Hosts
The Gfader family welcomes you to their traditional Inn Ansitz Fonteklaus for a relaxing holiday in the mountains of the South Tyrolean Isarco Valley.
The brothers Arnold and Andreas Gfader have been managing the inn for over 40 years now. While Andreas, the kitchen chef, is responsible for the preparation of culinary specialties, Arnold directs the service area. His son Heinz supports him in this task. He is a trained sommelier and offers advice in choosing the perfect wine to accompany the tasty dishes.
History & Stories
Fonteklaus – the legendary manor high on the eastern side of the lower Isarco Valley, today presents itself at its best: In 1979, it was expertly renovated and became a popular inn. Serene places, where you can rest, discover, relax – and simply indulge. First mentioned in the 14th century, the Fonteklaus was a stately farm in the German language area on the Romansh border. The name Fonteklaus traces back to “fons clausa”, or “closed source”. Hans Fink, our diligent local historian and dialect poet writes:
“A first slight “germanisation” took place in a document from 1317, where Adelhaid von Säben donated the farm “hof ze Functclausen” to the Monastery of Novacella. In exchange for the gift, the monastery would read requiems for the benefactress. Around 1420 and 1460, the property was called “Funtaclaus”, and until today it is known as Fonteklaus.”
So much for the name – let’s continue with the sparse history of the Fonteklaus. Franz Jenner acquired the farm and converted it into a hunting lodge in 1706, as the inscription on the stone doorstep confirms. The chapel next to the house was probably built in the early 18th century; it is dedicated to Saint Rochus, patron against plague and other diseases, probably in honour of the then successfully endured plague. According to Hans Fink, until the thirties, an annual penitential procession from the village of Gudon to the Rochus Chapel was organised. The residence itself had now changed owners several times and was increasingly degenerate until 1938, when the family Gfader from the farm Reinthalerhof bought it, using it – at first – only as a hay farm; in due course, however, it was completely renovated. Since then, the beautifully proportioned building with its traditional white-red shutters on the white walls is visible from afar, surround by lush green meadows and forests.
Since the time when the Fonteklaus was an abandoned ruin, all sorts of bizarre legends have grown around the manor: The spirits of wicked knights are said to organise drunk and blasphemous parties; a family spirit that would also appear in broad daylight, back then seems to have caused terror and horror among the locals.
Anyhow, today at the Fonteklaus you will enjoy the quiet, beautiful views, hearty food and many good South Tyrolean wines.
