The Andreas Hofer Route
On the trail of the Tyrol freedom fighter, the route leads through the
Passeiertal (Passeier Valley) over the Jaufenpass to Sterzing and onward to
Innsbruck. Did you know that the plant life on the Passeiertal alms is
particularly diverse? No less than 126 herbs were found on 50 m² at an elevation
of 1,700 m. The Passeier mountain meadow hay is the richest of the entire alpine
region. Enjoy it during a bath in the hay.
Length of the route: Approximately 60
km
Excursions: Landesbergbaumuseum am Schneeberg (State
Mining Museum on the Schneeberg), approximately 20 km, Schloss Wolfsthurn
(Wolfsthurn Castle), Mareit, approximately 3 km, Landesbergbaumuseum Maiern
(Maiern State Mining Museum) (from Mareit) approximately 8 km, Innsbruck from
Sterzing approximately 55 km
The Relais und Alpen tip!
2009 is the Andreas Hofer
commemorative year, 200 years after the struggle for freedom.
Summary of the historic route:
Please click on the 1st
image and scroll through the route.
Meran, the pearl of South Tyrol
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 – special exhibition “Der mit dem Bart” (The One with
the Beard) in the coach house from April 3 to November 15, 2009 to mark the
Andreas Hofer commemorative year, history meets future.
Tyrol village and castle
The village of Tyrol is the namesake of the count of Tyrol’s ancestral seat
and of the state of Tyrol itself. A 20-minute hike from the village takes you to
the castle on the Küchelberg, which was constructed around the year 1140. Until
1420, the castle was the seat of the Tyrol sovereign. Remarkable frescoes and
Romanic works (great hall, chapel). Now the castle is home to the State Museum
of Culture and Regional History
Über Meran, Gratsch und St. Peter auf einer Wanderung über den Algunder Waalweg. Das Kleinod St. Peter im
langobardisch-karolingischen Stil geht zurück auf die vorromanische Zeit. Graf
Meinhard II. erwarb 1287 das Patronat, das er dem Zisterzienserstift Stams
(Inntal) übertrug. Die kleine Pfarrkirche (regelmäßig Sonntagsmessen) birgt
Fresken, Altäre aus romanischer und gotischer Zeit.
Weiter führt die Andreas Hofer Route durch das Passeier Tal über Schenna,
Saltaus und St. Martin bis nach St. Leonhard.
Schenna
The downtown core is defined by three striking churches. Next to the new
parish church which was not erected until the beginning of the 20th century, the
old Gothic church is well worth a look. The Begräbniskirche St. Johann (St. John
Burial Church) (1869) is located in the immediate vicinity. The Austrian
archduke Johann was laid to rest in its mausoleum. Schloss Schenna (Schenna
Castle), a medieval castle complex (1350) with moat that was commissioned by
Margarethe Maultasch, is also among the attractions of Schenna.
Oberhalb von Schenna im Ortsteil St. Georgen. Die eigenwillige Rundkirche aus
dem 12./13. Jh. war in früheren Jahren die Kapelle der Burg St. Georgen (Alt
Schenna). Sehenswert sind die Fresken aus dem 14. Jh., die sehr gut erhalten
sind. Die Kirche ist von Ostern bis Anfang November von Montag bis Samstag 10-12
Uhr und 14 – 17 Uhr geöffnet.
St. Leonhard, home of the Tyrolean freedom fighter Andreas Hofer
Andreas Hofer was born here on the Sandhof (now the Passeier Museum) in 1767.
Like his ancestors before him, he hauled freight over the Jaufenpass to
Sterzing. He joined the parliament in Innsbruck as the representative of the
Passeier Valley at the age of only 23 years. Archduke Johann let him in on plans
for a rebellion to free the state of Tyrol from the foreign rule of Bavaria and
France. Hofer called for a rebellion in April 1809. The first major battle took
place just 3 days later in Sterzing, and in May he forced the besiegers to
withdraw in the battle at Mount Isel near Innsbruck. He annihilated the French
troops in another battle at Berg Isel in August 1809. A triumphant march into
Innsbruck appeared certain. In appreciation for his loyal service, the emperor
appointed him commander-in-chief of Tyrol. Under the Vienna peace treaty
(Congress of Vienna 1814/15), Tyrol once again fell into the hands of the
detested enemy. Andreas Hofer returned to the Passeier Valley filled with
disappointment. Repeated acts of war followed over the subsequent months, but
Hofer was no longer supported by Vienna. He fled from the superiority of the
French and went into hiding on his family’s Pfandler Alm. Captured as a result
of treason, he was brought to Mantua. Andreas Hofer was executed on February 20,
1810. The freedom fighter found his final resting place in the Innsbruck palace
chapel. 2009 is the Andreas Hofer commemorative year.
Adventure mine on the Schneeberg at 2,355 metres
The mine at the highest elevation in Europe looks back on 800 years of
history. 1000 miners dug for lead and silver under severe conditions as far back
as the year 1500. Excursions through the mine provide detailed insight into the
hard life of a miner.
Tip! Worthwhile excursion towards Timmelsjoch past
Moos in Passeier.
The JaufenburgThe Jaufenburg
The Jaufenburg was erected by the Passeier messieurs in the 13th and 14th
centuries. All that is left of the formerly magnificent castle complex is the
corner tower which is now home to the museum.
Jaufenpass at 2,094 meters
As the shortest route between Meran and Sterzing, the mountain pass was
already used during the age of the Romans. Archaeological finds indicate that
the route was already in use by hunters during the Stone Age and Bronze Age and
in medieval times by the sumpters transporting fruit and wine toNorthern Tyrol
and salt from the Haller salt works in the opposite direction. The trail was
partly paved and could be navigated by two-wheeled carts. Expansion of the road
through the mountain pass did not take place until many centuries later – at the
beginning of the 20th century. Today the road is readily negotiable even in the
winter and leads directly into the Ratschings-Jaufen ski region.
Ridnauntal Wolfsthurn Castle
One of the few Baroque secular buildings in South Tyrol is found in Mareit,
located in the picturesque Ridnauntal (Ridnaun Valley) which is approximately 18
km in length. It is now home to the Landesmuseum für Jage und Fischerei (State
Museum of Hunting and Fishing). Evidence of lead and silver mining in Tyrol is
found at the end of the valley in Maiern (Südtiroler Bergbaumuseum / South Tyrol
Mining Museum). Silver from the mines once meant fame and fortune for the
sovereigns and bishops of the land.
Sterzing, historic old town
Richly decorated façades, loggias and alleys invite
shoppers for a leisurely stroll. Sterzing has been an important commercial and
mining centre since medieval times. The wealth of the city can be traced back to
lead and silver mining.
The Zwölferturm, emblem of the Fugger town
The Zwölferturm (46 m tall) from the 15th century,
which divides the community into the old and new quarters, is the emblem of the
town. After a fire in 1867 destroyed the original red helm roof, the tower
received its stepped gable. One of the most magnificent town halls of South
Tyrol is found here in the new town. The late Gothic structure (1468-1472) was
erected on the site of a middle-class house. Here the council chambers are
especially noteworthy (tours). Dedicated to the Persian god Mithra, the
Mithrasstein is a Roman altar stone found in the town hall’s courtyard. This
stone dates back to the year 200 AD and was found on the Roman road in a
mountain cave near Mauls. Another Roman milestone from the time of Emperor
Septimus is also on display in the courtyard. It was found in 1979 during
construction in the new town of Sterzing.
The Heiliggeistkirche and the south of Sterzing
The small Heiliggeistkirche (Church of the Holy Spirit) is found in the
Bürgerspital (town hospital) on the town square behind the Zwölferturm. The
interior of the church with two naves has a ribbed vault. Hans von Bruneck
painted the entire interior in the 15th century.
"Unsere liebe Frau im Moos"
(Our Lady in the Moss) parish church (15th century) in Sterzing with its famous
Multscher statues at the high altar is also well worth a visit. The Multscher
and Town Museum in the Deutschordenshaus is located close to the parish church.
Most of the late Gothic winged altar by Ulm sculptor and painter Hans Multscher
is kept here.
Located close to Sterzing, Schloss Reifenstein (Reifenstein
Castle) from the 12th century is one of the oldest castles in South Tyrol and
can be visited on a guided tour.
The Franzensfeste (fortress) is found a few kilometres away towards Brixen.
During the time of Andreas Hofer, it was also known as the “Sachsenklemme”
(Saxon squeeze). At the beginning of August 1809, Tyrol freedom fighter Andreas
Hofer was beaten by around 2,500 French, Bavarians and Saxons during a 2-day
battle. His 500 Tyroleans were helpless against the superior force from the
north under General Lefebvre. A few days later, the Tyrol freedom fighters
annihilated the French at Mount Isel near Innsbruck.
Gossensass takes you out
of the Eisacktal (Eisack Valley) in the direction of Brenner (1,374 m above sea
level), Wipptal (Wipp Valley) and Innsbruck (approximately 55
km).
Innsbruck
The Andreas Hofer Route ends with an excursion to Innsbruck where he found
his final resting place in the palace chapel. The old town of Innsbruck is among
the best-preserved medieval towns of Austria. An attraction of the town that is
known beyond all borders is the "Goldene Dachl" (golden roof )with around 2,740
gilded shingles. This late Gothic alcove balcony was erected in memory of the
wedding of Emperor Maximilians I. The history of the state capital of Tyrol goes
back to the year 15 BC and the Bronze Age. Innsbruck was the royal seat of the
Habsburger for more than 200 years (1420-1665). In 1806, Tyrol and Innsbruck
fell to Bavaria as allies of the French under Napoleon. The Tyrol struggle for
freedom led by Andreas Hofer began in 1809. Innsbruck once again became part of
Austria after the Vienna Congress of 1814/15. Meran replaced Innsbruck as the
capital of Tyrol in 1849.
Other historic routes >>>
Our hotel recommendations for this route
Hotel Goldene Rose
South Tyrol: Enjoy traditional South Tyrolean hospitality. Previous experiences develop into new ideas.
|
Hotel Icaro
South Tyrol: "You fly as high as Icarus!"
Words, which were used by guests and which inspired the name of the hotel, the former mountain hut dating back to...
|
Wellnesshotel Weihrerhof
Renon in South Tyrol. Spend a relaxing and unforgettable holiday for people who need wellness treatments, trekking, fine dining...
|
Relaishotel Weisses Rössl
South Tyrol: An AD 1480 relay and jewel with a 500-year history. The modern Rössl features a golf course right outside the door…
|
Gourmet-Gasthof Kuppelrain
South Tyrol: Jörg Trafojer, who has been awarded stars and chef’s hats, values premium ingredients and a stylish ambiance. Ambiance Award 2007!
|
Genießer- & Wanderhotel Jägerhof
South Tyrol: The Jaufenpass is really something, and so is the Jägerhof bon vivant and hiking hotel with cuisine by Siegfried Augscheller – crowned with 13...
|
|
