Worth seeing in San Genesio and surroundings
San Genesio has it all: natural beauties, breathtaking landscapes, as well as architectural masterpieces and ancient traditions and customs. In 20 minutes by car or 30 minutes by bus, shopping lovers can reach the centre of Bozen and immerse themselves in an atmosphere of culture, folklore and sports. Bozen offers the Mercato delle Erbe, Bo-Classic, theatre, concerts and the Christmas market in December.
On the Salten Plateau, heading from the Stella Alpina hotel towards Lavenna (path 1/E5), you will find 12 legends that tell about San Genesio and its surroundings. The legends were written by 132 students of the Jenesien primary school.
The earth pyramids are geological formations from the last ice age. Since then the red clayey ground slides away from the meadows and the forests and give life to the earth pyramids. The 'Margarethenbach' (a stream) originates here and flows into the Etschtal towards Siebeneich.
The walls of the first Runkelstein Castle were built by the Baron Wangen on an outcropping of porphyry on the outskirts of the city in the 13th century. A renowned cycle of frescoes from the 14th century depicts Tristan and Isolde, while others show games, jousting, and giants and dwarves. They are considered to be the most comprehensive and varied of medieval secular frescoes still in existence anywhere in the world.
Set off against the wider historical background, the Iceman along with the associated finds form the exhibit's core. Models, reconstructions, stereoscopic pictures, videos and interactive multimedia stations allow the visitor to gain insight into the ancient past of the southern Alpine region in a way that is, at the same time, highly informative and entertaining.
Like no other place in South Tyrol Bolzano epitomizes the meeting of the two cultures. As the capital, Bolzano is the economic centre. It is also a green city with green oases, promenades, a beautiful flora and vineyards. Bolzano is the third largest wine-growing municipality in South Tyrol and one of Europe’s largest wine producing towns.