Culture and sights
in and around Villabassa in Alta Pusteria

Like our Hotel Adler in Villabassa, the Val Pustertal also looks back on a long history. An eventful past, of which some contemporary witnesses can still tell us about today and bring history to life in the form of historical buildings, centuries-old customs and traditions.

Culture

Traditional Hotel Adler Villabassa Niederdorf

Traditional Hotel Adler Villabassa Niederdorf
Hotel Adler Traditionshotel

enchanting

Cultural highlights

Val Pusteria also offers cultural highlights that you should not miss. For example, if you have ever seen the idyllic Christmas market at Lake Braies, you will remember this event forever. But also concerts, the Villabassa potato festival, farmers' markets, exhibitions, sports and much more will turn your holidays into dream days!

Gustav Mahler

Grand Hotel Toblach and Gustav Mahler Music Weeks

The heart of the cultural center Grand Hotel Dobbiaco is the music hall dedicated to Gustav Mahler with 460 seats and excellent acoustics. In summer, the Gustav Mahler Music Weeks, which are well known around the country. The Nature Park House in the Grand Hotel invites you again and again to various interesting exhibitions.

magnificent mansions

Castles, palaces and magnificent mansions

The Bruck Castle rises with its tin-reinforced walls on a hilltop in the middle of a forest above Lienz. The big highlight in the Schloss Bruck exhibition circuit since 2003 is the exhibition of the well known and most famous East Tyrolean painter Albin Egger-Lienz. Welsberg Castle, an unusual castle complex in the nearby village, surprises with numerous concerts and exhibitions during the summer season. Also worth a visit: the Taufers Castle. The imposing castle played an important role in the Middle Ages on the trade route from the Taufers Valley to the Ahrntal. Visit also the nearby Reinbach waterfalls.

House Wassermann

Museum for Tourism in Villabassa

The tourism museum in the house Wassermann in Villabassa shows different exhibitions and replicas on interesting topics. Further information is available from the Villabassa Tourism Association.

Dolomythos

The museum of the World Natural Heritage Dolomites

The museum of Michael Wachtler is located in the centre of San Candido in the pedestrian zone. Here you can see what makes the Dolomites so unique. Special highlight: In the Braies Dolomites, Michael Wachtler succeeded in discovering several previously unknown plant and animal species from prehistoric times. Some of the exhibits were included in those documents which convinced the UNESCO officials of the uniqueness of this landscape.

Brunico and its museums

Folklore Museum and MMM Ripa

Brunico, the capital of the Puster Valley, with its alleys and shops, invites you to a visit with a shopping spree. The Folklore Museum in nearby Dietenheim displays a very special rarity: a granary dating from 1497, the oldest dated wooden building from the Eastern Alps. A visit to Bruneck Castle is also exciting and instructive. The castle, which Bishop Bruno von Kirchberg had built in the middle of the 13th century, houses Reinhold Messner's Mountain Museum Ripa. The museum is dedicated to the mountain people of different areas.

Museum Kronplatz

MMM Corones & Lumen Museum

Towering at the top of Mount Kronplatz surrounded by awe-inspiring views of the Dolomites, the MMM Corones is the final gemstone of mountaineering legend Reinhold Messner's museum series. The museum at 2275 m above sea-level, offers a unique glimpse of the lives of mountaineers and climbers. The museum was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, whose pioneering founder is among the most talented and innovative architects of our time.

The LUMEN museum, located at the top of Kronplatz, gives the fascination of mountains a photographic home. Spanning four floors LUMEN offers the possibility to experience the history of mountain photography from its beginnings until the present as well as displaying the art of mountain-photographers from all over the world.

Christmas markets

Every year, just in time for Advent, they enchant visitors with their pre-Christmas, romantic charm: the original South Tyrolean Christmas markets. The famous bishop's town of Brixen with the cathedral in the background is an atmospheric backdrop to the pre-Christmas Advent. These are joined by the Christmas markets in Brunico, Lienz in Austria and the old town of Sterzing, which are always worth a visit.

The devils go around

Traditional Krampus run

One of the typical customs of the Alpine region is "Krampuslaufen". At the beginning of December, the devils roam the villages in large droves and try to scare people. The big noise of heavy cowbells, chains and bells were supposed to drive away the the cold and the long winter nights.

Bolzano

Ötzi Museum and shopping town of Bolzano

The 5,300-year-old glacier mummy "Ötzi" can be seen together with his clothes and equipment in the Archaeology Museum in Bolzano. The South Tyrolean capital Bolzano is considered the gateway to the Dolomites. In the city itself there are numerous restaurants offering the best Italian and Tyrolean cuisine. Bolzano is well known for exclusive and varied shopping in numerous boutiques, markets and gourmet shops.

"Our Second Home"

Hotel Adler and the staff are amazing. We have been here 18 times and they take wonderful care of us. The rooms have been updated and are very nicely appointed. The spa is wonderful. The meals are always special and tasty. The hotel is located in the center piazza and is close to shops, banks, and the train station. We usually come in winter for skiing, but really need to come in the spring." (gmiker)

"Superb luxury choice for a week of walking"

The Hotel Adler was a great find for a week in September. Beautiful building, tasteful decor, modern fittings in the comfortable bedroom. Our huge bath was appreciated after a long day’s walking. Christian and all the staff were so welcoming, genuine and helpful. Dinner was excellent and plentiful, and there was the most extensive breakfast buffet I have ever seen. [...] (Kath99)

"Some of the best hospitality"

This family run hotel is an absolute gem and the family are all incredibly lovely and friendly. We stayed in the beautiful attic suite which is one of the best rooms we have ever stayed in! Dinner at the restaurant was faultless - professional service and delicious food. [...] We will 100% be recommending Hotel Adler to friends and family and hope to return there ourselves too. (Amy Mattin)

"The most amazing place to be!"

Its my third time at the Adler and never fails to impress me. Such a lovely family feel to the place but also very luxurious and delicious food. The Spa is amazing, the suite has everything you will ever need, and snug and the bar are super cosy and make for the perfect apres ski! I cannot fault this wonderful hotel, from its location also and decor and welcome! its the whole package! I strongly recommend it! [...] (Sarah S.)

Culture and sights in and around Villabassa in Alta Pusteria