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COR
ONE 2019
Multifarious Mountains Bressanone/Brixen, Chiusa/Klausen and their surroundings are perfect for hiking: no matter the season, for young and old, sporting or leisurely. COR presents seven very different tours.
1
The Cultural Course On the trail of Romans, witches, and druids
An easy hike on ancient cultural grounds: that’s the Archaeological Trail (Archeopfad) near Bressanone. Past prehistoric finds, Roman settlements, and mystic cupmarked stones where witches and druids once convened, as the legend goes. We start at the Ponte Aquila bridge in the centre of town, following the Archaeological Trail through the picturesque neighbourhood of Stufles/Stufels, the oldest part of Bressanone with its historic buildings and narrow alleys. We continue to Costa d’Elvas/Kranebitt, leaving the town behind and hiking up a gentle incline towards the village of Elvas, passing orchards, vineyards, and woods on the way. Our route takes us past cup-marked stones, such as the picture stone of Elvas. These mysterious stones are considered ritual sites—but according to more downto-earth sources, it is also possible that they were mere mortars. In any case, there is something magical about them. We take a small break here, imagining the stories these old rocks would tell, if only they could speak.
T H E L O C A L M AG A Z I N E
A little further along the way, we spot a rebuilt wooden Roman tower. As the child-friendly Archaeological Trail has barely taken a toll on us so far, we have time to climb the small nearby Pinatzbühel hill, which was populated even back in the Bronze Age. It was home to a hillfort, where the inhabitants would come to trade and seek protection in times of war. Near the village of Elvas (population: approx. 300), 9,000-year-old finds dating back to the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods were discovered, and the Raeti and Romans are rumoured to have settled in the area, too. We continue past the church of Elvas, and on our way back to town we encounter yet more remains of Roman times: ancient wheel ruts left by Roman carts. The most curious artefact of all awaits us at the end of the trail: the “Witches Slide”, a rock bearing mysterious tracks, which may have been part of a prehistoric fertility cult.
Archaeological Trail Duration: 2.5 hours Distance: 6 kilometres Difference in altitude: 300 metres Starting point and terminus: Bressanone, Ponte Aquila bridge
