Val Senales/Schnalstal
Those who already visited Val Senales could certainly appreciate its five villages - Monte S. Caterina, Certosa, Madonna, Vernago, Maso Corto and, above all, the surrounding landscape and special atmosphere, source of emotions and incredible experiences. In the valley, on the slope of the Alps, traditions, culture, history and sport come together to offer the visitors several opportunities.
This is a paradise for the lovers of mountain life and sports: you can go in for free climbing and exciting flights or take a quiet walk on the paths, relax on the shore of a crystal-clear alpine lake, between valleys and fields, or in a high altitude refuge and discover the beautiful Tessa Group Nature Park, its breathtaking views, colours and uncontaminated nature.
From Maso Corto, in the valley floor, a cableway leads to the ski runs of the Val Senales Glacier (3200 m.) in 6 minutes: this is the ideal destination for the enthusiasts of skiing and snowboard, as the snow is perfect all the year round and one can go in for summer skiing, too!!
Val Senales is rich of history and culture. Ötzi, the famous glacier mummy which dates back to 5300 years ago, was found here, on Mt. Similaun. Now it can be admired in Bolzano Archaeological Museum. At Archeoparc Senales, in Madonna di Senales, one can take part into a guided tour and live a journey through time, to learn something interesting about Ötzi.
In Certosa you find the so-called Karthaus Monastery: a grotto, the cloister, and the monastery church, as well as the main external walls, the Three Crucifixion Crosses, the cloister gate and the Church of St. Anna are open to the public all year round.
The magnificent Baroque Pilgrim Church Of Our Lady - Unser Frau, in Madonna di Senales and the nearby cemetery with its artistic graveyard crosses made of copper and bronze by local artists Friedrich Gurschler and Martin Rainer are well worth a visit. The Marian Path was opened in 2000, on the occasion of the Jubilee: it winds in a larch wood, populated with statues that remind the most important stages of Mary’s life.
Moreover, you can visit Juval Castle, which belongs to well-known mountaineer and explorer Reinhard Messner and stands on a site of pre-historic interest high above the entrance to the valley – or pause in one of the old mountain farms (“masi”) which dot the sunny slopes of Val Senales.
Old customs live on during the village fairs, in the local gastronomy and in the inhabitants’ heart. We mention the secular traditional Sheep Exodus, that takes place at the beginning of June and September. On this occasion over 3000 sheep move from Giogo Alto and Giogo Basso to Valle di Vent, Austria.
