Naturno
Naturno (Naturns in tedesco) è un comune della bassa Val Venosta, in Alto Adige, pochi chilometri a ovest di Merano, lungo la stra...
Actualizado el 17 julio 2026
Esta temporada · Julio · Verano
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La historia de Naturno
A Sun-Drenched Town in the Val Venosta
Naturno lies in the lower Val Venosta (Vinschgau), the long alpine valley that climbs from the city of Merano toward the Resia Pass and the border with Austria and Switzerland. The town, home to around 6,000 inhabitants, sits at a modest altitude compared with the surrounding peaks and is considered one of the sunniest and driest places in the whole of the Alps, with hundreds of sunny days each year. This particular climatic condition, due to the surrounding mountains shielding the valley from humid currents, has long made the area suited to agriculture, especially fruit growing. Naturno is today an important tourist centre of the Val Venosta, a reference point for anyone seeking a stay combining culture, nature and outdoor sports, and it is an almost obligatory stop along the route that climbs the valley from Merano toward the upper Val Venosta and Switzerland.
The Church of St. Prokulus and Its Carolingian Frescoes
The most famous monument in Naturno is the small church of St. Prokulus (San Procolo), a building that preserves cycles of frescoes dating back to the 8th century, among the oldest surviving mural paintings in the entire German-speaking area. The images, of great historical and artistic value, depict scenes from the life of the saint and symbols of early medieval iconography, and allow the evolution of religious painting in the alpine arc to be traced well before the year 1000. Next to the little church stands the Prokulus Museum, built to protect and showcase the historic building, which uses multimedia displays to explore the history of the cult of St. Prokulus, the techniques used to restore the frescoes, and the early medieval context of the Val Venosta. Visiting the church and museum is one of the most significant cultural experiences in the whole of western South Tyrol.
Apple Orchards, Vineyards and a Dry Climate
The Naturno area is characterised by extensive apple orchards covering the valley floor and lower slopes, together with vineyards that take advantage of the favourable exposure and hours of sunshine on the hillside. The dry, mild climate, among the driest in the entire alpine arc, reduces the risk of frost and fungal disease, favouring quality fruit growing that remains one of the area's main economic activities alongside tourism. Walking among the rows of trees and vines, visitors encounter numerous family-run farms, many of which offer tastings of local wine and apple juice. This well-tended, orderly agricultural landscape stretches to the foot of the mountains and forms the characteristic backdrop to many of the walking trails and cycle routes that cross the lower Val Venosta.
Monte Sole (Sonnenberg) and Gruppo di Tessa Nature Park
Naturno lies at the foot of Monte Sole (Sonnenberg), a particularly steep and sun-drenched slope that rises quickly toward alpine altitudes and offers some of the most popular panoramic trails in the area. A little further on begins the Gruppo di Tessa Nature Park, one of the largest protected areas in South Tyrol, safeguarding a highly varied alpine environment, from broadleaf woods to high-altitude pastures and rocky peaks rising above 3,000 metres. The park is crossed by a dense network of hiking trails, suitable for both short walks and multi-day itineraries, and is home to mountain huts, alpine pastures and panoramic viewpoints over the Val Venosta and the Ötztal Alps. For visitors staying in Naturno, Monte Sole and the park are the most immediate gateway to the mountains and wild nature of the area.
The Meraner Höhenweg, the Cycle Path and Surroundings
Naturno is one of the stages of the Meraner Höhenweg (Alta Via di Merano), a multi-day hiking route that winds at high altitude along the slopes of the Val Venosta, offering views ranging from the peaks of the Gruppo di Tessa down to the valley floor. At lower altitudes, the town is connected to the Val Venosta cycle path network, one of the most popular cycle-touring routes in South Tyrol, allowing cyclists to reach Merano in one direction and the higher valleys toward the Resia Pass and Switzerland in the other. The surroundings of Naturno also feature other villages of the Val Venosta, historic castles and farmsteads, as well as numerous facilities for sport and leisure. This combination of high-altitude and valley-floor routes makes the town a versatile starting point for both demanding hikes and more relaxed bike rides.
Not to be missed
- The church of St. Prokulus (San Procolo) with its 8th-century Carolingian frescoes and the Prokulus Museum
- A hike or scenic walk on Monte Sole (Sonnenberg)
- Trails and mountain huts of the Gruppo di Tessa Nature Park
- The Val Venosta cycle path along the valley floor, toward Merano or the Resia Pass
- The stretch of the Meraner Höhenweg (Alta Via di Merano) that passes Naturno, through apple orchards and vineyards
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