Discover Unterinn: walks and local history

Unterinn, also known as Auna di Sotto, lies at an altitude of 899 metres amid apple orchards on a natural south-facing terrace. The climate is mild and the vegetation lush. The altitude, orientation and orchards together shape the landscape. The altitude locates the village, while the terrace’s orientation and the apple orchards give a more precise picture of its surroundings. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in Unterinn, you can first get your bearings using these features, then decide whether a walk or local history will play a greater part in your travel plans.

Walking and regional products

The first stage of the Ritten Chestnut Trail leads from Runkelstein Castle in Bolzano to Unterinn via trail 13. It thus connects a named starting point in Bolzano with Unterinn as its destination. Another walk, the one to the earth pyramids, starts at the public car park below the Kohl business in Auna di Sotto. These are different reference points when choosing a tour: the first describes a stage ending in Unterinn, while the second gives the starting point of a walk in Auna di Sotto. You can therefore first consider whether you would like to plan a route from Bolzano to Unterinn or a walk starting at this local point.

Along the Chestnut Trail, direct sellers offer regional products. This adds a culinary aspect to the route. If a particular offering affects your plans, check current availability; individual businesses and their offerings may change.

Churches and local history

The parish church of Auna di Sotto, the Church of St Lucy, was consecrated in honour of Saint Lucy in 1273. In 1276, Count Meinhard II of Tyrol-Gorizia destroyed the castle of the Lords of Zwingenstein. The two dates are only three years apart, but refer to different events: the consecration of the parish church and the destruction of the castle. They thus offer two different ways into the village’s history: the church’s religious dedication and the end of the castle.

The castle stood on a wooded hill in Unterinn. Just outside the village, the little Church of St Sebastian stands romantically on a rise. The former castle site and the church are in different locations: one was in Unterinn, while the other is just outside it. For those interested in local history, church sites and a separate historic castle site therefore stand alongside one another as distinct points of interest.

Music and local tradition

The Auna di Sotto brass band was founded in 1804. The Unterinn brass band is one of the oldest brass bands on the Ritten and performs at religious festivals, concerts and ceremonial occasions. Alongside the landscape and historic sites, music offers another way to experience local tradition: the founding year provides a point of reference in time, while the occasions listed show the band’s cultural role. If you would like to plan your trip around a possible performance, check the event dates in advance.

Discover more destinations: Petschied, Rein in Taufers, Santa Valburga, Fundres, Wahlen, Colle di Fuori, Kaltern an der Weinstraße, Weitental.

Return to the main travel overview: Bolzano.