Art & Culture

The landscape and geographic location have formed the life of the population for many years.  At every turn, you meet local culture and tradition. 

Numerous archaeological findings in this region bear witness to an interesting past, e.g. the Freienfeld men hire, the mysterious stone in Graun, the legendary castle hill in Entiklar, the Roman Mercury torso etc.

In Fennhals, you will find the best-kept smelting facility in South Tyrol, consisting of five continuous copper smelting pots from the Bronze Ages (from around 1,400 B.C.).  The recovery of the blocks – unique in Europe – takes place in two parts.  Three ovens are now in the South Tyrolean Archaeological Museum and the other two are presented in the centre of Kurtatsch. 

The Saint Vigilius parish church, first mentioned in 1337, with its Baroque high altar picture of the martyr of Saint Vigilius, is one of the places worth seeing in Kurtatsch. 
Legend has it, that the oil picture of the Painful Mother of God ‘wept’ from 28th November 1733 to 17th July of 1738.  (The picture was removed by the church committee.)  Since then, every year, many Christians undertake a pilgrimage to this miraculous image.  The oldest date 1003 - MXXXIII – decorates the old baptismal stone inside the church.  The Roman church tower was probably built around 1300. 
The Saint Nicloas church in Penon was first mentioned during the 14th Century.  It is worth visiting the sacramental house made of sandstone. 

Castle Turmhof, owned by the Tiefenbrunner family is situated in Entiklar.  The middle tower of the castle was built during the Middle Ages.  The entire complex around it was built at a later stage.  A special experience awaits those who visit the castle’s park beside the Turmhof.  The owner, Herbert Tiefenbrunner, personally guides groups twice a week through the fairy-tale world of legendary figures and biblical images, which can be found around a beautiful pond.  There is also a fairy-tale garden, which not only enchants little children! 

The house, where the painter Karl Anrather (1861 – 1893) was born is also found in Margreid.  His pictures reflect colourful impressions and superior concepts, which made him one of the less interesting figures during the 2nd half of the 19th Century.
Also Karl Felderer, a poet well known across the borders of his country and who wrote the song ’Wohl ist die Welt so groß und weit’ (lit: Oh how great and far is this earth) was born in Margreid.