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Sightseeing in Vinschgau Valley

Prato

• Montechiaro Castle Ruin, former defiant festivals of the Counts of Tyrol against the Bishop of Chur. The ruin dates back to the 13th century. Today, the picutre is dominated by the extensive palast and the well preserved round tower.
  In 1912 the frescoes of the castle were transferred to the Ferdinandeum Museum in Innsbruck, in order to prevent their forfeiture.
  Guided tours from Easter until the 30th of October every Wednesday at 10 a.m. (Advanced booking in the Prato Tourism Association Phone: 0473/737062).
• S. Giovanni Church, a blessing of 1281 attests that this is a construction with round apse and a flat ceiling in the nave. Along the northern nave wall you can admire remains of Roman frescoes and in the apse you will see paintings dating back to 1420. Guided tours available, further information can be obtained in the Prato Tourism Association; phone: 0473/737062.
• “acuaprad” National Park House is a visiting centre. The main focus of the exhibition is put on water. Visitors discover the so close, yet strange, world of fish in the mountains.
  Open all year, Tuesday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and from 2.30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 2.30 p.m. to 6 p.m., closed on Mondays.
  Further information can be obtained by phoning 0473/618212.

Ortles Area

• Three Holy Wells of Trafoi – this ancient source sanctuary at the head of the valley in Trafoi is located on 1,607 metres.
  The church was built in 1701 and can be reached after two kilometres on comfortable paths.
• Messner Mountain Museum Ortles, opened in 2004. It contains a collection of mountain picutes, which is probably unique in this world. The ice of the mountains is explained with the Ortles Mountains taken as an example.
  Open daily except Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Guided tours for groups only upon appointment. Phone: 0473/613266
• The Tibetan yaks were settled in Solda by the extreme South Tyrolean alpinist Reinhold Messner. With their ragged fur and the imposing horns they always provide a popular picture motive for guests.
• Stelvio Pass Road (2,760 m) - constructed in 1822 in order to realise the shortest route between Veltlin and the Venosta valley. Today, the Stelvio Pass Road still counts among the most impressive mountain roads in the Alps.
  On the South Tyrolean side there is a difference in altitude of 1,870 m with 48 hairpin bends and on the Veltlin side, the difference in altitude is 1,530 m with 34 hairpin bends to manoeuvre.
• Passo Stelvio National Park was founded in 1935 in order to protect and improve the local fauna, to provide the fauna with a safe livelihood and to preserve and promote the special geological presence and the natural beauty of this area. Currently, the national park covers an area of 134,620 ha.
  Guided tours through the National Park offered, information in the Tourism Association: 0473/737062
• Passo Stelvio Summer Ski Resort – thanks to the glacier you can also ski in summer. From the beginning of June until the end of October you can enjoy snow adventures between 2,760 m and 3,450 m of height.
  The Stelvio Pass ski resort is the biggest summer ski resort in the Alps.
• Musuem for the Ortles Region is located on the ground floor of the school building in Solda. It holds various precious exhibits from the history and culture of the Ortles region.
  Information on guided tours can be obtained from the Solda Tourism Association Phone: 0473/737060.
• “naturatrafoi” National Park House – the visiting centre shows a permanent exhibition about “Life at the Border”, open from 01.02.-04.04. Wednesday-Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. From 15.05.-31.10. Tuesday-Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and from 2.30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from 2.30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Closed on Mondays.
  Further information can be obtained by phoning 0473/612031.