Medieval Vinschgau Route

Dating back to 15 BC, the Via Claudia Augusta bears the name of Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus who vanquished the Germanic tribes. This road leads from Altino (in the vicinity of Venice) through Trient, Meran and the Vinschgau up to the Reschenpass. Over Landeck, Imst and Fernpass it continues to Augusta Vindelicum (Augsburg) and from there to Donauwörth on the Danube. It is the only Roman road over the Alps with a name still known to us today – as shown by the discovery of Roman milestones in the Vinschgau.

Length of the route: Approximately 80 km along the Via Claudia Augusta.
Excursions: Stilfserjoch approximately 20 km, Müstair (Switzerland) approximately 15 km.

Relais und Alpen tip!
We recommend exploring this route on hiking and biking trails. For tired hikers and riders, the Vinschgerbahn between Meran and Mals is an attractive alternative. Bicycle rentals are available at the Vinschgerbahn railway station. So you can leave your bike at home.

Overview of the historic route:
Please click on the 1st image and scroll through the route.

Meran, spa town on the Passer

Since the Sissi years, this city has been a magnet and is among the most outstanding health resorts of the Alps. The old city core around the cathedral is a lure for shoppers. Tip! The gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle and the “Touriseum” tourist museum.

Naturns, St. Prokulus

To the east of Naturns you will find St. Prokulus Church from pre-Carolingian times in the 7th century. The church is one of the most famous historical art monuments on the European continent. Its main attraction consists of 8th-century frescoes inside the church – the oldest murals in German-speaking regions discovered to date. St. Prokulus Museum vividly tells the story of the Vinschgau, the Rhaetians and the Romans.

Schnalstal / Val Senales

Eine gut ausgebaute Straße führt in das wildromantische Bergtal, vorbei an der auf ca. 1.000 Meter hoch gelegenen Burg Juval (Messner Mountain Museum). Nach kurzer Fahrt erkennt man das hoch über dem Tal gelegene Katharinaberg, dessen Kirche sich markant gen Himmel streckt. Unweit davon liegt Karthaus, das nach dem großen Brand von 1924, innerhalb der Klostermauern des ehemaligen Karthäuserklosters Allerengelberg wieder aufgebaut wurde. 1326 wurde das Kloster durch die Grafen von Tirol gegründet aber schon 1782 aufgrund der Reformpolitik von Kaiser Joseph II. aufgelassen. Reste des Klosters sind noch heute zu erkennen bzw. erhalten, darunter der Kreuzgang (div. Ausstellungen), die Ringmauer und die Klosterkirche St. Anna.

Malerisch inmitten des Tales liegt die barocke Wallfahrtskirche "Unsere Frau in Schnals", erbaut im Jahr 1307. Wallfahrten sind seit dem 14. Jh. bezeugt. Eine Besonderheit, der Archeo Park zeigt Lebensweise und Umwelt der Menschen in der Jungsteinzeit, die Zeit des Mannes aus dem Eis. Ötzi lebte ca. um 3350 v. Christus.

Am Ende des Tales, vorbei am Vernagtsee, erreicht man Kurzras (2.014 m). Von hier führt die höchste Seilbahn Südtirols auf den Grawand (3.211 m), hinein in die Gletscherwelt der Ötztaler Alpen. In der Bergstation gibt es eine Ausstellung über die Gletscherwelten und eine Ötzi-Galerie, welche den Fund der Mumie, des Mannes aus dem Similaun-Gletscher, dokumentiert.

Unsere Frau, Schnalstal - Senales

Malerisch inmitten des Tales liegt die barocke Wallfahrtskirche "Unsere Frau in Schnals", erbaut im Jahr 1307. Wallfahrten sind seit dem 14. Jh. bezeugt. Sehenswert: Grabkreuze, Heiliggrabgrotte und eine große liegende Christusskulptur. Eine Besonderheit, der Archeo Park zeigt Lebensweise und Umwelt der Menschen in der Jungsteinzeit, die Zeit des Mannes aus dem Eis. Ötzi lebte ca. um 3350 v. Christus. Öffnungszeiten: Di - So 10 - 18 Uhr von März bis Anfang November, im Juli und August auch montags und an Feiertagen geöffnet.

Am Ende des Tales, vorbei am Vernagtsee (Finailhöfe), erreicht man Kurzras (2.014 m). Von hier führt die höchste Seilbahn Südtirols auf den Grawand (3.211 m), hinein in die Gletscherwelt der Ötztaler Alpen. In der Bergstation gibt es eine Ausstellung über die Gletscherwelten und eine Ötzi-Galerie, welche den Fund der Mumie, des Mannes aus dem Similaun-Gletscher, dokumentiert.

Kastelbell

First mentioned in 1238, Kastelbell Castle dominates the community of the same name on the left bank of the Etsch. It is built on a cliff with the main road winding around it. Tip! There is a permanent exhibition on the “Via Claudia Augusta”.

Latsch, Morter and Goldrain are found in the download for the medieval route.

Laas, Laaser marble

“Laaser is alive,” is how Bavarian royal sculptor Ludwig Schwanthaler described the immaculate white marble, also known as the white gold of the Vinschgau, which is mined at an elevation of 2,500 m. Valuable marble and the most weather-resistant white limestone in the world. The favourite stone of the Habsburg rulers. Large orders were placed by the emperor in Vienna before World War I and white marble milestones lined the Via Claudia Augusta in the age of the Romans. The Laaser Marmorbahn commenced operation in 1929. This railway runs on a 4 km route up to the Laaser quarry. The 1 km incline up to an elevation of 867 m is particularly noteworthy. Even today, this railway transport marble down into the valley from the mountain station at 1,350 m.
Numerous works of art made of Laaser marble are found in local churches and chapels throughout the Vinschger valley. Don’t miss the richly decorated medallions of Laaser marble created by local sculptor Gregor Schwenzengast in the 16th century. (Also found in Marienberg convent.)

Prad and Stilfserjoch

Prad is well known as the start of the 48 steep curves up to the Stilfserjoch. If you go on this excursion, you will find a breathtaking mountain panorama just 250 m below the highest peak in South Tyrol, the Ortler (3,905 m) with its white peaks, cirques and ridges. The Stilfserjoch route is the second-highest in the Alps and was built for strategic reasons in 1822.

Lichtenberg

The peasant village of Lichtenberg is overtopped by the imposing castle ruins of the same name, the former castle of the counts of Tyrol (series of 14th-century frescoes). As the largest castle ruins of South Tyrol, they dominate the Vinschger Valley between Burgeis on the Reschenpass and Schluderns. The extensive castle complex was built in the 13th century in order to protect Tyrol from the warlike Swiss.

St. Christina on Pinet

There is one little church by the wayside you should definitely visit: St. Christina on Pinet, close to the Lichtenberg Castle ruins and easy to reach on a hike from Lichtenberg. Remarkable interior.
A splendid view of the Vinschgau is guaranteed.

Churburg, Schluderns

Towering majestically over the small town is the best-preserved castle of South Tyrol, the castle of the counts von Trapp. The origins of the Churburg go back to the bishops of Chur who erected this castle in the 13th century after a victory over the reeves of Matsch. Of impressive beauty, the arcade courtyard richly painted with scenes from fables forms the centre of the castle complex. Showpieces of the castle include Jacob’s chamber and the armoury holding 50 fully preserved suits of armour. An overwhelming impression.

Tartscher Bühel, Tartsch

Close to the Churburg and to the south-west, the Tartscher Bühel is a moraine projecting from the expanse of the Etschtal (Etsch Valley). Visible from afar, St. Veith (11th century) on its very peak is one of the oldest churches in the Vinschgau. A hike to the top is rewarded by an exquisite view of the wide valley. You should definitely see the archaeological digs and the Rhaetian house from the 4th or 3rd century BC – tours!

Glurns, the smallest alpine city

This medieval town is surrounded by a city wall with battlements. Three gates lead into the city – the Malser, the Schludernser and the Tauferer gate. The community's name is of Rhaetian origin and is mentioned as early as 1163. Home to the sovereign Tyrolean court in the 13th century, it had town ordinances and privileges from the year 1304. When space for St. Pankraz parish church could not be found within the city walls back in the 15th century, the church was built outside the gates of the picturesque city with its old arcades.

Taufers in the Münstertal

Taufers, right on the border between Italy and Switzerland, is defined by two mighty castle ruins. Located right next to the road, the Romanic St. Johann church (Knights Hospitallers church) was built in 1220 and expanded in 1250. The Virgin Mother stands in the round arch of the Romanic portal. Noteworthy Romanic frescoes can be found in the church, which is divided into 2 sections.

Müstair, St. Johann Monastery (Switzerland) - UNESCO World Heritage Site

Just a few kilometres past the border, one encounters a monastery from Carolingian times – St. Johann Monastery. This Romanic jewel owes its existence to Emperor Charles the Great. According to lore, the endowment of the monastery goes back to the ruler of Franks around the year 800. Most of the church was built before 1220. The Romanic (around 1220) and Gothic (1383) frescoes are especially noteworthy.

Eine Stuckfigur Karls des Grossen befindet sich in der Baldachinnische zwischen Mittel- und Südapsis. Von besonderer Bedeutung ist der karolingische Freskenzyklus aus der 1. Hälfte des 9. Jahrhunderts. Sämtliche Wandflächen der Kirche, inklusive Apsiden und Fensterlaibungen waren ausgemalt. Im 9.-12. Jahrhundert wurden Retuschen und Übermalungen an den karolingischen Fresken vorgenommen. Mit dem Einzug der Benediktinerinnen entstand das Bedürfnis die Apsiden und die Ostwand der Kirche mit neuen Fresken auszustatten. Im Klostermuseum erfährt man mehr über die bewegte Geschichte und das Leben im Kloster.

Laatsch

You simply must visit the small St. Leonhard church between Taufers and Mals. This jewel with its Gothic winged altar and Gothic frescoes also features impressive architecture. A tunnel allows the village street to pass underneath the church below the choir.

Mals, centre of the Obervinschgau

Narrow, steep alleys define the community overtopped by the 33.5 m round tower of the Fröhlichsburg (12^th century), the emblem of Mals. 164 steps lead up the to the top of the tower. Thechurch of St. Benedict, with interior frescoes that are among the oldest in German-speaking regions next to those of St. Prokulus (Naturns), is another jewel from Carolingian times.

Marienberg Convent, Burgeis

Europe’s highest Benedictine abbey is located at 1,334 m. You should allow some extra time for a visit to this convent. From the forecourt of the convent, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the valley, the Malser Heath and all the way to the Schloss Lichtenberg (Lichtenberg Castle) ruins. As the star attraction, the crypt features frescoes with unique depictions of angels dating from around 1160. The heart of the convent is the collegiate church – the only pillar basilica with three naves in the Vinschgau.

Reschenpass, 1,504 m above sea level

Who doesn’t know of the distinctive tower in the Reschensee located in the Italy, Switzerland and Austria border triangle. As it did in Roman times, the pass was among the most important alpine crossings during medieval times. In 1950 the Reschensee was dammed on the Italian side to generate electricity and the picturesque village of Graun was flooded. Only the 13th-century steeple remained and has become a tourist attraction.

Festung Altfinstermünz am Inn

Eine der bedeutendsten Zollstationen Tirols seit der Antike, liegt wildromantisch in einer Schlucht am noch jungen quirligen Inn, gleich unterhalb der Reschenstraße, zwischen dem Engadin und Tirol. Bereits um 45 n. Chr. wurde hier im Bereich von Finstermünz an der Via Claudia Augusta der Inn mit einer Brücke überwunden. Seit römischer Zeit bis 1854 war die Zollstätte eine der wichtigsten Station über die Alpen zwischen Nord und Süd. Zur Festungsanlage gehören ein Brückenturm (ehemals Zugbrücke), das Sigmundseck (1473 von Erzherzog Sigmund der Münzreiche als Zollfestung errichtet), eine mittelalterliche Höhlenburg, der Klausenturm (1502-1537 errichtet) und die Kapelle Mariä Himmelfahrt (1603 von Erzherzog Maximilian III. dem Deutschmeister in Auftrag gegeben). Der Verein Altfinstermünz hat eine mittelalterliche Erlebniswelt geschaffen, die Dienstag, Donnerstag und Sonntag von 13 – 17 Uhr geöffnet ist. Altfinstermünz muss man sich ab der Kajetansbrücke bei Pfunds auf der alten Römerstraße Via Claudia Augusta erwandern (ca. 40 Minuten) oder ab Schalkl (ca. 20 Minuten). Ein kurzer aber steiler Waldpfad führt über die Straße zwischen Martina und der Kajetansbrücke bei Vinadi (links, kurz vor der Abzweigung Samnaun) in ca. 10 Minuten zur Festung hinunter.

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