Cortaccia on the South Tyrolean Wine Route

Cortaccia sulla Strada del Vino is a tourist town extending on a sunny plateau with a wonderful view on the Val d'Adige valley. Since ancient times a wine-growing land, its territory is covered by vineyards producinexcellent wine. A lush green nature, favored by a mild climate, stretches from the valley floor up to Mount Corona. Among the cultural attractions: the many castles scattered on the territory, the museum and the trail La vita della vite (life of the grapevine).

The territory where Cortaccia sulla Strada del Vino rises was inhabited already in the Mesolithic period and during the Bronze Age, as proved by the many archaeological finds. It was during the Roman period that this became a wine-growing land: it even seems that a type of grape originated in that period is still grown today.

The town center of Cortaccia is rich in historical dwellings and ancient farmhouses, the oldest of which, Ansitz am Orth, hosts the museum Uomo nel tempo (man through the ages), describing the history of man in 10,000 years. Of cultural interest are also the parish of San Vigilio, the culture trail La vita della vite (life of the grapevine), a journey through the wine-growing process, and the route of the farmhouses.

Besides wine-growing and fruit-growing, Cortaccia sulla Strada del Vino features many trekking trails. Moreover, the town is surrounded by legends. Its territory stretches from the valley floor up to Mount Corona, and offers the perfect environment for practicing outdoor activities: you can choose between a relaxing walk or a mountain bike tour to Cortaccia, Cortina, Magrè, Salorno, Termeno and Egna, or along the cycle track of Val d'Adige. If you are looking for more challenging trails, Monte Favogna is a trekking paradise and features a biotope hosting rare plants and animals.

The administrative divisions of Cortaccia sulla Strada del Vino are also worth a visit: in Nidara, once hosting the courthouse, lies Castle Turmhof, with a Middle Age tower, a large park and a lake, open to visitors twice a week. Nidara features also a tuff stone, or crying stone, in which a crying princess is imprisoned. Every hundred years she appears, waiting to be saved by her prince charming.

Penone and Corona are wonderful panoramic viewpoints surrounded by nature. In Penone starts the trail Koflweg, along which rises Castle Voldersberg, whereas in Corona the overlook Sitzkofel, near the church of St. George, offers a wonderful view on the whole valley.

Hofstatt is the starting point for many hikes, whereas Favogna di Sopra rises at the beginning of a plateau covered by giant sequoias planted to celebrate the 50 anniversary of the coronation of Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria. You can reach the Favogna plateau also through a beautiful but challenging mountain biking tour on a steep trail climbing up through vineyards and forests.