Curon Venosta
Curon Venosta (in tedesco Graun im Vinschgau) è un piccolo comune dell'alta Val Venosta, in provincia di Bolzano, incastonato tra...
17 7月 2026 更新
この季節に · 7月 · 夏
今Curon Venostaで楽しむこと
物語
Curon Venosta の物語
Curon Venosta, the town of the upper Vinschgau at Resia Pass
Curon Venosta (Graun im Vinschgau) is the last Italian municipality before Resia Pass, the crossing that marks the border with Austria, while the border with Switzerland also runs just a few kilometres away: a location that makes this corner of South Tyrol a true alpine crossroads between three countries. The municipal territory stretches across the upper Val Venosta/Vinschgau, the westernmost valley in the province of Bolzano, among peaks over three thousand metres and broad pastoral plateaus. The German name Graun coexists with the Italian Curon Venosta in a bilingual village typical of South Tyrol, where signs, hiking markers and road signage tell a long history of encounter between Italian, German and Ladin culture. Curon Venosta is known worldwide above all for one element of its past that literally re-emerges from the water: the bell tower of the old village, submerged in the mid-twentieth century, which makes it one of the most iconic and recognisable destinations in the entire Italian Alps.
The submerged bell tower: the story of Lake Reschen
The symbolic image of Curon Venosta is the Romanesque bell tower that rises alone from the waters of Lake Reschen (Lago di Resia). It is no ordinary ruin: it is all that remains visible of the old village of Curon, submerged in 1950 when the construction of a large hydroelectric dam merged the pre-existing lakes of Resia and Curon into a single artificial reservoir, flooding houses, fields and the village centre. Only the church's bell tower, thanks to its solid structure, was spared demolition and left to rise from the water, becoming over the years an unintentional monument to the memory of a community forced to relocate. This story of land sacrificed in the name of hydroelectric power inspired the novel "Resto qui" ("I Stay Here") by Marco Balzano, translated into numerous languages, and a television series that further amplified its international fame. In winter, when the lake freezes completely, it is possible to walk on the ice to within a few steps of the bell tower, a striking experience that draws visitors from across Europe.
Lake Reschen: kitesurfing, sailing and the lake loop
Beyond the symbolic value of the submerged bell tower, Lake Reschen is a large alpine reservoir that in summer becomes a true paradise for wind sports thanks to the steady winds that blow up the Val Venosta valley: kitesurfing and windsurfing find reliable, well-regarded conditions here, drawing enthusiasts from across the Alps, with schools and equipment rental points along the shores. Those who prefer a quieter pace can follow the classic lake loop, a flat circuit suitable for walking or cycling that allows the bell tower to be admired from different angles while passing through the small lakeside villages amid woods, meadows and views of the surrounding mountains. In winter the scene changes radically: the lake's surface freezes over and becomes a vast natural rink for ice skating and for snowkiting, the winter variant of kitesurfing that harnesses wind over ice, producing spectacular images with the bell tower framed by the white expanse.
Skiing at Schöneben-St. Valentin auf der Haide and the Palla Bianca
In the winter season Curon Venosta is also a gateway to alpine skiing thanks to the Belpiano-Malga San Valentino (Schöneben) ski area, which spreads across the slopes above Lake Reschen with runs suited both to those trying skiing for the first time and to more experienced skiers looking for scenic descents. The ski area faces the Palla Bianca (Weißkugel), one of the highest and most recognisable peaks in the mountain group along the Austrian border, whose snow-capped profile dominates the horizon for much of the year. The area's elevation and exposure generally guarantee good snow cover, while its proximity to Resia Pass makes it easily reachable even from the Austrian side of the valley. Compared with other, better-known South Tyrolean ski areas, Belpiano-Malga San Valentino retains a more low-key, family-friendly character, appreciated by those seeking a skiing holiday in an authentic high-mountain border setting.
Border nature: surroundings between Resia Pass and Val Venosta
Curon Venosta is an ideal starting point for exploring a border territory rich in nature and high-altitude alpine scenery. Resia Pass, just above the village, connects the Val Venosta valley to Austrian Tyrol and offers panoramic viewpoints over the lake and surrounding mountain ranges, with hiking trails leading up toward high-altitude pastures and mountain huts in the area. Descending into the valley, the upper Val Venosta opens out with its typically alpine landscapes, among isolated farmsteads, coniferous woods and small villages that preserve the traditions and architecture typical of South Tyrol's German-speaking world. Its simultaneous proximity to the Austrian and Swiss borders makes the area particularly interesting for cross-border itineraries, while its relative distance from South Tyrol's major tourist flows preserves an authentic atmosphere, made of silence, mountain air and a landscape that changes radically between seasons, from the intense green of summer to the absolute white of winter.
Not to be missed
- The Romanesque bell tower submerged in Lake Reschen, symbol of the old village of Curon lost in 1950
- The Lake Reschen loop on foot or by bike, with views of the bell tower from different angles
- Kitesurfing and sailing in summer, snowkiting and ice skating in winter on Lake Reschen
- Skiing at the Belpiano-Malga San Valentino (Schöneben) ski area, facing the Palla Bianca peak
- A hike to Resia Pass, the border crossing with Austria just minutes from the village
見どころ
Curon Venosta の見どころ
パス · Trovido Route
