ALPE Summer 2014

Summer 2014

ALPE Alpe di Siusi Magazine

CASTELROTTO · SIUSI ALLO SCILIAR · FIÈ ALLO SCILIAR · ALPE DI SIUSI · TIRES AL CATINACCIO

Alpine blossom The Sciliar-Catinaccio nature park

The Saltnerei The Alpe di Siusi Cowboys

A really special cheese The farm cheese dairy zu Fall in S. Valentino www.alpedisiusi.info

South Tyrol ... Italy with a Twist.

South Tyrol is Italy at its best â&#x20AC;&#x201C; with a dash of Alpine influence. 8,000 miles of nature trails set against the dramatic backdrop of the Dolomites. Add to that, 300 days of sunshine a year, delicious food fusing Italian and Alpine influences, fine regional wines and amazing spa treatments ranging from soothing to exhilarating and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clear to see why South Tyrol is Italy with a Twist. www.suedtirol.info

Photo: SAM/Helmuth Rier

Editorial & Contents

Dear guests!

ction, adventure, Alpine living: whether hiking, climbing, running and biking, paragliding, swimming, enjoying a typical snack or taking a relaxing hay bath, in the Alpe di Siusi and its surrounding villages holiday ideas are endless. The villages at the foot of the Sciliar are as varied as the ideas for holidays. In addition to Castelrotto, Siusi, Fiè allo Sciliar, Tires al Catinaccio and also King Laurin’s kingdom, shrouded in legend, are now part of the Alpe di Siusi holiday area. Much, the cattle drover and cowboy of the Alpe di Siusi, takes centre stage in this issue. Michael Tirler is responsible for the cattle on the mountain pastures in the summer months. He knows every single one of the more or less 400 cattle, as well as the Haflinger horses and goats. We explore the pasture land of the animals, the flowering mountain meadows, with nature park guide Riccardo Insam, who takes us on a voyage of discovery through Alpe di Siusi’s world of flowers. Hartmann Stampfer, the marathon runner from Fiè, goes on a somewhat different journey of discovery. He explores the world on the double. This exceptional athlete has taken part in 200 marathons all over the world.

iterranean. Joachim Rier is also hot on the trail of flavour. He produces organic sweet milk cheese in his cheese dairy zu Fall. By flying model planes at the Sptizbühl, we soar up into the sky. Those who are keen on flying model plans will find their Eldorado here. The Kastelruther Spatzen provide the musical high points. In 2014, they are celebrating their 30-year anniversary with the Spatzen festival. In our ALPE interview we introduce you to Stephan Pramstrahler; the man who has been skilfully managing the golf course “Golf St. Vigil Seis” for a year. ALPE wishes to be your daily guide through your Alpe di Siusi holidays. Apart from important information regarding public services and interesting events, it gives much advice regarding the best restaurants, inns and clubs as well as many attractive shopping possibilities in the villages of the Alpe di Siusi holiday area. This magazine also contains the highlights in our events calendar.

Page 4

Corpus Christi Page 6

On the move in the nature park Page 10

The myth of the Dolomites Page 12

The Saltner Much Page 16

Firmly in woman’s hands Page 20

In the cheese dairy zu Fall Page 25

Marathon man Page 30

Flying model planes at Spitzbühl Page 34

On the golf course St. Vigil Seis Page 40

Kastelruther Spatzen festival celebrates anniversary Page 44

10 tips for the Alpe di Siusi holiday area Page 46

Summer Preview 2014 Page 48

We wish you a happy and relaxing holiday of wellness und unforgettable moments.

Winter Preview 2014/15 Page 50

Around & About

The landladies Luisa Schenk and Martha Fink Markart cater for culinary highlights. They are at home in two different culinary worlds. They skilfully combine alpine cuisine with that of the Med-

Eduard Tröbinger Scherlin - President for Alpe di Siusi Marketing and the Tourist offices of Castelrotto, Siusi allo Sciliar, Fiè allo Sciliar, Alpe di Siusi and Tires al Catinaccio

Summer | ALPE 5

Corpus Christi I

n South Tyrol Corpus Christi is felt to be the most important ecclesiastical festival of the year. It is the â&#x20AC;&#x153;festival of the holiest body and blood of Christâ&#x20AC;? at which the physical presence of Jesus Christ is celebrated in the sacrament of the Eucharist. After mass, men and women parade in traditional costumes in a ceremonial procession through the village. The course of the procession is marked off with lined-up aspen shrubs. Branches of consecrated palm brooms are added around the four Gospels, or rather the respective altars. The Corpus Christi procession, in which the church choir and band, as well as associations, federations and the authorities take part, testifies to the deep-rooted bond of the people with their belief and tradition.

6 ALPE | Summer

Summer | ALPE 7

Follow the alpine Knickerbockers, checked shirt and green felt hat on his head? That is how it used to be. Now hiking is chic and very much in vogue. For example more and more people are hiking in the Sciliar-Catinaccio nature park.

S Text: Barbara Pichler Photo: Helmuth Rier

8 ALPE | Summer

outh Tyrol’s office for nature parks organises more than 40 theme hikes each year in collaboration with the tourism associations in the Alpe di Siusi holiday area. The development of the Dolomite Mountains, the UNESCO World Heritage, the geological events of 270 million years of earth history, the marmots or the brave knights and their castles are subjects it is worthwhile covering on foot. Riccardo Insam’s hikes on the theme of flowers are especially well visited. From the middle of May to the middle of July he shows his guests the great floral variety of the Alpe di Siusi. The abundance of moor, meadow and bog plants on the alpine pastures inspire hikers again and again. In recent years the project “Habi-

tat Schlern” has promoted all kinds of animals and plants of the Alpe di Siusi holiday area. In the process researchers discovered about 790 blossoms and fern plants.

Hiking through alpine pastures in bloom. Hiking guide Riccardo Insam is waiting for his guests in front of Alpe di Siusi’s tourist information office. They have registered for the flower hike. He is a native of the Gardena valley and has been involved in nature matters for many years: as nature park custodian, as environmental consultant and now for many years as a hiking guide in the Alpe di Siusi holiday area. “I am fascinated by nature and I am very pleased to have the opportunity to show our guests all the beautiful flowers on our alpine

blossoms pastures. During the hike interesting conversations develop about climate change, sustainability and of course also about my working place, the Alpe di Siusi, and incidentally the most beautiful in the world,” Riccardo relates enthusiastically. He is wellversed on the Alpe di Siusi and knows everything about the alpine habitat, the plants on the alpine pastures and meadows and the animals that live there. The course of the hike is determined by the plants in blossom. This way it goes to ever higher areas during the summer. The colours of alpine roses and gentians glow from afar and the aromatic fragrance of the alpine herbs accompany the group throughout the hike. “My wife and I have spent our summer holiday in the

Alpe di Siusi holiday area for years. We hike almost every day on the Alpe di Siusi and, as I am very interested in plants, I always have a field guide with me. Today I’ll let an expert hiking guide explain all the various kinds of flower to me,” Günther, a guest of the group, explains. Riccardo enthusiastically points out the plants on the edge of the path and those on the alpine pastures. At this level above the sea they are often very small and inconspicuous and not always easy for the unpractised eye to recognise. Riccardo always has something to tell about all plants: about those that are very rare, or those that have become more abundant as they have been under nature conservation for some time. He also explains the healing qualities of the medicinal herbs to curious hikers. »

Summer | ALPE 9

Sciliar-Catinaccio nature park house in Tires. On hikes visitors get to know the Sciliar-Catinaccio nature park house and the landscape conservation area of Alpe di Siusi. The oldest of the seven nature parks in South Tyrol extends over an area of 7,291 hectares and is in the western Dolomites. The Alpe di Siusi, almost 7,000 hectares, is a landscape conservation area bordering on the nature park. The nature park house is in the Ciamin valley in the municipality of Tires and there is a small information point at the Laghetto di Fiè. There will be another nature park house in Siusi in the coming years.

The Sciliar-Catinaccio nature park is alpine habitat for an almost infinite variety of plants and animals.

“The nature park house at the entrance of the Ciamin valley is integrated in a former sawmill. The old structure with the sawmill manager’s flat is still preserved and the old Venetian sawmill has been

made operational again. Visitors appreciate such authenticity,” Klaus Puntaier, the custodian of the nature park house, explains. New exhibition items have been carefully added: an audio guide with information about the saws and bird calls, a film cabin and references to fauna, flora and the geology of the nature park. Once a week the Venetian saws are started up.

Info point Laghetto di Fiè. The nature park info point is located at the car park near the small lake in Fiè allo Sciliar. Here visitors have access to information about flora and fauna around the Laghetto di Fiè as well as the types of fish in the pond. In addition to the extensive information material, there is also always someone available to give any further information needed. «

Nature Park Sciliar-Catinaccio From the middle of May to the beginning of September, you can take part in a guided nature park excursion with our guide Riccardo Insam. For more information contact the tourist offices.

Opening times of the nature park house Sciliar-Catinaccio in Tires are: From 3 June to 4 October 2014, Tuesdays to Saturday s from 9.30am to 12.30pm and from 2.30pm to 6pm. It is also open on Sundays during the summer months of July and August. There is a presentation of Venetian saws on Wednesdays at 11.00am, 3.00pm and 4.30pm.

10 ALPE | Summer

Opening times of the Laghetto di Fiè information point are: From 9 July to 22 September 2014, Tuesdays to Sundays from 9.30am to 1.00pm and from 3.00pm to 5.30pm. Closed Mondays.

Summer | ALPE 11

Photo: SAM/Laurin Moser

The Myth of the Dolomites

The fascinating landscape of the Dolomites is particularly suggestive thanks to the strange rock formations and the unmistakeable colours.

In South Tyrolean extreme mountaineer Reinhold Messner‘s words, they are “the most beautiful mountains in the world“. The incomparable beauty of the Dolomites is widely renowned and for many they are synonymous with excellence in summer holidays.

he mountains of the Dolomites can be thought of as a fossilised coral reef arching up into the sky in spectacular fashion. Thanks to their monumental beauty as well as their geological and geomorphologic significance, the so-called Pale Mountains were awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 2009. Divided into nine areas among which the Sciliar-Catinaccio Nature Park, the Dolomites are considered one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the world.

40 years of Sciliar-Catinaccio Nature Park: South Tyrol’s oldest natural reserve, a 7,291-hectare park, is situated in the western Dolomites and was founded in 1974. The Sciliar is an impressive mountain range whose emblematic outline, that includes the Santner and Euringer peaks, stands out as one of the signature landmarks of South Tyrol. The Catinaccio massif, with its numerous peaks, is also known far beyond the country’s borders. The most striking part of the massif is the Catinaccio D’Antermoia peak, which stands at a height of 3,002 metres. The natural park also includes the mountain forests around Siusi, Fiè and Tires, and the Ciamin valley. «

Bruneck Brunico

Südtirol

Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage

5 St. Ulrich

Bozen Bolzano

3 Pale San Martino, San Lucano Dolomiti Bellunesi, Vette Feltrine

12 ALPE | Summer

Auronzo Corvara

Cortina d’Ampezzo

Canazei

Alleghe

Pieve di Cadore

Agordo

Longarone

Cimolais

Pordenone Fiera di Primiero

9 Trento

Belluno

Udine

Belluno Feltre

Trentino

Ampezzo

Zoldo

Madonna di Campiglio

7 Sciliar Catinaccio, Latemar 9 Brenta Dolomites

Tiers/Tires

Cavalese

4 Friulian and d’Oltre Piave Dolomites

8 Bletterbach

Fiè allo Sciliar

2 Marmolada

6 Puez-Odle

St. Vigil S. Vigilio

Kastelruth Ortisei Castelrotto Seis am Schlern Seiser Alm Siusi allo Sciliar Alpe di Siusi Völs am Schlern

1 Pelmo, Croda da Lago

5 Northern Dolomites

Brixen Bressanone

Meran Merano

Lienz Toblach Dobbiaco

Pordenone

Armin Profanter Profanter Real Estate

Your real estate agency in the Sciliar region Interesting real estate offers can be found at www.agentur-profanter.com

P R O FA N T E R â&#x20AC;˘ r e a l e s t a t e

39040 CASTELROTTO - via Panider, 5 Tel. +39 0471 707 248 - Mobil +39 348 383 27 88 - Fax +39 0471 707 380 www.agentur-profanter.com | info@agentur-profanter.com OFFICE HOURS: Monday to Friday from 8 to 12.30 a.m., and from 2 to 5 p.m.

Summer | ALPE 13

14 ALPE | Summer

The Saltner Much The Alpe di Siusi holiday area has three Saltners, one in the Tschapit area and one on the Sciliar mountain. The third and at the same time the youngest is Michael Tirler, the Saltner (cattle drover) from Saltria. However, the local people only know him by his nickname of Much.

henever Much puts on his Saltner clothes and hat, his Haflinger (a local breed of horse) mare, Daisy is already waiting impatiently to ride off with him to the Bosco dei Bovi forest. Much hails from the Untermulser farm in Castelrotto. He works as a cattle drover on the Alpe di Siusi and is responsible, starting from the Saltner mountain hut, for the eastern

pasture lands of the Alpe di Siusi. From a legal point of view Alexander Ciabattoni is the head Saltner. He is the leaseholder of the Saltner mountain hut, but Much really looks after the animals.

“Saltner” has its origins in the Latin word “saltus” that could be translated as pasture land. The oldest legendary Saltner on the Alpe di Siusi, »

Text: André Bechtold Photo: Helmuth Rier

Summer | ALPE 15

16 ALPE | Summer

handed down historically, is “Partschott”. He was the gamekeeper and cattle drover of the famous dwarf king Laurin. When he was taken prisoner by Dietrich of Bern, he put a curse on his Catinaccio so that it should not blossom during the day or night. However, he forgot to include the twilight and so the Dolomites glow red when the sun goes down. But King Laurin also forgot his Saltner on the Alpe di Siusi when putting his curse on the Catinaccio and so Partschott still wanders today through the woodland and can be seen, especially at solstice. Much has met him often.

the only people allowed to carry arms in church and even under Napoleon this right was not withdrawn. But Saltners were not allowed to marry. They were also supposed not to pester maidservants or farmers’ daughters. But at the same time Saltners were attractive. There were rumours that they could speak to animals. They were physically strong and, as they lived in harmony with nature, they gathered strength from this. If you ask Much whether things are still the same today he just smiles mischievously.

Peter Sattler, his predecessor, once said that he Between 1473 and 1477 the so-called “Castlrutterische Seiser Albm Zetl” was recorded. It is about comprehensive rules of court of 45 articles in which the Saltner were instructed and sworn in. In 1582 and 1583 further additions were added to the “Albm Zetl”. Article 22 lays down how the Saltner has to look after the livestock. For example, he has to report the loss of an animal within three days. Much still has to do this today, but the dangers are fewer now than they were for his predecessors because today there are no longer bears and wolves on the Alpe di Siusi. The last wolves were deployed in 1966 for filming Roman Polanski’s cult film “Dance of the Vampires”. But Much still has a lot to do. Whenever the cattle come to him in June for transhumance to the summer pastures, he makes a mental note of each one of the 400 cattle and knows also its owner. There are in addition the Haflinger horses and the goats.

Much portions up the meadows and supervises the possible extra benefit of salt stones. From now on he has to monitor the cattle and make sure that none gets lost. If an animal gets injured or shows signs of illness, Much has to inform the vet and, as laid down already in 1473/77, the owner. Every day he has to make his walkabout, or rather his round tour on horseback, through the meadows until the beginning of October when the cattle are brought down from the mountain pastures – an event that is followed today by many spectators. In the time of Empress Sissi the Saltner was a tourist attraction in South Tyrol’s wine-growing regions. With his fine display of feathers he appeared to step out of a Karl May novel. But this wine Saltner has little in common with the Saltner on the alpine pastures. Nevertheless there is a lot that is mysterious and erotic about this figure, whether on the alpine pasture or in the vineyard. Saltners were

placed a lot of importance on the following old-established law. The Saltner gets a Schüttelbrot (special bread made in South Tyrol) for each animal brought down from the alpine pastures. Initially many young farmers did not want to do this. Peter settled this matter very simply. Whenever the farmers came to move their cattle down from the alpine pastures, he did not “know” where they were that morning and so they had to come back – this time with Schüttelbrot. This “profession” is shrouded in legend, but in reality its everyday work is much more challenging and harder compared to the romantic picture of the American cowboys in westerns. Much has not played a part in any western, but he is meanwhile well-known beyond the borders of South Tyrol. On 3 November 2013 in the ZDF HERBSTSHOW (autumn show) the reporter Eric Mayer accompanied him and during the broadcast the various articles that Saltners carry with them were shown and their purpose explained: for example, the Saltner horn, their whip and their traditional costume. The third series of the ZDF programme “Auf dem Dach Europas” (On the rooftops of Europe) was broadcast on 2 January 2014. There Much can be seen bringing the cattle down from the alpine pastures. If you meet Michael Tirler in Castelrotto, he appears to be a typical young man. If you meet him in his working place then he is the Saltner Much and you willingly believe the old stories, the longing for promised time and the return of King Laurin. Whenever you see Much in the distance on his Daisy riding over the alpine pastures under the red-glowing Sassopiatto mountain, then time somehow stands still. Yet if Much then speaks to an old man, who then quickly disappears again into the legendary depths of the Alpe di Siusi, then the legacy of Partschott is alive. «

Summer | ALPE 17

Firmly in woman’s hands The enjoyable culinary travel guide “Südtiroler Weiberwirtschaften” (South Tyrolean women’s inns), introduces, in addition to many other women, two special hostesses, Luisa Schenk and Martha Fink Markart from the Alpe di Siusi holiday area.

ur choice of landladies and cooks in this book ensures that the largest number of different characters, stories and life patterns are articulated. This impressive line-up of inns is also as varied as the region itself: from the typical rustic wine tavern on a farm to the mountain cabin, from the traditional village inn and wine bar to the top restaurant,” Elisabeth Augustin, the author, and Anneliese Kompatscher, the photographer, explain. South Tyrol’s landladies and cooks are fortunate in that they live in two different culinary worlds: in that of the down-to-earth alpine countries and that of the easier-going Mediterranean countries. They know how to be creative and resourceful and how to juggle with ease between regional recipes, modern classic dishes and delicacies.

Text: Barbara Rier Photo: Anneliese Kompatscher © from “Südtiroler Weiberwirtschaften”, Hädecke Edition, Germany

The differences in the women selected, but also of their recipes, make the book into something special. Elisabeth Augustin has succeeded with a lot of empathy and a healthy portion of curiosity in letting the women themselves tell the stories of their lives. Readers find out, as it were, what life is like in addition to cooking and running the inn. Likewise Anneliese Kompatscher, the photogra-

pher, gives the individuality of the women a lot of space in her photos. Her photos of the appealing and attractively described recipes whet the reader’s appetite for more.

Luisa Schenk is a horse enthusiast and the innkeeper of the alpine refuge Zallinger on the Alpe di Suisi. She managed the Zallinger for many years with her husband Hans Schenk, who died in March 2010 and with whom she shared a passion for Haflinger horses. She continues to breed horses on her farm in Laion with the help of an employee. Her nephew Markus now helps her in the refuge. At the height of the season everyone has more than enough to do in the Zallinger refuge and Luisa Schenk is the life and soul of the hotel. In addition to the restaurant there are also 16 guestrooms in the hotel. The four multi-bed rooms are especially popular in summer with the many hikers who spend several days in the Dolomite Mountains. At more than 2,000 metres above sea level the Zallinger mountain pasture is a world all of its own and its hospitality is legendary. Here guests can enjoy peace and quiet and the endless breadth of its landscape. The cuisine is traditional and attracts many skiers, ski tourers and especially to- »

This culinary tour guide gives readers the exact address of the inns and their opening hours as well as a detailed description of how to get there. In addition, each chapter includes a tip for an excursion. The book is published in German by the Hädecke-Verlag with the collaboration of two women. The author, Elisabeth Augustin, is at home in Fiè allo Sciliar. She is a journalist and also writes for the Alpe di Siusi Magazine ALPE, among others. The photographer, Anneliese Kompatscher, was born in Fiè allo Sciliar and grew up there in the Hotel Heubad in Fiè di Sopra. She has lived for many years near Munich. She has been well versed in gastronomic matters and local cuisine since her childhood. Many years ago she followed her mother’s recipes, photographed them and published them in her successful book “Südtiroler Küche” (South Tyrolean cuisine). 18 ALPE | Summer

Summer | ALPE 19

Braised lamb A recipe from Martha Fink (For 4-6 servings) Ingredienti 100g carrots 50g celery stalks 100g onions 3 potatoes 800g leg of lamb Salt, freshly ground pepper 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil 250 ml white wine 1 large cup of beef stock 1 bunch of mixed herbs 2 twigs of rosemary

Preparation · Wash and peel the carrots and dice them. Peel the onions and chop them up finely. Peel and cut the potatoes into halves, larger ones into smaller pieces. · Pre-heat the oven at 200°C. · Season the leg of lamb with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a roasting tin and brown the leg of lamb on all sides. Add the white wine, boil it rapidly until reduced and add the beef stock. Add the potatoes, herbs and rosemary twigs. Braise for 40 minutes, turn the meat consistently and baste with the sauce. Potatoes and coleslaw make a tasty side dish.

20 ALPE | Summer

bogganists in the winter, as well as hikers and mountain bikers in the summer, into this well-known but distant corner of the Alpe di Siusi. South Tyrolean dishes, such as pickled beef, goulash and cured pork chops, all kinds of dumpling and various pasta specialties are served. For dessert there is Kaiserschmarrn and home-made cakes. The meat comes from their own livestock and the salad from Luisa’s garden in Laion. Guests in the Zallinger should feel at ease. This is what makes Luisa most happy.

Martha Fink Markart. The hostess of the Alten Fausthof farm manages her one-woman-business with commitment and enthusiasm and does her best for the comfort of her guests. Whoever is looking for the rustic and unspoilt is in the wrong place here. The Alte Fausthof farm impresses with its skilled mixture of tradition and contemporary style. Its natural and elegant decoration results in complete harmony. This creative aspect is also

reflected in Martha Fink’s cuisine. Her home-made bread, her pumpkin soup, her Schlutzer (ravioli) filled with apple, ricotta and Speck, her shoulder of veal with potatoes with rosemary, as well as various kinds of dessert served as small morsels are unforgettable. Everything is served fresh as it has to be ordered in advance. The accompanying wine comes from the neighbouring farms of Gump and Besserer. The Vernatsch (Schiava), the best known of South Tyrol’s wines, is produced by Martha in her own small vineyard. The vegetables and fruit also come from Martha’s own garden. Cherries, apricots, plums, figs and quinces are made into jams: the vegetables are pickled. In the Alten Fausthof farm guests should feel themselves at home. As soon as they sit down together in the Stube after a good meal and make themselves comfortable then the creative hostess starts to play the guitar or the piano. «

HAY HARVEST FROM ALPE DI SIUSI In every square metre of Alpe di Siusi mountain fields one can find up to 80 herbs and flowers – ladies’ mantle, wormwood, meadow anemone, yarrow, gentian, arnica and primrose to name but a few. The abundance of natural, energising, health-giving properties they hold within represent a true gift from nature to your skin. The scent of Original Mountain Hay body care line is unmistakable and the effects as multifaceted as the hay itself.

Sarner Natur I-39058 Val Sarentino Reinwald 87 T +39 0471 625521 info@trehs.com www.trehs.com

Trehs® Original Mountain Hay body care line uses exclusively mountain hay from the wild mountain fields of the Alpe di Siusi. Tenderly hand-harvested and blended into extracts for the natural body care line under the most exacting of quality control standards.

This body care line can be found too in specialist shops and at hotels with a feel for the authentic in life.

Summer | ALPE 21

22 ALPE | Summer

Joachim Rier has a small cheese dairy on his farm, the Hof zu Fall, in San Valentino. Together with his wife, Michaela, this enthusiastic farmer manages his farm with nine milk cows, a farm shop and holiday apartments.

A really special cheese!

he young farmer Joachim became a father for the first time in November 2013. Little Amelie still knows nothing about cheese and cows nor about the breathtaking view of the Santner spire and the Sciliar mountain that can be seen right outside the front door of their farm. In a few years perhaps she will look in with her parents on the cows in the barn, help making cheese or help out in the farm shop. At present she still lies in her pram and her father pushes her around the farm. The young farmer can organise his time and so he can easily find an hour to be with his daughter. That was one of the reasons why the trained surveyor decided to take on the farm. He wants to live where he works and with the cheese dairy Joachim Rier has found work from which he can also live. In January 2014 the young son of an hotelier from Castelrotto took over the farm from his father. Joachim has always helped on the farm that his father bought almost 20 years ago and this way the joy of farming has also grown on him. After collage he tried his hand for five years as a surveyor. But at the same time when sitting in his office he knew that

everyone had a lot of work to do on the farm. He therefore suggested to his father that he take over the farm and produce milk. His father still works and is a great help to Joachim. This beautiful environment is also the home of nine grey cattle, an indigenous and traditional South Tyrolean breed. The cows are in the barn only during feeding. Afterwards they are quickly returned to the pen. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The cows are out in the open almost all day and night. They feel at ease in the fresh air. They hardly sleep as they are almost always busy ruminating,â&#x20AC;? Joachim explains. The farm has more than ten hectares of alpine pastureland, partly also on the Alpe di Siusi. The calves come there in the summer retreat and the cows are fed aromatic hay. That is good for the milk, the basis for successful cheese production and a requirement for tasty cheese.

The farm cheese dairy. Cheese is made on the farm every few days, almost 600 times in the past three years. The rooms for production adjoin the barn: a cheese workshop, small but nice, and a room for proper storage of wheels of cheese. Cleanliness is top priority when producing cheese. Âť

Text: Barbara Pichler Photo: Helmuth Rier

Summer | ALPE 23

24 ALPE | Summer

Joachim works in his “cheese kitchen” wearing a white lab coat, cap and sparkling clean boots that he only wears in the cheese dairy. To begin with he checks how much milk there is in the large cauldron. A chart determines how much lactic acid bacteria has to be added. “I am fascinated by the technically precise work in a cheese dairy. It is a little like a scientific laboratory,” Joachim believes. The Hof zu Fall farm produces exclusively sweet milk cheese with rennet from calf stomachs. The rennet clots the milk while preventing it turning sour. Joachim produces three kinds of cheese from his high-quality raw milk: Castelrotto soft cheese, semisoft cheese and the Santner alpine cheese. These cheeses mature in a particular cellar in between five weeks and three months before they are ready for selling. Cheese is a living product capable of development. Estimates indicate that there are about 5,000 different kinds. The young farmer also refines his semisoft cheese with caraway seeds, chilli, pepper or bread clover. The very spicy bread clover, to be found in every farmer’s garden in South Tyrol, is the typical spice for sourdough breads that were formerly still produced in farmhouses. Joachim Rier has already made a name for himself with his cheese at the cheese festival in Campo Tures. In order to extend the range of his products, the young farmer has devised something new for summer. As he particularly likes eating yoghurt, he is going to produce his own in the future. Every Friday in the summer Joachim Rier sells his cheese at the farmer’s market in Castelrotto and this year he is including his yoghurt. This is his third year there on site with his stall and already he has many enthusiastic customers who will soon be able to appreciate fresh yoghurt from Hof zu Fall. «

Summer | ALPE 25

Distillery

Zu Plun The distiller. Florian Rabanser is a passionate distiller. His farm distillery, Zu Plun, is the highest-located distillery in South Tyrol and the only one in the Dolomite Mountains. Rabanser knows that the quality and ripeness of the local fruit and marc are the most important things for a good distillate. In the end pure and unadulterated distillates are distilled in the copper vat. As the farm distillery is allowed to distil only a limited amount of alcohol, the emphasis is on quality rather than quantity. In this way, the spirit can mature in the two-fold distilling process for another year before it is ready to sell.

Farm Distillery Zu Plun Florian Rabanser S. Valentino, 9 39040 Siusi allo Sciliar Tel. +39 335 60 095 56 www.zuplun.it info@zuplun.it

26 ALPE | Summer

Gin - Winning awards in London. Gentian, juniper, arnica, rose hip, elder and a further 19 local herbs refined with a hint of lemon: these are Florian Rabanserâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ingredients for his Dol-Gin. This mixture is in a class of its own. The Dry Gin from the Dolomites was highly awarded in London, the stronghold of gin. In addition to gin, Zu Plun also distils grappa, rum and fruit distillates. Liquid Dolomites. From 13 to 15 January the Alpe di Siusi holiday area is the meeting point for cocktail mixers and producers of distillate. Liquid Dolomites commemorates the bar culture of the Alps! New recipes, new cocktails, stars of the bar world and a cocktail show present the skill needed to be a barman. Whisky, rum, gin and vodka of the best known producers can be sampled.

Hartmann Stampfer: “A marathon is the challenge of running 42 kilometres.”

Marathon man He describes himself as an ambitious amateur. Others regard him as an exceptional athlete who has, believe it or not, run 200 marathons in twelve years. With his dedication and iron will, Hartmann Stampfer from Fiè allo Sciliar has taken part in races all around the world.

hat’s in a name? Should you be christened Hartmann (hard man), the answer is quite a lot. The boy in question was born in Fiè allo Sciliar in 1960 and has always shown his mettle, in victory or defeat. Yet Hartmann Stampfer does not stand out among the other runners in training at the lake Laghetto di

Fiè. This idyllic quiet spot, at the foot of the Sciliar massif, is where he likes to prepare for his next big challenge, already planned long ago with painstaking care. Hartmann is a marathon runner who is making sports history while appreciating his favourite subject, geography, in his own particular way. »

Text: Elisabeth Augustin Photo: Helmuth Rier

Summer | ALPE 27

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Running is important, but it is not the most important thing.â&#x20AC;?

28 ALPE | Summer

As a traffic systems engineer on the railways, Hartmann makes good use of his flexitime for sport. While he was a keen cycle racer in his youth, in 2001 he took up running on account of his then still young sons. And, as someone driven by curiosity and ambition, he did not wait long before entering his first big race, the South Tyrol marathon on 1 April 2002. This was the last marathon to take place in Bolzano, but for Hartmann it was the first on a very long list. He knew Bolzano like the back of his hand and had a premonition that this was somehow a unique opportunity. His thoughts: “If I can manage a marathon in a town I know so well, then I’ll have no difficulty with any of the others.” He duly overcame this first hurdle without any problem. In 2003, however, a persistent injury prevented Hartmann from taking part in any further races. In spite of this, he set himself the goal of completing another marathon in his life. Just one year later he was back: in 2004 he entered the Rome marathon, and finished it. “That was the best marathon I have ever done,” he enthuses. “The race was like a sightseeing tour. It started and finished at the Colosseum: it went via Piazza Venezia and then St Peter’s Square, along the River Tiber and back via the historic Olympic stadium, then on to Piazza Navona, Piazza di Spagna, past the Trevi Fountain and all the other famous monuments, but at marathon pace, not like an ordinary tourist.”

Only run each marathon once. It soon became clear to Hartmann, with his thirst for knowledge, that running went perfectly with travelling while underpinning Hartmann’s most important credo: you should only run each marathon once. “Every marathon is unique and should remain a unique experience in the runner’s mind,” says Hartmann. This attitude saw the Italian marathon scene dub him “Paganini” after the violin virtuoso who never did the same thing twice. Hartmann gradually evolved into an enthusiastic marathon collector, well-known for his exceptional preparation in the 100-marathon clubs of Italy, as well as in Austria and Germany. As a South Tyrolean, he regards himself as a link between north and south. But 100 marathons were not enough for Hartmann. Collecting them became an obsession. “There are over 1,000 marathons, don’t worry,” he grins. Of the 199 marathons Hartmann has run, about half were in Germany and Italy, but to date his hobby

has taken him to 49 different countries, and he can list them all. He has travelled – or rather run – every continent in the world “except Oceania and the Antarctic”. In Europe he has only the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo left to do. Each marathon is a new challenge for Hartmann Stampfer. For every race it is essential to plan the trip, find suitable accommodation and study the route. In order to achieve this while holding down a job requires not just rigorous time management, but a partner to back him 100%. “My wife Johanna is my biggest fan,” says Hartmann proudly. “If possible she comes along, follows the race along the route and takes photos.” Planning for races has to begin as early as possible in order to save costs and find the best way there. This means long-term planning and organisation. Hartmann loves figures and can effortlessly reproduce, off the top of his head, his entire running career in charts and tables. His first marathon was Bolzano in 2002; six years later (2008) came the hundredth in Berlin, another six years later (2014) came number two hundred, in London. He remembers every route, his exact time and probably also the entry fee. In 2006 he ran 26 marathons, 37 each in 2007 and 2008, and in 2009 he managed 34. For »

Shoe by Shoe with Kenyan Star Runners At the second Alpe di Siusi Half-Marathon on 6 July 2014, both professional and amateur athletes will have the chance to run side by side with Kenyan marathon stars. The competition, over 21 km long, combines an intensive sporting challenge and an experience in summer nature across Europe’s biggest mountain pasture. The start is set for 6 July, 2014 at 10.00 am in Compaccio, at an altitude of 1,850 meters. Green fields and blossoming meadows will serve as the scenic backdrop for this half-marathon, as long as the runners are able to accept the challenge and fight their way up to the highest point, located at a height of 2,050 meters below the Punta d’Oro. The right motivation during this special challenge will be provided by famous Kenyan marathon runners, who will participate out of competition, and who will help make the Alpe di Siusi Half-Marathon a high profile and star-filled running event. www.alpedisiusi.info/running

SEISER ALM | ALPE DI SIUSI

HALF MARATHON

Summer | ALPE 29

the moment, his performance has levelled off at a “tolerable and manageable maximum of ten marathons a year” he explains. Further personal statistics show that he has run 44 marathons in under 3.30 hours, 150 in under 4 hours, and 49 in over 4 hours. But for him the time taken to finish is not the point. At the beginning, it is true, he wanted to be as good and as fast as possible. Over the years, however, collecting marathons became more important and ultimately it also became his wish to discover the world through marathon running. He has documented everything meticulously on his homepage (www.stampfer.org). The detailed reports and pictures speak for themselves: he visibly enjoys being “on tour” and meeting and getting to know people.

Extraordinary marathons. Hartmann Stampfer’s

More than the many medals count the memories and experiences of each marathon.

30 ALPE | Summer

instant powers of recall allow him to review every single run in his head. He fondly remembers some races in particular, for example his participation in a run in a prison in Darmstadt along with 25 prisoners who had prepared for the race for half a year. There were also the run in a potassium mine in Thüringen, 700 metres underground, with very low humidity; running through the old Elbe tunnel in Hamburg; or via two storeys of a Nuremberg office block. While the range of marathons in Italy is not quite so original, the run in Piancavallo in Friuli-Venezia Giulia in a factory building – on a

concrete floor – stands out for him, at least in negative terms. On the other hand he rhapsodises about the marathons in Florence, Venice, Verona, Brescia, Pisa and Naples, not to mention St. Petersburg and the fantastic runs in Scandinavia and Spain. He has also experienced the joys of running marathons through mountainous terrain or scenery, including the legendary Jungfrau Marathon and the Brixen Dolomites Marathon. But Hartmann Stampfer cannot deny his urge to achieve the extraordinary. As if running one marathon were not enough, he has even run so-called double-deckers, i.e. one on Saturday and another on Sunday: “A real test of your mental strength”, as he says. He has done this three times and mentions, as if it is the most normal thing in the world, that he has several more ultra-marathons scheduled, for example 100 miles in Berlin or the Passatore from Florence to Faenza. So far Hartmann has never given up during a marathon: he has finished every one. His recipe for success is in a nutshell: “use your head, do not ask too much of your body and do not get stressed.” Running a marathon is a matter of endurance: to complete 42.195 km needs a lot of patience and optimum energy usage in particular. In London, in April 2014, Hartmann will have finished his 200th marathon. «

sh Fre ts duc o r p r

KOMMA Graphik · Foto: Helmuth Rier

ou from al loc rs e farm

The new supermarket Coop in the heart of Castelrotto offers you a wide range of first quality products. In the specialities‘ corner you will find unique culinary delights from local farmers, from biological origin and from fair trade. At the selling desk there is the famous butcher Heinz of the renowned Butcher Shop Silbernagl offering you typical Speck from Castelrotto and Helga, the soul of the Bakery and Confectionery Shop Burgauner, who will contribute with the “Schüttelbrot”. Why don‘t you come around? Food - Butcher - Bakery - Confectionery - Hardware - Gardening - Agriculture articles

Burgauner BAKERY · CONFECTIONERY

butcher’s silbernagl

MARKT

Famiglia Cooperativa di Castelrotto Via Panider, 24 · Tel. 0471 706 330 · www.konsummarkt.com Opening hours: From Monday to Saturday from 7.30 to 12.30 a.m. and from 3.00 to 7.00 p.m.

Summer | ALPE 31

Butterfly on the Spitzbühl The Spitzbühl on the Alpe di Siusi is a thermal Eldorado beyond compare. All enthusiastic model aircraft flyers will find their ideal flying area here.

T Text: Rosa Maria Erlacher Photo: Helmuth Rier

32 ALPE | Summer

he Spitzbühl is a hill summit on the western border of the Alpe di Siusi. Whoever has been there once will never forget the fantastic view. The steep rock walls of the Sciliar with the nearby Dolomite peaks of Santner spire and Euringer spire seem to be close enough to touch. The view sweeps over the valley basins of Bolzano and the river Adige as far as the glaciers of the main chain

of the Alps. The extensive alpine pastures come to an abrupt end at the edge of the slope. The small village of Alpe di Siusi nestles below in a further valley basin. Whenever the temperature in this valley basin, protected by the Sciliar massif, has risen, a thermal lift develops that turns the Spitzbühl into a favoured launch pad for para gliders and hang glid- »

Summer | ALPE 33

34 ALPE | Summer

ers. They let the thermal lift carry them high above the Sciliar so that they can then land on the pastures above Siusi. The Spitzbühl is considered to be one of the most beautiful thermal lift hot spots of the Alps among model aircraft flyers. Normally the thermal lift is so strong that parts of it spread along the slope side and so create a local wind system. “It can happen that a thermal lift literally pulls our model aircraft up into the sky,” says Matthias. According to him it is quite normal that it climbs more than three metres per second, but it can also descend just as quickly. “Therefore our models have to be robust enough to withstand such pressures,” he stresses. The hot air however rises only in the afternoon and this can prove to be a hard challenge for the patience of enthusiastic flyers.

Difficult access. The Alpe di Siusi road is closed to traffic from 9am to 5pm. Therefore the flyers have to pass the control point at San Valentino at the very latest shortly before 9am and then they can park free of charge in the car park in front of the valley station of the Spitzbühl chair lift. It takes only a few minutes to get to Spitzbühl by chair lift. By foot, flyers have to climb up 200 metres in altitude on the paved forest road. The lift runs from 8.30am to 5.15pm. Whoever flies for a longer time will have to return to the car park on foot whether they want to or not. The time spent waiting for ideal flying conditions can be spent stress-free in the Spitzbühl mountain hut enjoying South Tyrolean delicacies or taking the sun on the stunning terrace while talking shop with other hobby flyers. Whoever does not want to wait can always take the Alpe di Siusi cable car from Siusi to Campaccio, but will then have to accept a 20 to 30 minute walk down to the Spitzbühl chairlift valley station.

Or he can take the Alpe di Siusi Express bus from Siusi via Castelrotto up to the alpine pasture and get out directly at the Spitzbühl car park. There is a list posted up in the Spitzbühl mountain hut on which model aircraft flyers can enter their own frequency. “This list operates according to the motto ‘First come, first served’,” Matthias explains. He says that it is also possible to try to come to some sort of agreement with the others on this. Matthias is an agreeable type of person and therefore gets on well with the hang gliders and para gliders who start from Spitzbühl. “Somebody’s life depends on a glider. For this reason, I keep as far away from it as possible with my model aircraft. If the glider has a better upcurrent, then it should have it and I’ll go and land,” he explains his attitude.

Challenges. He also appreciates that a farmer does not necessarily want his cultivated pastures trampled down just because his meadow makes an ideal landing place. “These meadows are fenced off and we should respect that,” is his opinion. If it is impossible to avoid landing on this pasture, then the model aircraft has to be retrieved using the greatest possible care not to cause unnecessary damage to the farmer’s property. Landing on the Spitzbühl is in any event a tricky challenge for model aircraft flyers. With a bit of practice at the beginning it is possible to land at the launch pad. The meadow rises a few metres from the slope side. As you are coming in with a following wind, you hit the ground very quickly there. The official landing place is a meadow that leads down to near the chair lift. This is also used as an emergency facility if you are below the slope side. “Although I have managed some very soft landings there too,” Matthias says not without pride. If he crashes however, then he has many hours of repair work to make the model plane fit for flying again. “You simply have to accept that. But for me the time spent fiddling and pottering about gives me just as much pleasure as the flying itself.” «

Summer | ALPE 35

36 ALPE | Summer

The 18-hole golf course has been under new management since spring 2013. Now it is known as “Golf St. Vigil Seis” and has the support of two efficient families of entrepreneurs: the Pramstrahler Family from Fiè allo Sciliar and the Stuffer Family from Bolzano.

Mr Stephan Pramstrahler, as the owner of the Romantik Hotel Turm in Fiè allo Sciliar, you are not only a successful hotelier, but you are now also joint-owner of a golf course. How did you manage this? The former owners have achieved something really spectacular with the construction of the golf course. But then they were overwhelmed by the pressure of their

An “eagle” for our golf course

debts. When it finally came to an auction, I put a bid together with the Stuffer Family. For one thing, because I began playing golf on this course and therefore I had an emotional attachment to it. The other thing was because I have seen how many guests of the Romantik Hotel Turm – and also of other hotels – appreciate this offer. I therefore thought that this golf course still has an enormous

potential for tourists. An additional reason for buying was that this 60-hectare site could give me the chance to develop further in the future as businessman and as hotelier. Did you have to change a lot at the golf course? No, that was not really necessary. Already before we took it over it was one of the top 40 golf »

Intervista: Rosa Maria Erlacher Photo: Helmuth Rier

Summer | ALPE 37

courses in Europe. Or as a wellknown golfing journalist put it, it is one of those courses on which you must definitely have played once in your life. That is, the design of the landscape architect Bernd Hofmann and the golf professional Wolfgang Jersombek could not be improved on. They have integrated a spectacular, sporting and technically exacting course in such an outstanding fashion that we now only still have to improve the mainte-

38 ALPE | Summer

nance and currently optimise the security on the roadways and footpaths or the fencing. In addition, we pay attention to some small details, e.g., that there are plates full of apples for the players when teeing off. Have you changed anything at the Golfhotel Sonne? Yes, we had to. It is now being managed directly by the Romantik Hotel Turm. We have furnished and re-equipped all the

rooms as well as the wellness area. Then we have invested heavily in the area that is amenable to all golfers. In the newly designed Restaurant 19 or on the terrace with its stunning view golfers can still their hunger or thirst after the game. Here we have focussed our attention on high quality products. We have spruced up our bar by adding a stylish wine bar and creating an atmosphere in which you can feel completely at home.

You yourself are an enthusiastic golfer. How would you describe the St. Vigil Seis golf course? Now there are plenty of golf courses that are wonderful to play, but about which you hardly remember anything. This is completely different in the case of the St. Vigil Seis golf course. Each hole is interesting, presents a different challenge and leaves a lasting impression. Some can really be described as completely

spectacular, e.g., hole 15/par 3 with the largest difference in height in the whole of Europe. There are gullies and streams, wide and narrow fairways, you play up and downhill and past trees and ponds (or not as the case may be). The game demands a lot of concentration, but the course is fair enough for beginners to play it. The stunning panorama with its view of the nearby Dolomite Mountains, the distant peaks of the Alps and the wood-

land, meadows and hamlets close by is unique world-wide. Who can use the course? Anyone who can show a valid identification allowing him to play there. Up to the present time we have about 150 club members, some with international membership, and we have stipulated a maximum of 250 members. This way sufficient playing time can be set aside for green fee players. In addition we Âť

Summer | ALPE 39

have made agreements with our 25 partner hotels whose guests can take advantage of our 30% reduction in green fees. What facilities does the St. Vigil Seis golf course offer? We have a spacious driving range with 32 covered teeing-off places on two levels, practice facilities with putting, pitching and chipping green as well as a practice bunker. Head pro Rudi Knapp, head of the St. Vigil Seis golf school, together with his assistants offers golf instruction at the highest level. The offer in-

40 ALPE | Summer

cludes kids’ camps for children and adolescents and golf clinics for adults. He also accompanies beginners until they reach proficiency or competence, but he trains top players such as our own profi Aron Zemmer. In addition we have extended our fleet of vehicles. Electro carts, trolleys and battery-driven trolleys are hired. There is a room for storing golf equipment and showers and changing rooms are available near the driving range. And then of course there is the Restaurant 19 with its stunning terrace. In addition we host a weekly competition every Thursday in which

everyone can participate. We round it off with a barbeque on our terrace. What are your prospects for the future? We will definitely not stand still and will improve our offers for golfers year on year. We need strength and vision for this, just like the eagle in our logo. It stands not only for the “eagle” in golf but also for the king of the skies as he circles in the rocks of the Sciliar mountain above the golf course. Thank you for the Interview.

n-project.com - mendinidesign

the leading specialist wine merchant in the Schlern area

BevarageS WholeSale anD retail SaleS FiĂ¨, Via del Paese 7 - Tel. +39 0471 724030 Tires, Via S. Giorgio 9 - Tel. +39 0471 642106

www.weindiele.com hop nline-S With O

Even greater than Everest ... ... is the Kastelruther Spatzen’s festival. This is how the Kastelruther Spatzen, one of Europe’s most successful bands, extol this mega spectacle in their home town. This year the 30th Kastelruther Spatzen festival is set to pass off smoothly.

It promises to be an unforgettable jubilee celebration. Not only because there have been many rumours about whether the Kastelruther Spatzen should end their career after this and return to private life. “There is no basis for these rumours,” this 30-year old super successful folk music band disclaims. “As long as we enjoy playing music and as long as our fans want to hear us, we shall definitely not think of stopping.”

Text: Rosa Maria Erlacher Photo: Helmuth Rier

42 ALPE | Summer

Therefore it will certainly not be the last Kastelruther Spatzen festival, but an altogether extraordinary one. It will be a major event, as it were, that will not last for the usual three days,

but should last, believe it or not, for five days from 9 to 13 October. “This is a thank you to our fans, who have always stuck by us, bought our CDs and come to our concerts”, says lead singer Norbert Rier. On Thursday they, the faithful fan clubs, will have their own party on the central square of Castelrotto. The party guests can look forward to an extra special programme. The Spatzen themselves will be on stage at least six times and regale their fans with old and new hits. But even their former musical companions Andreas Fulterer and Oswald Sattler, who have meanwhile embarked on solo

careers, cater for a revival of past Spatzen times. The Edelseer, the Südtiroler Spitzbuam and other folk music bands are real party hits, not to forget Jürgen Drews, known by all as the “King of Mallorca”. And for those for whom this is not enough there is a gala evening on Monday with the Kastelruther Spatzen, the Amigos and Semino Rossi.

30 years of the Spatzen festival. It was in 1984, after they had won gold with their record “Das Mädchen mit den erloschenen Augen” (The girl with the lifeless eyes), when the Spatzen, together with the local band, staged the first Kastelruther Spatzen festival. A large tent was set up on a meadow outside the centre of the village.

When the record company Koch gave the Spatzen their very first golden disc, fans came there from everywhere to celebrate with them. This first tent accommodated 1,200 people. Karl Schieder, the founder of the Spatzen, organised it all. And because the festival was such a success with the fans, it was repeated year on year and the tent got bigger and bigger. In spite of this it was always too small to accommodate the constantly increasing throng of fans. Therefore a start was made to split the Spatzen festival over two weekends and somewhere along the way Castelrotto had the biggest tent in Europe that accommodated more than 12,000 visitors. »

Summer | ALPE 43

Already at the beginning of the 1990s Richard Fill and Karl-Heinz Gross, the Spatzen manager, who meanwhile has died under tragic circumstances, had taken over the spectre of organisation. For the preparations and bureaucratic difficulties that go with such a mega event demand a lot of time, commitment and professionalism. “Safety, order and cleanliness are our top priorities”, Fill underlines his mandate. In each case more than 1,000 voluntary helpers support the local associations that cater alternatively for the hospitality of the fans. In addition there are voluntary helpers in the medical service, the security and parking services, the village police and the Carabinieri as well as the emergency medical services. And all these services have to be coordinated first of all so that during the festival everything really runs like clockwork.

Stress-tested. “Even if we begin preparations already many months beforehand, unforeseen situations always arise,” Fill says. Such an example was when it was necessary to park no fewer than 265 buses on the adjoining meadows. Another was when it rained in 1998 during the erection of the tent and the many buses had to be parked along the surrounding roads because of the water-logged meadows. “We have learned from this and have set up a shuttle service from all surrounding villages,” Fill reports. The stress-tested chef of the organising committee especially remembers the festival of October 2013. Already on Thursday it had begun to snow, but the auxiliary fire brigade saw to it that Friday’s concert could go ahead smoothly. But on Saturday it snowed again. “The statics of the tent are not designed to cope with such an extreme pressure of snow,” Fill explains. Therefore the rainwater gutters had to be slit open so that the snow could fall through them. The large quantities of snow were cleared away in record time and 400 cubic metres of wood chips were obtained in order to dry up the tent floor. “Barely one hour before the concert was due to begin, we got official permission to open the tent to the public,” Fill recalls. What does he still remember? “Although very many fans had come to the concert, the admission process worked perfectly. Afterwards there was still a terrific atmosphere in the tent!”. «

44 ALPE | Summer

without auto-mobile

Affordably and conveniently to the trekking wonderland with the Combi Card or the Seiser Alm Card Gold

Seiser Alm Card Gold

78,00 Euro

Seiser Alm Card Gold

80,00 Euro

(with Mobilcard Alpe di Siusi Live Card) (without Mobilcard Alpe di Siusi Live Card)

G Seiser Alm Card o-m

ohne aut

obil - sen

Combi Card 7

Gold

Com bi Ca rd

Sig. Giuse pp

ohn

e Ro

e au

to-m

obil

- sen

za a

uto-m

obil

Sign o

ra G

> unrestricted use of the Alpe di Siusi Aerial Cableway and the Alpe di Siusi Express (Bus Route 10) > unrestricted use of the Shuttle Bus Service around the Alpe di Siusi, the Almbus (Bus Route 11) and the Nightliner in the Alpe di Siusi holiday area from Passo Pinei to Fiè allo Sciliar > unrestricted use of the Bullaccia Aerial Cableway, the Aerial Lifts Spitzbühl, Panorama, Florian (Alpe di Siusi) and the Marinzen Chairlift (Castelrotto)

33,00 Euro

obile

ssi Senior - 80 ,00 Euro Carta Nu mero: 00 1969 22 luglio 2014 - 8:2 4 Uhr

Valid for 7 days (after first use) > 07.06. - 12.10.2014

Combi Card 3 in 7

za auto-m

Gültigke itsze Periodo di itraum: 7 Tage ab Value periovalidità: 7 giorni dallaErstentwertung. d: 7 days after first prima vidimazio ne. use.

44,00 Euro

Sen iuse io ppin Cart r - 35,0 a Ro 0 a 22 lu Numero Euro ssi glio : 2014 00192 4 - 9:2 4 Uh r

Combi Card 14

64,00 Euro

(with Mobilcard Alpe di Siusi Live Card)

Combi Card 3 in 7

Combi Card 7

Combi Card 14

35,00 Euro

46,00 Euro

68,00 Euro

(without Mobilcard Alpe di Siusi Live Card)

In the course of 7 days (after first use)

Valid for 7 days (after first use)

Valid for 14 days (after first use)

> 3 times to the Alpe di Siusi and back, with the Alpe di Siusi Aerial Cableway or the Alpe di Siusi Express (Bus Route 10) > unrestricted use of the Shuttle Bus Service around the Alpe di Siusi, the Almbus (Bus Route 11) and the Nightliner in the Alpe di Siusi holiday area from Passo Pinei to Fiè allo Sciliar

The Combi Card and the Seiser Alm Card Gold are not transferable! Children (0-7 years) and persons on wheelchairs ride free of charge (Combi Card). Juniors (8-15 years) pay only half fare for Combi Card and Seiser Alm Card Gold. The Combi Card and the Seiser Alm Card Gold are available at the cash desks of Alpe di Siusi Aerial Cableway, by Tourist Information offices Fiè and Siusi allo Sciliar, by Alpincenter Castelrotto and at your accommodation.

Alpe di Siusi Aerial Cableway 39040 Siusi allo Sciliar · Via Sciliar, 39 Tel. 0471 704 270 · Fax 0471 704 269 www.seiseralmbahn.it · info@seiseralmbahn.it

10 places to visit in the Alpe di Siusi holiday area Historical town centre of Castelrotto The character of the village of Castelrotto is shaped especially by the baroque tower that can be seen from afar. However Castelrotto’s landmark is also surrounded by an impressive classical parish church, architecturally interesting local council offices, colourfully painted houses and a hill of porphyry, the so called Colle. The best way to get a bird’s eye view of the village is to climb the 298 steps of Castelrotto’s 82-metre high church tower. From here you have a stunning view of Castelrotto and its surroundings.

Marinzen The Marinzen mountain pasture is located at about 1,500 metres above sea level and is a popular hiking destination in summer. The hiking trail leads past the valley station of the Marinzen lift, at first through meadows then woodland up to the Marinzen mountain pasture. Alternatively Marinzen can also be reached in a few minutes by chair lift. There is a petting zoo at the mountain pasture for your children, an adventure playground and a fish pond for fishing. Duration of the hike is about 2 hours.

Nature park house Tires The nature park house Sciliar-Catinaccio is located at the entrance to the Ciamin valley. Here you can get information about the nature park’s conservation area, its geology, flora and fauna. It is situated in the former Steger sawmill, where a Venetian saw has been restored and is once again fully operational. The sawmill and the living quarters of the master sawymiller have been conserved as evidence of traditional alpine craftsmanship and culture. The nature park house is open from 3 June to 4 October 2014, Tuesdays to Saturdays, from 9.30am to 12.30 noon and from 2.30pm to 6pm and also on Sundays in the summer months of July and August. The old Venetian saw operates every Wednesday at 11.00am, 3.00pm and 4.30pm.

Oswald von Wolkenstein trail and Hauenstein Castle Oswald von Wolkenstein lived high above Siusi allo Sciliar at Hauenstein Castle. On the Oswald von Wolkenstein trail hikers can discover how the poet and knight and his countrymen lived back in the 15th century. The adventure trail takes hikers past Salego Castle and Hauenstein Castle and presents anecdotes from the times of knights and damsels, their table manners and their town criers. This discovery path informs and entertains at the same time; and not only children. Duration of the hike is about 2 hours.

Pflegerhof farm in Sant’ Osvaldo The Pflegerhof farm is South Tyrol’s first organic herb farm. The Mulser Family cultivates about 80 different herbs and more than 500 different local and exotic seedlings on an area of 20,000m². In spring and summer the Pflegerhof farm turns into a paradise of colours, aromas and fragrances. The Pflegerhof farm is open all year. In summer there are guided tours prior arrangement by phone.

46 ALPE | Summer

Sciliar and Monte Pez Symbolic mountain of South Tyrol, meeting place of the Sciliar witches, petrified coral reef: the Sciliar has many names. The Monte Pez (2,563 metres above sea level) is the highest peak of the Sciliar. For thousands of years, at any time of the year or day, whether overcast or shrouded in mist, in bright sunlight or in the twilight, the Sciliar captivates people. Several trails, some many centuries old, lead to the Sciliar. Fiè allo Sciliar, Siusi, Castelrotto and the Alpe di Siusi (path for tourists) can be considered as starting points for tours on the Sciliar. You can also reach the Sciliar plateau from Tires.

Prösels Castle Who was Leonhard of Fiè? And when was the last “witch” put on trial in Prösels Castle? All those interested in our history will find answers to these questions on a guided tour through the impressive castle complex. The collection of arms in the pillar hall and the castle chapel of Saint Anna are highlights of a guided tour of Prösels Castle. Prösels Castle is open for guided tours from 1 May to 31 October 2014.

Ciamin valley Ciamin valley is a wild and romantic valley between the Sciliar and the Catinaccio. The hike through the Ciamin valley begins above San Cipriano and continues via the Dosswiesen and the Schwarzn Lettn to the Ersten Leger. It goes on to the source of the Ciamin and changes within a few metres from a dry creek bed into a lively mountain stream. The destination of the hike is the Rechter Leger, a beautiful vantage point and rest area with a view of the Principe towers and the Ciamin peaks.

Laghetto di Fiè lake Swimming at 1,056 metres above sea level: the Laghetto di Fiè, South Tyrol’s most beautiful swimming lake, has been commended several times by the Italian environmental organisation Legambiente for the high quality of its water. The water temperature of about 22° C entices hikers to take the opportunity to take a refreshing plunge. The short walk around this popular swimming lake is also suitable for families with small children and prams, senior citizens and the disabled.

Bullaccia tour with witches’ benches and Engelrast Bullaccia not only offers the most beautiful vantage points with a 360° panorama, but also accommodates places of witchcraft. The Bullaccia tour leads to Engelrast and from there via the Filln-Kreuz to the witches’ benches. The trail then leads on via the Goller-Kreuz. Tip: just like the Sciliar witches take a break at the witches’ benches. Duration of the hike is about 3 hours.

Summer | ALPE 47

Photo: Oswald von Wolkenstein-Ritt / Helmuth Rier

Summer Highlights 2014

> 30 May to 1 June 2014

> July 2014

> 8 - 28 July 2014

> Summer 2014

32 Oswald von Wolkenstein Riding Tournament

Running Month July and Alpe di Siusi Half Marathon

Schlern International Music Festival

Hikes for Flower Lovers

Galloping into the Middle Ages: in mid-June, the villages surrounding the Alpe di Siusi are dedicated to the biggest horseback riding festival in South Tyrol. A total of 36 teams face the challenging competition games of the Oswald von Wolkenstein Riding Tournament.

With the 2nd Alpe di Siusi Half Marathon on 6 July the training camp of the world’s best marathon runners and the Running Shoe Experience, July on the Alpe di Siusi is all about running. The Alpe di Siusi Half Marathon on Europe’s largest mountain pasture is a fascinating running event for its breathtaking scenery and a particular challenge due to its 601 m of elevation gain.

The 12th edition of the Schlern International Music Festival – like the previous ones – provides a unique opportunity to experience concerts by many wellknown and famous musicians in the Alpe di Siusi holiday area.

The traditional riding spectacle starts with celebrations in Siusi. On Sunday, the audience draws on foot or by shuttle buses together with the riders from race to race. At the close of the tournament, there will be an awards ceremony at Castle Prösels, with a subsequent festive celebration quite in keeping with medieval traditions. www.ovwritt.com

48 ALPE | Summer

On 27 and 28 July, Siusi will be the host of the Alpe di Siusi Running EXPO. All participants will have the opportunity to test the new 2015 running shoe collection of the main brands. From 29 June to 13 July 2014, some of the world’s best marathon runners will be coming once more to the Alpe di Siusi to prepare for the autumn races. On July 7, the marathon stars from Kenya will run side by side with the participants of the Alpe di Siusi Half Marathon.

On the festival program, besides the international competitions, master classes and workshops, there are about 35 afternoon and evening concerts with renowned music professors and young artists from North and South America, Asia and Europe participating. All concerts, master classes and workshops are open free of charge for guests and locals. Admission fees apply only for the star concerts. The celebrated musicians Misha Maisky, Paul Badura-Skoda, Sergey Khachtryan and Alexander Rudin cater for musical pleasure of the highest level. www.schlernmusicfestival.eu

Approximately 790 flowering plants and ferns of highly varied appearance and origin can be seen around Sciliar mountain over the course of the year. Typical Alpine flowers but also botanical rarities flourish on the alp mats, in meadows and wheelbarrows. The nature reserve authorities organize about 30 guided hikes every year in cooperation with the tourism associations of the nature reserve communities with experienced nature reserve hiking guide Riccardo Insam. www.alpedisiusi.info

Photo: SAM / Helmuth Rier

> 14 July - 18 August 2014

> 17 July 2014

> 1 - 31 October 2014

> 9 to 13 October 2014

Summer Classics in Siusi allo Sciliar

Berglertafel in Tires al Catinaccio

The „Kuchlkastl“ - Culinary Festival in Fiè allo Sciliar

30 years “Kastelruther Spatzen” Music Festival

For lovers of classical music, Siusi offers an extraordinary series of concerts. Artists will perform the works of great composers. The „Summer Classics“ of Siusi represent a high level of musical talent and have long since become an integral component of our summer cultural program. Both locals and visitors will be enchanted.

A gourmet menu with a panoramic view! The Berglertafel mountaineers’ dinner is a five-course menu of typical dishes from Tires served in a stunning setting. The venue is Proa, a mountain pasture with a view of the Catinaccio. There is arguably no other vantage point in Tires al Catinaccio from where you can see the famous alpenglow of King Laurin’s famous kingdom ... and all this while enjoying a fabulous gourmet menu. The table is more than a 100 metre long and can seat 160 gourmets who – in the form of a row – can enjoy a fabulous meal and, at the same time, this unique view of the Catinaccio.

The „Kuchlkastl“ Culinary Festival in Fiè allo Sciliar is a well-kept secret among gourmets and friends of „down home“ cooking, alike. Since 1978, the innkeepers and restaurant owners in Fiè have been inviting visitors to partake in the „Gastronomical October“. At the close of the season, the best chef cooks of Fiè will do their utmost to astonish and enchant you with new variations of traditional dishes – dishes prepared with passion and enjoyed with fine appreciation. If you are in search of original dishes (based on time-honoured recipes, but with a modern accent), you ought not to miss this month-long culinary festival in Fiè allo Sciliar.

Celebrating, spending pleasant evenings together, experiencing the “Kastelruther Spatzen” live: the Spatzen-Festival in Castelrotto is a must for every fan. Surrounded by the unique scenery of the Dolomites the seven “Spatzen” enchant all friends of traditional music.

www.voelserkuchlkastl.com

Summer | ALPE 49

Photo: SAM/Helmuth Rier

Winter Preview 2014/15

> December 2014

>5 - 7 December 2014

> 11 January 2015

> 13 - 15 January 2015

Christmas in Castelrotto

The first Alpe di Siusi winter children’s festival

Traditional country wedding of Castelrotto

Liquid Dolomites

The 2014/15 winter season will get off to a spectacular start! For the first time there will be a threeday children’s winter festival with the Nix The Witch as the friendly patron. From 5 to 7 December 2014 there will be many thrilling, merry and adventurous programmes on the ski slopes of the Alpe di Siusi, especially designed for children and adolescents.

The Country Wedding in Castelrotto has already become a tradition. It’s the authentic reproduction of a historical farmer’s wedding like those celebrated since time immemorial at the foot of the Alpe di Siusi. The throngs of participants wear their traditional garments with great pride – one of the reasons why the event has developed into one of South Tyrol’s most spectacular pageants.

For the 7 time, the inhabitants of Castelrotto will unveil the secrets of their Christmas traditions and allow others to participate in them. Beside the little Christmas market, local farmers’ wives will offer their cookies, Christmas logs, pastries, and other authentic goodies for sale. On 5 and 6 December, the well-known „Kastelruther Spatzen“ folks music group will present songs and tunes in keeping with the „Feast of Love“. th

Appointments 5 to 8 December 2014 12 to 14 December 2014 19 to 21 December 2014 26 to 28 December 2014 www.kastelruther-weihnacht.com

50 ALPE | Summer

From 13 to 15 January the Alpe di Siusi holiday area is the meeting point for cocktail mixers and producers of distillate. Liquid Dolomites commemorates the bar culture of the Alps! New recipes, new cocktails, stars of the bar world and a cocktail show present the skill needed to be a barman. Whisky, rum, gin and vodka of the best known producers can be sampled.

Photo: SAM/Helmuth Rier

> February 2015

> 1 February 2015

> 4 February 2015

> 21 to 29 March 2015

Winter Magic on the Alpe di Siusi

Alpe di Siusi Winter Golf Tournament

South Tyrol Moonlight Classic Alpe di Siusi

30 years Swing on Snow

Winter in the Alpe di Siusi holiday area means snow as far as the eye can see, guaranteed sunshine throughout the season, a true holiday atmosphere and lots of fun. The Alpe di Siusi Winter Magic program invites children and adults alike on a trip through the winter world of Europe’s largest high mountain pasture. Together we will explore tracks in the snow and search for a hidden treasure on the Witches’ Skitour, take our first experiences and jumps in the snow park, and match our skills in the Witches Olympics’ competitions.

Play golf on snow and enjoy a wonderful winter landscape: for the 7th time in a row, the winter golf tournament is held on the Alpe di Siusi. It is played over 9 holes, from 61 to 1150 m long. On skis, snowboard or on sledge the participants move from hole to hole. The fairways are white instead of green, the greens whites and the golf balls stand out thanks to their bright colours. Food and music along the golf course will be provided.

The moon will be astounded when it peeks over the Dolomites. Because that’s when the starting pistol will fire for a cross-country marathon of a most unusual kind. At 8 p.m., namely, several hundred cross-country skiers will shove off from Compaccio and glide on their narrow skis in the light of their forehead-mounted lamps through the luminescent night-time winter landscape. They’ll follow the route for 15 or 30 kilometers, finally returning to their starting point. But the „South Tyrol Moonlight Classic Alpe di Siusi“ is a fantastic experience not only for the participants, but for the spectators, too!

Eight days of music on the Alpe di Siusi, the huts and in the villages at the foot of the Sciliar mountain, sweet melodies and dynamic rhythms, groups from the entire Alpine region, and above all a great atmosphere: this is Swing on Snow 2014. For the 8th year in a row the Alpe di Siusi WinterMusicFestival offers a mix of traditional folk music with jazz, soul, pop and classical music.

Every child who participates in 3 out of 4 Winter Magic courses will receive a “Nix the Witch“ certificate, as a professional winter sportsman.

www.golfkastelruth.it

www.swingonsnow.com

www.moonlightclassic.info

Summer | ALPE 51

Photo: Nicolò Degiorgis

Around & About

South Tyrol’s new Provincial Governor. Arno Kompatscher, former mayor of Fiè allo Sciliar, was elected Provincial Governor in January 2014. The 43-year old is in favour of political renewal and wants to administer South Tyrol efficiently, transparently and independently under the motto “keep what is good, take a chance on what is new”. Arno Kompatscher’s special concern is to strengthen South Tyrol’s important bridging function between the German and Italian cultural and business regions. By the way, 500 years ago Leonhard of Fiè was also Provincial Governor. (in the photo Arno Kompatscher with farmer Isidor Kompatscher)

Foto: Markus Kompatscher

The friendly singer, musician and composer spent his 2013/14 New Year’s Eve holiday in the Romantik Hotel Turm in Fiè allo Sciliar (in the photo with host Stephan Pramstrahler and Mastiff Jai) with his wife Tanja and son Yaris Eno. This VIP appears especially impressed by the idyllic village and friendly people. Ski school manager Markus Matuella introduced him to the art of quick ski turns on the Alpe di Siusi. It was Peter Maffay’s first visit to Fiè allo Sciliar, but it will definitely not be his last …

Fotos: Hermann Sober, Helmuth Rier

Rock icon Peter Maffay was a guest in Fiè allo Sciliar

Our Olympic athletes At the 2014 winter Olympic Games in Sotchi the luger and junior world champion Andrea Vötter from Fiè, the luger and vice-junior world champion Sandra Robatscher from Tires, as well as both of Castelrotto’s ski stars, Denise Karbon and Peter Fill, were there at the start. “Taken as a whole I have to say that I skied very well, but unfortunately I did not win any medals,” Peter Fill summed up the Olympics. Whilst Andrea Vötter and Sandra Robatscher took part in their first Olympic Games, it was Denise Karbon’s last appearance on the Olympic stage: the ski star ran her last world cup race in the Ski World Cup final on the Lenzerheide in Castelrotto’s traditional costume.

IMPRINT. ALPE: Reg. Court Bolzano / Bolzano, n. 9/2002 R.St. Published by: Alpe di Siusi Marketing, Via del Paese, 15, 39050 Fiè allo Sciliar, Tel. +39 0471 709 600, Fax +39 0471 704 199, info@alpedisiusi.info, www.alpedisiusi.info. Responsible Editor: Alex Andreis. Editorial Team: Elisabeth Augustin, Rosa Maria Erlacher, Barbara Pichler, Michaela Baur, André Bechtold, Daniela Kremer. Advertising: Sabine Demetz, Christoph Trocker. Translations: Studio Bonetti & Peroni. Graphicdesign: Komma Graphik. Printing: Litopat, Verona. Circulation: 50.000

Summer | ALPE 52

7LUOHUB&XUDGLQDBDQVWHFNQDGHOBSIDGB5= LQGG

Werbemitteilung / Messaggio pubblicitario

Ich vertraue dem, der in meiner Nähe ist. Posso fidarmi di chi mi sta vicino. Die Raiffeisenkasse denkt wie ich – ein Grund für unsere langjährige Beziehung. Sie ist ganz in der Nähe und steht mir immer mit persönlicher Beratung zur Seite. Die Bank meines Vertrauens.

www.raiffeisen.it www.raiffeisen.it/kastelruth-stulrich

La Cassa Raiffeisen ragiona come me, anche per questo il nostro rapporto è durevole negli anni. E’ sempre nelle mie vicinanze e disponibile a offrirmi una consulenza personalizzata. La mia banca di fiducia.

Meine Bank La mia banca