With its 65,000 square metres of space, Franzensfeste is the largest historical complex in South Tyrol. Begun in 1833 under Emperor Franz Josef, this masterpiece of Austrian fortress architecture was opened by Emperor Ferdinand in 1838 after a construction period of only five years. By this time, however, it had already lost its strategic importance and justification. The enormous effort and the horrendous costs – for nothing. From then on, the huge fortress was only of use as a depot and was frozen in the Sleeping Beauty sleep of a strictly guarded military installation for over a century and a half. Since the military left the fortress in 2003, Franzensfeste has been open to the public and was extensively renovated in the course of two major exhibitions in 2008 and 2009. As a South Tyrolean Provincial Museum, Franzensfeste Fortress is now a magnet for tourists and locals alike and a popular venue for a wide variety of exhibitions and events.

January and february: winter break

Today, Klausen is still numbered among the most-beautiful of Italy’s ancient cities: Its tower-studded facades, its wide alcove balconies, and the picturesque signs of its old inns and pubs were all that was needed to convince the club “I borghi più belli d´Italia” of its worthiness. And the “Treasure of Loreto” (a singular collection of works of art) in the city museum has got to be seen to be believed.

Sabiona is the spiritual cradle of the entire Tyrol region and one of its oldest monuments.

Today, the fortress is the site of the enclosed convent of the Benedictine nuns. Some parts of the monument can be visited every day from 8 a.m. to 5 or 6 p.m.

Instead, the church of Our Lady is open from the middle of April to the end of octobre every Tuesday  from 2 to 5 p.m. Guidet tours on request. 
Groups of 15 or more persons can reserve a guided tour even outside normal hours. Information in the Tourist Office Klausen, Tel. 0472 847 424

Holy Mass: Sunday at 8:30 clock and Monday – Saturday at 7:15 clock (German)

The historical garden is situated at the entrance to the monastery complex. It reopened in summer 2004 following extensive restoration work. The sequoia tree towers imposingly over the rear part of the garden, with the impressive centuries-old ginkgo trees directly opposite. The pretty baroque garden with its myriad flowers and herbs and beautiful fountain is laid out between them.

Prösels Castle was built in 1200 by the masters of Völs, the noble servers of the bishop of Brixen. In the early 16th century, the head of the provincial government, Leonhard von Völs, turned the castle into a Renaissance residence. The castle as it looks today is almost entirely the work of Leonhard von Völs. In the year 1981, the company KURATORIUM SCHLOSS PRÖSELS Ltd. purchased the castle.

Discover the Rittersaal, the Pfeilersaal, Kaminzimmer ,the Castle chapel and many other rooms in the Renaissance castle on a guided tour. Special programmes are available for school groups and families.

Castle Tours:
Closed on saturdays

• May- 11.00 am | 2.00 pm | 3.00 pm
• June – 11.00 am | 2.00 pm | 3.00 pm | 4pm
• July – 11.00-12.30 am (every half an hour) & 1.00-4.30 pm (every half an hour)
• August – 11.00-12.30 am (every half an hour) & 1.00-4.30 pm (every half an hour)
• September – 11.00 am | 2.00 pm | 3.00 pm | 4.00 pm
• October – 11.00 am | 2.00 pm | 3.00 pm

Fees:

• Adults 9,00€
• Children (6-14 years) 5,00€
• Groups (per person) 6,00€

For this gorgeous picture and the innovating spirit that lies behind its conception, Trauttmansdorff was named Italy’s Most Beautiful Garden in 2005 and Europe’s No. 6 Garden in 2006. Its subsequent crowning as International Garden of the Year in 2013 launched this unique complex in the firmament of world’s most beautiful gardens and parks.

In 2021, the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle will celebrate their 20th anniversary and biodiversity will reign supreme there. In keeping with the theme of “Diversity,” the Gardens will be showing how important biological diversity is for humanity, animals and plants.

Trauttmansdorff Castle sits enthroned in the centre of the gardens: this imposing structure, where Empress Elisabeth would come to stay during the winter, now houses the South Tyrol Museum of Tourism, a.k.a. Touriseum.

Planned opening hours (latest admittance always an hour and a half before closing time):

• May 29th – July 23rd: open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.;
• July 24th – August 14th: from Saturday to Thursday 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.; on Fridays 9 a.m. – 11 p.m.
• August 15th – October 15th: open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (latest admittance at 5.30 p.m.);
• October 16th – 31st: open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.;
• November 1st – 8th: open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Lake Kaltern The Mediterranean landscape around Lake Kalterer See leads many to the correct assumption that this lake really is the warmest lake in the Alps! There are four public beaches that offer direct access to the lake, known for its especially inviting water quality and colorful splendor! Sometimes it’s a tint of deep blue, other times it mirrors the green of the surrounding landscape! And Lake Kalterer See is so versatile: row boats, sailboats, pedal boats and surf boards glide across the water. Yet it’s so incredibly tranquil here. For sure you’ll hear the sound of children’s laughter; after all, this is their little corner of paradise. Quite simply, it’s beautiful in the lake, on the lake and all around the lake.

For us, to make wine is a journey taking us from the past to the future and leaving a mark in the present.

We pursue the following main objectives: we seek, on one hand, to showcase and promote the historic local Grape varieties (Vernatsch, Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon and Pinot Noir) and on the other, to create impressive characterful wines using international Grape varieties yet keeping them closely connected to the land. This is all achieved while respecting nature’s flow and rhythms. Our work allows us to convey the authenticity of our ideas into our wines in a natural way, while using the latest Technology and making sure that These modern production processes respect past traditions.  

Völser Weiher Lake: The Völser Weiher lake at the foot of the Schlern mountain is Italy’s most beautiful swimming lake. Whether enjoying a summer evening bathing in South Tyrol or taking a rowing boat out onto the lake, the Völser Weiher lake offers relaxation and recreation.