Silandro: History, Waal paths and summer concerts

Silandro combines historic buildings with nature and events. In the pedestrian zone, the “avimundus” visitor centre is dedicated to the birdlife of Stelvio National Park. Menhirs, churches and historic towers offer further points of interest, while Waal paths and cycle tours add to your travel plans. If you are looking for a hotel in Silandro, you can plan your travel dates around whether architecture, landscape or an event is your main focus.

Birdlife, menhirs and architectural history

“avimundus” presents selected bird species of Stelvio National Park according to their habitats. Topics also range from breeding and rearing to the calls and songs of birds. The focus is therefore not only on individual species, but also on their habitats and development.

You can also encounter the Vezzano menhirs in two places: after extensive archaeological investigations, two large marble menhirs discovered in Vezzano in 2012 were installed in the old chapel of Schlandersburg Castle. The library at Schlandersburg Castle houses a permanent exhibition about the menhirs. Visitors interested in the subject can thus see both the stones themselves and an exhibition about them as part of what the village has to offer.

Silandro also offers architectural history spanning different centuries. In 1235, Emperor Frederick II gave the parish of Silandro to the Teutonic Order. After the Engadinians plundered it in 1499, the parish church of the Assumption of Mary was rebuilt in the Gothic style and reconsecrated in 1505. The Teutonic Order’s commandery is located close to the parish church; its striking entrance gate bears the order’s cross.

Around 1600, the Counts of Hendl converted Schlandersburg Castle into a Renaissance castle. Its distinctive features include two-storey loggias with closely spaced round columns, as well as chimneys decorated with sgraffito. The Freienturm is an old Romanesque residential tower from the Middle Ages that was converted into a residence with architectural details. The present-day building was constructed around 1720–1730. The different architectural styles offer tangible points of reference for the village’s history, although not all the buildings date from the same period.

Library and practical information

The Schlandersburg central library has a lift and an accessible toilet. The third floor is accessible only by stairs. If you plan to visit this floor, bear the stair access in mind when finding your way around the building.

Waal paths, cycle tours and climbing

Hiking trails around Silandro include the Waal paths on the dry Sonnenberg, whose flora and fauna have a steppe-like character. The Waal paths around Silandro and Laas can be walked year-round and offer distant views of the valley’s mountain ranges. This sets them apart from activities scheduled for a particular season.

Silandro and Laas are starting points for cycle tours through the entire Vinschgau apple valley and up to the high alpine pastures of the highest mountains in the Eastern Alps. For mountain bikers, the Holy Hansen Trail lies on the Nördersberg above Silandro; it is suitable for beginners and advanced riders. Trail conditions can vary, so it is advisable to check the latest conditions before setting out.

The Silandro outdoor swimming pool also offers opportunities to be active outdoors: it has an outdoor bouldering wall measuring 150 m² and 4.5 m high. The swimming pool’s seasonal opening may vary. Before planning a visit, check whether it will be open on your chosen date.

Markets and summer events

Weekly evening concerts are held in Plawenn Park during the summer months. There are also concerts in the courtyard of the Schlandersburg central library in summer. The weekly market and farmers’ market take place on Thursdays at the Stainer car park and in Plawenn Park. If a concert is a key part of your travel plans, check the specific event date in advance.

You can travel to Silandro and Laas by train, bus or car; check current timetables and road conditions. Your travel plans can therefore revolve around different dates: the Thursday market, concerts during the summer months and the Waal paths, which are accessible year-round. This helps you organise your travel days around what you would most like to do.

Discover more destinations: Graun im Vinschgau, Morter, Laas, St. Valentin auf der Haide, Goldrain, Glurns, Prad am Stilfserjoch, Schnals.

Back to the main travel overview: Vinschgau.