Wipptal

When looking for a hotel in Wipptal, you can start planning your stay around the subjects that interest you: architectural history, sacred art, or outdoor activities. In Vipiteno, the range extends from distinctive buildings and historic works of art to opportunities for activities. The Torre delle Dodici is Vipiteno’s best-known landmark and is about 46 metres high. It is a striking point of reference if you would like to discover the town and its architectural heritage.

Architectural history and art in Vipiteno

Vipiteno’s town hall was built between 1468 and 1473. Its notable rooms include a Gothic council chamber with wood-panelled walls and a ceiling with exposed beams. The town hall also has an inner courtyard. The period of construction and the design of its rooms offer different insights into the building’s history: alongside its date, the visible materials and Gothic details are also noteworthy.

Sacred art can be seen in several examples. The Chiesa di Santo Spirito contains a Gothic fresco cycle created between 1400 and 1415 and attributed to Hans von Bruneck. The Chiesa Parrocchiale “Nostra Signora della Palude” is one of the largest Late Gothic hall churches in the entire Alpine region. Another work with a clearly established date is the Altare di Multscher, created by Hans Multscher between 1456 and 1459.

The Museo Civico e Museo Multscher Vipiteno also focuses on the art of Hans Multscher. It houses most of his Late Gothic works, including altarpieces, and is located in the Deutschhaus near Vipiteno’s parish church. This gives you a range of cultural themes to consider when planning your trip: the frescoes of Santo Spirito, the architecture of the parish church, and the museum’s collection. The works and architectural styles mentioned here can help you choose a cultural focus for your stay.

Other churches add to the picture with their different architectural styles. The Chiesa di Santa Elisabetta nel Palazzo dell’Ordine Teutonico is an octagonal church built in the 18th century and richly decorated with frescoes and stucco. The Chiesa di Santa Margherita a Vipiteno is a Baroque church dating from the 17th century, with an older tower. The Antica Commenda dell’Ordine Teutonico has a longer history: a hospice for pilgrims, travellers, and the sick existed on its site by 1241 at the latest. These surviving architectural and artistic features bring together different periods and functions.

Activities and trails

If you would like to include some exercise alongside cultural activities, the Skytrek Adventure Park is located in Vipiteno’s Nordpark. Its obstacles include suspension bridges, zip lines, nets, and ropes. The park is directly accessible by public transport; the bus stop is opposite the entrance. Check connections before your visit so you can plan your journey accordingly.

The Sentiero Dolomieu starts at the mountain station of the Monte-Cavallo cable car in Vipiteno, at an altitude of 1,860 metres, and offers views of Monte Cavallo in the Dolomites. A gondola lift takes visitors from Vipiteno up the mountain in 12 minutes. Check the lift’s operating status before making plans. The Monte Cavallo Panorama Mountain Coaster is another option for an activity on the mountain: its toboggan track is 1,300 metres long and lies at an altitude of 2,120 metres. The toboggan run operates seasonally; check the dates if you are planning a ride.

The first section of the Brenner–Bolzano cycle path can also be described by its route. It runs gently downhill from the border crossing to Vipiteno, following the tracks of the old railway. The outdoor activities mentioned here therefore differ considerably: the Sentiero Dolomieu is described by its starting point and views, the coaster by its length and elevation, and the cycle path by its direction and route. Before cycling, check the current condition of the path and the signage.

Discover more destinations

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To the main travel overview: Bolzano.