Actually it does not belong to the district of the village Caldaro, but the ruin Leuchtenburg is an important part of the overall picture of lake Caldaro.
It was built around 1250 by the Lords of Rottenburg, protected by its position and imposing ring wall. Many castles of the Rottenburgs were put through the mill after conflicts with Duke Friedrich IV. of Tyrol in 1410. The Leuchtenburg however, passed into the ownership of the monarch, who lent it to the leaders of Caldaro in office. The Leuchtenburg was also residence of the judge of Caldaro for a long time.
In the 17th century, the construction was no longer used and let go to rack and ruin. Today there are still parts of the ring wall and of the palace with frescos from the 15th century.
At Mitteberg, between the village Montiggl and lake Caldaro, lies the Frühlingstal, a botanic place of interest. The geographic name is “Fabiontal”. Spring starts earlier here then elsewhere because of the sheltered and sunny location of the valley.
The Mendel Cable Car
64% inclination, so you hope the technology is dependable. And to your relief: the design and construction comes from the Swiss engineer, Emil Strub. Opened in 1903, the Mendelbahn is regarded as the first electric powered cable car in Tyrol and is the steepest and longest continous cable car in Europe. A trip up the Mendel mountain is already an adventure in itself. And then, there's the impressive panorama of the Etsch river valley and the South Tyrolean Unterland!
Technical data:
course lenght: 2,37 kilometers
travel time: 12 minutes
altitude variance: 850 meters.
The South Tyrolean Wine Museum
How could it possibly be else? The South Tyrolean Wine Museum has established itself in Kaltern! Innumerable objects impress the visitor with the history and significance of wine in South Tyrol. There are impressive wine presses, wine barrels and other wine production tools and equipment. You will hear informative stories and legends about wine - for example the importance of the “Saltner” as the guardians of the vineyards.
Opening Hours
18th March thru November 11th 2008
Tuesday thru Saturday from 9.30 -17; Sundays and Holidays: 10 - 12; closed on Mondays.
weinmuseum@landesmuseen.it
Messner Mountain Museum - MMM Firmian
The fourth of the Messner Museums is at Sigmundskron, a historically important castle near Bozen. Visitors experience insights and outlooks to the world of mountains. With arts, religion and statements, Reinhold Messener and the architect Werner Tscholl have created a total artwork that has no equal. Unique in all sorts of ways.
Opening hours:
Tuesdays - Sundays from 10 am - 6 pm, last entry 5 pm
MMM Firmian
Sigmundskroner Str. 53, IT-39100 Bolzano
Telephone +39 0471 631264 - www.messner-mountain-museum.it
The Botanic Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle
Insights into Exotic-Mediterranean sceneries, views of the surrounding mountain ranges and the sun spoilt Meran: The Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle gather over 80 garden worlds in a natural amphitheatre. In 2005, the gardens were voted Italy’s most Beautiful Garden and Europe’s number 6 Garden in 2006! Visiting the gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle is our hot tip!
Opening Hours:
22nd March – 15th November, 9 am – 6 pm, last entry 5 pm;
15th Mai – 15th September, 9 am – 9 pm, last entry 8 pm.
Open seven days a week.
Gärten von Schloss Trauttmansdorff
St.-Valentin-Str. 51a, IT-39012 Merano
Telephone: +39 0473 235730 - www.trauttmansdorff.it
National observatory "Max Valier" & Sun observatory
The observatory and sun observatory of South Tyrol is located north of Bolzano. Observatory: Guided tours each Thursday evening, except when cloudy. Advance booking: Telephone +39 0471 361314.
Sun observatory: Each Friday guided hikes on the path of planets with following viewing of the sun observatory. Start at 10.30 am at the sun observatory, guided hike on the path of planets, lunchtime and following viewing of the observatory. Advance booking on Thursdays at the tourism office Steinegg. Telephone: +39 0471 376574.
National museums
South Tyrolean museum of archaeology
This museum shows the history of South Tyrol from the Paleolithic Age and the Mesolithic period to the Carolingian Age. “Ötzi”, the man that came out of the ice, forms the centre of this exhibition.
Opening hours:
open all year, Tuesdays - Sundays 10 am – 6 pm, Thursdays 10 am – 20 pm, closed on Mondays (except in December, July and August).
Contact:
Museumstr. 43, IT-39100 Bolzano
T +39 0471 320100, www.iceman.it
South Tyrol Nature Museum
This museum offers a biological and cultural-historical foray into one of the most varied regions of Europe and illustrates the formation and the appearance of the unique South Tyrolean mountain- and valley-sceneries with its habitats.
Opening hours:
open all year, Tuesdays till Sundays 10 am – 6 pm, closed on Mondays.
Contact:
Bindergasse 1, IT-39100 Bolzano
T +39 0471 412964, www.naturmuseum.it
Touriseum - National Museum of Tourism
At Trauttmansdorff Castle in Meran, the former holiday domicile of the empress Sissi, is today located an enjoyable adventure museum: The South Tyrolean National Museum of Tourism.
Opening hours:
1st April - 15th November, 9 am – 6 pm, 15th Mai – 15th September, 9 am – 9 pm, open seven days a week.
Contact:
St. Valentin-Str. 51a, IT-39012 Merano
T +39 0473 270172, www.touriseum.it
Museum for cultural an national history at Tyrol Castle
In 2003, the South Tyrolean Museum for Cultural and National History was opened in the main castle of the Counts of Tyrol. The most important themes of the national history, history of arts and social history as well as the daily routine of the Middle Age are illustrated in the castle buildings of Tyrol Castle.
Opening hours:
15th March – 30. November, 10 am – 5 pm, 1st August – 31. August10 am – 6 pm, closed on Mondays.
Contact:
Schlossweg 24, IT-39019 Tirolo,
T +39 0473 220221, www.schlosstirol.it
Hunting and Fishing Museum at Wolfsthurn Castle
Wolfthurn Castle offers entertaining cultural historical information about hunting and fishing. Including an all-children area!
Opening hours:
1st April – 15th November, Tuesdays – Saturdays, 9.30 am – 17.30 pm, Sundays and public holidays 1 pm – 5 pm, closed on Mondays.
Contact:
Kirchdorf 25, IT-39040 Mareit, T +39 0472 758121, www.provinz.bz.it/volkskundemuseum
South Tyrolean Mining Museum in Ridnaun-Schneeberg
Mountain-world Ridnaun/Schneeberg: One of the highest and oldest mines of Europe and in the Alps is a museum today.
Opening hours and Contact:
April - end of October, Maiern 48, IT-39040 Ridnaun, T +39 0472 656964, www.ridnaun-schneeberg.it
