Water mills
The educational
mills path leads along Ternerbach River. During a 1.5 hour hike you walk past 7 renovated corn mills, some of which are up to 500 years old. This is where farmers used to grain corn into fine flour, and sometimes still do
During the summer months one mill is open to the public every Monday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. During the Mill Festival you can get an insight into the millers' profession.
Pyramids
The formation of the pyramids in Terento probably dates back to 1837. As a result of a strong storm, the Ternerbach River swept away 3 residential houses, 16 mills, 13 beaters, a smiths and a sawmill. 13 people died during this storm. It is very likely that the slope started to disintegrate as a result of this storm. Over the following decades, the erosion had an impact on two different types of debris: the classic pyramids were formed from the material mix with stone blocks; from the material containing no stone blocks only ravines and ridges were formed.
Witches' Stone
This very interesting stone is a bowl-stone. According to the narrations of old locals, on this stone, the witches used to dance with the devil. Their foot imprints can still be seen. Old dairy farmers say, that not only did the witch meetings take place there, but drinking sessions during the nights of the summer solstice also took place. The water source near the stone draws us to the conclusion that this stone had something to do with the fertility cult.
The denomination "Zi Bodehittn" (to the bathing hut), as this place is called in popular folklore, has been preserved to this date.
Devils' Stone
The "Devils' Stone" along the ancient pasture path to the Pertingeralm Hut.
The farmers from the village of Molini di Tures enraged the devil so much, that he wanted to inflict evil upon them. He carried a stone over from the village of Luson and wanted to let it roll down to the village of Molini di Tures from Mutenock Peak. The devil chose the shortest route of course. However, the stone was so heavy that the devil had to take a break and put down his back basket containing the stone. Because of his anger he did however not notice that it started to get bright already, and the sacristan of Terento started to ring the prayer bells, as he always did in the mornings. Hence, the devil had to leave the stone where it was and return to the underworld. The "Devils' Stone" still lies amidst the forest at 1,700 m above sea level just above the Nunewieser farm. The population also regards this stone as a large and imposing example of a non-local glacier boulder.
Donkey Farm
Hiking with donkeys is an exciting adventure for children and adults. The donkeys carry part of the baggage and motivate kids and youths to hike. Sometimes, the children can even ride on the donkeys.
Donkeys are friendly, patient and arduous animals.
Experience the wonderful scenery of the Fundres Mountains accompanied by donkeys, that know each hiking route, each path and each turn off by heart.
Further information
Biotop
The biotope "Pirchner Moos" is located at 1,300 m above sea level with a slight southern inclination. Bressanone granite provides the geological base of the biotope. The biotope impresses with two different vegetation areas. A small fen and swamp with a high moor-like edge can be found at the centre of the biotope. The small wetland is surrounded by marsh areas and wet meadows, loose forest areas and hedges. In the marsh area you can find different types of moss like sphagnum, but also bogbean, bog star, swamp meadowgrass, common tormentil, sedges and different types of the wild orchid. The marsh areas used to be mowed for the production of horse food and litter for the stables.
The variety of flora in the biotope provides an ideal living space for different animals. Here you can admire primeval animals like dragonflies and the azure damselfly. In certain weather conditions you might also be able to see fire salamanders. The common buzzard loves the free space of wetland meadows.
The border between the southern alpine and northern alpine rock composition of this area is located to the north of the biotope at "Hohenbichl", the so-called "Puster Valley Line". This disturbance line is one of the most important earthquake lines in the Alps.
Loden World – from sheep to cotton
From cotton to coat – the Loden Museum in Vintl/Vandoies provides an insight into the production of the high-quality Loden fabric. Loden is a very durable fabric. Its production however involves many, many steps, which are explained in a child-friendly way in the Loden Museum in Vandoies. Visitors are guided through the museum and get to know more about the production of Loden – from sheep to coat. Sheep wool is the basic material for the end product. The sheep have to be sheared, the wool has to be fulled, combed and spun. The children are of course involved in this activity.
‘s Terner Schmelzpfandl
Join in and experience the farmers' culture… the path from the seeds to a culinary speciality is authentically explained during several events throughout the course of the year. Visitors are invited to participate!
Further information
Lago di Pausa Lake
Lago di Pausa and Campofosso Lake are two, deeply blue alpine lakes.
According to a legend instead of Lago di Pausa Lake there was a stony area with many huts built on top of it. Dwarfs were the owners of the huts, and they worked in the mine of the Dwarf King named Mute. They searched for crystals in the mine and got good money for their hard work. However, after some time the dwarfs became more and more dissatisfied. One day, the dwarfs found a giant gemstone, which they wanted to keep and sell themselves. Mute found out about the dwarfs' intention and brought about a giant storm. Water flew down the mountains and the dwarfs could not be saved. Lago di Pausa Lake, and Mutenock Peak are still there today.
Campofosso Lake
Campofosso Lake is also a deep blue alpine lake with a legendary story: once upon a time there was a beautiful, green meadow in the Campofosso area. This was the property of the richest farmer in the village of Terento. A young shepherd, with eyes as blue as gentian, used to live here. One day, the only daughter of the farmer brought his lunch up to him. When she looked into his eyes she fell in love. He fell in love too. Some time went by, but the farmer's daughter did not visit the shepherd again. One day, the farm labourer brought lunch up to the alpine pasture and informed the shepherd about the upcoming farmers' daughter's wedding. The shepherd was petrified and the mountain trolls provoked a storm. Instead of the alpine hut, the farmers' daughter found a lake, as blue as the eyes of the shepherd.
Aschburg Castle
In 1256, the Winnebach Castle, also called Aschburg, was first mentioned in an official document. The castle was originally owned by the Rodank family of Asch. Part of the dungeon was still there about 50 years ago, and in the middle of the tower an imposing, giant and legendary spruce grew. A local wanted to search for the legendary gold treasure in Aschburg Castle around 1970, and thereby blew up the entire tower.
According to the legend, Arnold V. von Schöneck constructed the castle as a hunting castle. It is believed, that at the end of their lives, the Schöneck sons were cruel men who attacked and plundered the people. For this reason the castle is also called the Thieves Castle by locals.
St. Georg - Parisch Church
A House of worship was mentioned in Terento in 1362, a church must have been there long before this however. Bishop Hartmann from Bressanone consecrated an altar in 1162. A new long nave was constructed in 1683/84. The Parish Church was extended from 1848 to 1850 and re-designed in a late Romanic style.
A comprehensive restoration took place in 1964. During the course of this restoration, the foundation walls of an almost square-shaped church room from Roman times were discovered.
Preserved from the late-gothic building are the choir with its three-sided completion, and the rectangular block stone tower with pointed acoustic windows. The long nave was reconstructed in late Roman style at the middle of the 19th century. The barrel vault dates back to the late Roman reconstruction and is decorated with ceiling paintings by Christoph Brandstätter. The ceiling paintings were restored in 1896. The altars of the Parish Church show the transition from classicism to late-gothic.
Adjacent to the Parish Church you can admire a late-gothic Holy Cross Chapel, which was consecrated in 1520. The chapel impresses with a polygonal choir and a stellar vault.
St. Zeno in Pino
S. Zeno in Pino was constructed during the 12th or 13th century. The chapel is located south-west of the Parish Church on a secluded hill between two ravines. The chapel shows the former Roman construction style at the door and window areas. The tower was added in 1794/1795. Major construction works took place in 1770. This could be the first time the church was vaulted. The frescos inside the chapel were realised by the Baroque painter Johann Mitterwurzer (1745-1788). The baroque altar construction with an image of Mary dates back to the second half of the 18th century. Also worth a mention is the bell dating back to 1539. The last restoration took place in 1987/88.
St. Margareth in Marga
St. Margareth in Marga was first mentioned in 1309. Only the walls of the long nave can be brought into connection with this period when looking at today's' building. A smaller, non-vaulted church was probably the origin of this chapel. The pointed tower was probably constructed at the end of the 14th century, and the long nave was probably vaulted at the beginning of the 16th century. This is a construction with one nave. The altar room is located in the tower. S. Christopher on the façade is meant to protect the people from storms. With regard to picturesque highlights we can mention the wall painting wit the 14 helpers in need on the triumphal arch wall, which has been preserved up to date. The wing altar dating back to about 1500 with sculptures of S. Margaret, Magdalene and Catherine is also very impressive. The entire altar was restored in 1888. The extraordinary side altar, a painted wing shrine dating back to the beginning of the 16th century is also worth mentioning. In 1948/49 the inside of the church was newly lime-washed and the inventory cleaned.