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Lush encircling nature, mist-swirled peaks, a historical heart, authentic culture and neighbour to spa town Merano, small but perfectly formed Dorf Tirol / Tirolo has a lot going for it.
A place to come and be in nature, Dorf Tirol is set up for outdoor living. Hiking trails criss-cross the mountainside and the Hochmuth cable car glides you smoothly up to the altitudinous heights of Meraner Höhenweg in the Texelgruppe mountain range, meaning you can get straight up into the hills. Lakes glisten in the sunshine, waterfalls thunder and the air is unwaveringly fresh and clean. Well known routes include through the lush botanical gardens and across the Spronser Seen lake plateau, which can also be tackled on a mountain bike.
Strategically placed mountain huts offer an insight into the world of rustic alpine cuisine and show off with confident ease their bountiful traditions. Platters of meats and cheeses, local sparkling wine, grappas, freshly baked bread and cakes make a dangerous diversion from the day’s walking route. Those interested in viticulture might like to follow the Wine Trail in Tirolo which passes through local vineyards above Merano, allowing you to see how wine is produced here, before you try a drop or two; harvest time in October is a fantastic opportunity to join locals in winemaking.
History swirls around the village itself with the focus being the lofty 12th century Tirol Castle, amongst other fortresses and notable churches. Once the ancestral seat of the Counts of Tyrol, today it is home to the South Tyrolean Museum of Culture and Provincial History which spans a historical timeframe from medieval to today. Although many find the atmospheric castle and its marble doorways, early Gothic frescoes and the oldest Tyrolean stained-glass windows quite the sight, plus the views over the Adige Valley and into the Val Venosta. Music festivals take place here too showcasing a wide variety of local and international talent.
If you tire of Dorf Tirol, nearby Merano is close enough to explore with its spa legacy and Habsburg boulevards.
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