interior design is an extremely important aspect of architecture. Everybody who builds a house must give careful thought to the interior structure and divisions. The most important part of any building is not its shell, but its purpose. For this reason, I work to the principle that, as an architect, I am not building a monument to myself, but to my client’s wishes. I also enjoy working with the interior design, and the details, colours and fabrics, an aspect which ties in closely with my interest in art. I also greatly enjoy construction management. Some of my fellow architects prefer to outsource the management of construction projects once the planning stage is complete, whereas I prefer to oversee my projects from start to finish. I like to see how they develop and grow, and how they progress from step to step until final completion—and the joy they bring to clients. I also enjoy coordination, and working directly with the many and sundry tradespeople. And when an unforeseen or unexpected event occurs, I enjoy finding practical, feasible solutions together with the tradespeople on site. Whatever surprises a construction process may hold in store, I don’t let them throw me off track easily.”
to avert unpleasant odours in and around the area, we installed an automatic manure extraction system in each stall,” smiles Urthaler, adding that, “this system transports manure to a distance of 100 metres from the stables at high negative pressure, and a speed of approximately 30 metres per second.”
The odour-prevention system also means that gourmet evenings can be held directly adjacent to the stable in the events venue, hewn directly into the rock, where natural stone is also an omnipresent feature.
Two residential buildings sit atop this groundlevel area: A private house and a holiday home with four exclusive apartments, some of which, given the hillside location, are also built into the rock. “The interiors have all been fitted with cutting-edge technology and provide outstanding comfort,” emphasises Urthaler. “However, the exterior of the Gatschhof is based on the traditional building style of the region with an abundance of wood and stone, such that the building blends seamlessly into the surrounding landscape.” This visual effect is further enhanced by the natural, spacious design of the outdoor area with its swimming pond and rock garden.
The family home is built in solid wood, while the holiday apartment building was constructed in insulating bricks. “In the design of the facade and the
Thomas Urthaler, born in 1978, grew up on the Seiser Alm. After he completed his studies at the Franziskaner Gymnasium high school in Bolzano he went on to study architecture at the University of Innsbruck, where he graduated in 2004. He spent the following three years working for a design studio in North Tyrol (Austria), where he specialised in furniture design for a variety of clients, after which he and two of his two fellow students banded together to create Bolzano-based SO ARCHITECTS studio.
In the first few years of professional independence, Urthaler worked primarily on the design and management of tourism projects in North Tyrol, chiefly in the Zillertal Valley area. Over the years, the geographical focus of his work has shifted to the Dolomites Region Seiser Alm, where he lives. Urthaler describes his areas of expertise as hotel construction, interior design, and timber construction; this latter is a sector in which he regularly works together with his wife Astrid, a timber construction engineer.
To Thomas Urthaler, wood is both a profession and a hobby: in his free time, he carves wooden statuettes in all sizes; in his carvings, he follows the nature of the wood to its final form rather than forcing it into any predetermined vision of the outcome.
“In order to avert unpleasant odours in and around the stable, we installed an automatic manure extraction system in each stall. This system transports manure to a distance of 100 metres from the stables at high negative pressure, and a speed of approximately 30 metres per second.”
Thomas Urthaler
outdoor facilities, we sourced our building materials exclusively from the surrounding area,” Urthaler reports. “Direct supply and the use of natural materials in their original state were an unremitting priority throughout the project.” Economical usage of natural resources was also taken into careful consideration; to cite just two examples, a heat pump with a ground heat exchanger provides the heating, while rainwater is collected centrally and reused in its entirety.
Materials such as wood, fabric, steel and glass were used for the interiors. “We used these materials,” explains Urthaler, “in as raw and minimalist a form as possible, as
this allows them to blend magnificently with the visible, pure rock behind them.” Towards the exterior, large, frameless windows boast sweeping, unobstructed views of the surrounding mountain landscape.
“This,” the architect says emphatically, “is what closes the circle: rock inside, rock outside, and rock all around.” <
You can read parts 1,2 and 3 of the ALPE architecture series here.
One of the most traditional of all South Tyrolean dishes, barley risotto is also a great favourite with guests and a mouthwatering staple of Italian cuisine. In its Italian variant, it goes by the name of ‘orzotto’— a combination of ‘orzo’ (barley) and ‘risotto’—and is served up in myriad flavourful ways in South Tyrol. Orzotto is at its best when cooked with seasonal vegetables, for example, with radicchio and strong blue cheese in winter. Barley is exceptionally healthy, and contains very little fat and a whole host of nutrients.
INGREDIENTS
(Serves 4)
2 tbsps. olive oil
1 onion
250 g barley
1/8 l white wine
approx. 1 ½ l hot water
1 carrot
1 courgette
1 yellow and 1 red pepper
1 tomato
Butter and parmesan
Fresh herbs
METHOD
Sauté the finely-chopped onion, add the barley and stir well. Deglaze with the white wine, reduce briefly and add the finely-chopped vegetables.
Add the hot water gradually and simmer until the barley is soft (approx. 40 minutes), stirring occasionally. Before serving, stir in a knob of butter and, finally, the parmesan cheese.
Sprinkle with fresh herbs and serve immediately.
5 May – 27 June 2025
SEISER ALM BALANCE
Fancy a break? When the days get longer in spring and nature awakens, the desire for outdoor exercise increases. With special “Balance” experiences you can recharge your batteries in and with nature. A morning hike to the Tschafon mountain refuge, a yoga session on the Calvary hill in Kastelruth or taking a pottery course. The Balance experiences offer movement, relaxation and well-being for body and mind. seiseralm.it/balance
1 – 15 June 2025
GOURMET WEEKS
“SCHLERNGENUSS”
100% DOLOMITES
REGION SEISER ALM
During this period, you can expect delicious dishes made from ingredients that come 100% from the Dolomites Region Seiser Alm (0 km) in all participating restaurants. Gourmets will get an insight into the large selection of local specialties. The kick-off event “Bergler Harass-Picnicking at the foot of the Rosengarten mountain” takes place on 2 June at 12:00 in Tiers am Rosengarten. Another highlight is the “Völser Dorfkuchl” (street food festival) with show kitchens and gastronomic stands in Völs am Schlern, which takes place on 7 June from 18:00. seiseralm.it/culinaryweeks
Summer 2025
From 1 May to 31 October, Prösels Castle, dating back to the days of Maximilian and arguably Tyrol’s most emblematic castle, is open to the public. Guided tours will offer visitors a fascinating insight into the history of the castle and the infamous Lords of Völs, so closely interwoven in the threads of time. A series of concerts, readings and special events round off this castle’s cultural programme. Prösels Castle has two outdoor escapes. Children (9 years old and upwards) accompanied by their parents, young people and adults in groups of up to 5 people can put their skills to the test in intuition, creativity, team spirit, logic, maths and, above all, their ability to learn and have fun. And while the kids are having fun in the play park, their parents can savour the delights of local cuisine in the castle bar. schloss-proesels.it
13 - 15 June 2025
3 days, 4 locations and 36 teams: In tribute to knight and minstrel Oswald von Wolkenstein, the three villages of Kastelruth, Seis am Schlern and Völs am Schlern organise a historical riding tournament at its very finest. On 13, 14 and 15 June 2025, visitors of the Oswald von Wolkenstein Riding Tournament can leap back in time to the 14th century and experience life in the Middle Ages, admire the masterly horsemanship and feel the hospitality in South Tyrol. No other riding tournament has the good fortune to be able to offer this kind of culture, tradition, history, sport and folklore all rolled into one single event. This year, the opening ceremony and festive parade take place in the village Völs am Schlern. ovwritt.com
20 and 21 June 2025
Thousands of fans make their way to Seis am Schlern to enjoy the breath-taking landscape and to experience the “Spatzen” live. They’ll be treating fans and friends to a nostalgia concert of their hits from 1993 to today. This coming year, as always, music bands from near and far will be providing fringe entertainment.
July / August 2025
Experience magical evenings in the village centers of Kastelruth and Seis am Schlern, because there is a lot on offer at the Witches‘ Nights! Various live bands provide a great atmosphere, while folk dance groups show off their skills. There is a variety of children‘s entertainment for the little ones and, as a highlight, the witches dance on the village square.
> Wednesday, 9 July, Seis
> Tuesday, 15 July, Kastelruth
> Wednesday, 23 July, Seis
> Tuesday, 29 July, Kastelruth
> Wednesday, 6 August, Seis
> Tuesday, 12 August, Kastelruth
> Monday, 18 August, Kastelruth
23 June - 8 September 2025
SUMMER CLASSICS IN SEIS AM SCHLERN
Seis offers an extraordinary series of concerts for lovers of classical music. The artists, mainly from Italy and with a wealth of international experience behind them, will be performing the works of great composers. The concerts will be held on Mondays at 9 pm.
DATES
> 23 and 30 June 2025
> 7 and 14 July 2025
> 18 and 25 August 2025
> 1 and 8 September 2025
Summer 2025
OPEN-AIR GOURMET EXPERIENCES
Four extraordinary open-air gourmet events turn summer around the Rosengarten and Schlern into a culinary experience: On 2 June, the “Bergler Harass” invites guests to a picnic featuring regional products served in a wooden crate (“Harras”). At the “Völser Dorfkuchl” (street food) on 7 June, creative show kitchens and gourmet stands transform the village center of Völs am Schlern into a gastronomic mile of a very special kind and on 13 July the popular farmer’s breakfast takes place in the village centre. On 17 July, a 100-meterlong table at the “Berglertafel” offers space for 170 guests, who can enjoy a five-course gourmet menu with a panoramic view of the Enrosadira at the Rosengarten. seiseralm.it/culinaryexperiences
6 July 2025
SEISER ALM
HALF MARATHON
21 kilometres, 601 metres of elevation difference and 900 participants: These are the key statistics of the Seiser Alm Half Marathon, which will start and finish in Compatsch. Surrounded by the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage, the Seiser Alm Half Marathon is a unique experience and sporting challenge for both professional and amateur athletes. The route leads past the majestic Schlern and Plattkofel, as it weaves up to its highest point at 2,050 metres under the Goldknopf and, from here, back to Compatsch. running.seiseralm.it
12 July 2025
8TH ROSENGARTEN SCHLERN SKY MARATHON
Right in the very heart of the unique Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage, a 45-kilometre Alpine Mountain Marathon with around 3,000 m of elevation difference will set off from Tiers am Rosengarten. The Rosengarten Schlern Sky Marathon. The challenging mountain race will begin in St. Zyprian at 1,136 m asl, lead round the Rosengarten Massif, over the Schlern and the Tschafon and back to Tiers am Rosengarten. The highest point of the Sky Marathon is the Grasleiten Pass at 2,630 m. skymarathontiers.it
24 August 2025
The traditional international meeting of alphorn players offers the opportunity to listen to renowned alphorn players from all over the world and to enjoy the impressive panorama of the Seiser Alm.
8 September 2025 TRADITIONAL
The traditional Alm Market in Compatsch is held every year on 8 September, and features live music, stalls selling a wide variety of goods, and culinary specialities.
Autumn 2025 TRANSHUMANCE
Marking the end of the season and the return of the cattle to the valleys, this festival features whip-crackers, live music and mouthwatering traditional fare. The transhumance from the Seiser Alm to the valley will take place on 4 October and the Völs am Schlern and Tiers am Rosengarten transhumance on 5 October 2024.
10 - 12 October 2025
Three days of celebrating, spending pleasant evenings together, experiencing the “Kastelruther Spatzen” live: the Spatzen-Festival in Kastelruth is a must for every fan. Surrounded by the unique scenery of the Dolomites the seven “Spatzen” mesmerise all lovers of traditional music.
1 – 31 October 2025
48TH VÖLSER KUCHLKASTL GASTRONOMIC OCTOBER CULINARY FESTIVAL
The Völser “Kuchlkastl” event has been a culinary high point of autumn in the Dolomites Region Seiser Alm for 48 years and counting. Foodies and lovers of down-home cuisine can feast to their hearts’ content from 1 to 31 October, when the restaurateurs of Völs warmly welcome guests to enjoy a “Gastronomical October.” The chefs of Völs will be cooking up traditional recipes with a sophisticated twist: Time honoured recipes reinterpreted and served with love. voelserkuchlkastl.com
2 September – 31 October 2025 AUTUMN PLEASURES IN THE DOLOMITES REGION SEISER ALM
A very special atmosphere awaits you in the golden autumn months in the Dolomites Region Seiser Alm. The Seiser Alm mountain autumn brings together outdoor experiences with a magnificent landscape and outstanding cuisine. The programme of events features sunrise hikes to the most beautiful peaks of the Dolomites with breakfast in a mountain refuge, guided hikes, cookery courses and guided tours to local producers. seiseralm.it/mountainautumn
When the air is thick with the scent of gingerbread, cinnamon and mulled wine, you know it’s advent time here at the foot of the Schlern mountain. The run-up to Christmas is a meaningful time here in the Dolomites Region Seiser Alm; the Christmas markets in the villages of Kastelruth, Seis, Völs and Tiers are small but incredibly beautiful, and are guaranteed to get guests and locals alike into the Christmas spirit, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. With their traditional handcrafts, specialties of South Tyrolean cuisine and Christmassy melodies, they warmly invite you to join them for a sociable Advent of companionship.
18th Kastelruth Mountain Christmas
> 5–8 December 2025
> 12–14 December 2025
> 13 December 2025: Krampus run
> 19–21 December 2025
> 19 December 2025: Christmas concert of the Kastelruther Spatzen
> 24 December 2025
> 26–28 December 2025
Waiting for Baby Jesus in Völs am Schlern
> 6-8 December 2025
> 13-14 December 2025
> 20-21 December 2025
> 27-28 December 2025
> 3 January 2026
Mountaineer’s Winter in Tiers am Rosengarten Culinary delight with local products
> 6 December 2025
> 27 December 2025
Seis on Ice
Ice skating with varied entertainment programme for young and old.
> Early December - mid-January
Prösels Castle is also open to visitors in winter. Winter castle tours offer a variety-packed alternative to skiing. Every Thursday from 8 January to 12 March 2026, Prösels Castle will be awakening from its winter slumber and open its doors at 3 pm. During a one-hour tour, visitors will learn a wealth of fascinating information about the castle and its former residents and, at the same time, can visit three art exhibitions and a vast weaponry collection. On three days this winter (27.12.2025, 02.01.2026 and 19.02.2026) at 3 pm, the “Winter Cuisine & Culture” event will be held once more at Prösels Castle: After the castle tour, guests will have the opportunity to sample traditional local products free of charge in the castle grounds, where local producers will be hosting an array of stands. schloss-proesels.it
Prior booking is essential for winter guided tours and can be reserved at the Castle up to 12 pm on the day of the event: info@schloss-proesels.it
December-March 2025/26
The Nature Experience programme includes full moon hikes under the signs of legends in Kastelruth. In Völs, you can enjoy an exquisite gourmet experience named “in vino veritas” and guided tours in the Prösels Castle dedicated to the taste, history and culture. In Tiers, we can explore the rustic Tschamin valley on a snowshoe guided hike through the untouched winter countryside and then stop off at a mountain hut, where a warming soup and atmospheric accordion melodies await us. On full-moon nights, you have the opportunity to embark on a hike across the snowy Seiser Alm to a hut where a traditional dinner awaits. Kaiserschmarrn and dumpling cooking courses are also offered in an Alpine hut. seiseralm.it/winteradventure
Winter 2025/26
SCHLERN-ROSENGARTEN NATURE PARK VISITOR CENTER
While nature rests outside, the Visitor Center in Seis am Schlern offers insights into the diverse and fascinating flora and fauna of the Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park. This winter, special focus is placed on the return of the wolf and how humans interact with it. As part of the exhibition «The Wolf is here», professionals who work with this animal will share their experiences. The visitor center can be visited free of charge during opening hours. seiseralm.it/visitorcenter
18 January 2026
THE KASTELRUTH FARMER’S WEDDING
Over the years, it has grown to become an established tradition: The Kastelruth Farmer’s Wedding. It is an authentic reproduction of an old-fashioned farmer’s wedding as celebrated since time immemorial here at the foot of the Seiser Alm. The high point of the event is the wedding parade from St. Valentin to Kastelruth. The wedding party, dressed in traditional attire, drive to the centre of Kastelruth in a magnificently decorated horse-drawn sleigh, bringing their guests along with them on a trip back in time to the 19th century.
30 January 2026
A sporting event illuminated by the glow of flickering torchlight, the chance to put your skills to the test at international level, and the magical winter backdrop of Europe’s largest mountain plateau: In 2026, the Moonlight Classic will once again be offering numerous athletes and cross-country fans the chance to spend a sensational evening on the Seiser Alm by night. Participants can opt to take part in either the 30 km or the 15 km variant of the loop route. Both variants begin and end in Compatsch and are raced exclusively in classic diagonal style. The starting pistol for this cross-country spectacle will be fired at 8 pm. Registration required: moonlightclassic.info
February 2026
Fascinating combination of skis and horsepower! In skijoring, skiers are pulled by horses over a prepared course and engage in exciting races. A spectacular experience for participants and spectators.
8 March 2026
On 8 March 2026, on the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Dolomites Dirndl Day will take place on the Seiser Alm. Only women aged 18 and over can take part in this fun sport event in teams of two (friends, sisters, mothers/ daughters). The start is in a “dirndl” (a traditional South Tyrolean dress), for a parallel slalom. Part of the registration fee will be donated to the ’Donne aiutano Donne’ association.
March/April 2026
Exclusive skiing experience for early risers followed by breakfast on the Seiser Alm. Weekly, three ski lifts will take turns to start running at 7 am. Early risers will have the unique opportunity to cross the freshly groomed, deserted slopes and enjoy the special morning atmosphere on Europe’s largest mountain plateau, accompanied by a ski instructor who will provide a wealth of handy tips. At 9 am, we’ll be heading to a mountain hut to enjoy a sociable Alpine breakfast.
> Wednesday, 4 March 2026
> Wednesday, 11 March 2026
> Wednesday, 18 March 2026
> Wednesday, 25 March 2026
> Wednesday, 1 April 2026
March 2026
18
Jazz in the mountain huts, soul on the slopes and traditional tunes in the restaurants in the evenings: musicians from all over the Alpine region will bring musical cheer to the Dolomites Region Seiser Alm at the Swing on Snow festival from morning to night. Bands and singers will be getting old and young, winter sports visitors and music lovers alike, into the party mood. The modern interpretation of traditional folk music with jazz, soul and pop reflects the musical culture of the Alps; listeners can swerve in time to the beats and rhythms, and weave their way downhill to the sounds of the tuba, bass, dulcimer and accordion. Concerts will be played at the mountain station of the Seiser Alm cableway and the slopes of the Seiser Alm in the mornings and afternoons in the huts and evenings in the villages of Kastelruth, Seis am Schlern, Völs am Schlern and Tiers am Rosengarten. swingonsnow.com
Team Seiser Alm celebrates sporting successes. We would like to congratulate Team Seiser Alm on the sporting successes of this past 2024/2025 winter. Sadly, this has been the last season for natural-track luge champ Patrick Pigneter; prior to retiring from the sport, however, he took the bronze at the World Championships in Kühtai (Austria). Tobias Paur was successful in the doubles race, finishing third in the overall World Cup and winning the bronze in Kühtai. Artificial track luger Andrea Vötter brought two European Luge Championship bronzes back to Völs from Winterberg (Germany), while her teammate Sandra Robatscher took second place in the overall Nations Cup. Leon Haselrieder sped to victory in the Junior World Cup rankings in artificial track luge, while telemarker Raphael Mahlknecht took second place in the World Cup sprint in Pinzolo (Italy). Maria Gasslitter achieved remarkable success in Freeski Slopestyle and Big Air, and was top of the overall European Cup rankings by a considerable margin. Snowboarder Aaron March took four World Cup podiums, including victory in the Parallel Slalom in von Bad Gastein (Austria), and bronze at the World Championships in St. Moritz (Switzerland). Last but by no means least, Tommy Rabanser made quite a name for himself, winning the overall European Cup rankings and taking two silver medals in the Parallel Slalom and Parallel Giant Slalom at the Junior World Championships in Zakopane (Poland). Congratulations!
1 June 2025 will see the inauguration of the new Marinzen cable car in Kastelruth which, after 40 years, will replace the old chairlift from the village to the mountain pasture. Equipped with 28 10-seater cabins, the new lift will transport passengers—including strollers, bikes and dogs—safely and comfortably up a height of 1,486 metres in just a few minutes. Visitors to the breathtaking Marinzenalm can look forward to fabulous panoramic views, a new children’s adventure playpark and a rustic mountain hut with a large, sunny terrace to stop off for a bite to eat and a drink. The Marinzenalm mountain pasture is also an excellent set-off point for walks and hikes in the Dolomites. The cable car runs from 9:00am to 5:30pm every day during the summer season (until 2 November).
“Woodwalkers”, a family-friendly fantasy film based on Katja Brandis’ novel series of the same name, premiered in October 2024. The film is the first part of the trilogy, and was directed by Damian John Harper, in part in South Tyrol. In its contemporary themes and empathy for the teenage anxiety of modern-day life, Carag’s adventure is a captivating watch for younger viewers. The second part of the tale was also filmed last autumn at the beautiful Gatschhof farm in Völs am Schlern.
A MOMENTOUS MILESTONE
This award reaffirms our ongoing commitment towards sustainable tourism, and to ensuring that the Dolomites region remains an attractive place to live for local people and a desirable destination for guests well into the future!
THE THINGS WE CARE ABOUT
· Use water respectfully
· Reduce single-use plastics
· Enjoy local products
· Use public transport
· Choose sustainable accommodation
· Avoid creating waste
· Leave the countryside clean
· Dispose of waste correctly
· Keep to the marked trails
· Admire the flowers without picking them
· Enjoy the region mindfully
· Respect the wildlife
· Keep dogs on a lead
· Enjoy the special deals & experiences on offer
· Treat the Dolomites region with respect
YOU can also help us to keep the Dolomites sustainable, and to protect the area for future generations!
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