Medieval buildings: cultural highlights in the Isarco Valley
Medieval fortresses, magnificent castles and historic monasteries offer numerous significant buildings located in the Isarco Valley. On a steep rocky hill above Chiusa, the Monastery of Sabiona rises – a worthwhile excursion during your holiday at the Inn Ansitz Fonteklaus. The ancient walls are still inhabited by nuns and several buildings, including the monastery church, can be visited. The Renaissance Castle Velthurns was built in the 16th century as a summer residence for the bishops and can be visited in the summer on a guided tour. The Monastery of Novacella dates back to the 12th century – you may visit it on a guided tour.
Museums in and around Chiusa
The history of South Tyrol is colourfully presented in many museums in the Isarco Valley. In the city museum of Chiusa you may admire the priceless Loreto Treasure; and the Archeoparc Villandro awaits you with findings dating back to different periods – from the Mesolithic Era in the 7th to 8th millennium BC to the Middle Ages. A large collection of rock crystals and minerals are exhibited at the Mineral Museum in Tiso. The findings come from the surrounding area, which is known for its rich mineral resources. Take an exciting tour through the archaeological museum in Bolzano. There, the 5,000-year old glacier mummy “Ötzi” is exhibited, which was coincidentally discovered by hikers in 1991 in the glacier region of the Ötztal Alps.
Marvellous excursions in South Tyrol
The highlights of a holiday in South Tyrol include a visit to the Show Mine in Ridanna. For about 800 years, in the tunnels located at an altitude of 2,000 meters above sea level, lead, silver and zinc were mined. As part of a guided tour you may visit a kilometre-long tunnel that leads deep into the mountain. The ore mine is the highest mine in Europe. Nature and flower lovers should visit the botanical gardens of Castle Trauttmansdorff in Merano. Here, in several gardens, among many native plants, also exotic plants from all over the world thrive.
