Castles & abbeys – Traces of the Middle Ages
Located high above Burgusio is the Abbey Monte Maria/Marienberg, a place of quiet and strength. It is the highest altitude Benedictine abbey of Europe where monks follow the rules of Saint Benedict. Very interesting are its romanesque crypt frescoes.
In Sluderno, not far from Malles, soars picturesquely the Coira/Churburg Castle of the Counts of Trapp. It is one of the best preserved castles in South Tyrol. It’s worth seeing the largest armour exhibition in Europe, as well as the Nicolas Chapel with its cross vaults. Once a year Sluderno provides the perfect backdrop for the South Tyrol Knight’s Games which are particularly popular among young families.
Resia Lake – the symbol of Venosta Valley
Anyone who has ever travelled through the Venosta Valley, knows the sunk church tower of Lago di Resia/Reschensee Lake- the typical picture postcard motive. However, the history of the village of Curon and the church is closely tied to the construction of the dam on Lago di Resia/Reschensee Lake, for which hundreds of families of Curon and Resia lost the basis of their livelihood. The photographic collection at the Museum of Old Curon tells the story of the destruction of the old town and the creation of the new villages of Curon and Resia.
Experience nature up-close at the national park house
Two national park houses, visitor centres, are very close to our Ansitz Röfen; one of them is the national park house “naturatrafoi” in Trafoi at the Stilfserjochroad. The exhibition offers interesting insight into the geology of the Ortler group and the survival and adjustment of flora and fauna to the extreme climate conditions in the high mountain region.
The other visitor centre is situated in the village of Prad am Stilfserjoch – “aquaprad”. Water is the leitmotiv at this visitor centre. In 12 spectacular tanks visitors will receive insight into the local fish fauna. In particular children and teens are continuously fascinated by the natural diversity of fish in South Tyrol.
Marble from Lasa – White Gold
The marble from Lasa which is quarried in the small village of Lasa in Venosta Valley is known all over the world, for example it was used to build the new subway station Ground Zero in New York City. The extremely pure marble has been known since antiquity when it was used for the milestones along the Via Claudia Augusta (an ancient Roman street).
Three times a week interested visitors will be able to get a guided tour through the marble village of Lasa where the history of this particular stone is impressively shown. Once a year, in August, the “Marble and Apricot Fair” introduces visitors to the old traditions of fruit cultivation and mining of stone in Lasa.
MMM Ortles in Sulden – the world of ice
The Messner Mountain Museum Ortles is one of the six museums of mountaineer Reinhold Messner. This museum at 1900 m above sea-level in Sulden is devoted to the world of ice. The underground structure houses the world’s biggest collection of Ortler paintings as well as ice-climbing gear from two centuries and the own “Yak&Yeti”-restaurant.
Another Messner Mountain Museum is located at the beginning of the Senales Valley in the Lower Venosta Valley. Its name is “ Juval Castle” and it is dedicated to the Magic of the Mountain.