Collepietra is situated in the heart of the Dolomites. Its central position offers numerous opportunities for tourists.

The principal city, Bolzano, the spa town Merano, the Scilar, Catinaccio and Latemar massifs, the Suisi Alps, the Renon with the cableway and the train, the Corno del Renon and the Beekeeping Museum, the Pietralba Sanctuary, the Touriseo and the Gardens of Castel Trauffmansdorr, the Carezza, Caldaro and Montiggolo Lakes, Val Gardena and the many castles and museums in the area.
Apart from these local attractions, from Collepietra it is possible to make day trips to the Garda Lake, Gardaland, to the Opera at the Arena of Verona or to visit the magical city of Venezia.

Culture
Collepietra and the surrounding area are home to a number of cultural and social associations: bands, choruses, the Schützen (the bersaglieri corps), the company of volunteer firemen, the folk-dancing group, the Schuhplattler (traditional Austrian male tap-dancers), the theatre group, the peasant organisations, the sports associations and many more.
The ecclesiastic events are particularly festive, especially the processions. For lovers of culture our community hoards numerous treasures such as churches, tabernacles, museums, the Rocca di Collepietra, the Castello di Cornedo, to mention just a few.

The earth pyramids of Collepietra
These pinnacles of earth, shadowed by a mountain are known as pyramids. They are a common phenomenon throughout the region, both in the province of Trento (Segonzano) and in the province of Bolzano (Terento, Meltina, Collepietra, Renon, Tirolo). They are cut into morenic material and are created by the erosion caused by rain and the thawing of the snows. The great boulders protect the portion of terrain immediately below them and the erosion is slowed, creating a column that supports the boulder. When, due to further erosion, the pyramid becomes so narrow that it can no longer support the considerable weight of the rocks, there is a landslide and the unprotected column inevitably collapses. In Collepietra the so-called “Lahnen” (moray eels) rise towards the sky.

The saga of the Steinegg earth pyramids
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful and profitable meadow which was cultivated throughout many generations by the 'Dosserbauer' (farmer) in order to finance the up-keep of the current priest. When, after several requests, the farmer refused to pay the rent due, the Steinegg court had to make a decision on the matter. As there were no authentic documents in existence and because the Dosserbauer took an oath against his better knowledge, the meadow was attributed to him.
The priest was very sad but the Dosserbauer was proud of what he had achieved. However, on the same day, dark clouds brew on the horizon and changed daylight into night. Everybody knew that something terrible was going to happen. Suddenly, heavy rain lashed down, lightning flashed and thunder rolled in such a way that Steinegg had never seen before.
Only when the sun rose, did the thunderstorm let up. And when the Dosserbauer went to cut the grass of his meadow, he could not believe his eyes:
In front of him, he found a deep chasm from which a few rubbish hills appeared.
God had spoken his judgement. However, in a different way than the people had imagined possible.

Castle of Cornedo
The Castle of Cornedo stands majestically above Cardano, at the mouth of the Val d’Ega, the symbol of the municipality. It is a medieval structure and is one of the finest and best preserved castles in our area. The origins of the castle date from 1200 and the first stone was laid by the aristocratic “Greifenstein“ family. In the fourteenth century the castle passed to the “Lords of Fiè”, and later to the farmer Heinrich Gessler and finally to the counts of Lichtenstein. The castle has been restructured over the centuries and various constructions have been added, for example the tower on the west side and finally, in 1573, the tower on the east side with the battlement and the relocation of the original main entrance from west to east. Since the sixteenth century the castle has remained unchanged and this is one of its principal characteristics. The interior has marvellous architectural and artistic features. The chapel consecrated to Saint Anne is charming and contains particularly precious Romanesque frescos. The courtyard with its well, staircase and two-storey loggia is picturesque.
Guided tours every Friday, in the months of April, May, June, September and October.
Information and bookings at the Cornedo Town Hall - Tel. 0471 361314

The parish churches
Collepietra – Parish of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul
Prato all’Isarco – Parish of Saint Antonio of Padova
Cardano – Parish Maria Ausiliatrice (Our Lady Helper of Christians)
Cornedo – Parish of Saint Vito
San Valentino in Campo – Parish Saint Valentine

The "Kaserer Bild" chapel
The "Kaserer Bild" chapel is a neo-Gothic construction dating from 1871. The small tower with a single bell was added three years later. The chapel is part of the "Oberkaserer" farmstead, or maso, from which it takes its name. The two "Kaserer" farmsteads are amongst the most ancient in Collepietra and their owner is the custodian of the "Kaserer Bild". The chapel is a frequent destination for pilgrims.

The Kaser image in Steinegg
Many years ago, a larch of considerable circumference stood in this place, with an image of the 'Virgin Mary of Pinè'. Even then, people presented their needs and requests to the Kaser Madonna (this is the name given to the image) who got her name from the nearby Kaser farmhouse. Over the years, some of the owners of the farmhouse tried in vain to cut the tree down but no axe was strong enough.
One day, it came to pass that there were two women from Kastelruth, possessed by an evil spirit, and they were brought to the 'Virgin Mary of Pinè' in order to be healed. When they came near the Kaser image, they threw themselves on the ground and cried out: 'O Kaser Madonna, you are not lower than the Madonna of Pinè!' They praised the image and nobody could drag them away from it. Even the evil spirit presented its praises to the Kaser Madonna. The madonna was held in great esteem and the amount of people who came to see her increased more and more. Only when the Kaser farmer promised to build a chapel at the site where the tree was, the ban was broken and the larch could be cut down. From its wood, the chapel to the Virgin Mary was built and many people see it as a place of pilgrimage.

The “Maria Hilf" chapel and the "Weißes Bild”
The Maria Hilf chapel stands at about a ten minute walk from the centre of the town in the upper quarter of Collepietra. The simple construction dates from 1797, presumably to give thanks to the Madonna for the victory in the battle against the French. Beside the chapel is an unusual wayside shrine "Weißes Bild", built in 1523.

The “Max Valier” astronomical Observatory and the “Peter Anich” solar observatory
The window on the universe in San Valentino di Sopra. After lengthy preparations the astronomical observatory was erected in the years between 1999 and 2002. In 2006 the Solar Observatory was inaugurated. The position, the constructions and the equipment allow close observation of the celestial bodies and the sky, while offering basic information on astronomy. The conference hall under the cupola is designed for multimedia presentations.
Information: www.sternwarte.it

The wolf trap
This is the only wolf trap of its type to have survived over the years. It is completely walled and is about 5 metres deep. It would seem that the last wolf was captured here in 1822.

The millenary chestnut tree of Cornedo
This chestnut tree stands just above the school building in Cornedo. No-one knows exactly how old it is, but it is certainly more than 700 years old. The trunk, from which new trunks continue to grow has been partly cemented in order to support it. The old people of Cornedo say that the tree, and in particular the diameter of its main trunk were subject to betting in the past: bets that ten men would not be able to join their arms around the entire trunk.

The museum of Collepietra
The museum of Collepietra is located in the basement of the parish Church and presents an unforgettable view of Tyrolean history. Peasant life with its religious roots, customs and traditional crafts, painful memories of the war are just some of the items gathered with great passion and skill. The walk through the various sectors brings to life the humble existence of our ancestors and their profound link with nature. The museum tells the story of numerous details of daily life. The chapel of the resurrection is incomparable with its precious statues and sacred treasures. The Collepietra museum is one of the most beautiful of its kind in Alto Adige.

The Peststöcklein of Collepietra
This small roadside shrine is about 2 kilometres from the town on the old road that led from Cardano to Collepietra. The paintings on the shrine show the group during the crucifixion, the annunciation to Maria with the bishop and Saint Christopher. It was erected in the fourteenth century during the plague.

The Rocca di Collepietra
The ruins of the Rocca di Collepietra, of which only the outer walls survive, are one of the most interesting sites in our province. They are in fact the ruins of castles with a twofold purpose: one part was residential, the other was for defence. They are located on the outskirts of the town on a ridge and were built between the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, on the ruins of another fortress (Wallburganlage). Nowadays it is no longer possible to see the castle destined as a residence because during the thirties the stones were used to construct dwellings in Collepietra.

The Sanctuary of the Madonna di Pietralba
The most important sanctuary of Alto Adige, Madonna di Pietralba stands amidst fields and woodlands in the immediate vicinity of the hotel by the same name. The baroque seventeenth-century church and the panorama of the Sciliar, Catinaccio, Latemar and the Ortler group are a wonderful scenario for pilgrims and for nature-lovers. The Sanctuary of the Madonna di Pietralba, sited at 1520 metres above sea level, originated in 1553 when the Virgin Mary appeared to Leonardo Weißensteiner and healed his disease. He asked for a chapel to be constructed in thanksgiving, at which the faithful could invoke her and praise her. The original chapel shortly became a destination for numerous pilgrims, and it was soon necessary to build a larger church.
Following the path in the woods for about twenty minutes to the east, we arrive at the hermitage of Leonardo, the scenic place in which the Virgin appeared to Weißensteiner, from where we can enjoy the panorama towards some of the Dolomitic peaks: the Catinaccio, the Marmolada and the Latemar.
Famous visitors: when Pope John Paul I (Papa Lucani) was a cardinal he used to spend his summer holidays in the area and Pope John Paul II, who visited Madonna di Pietralba on July 17th 1988,

Il Catinaccio
The Dolomites are the kingdom of legends and the Catinaccio is the theatre of one of the best-known Alpine legends. Even today, during the enrosadira – literally, the ‘becoming rose-coloured’ a phenomenon typical of the Dolomite mountains during which the peaks take on a splendid evening tint, the Catinaccio becomes the background to a romantic opera and remains impressed in the hearts of many visitors.

The Carezza lake and its mermaid
This splendid mountain lake has inspired the curiosity and the inspiration of many famous painters and writers. Anyone who has stopped on its banks can understand why this striking reflecting pool is the origin of so many sagas. The enchanted nature of this lake, surrounded by woodlands is due to its colour, sparkling tones of green and blue. At times the colour is more green, swiftly changing to the other extreme… and then mixing the two colours together.