ALPESummer 2020 Seiser Alm Magazine - Dolomites
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Summer 2020
ALPE Seiser Alm Magazine
CASTELROTTO · SIUSI ALLO SCILIAR · FIÈ ALLO SCILIAR · SEISER ALM · TIRES AL CATINACCIO
Dolomites
Mountain life
Garden
Joy and dedication
Art project
Kostner‘s “Sasmujel“
zallinger.com
Editorial & Contents
Has time come to
a standstill here?
Photo: Helmuth Rier
Dear guests!
Endless options, exhilarating heights of almost 3,000 metres In addition to important infor- Page 4
adventures, the mountain life… to take over the mountain hut mation about public services, Ski racer Peter Fill brings
his career to a close
Hiking and climbing, paragliding Rifugio Passo Santner in the he- you will find a wealth of tips on
Page 6
and swimming, savouring the ta- art of the fairytale lands of the the best restaurants, restau-
Where life buds, blossoms and
stes of traditional fare and rela- Catinaccio. And on the spor- rants, meeting places and shop- blooms: Farmhouse gardens
xing in a hay-bath: In the holiday tier side of things, professional ping opportunities in the villa- seen from above
area Seiser Alm, your holiday mountain biker Franz Hofer tells ges of Castelrotto, Siusi allo Page 14
prospects are boundless. us how his life’s passion became Sciliar, Fiè allo Sciliar, Seiser Art in the Dolomites:
Hubert Kostner’s “Sasmujel”
his career, and shares his insi- Alm and Tires al Catinaccio.
OR ARE WE Read on, and enjoy the fasci- ghts into life as a biking pro. This magazine will also provide
Page 18
Franz Hofer, pro on pedals
JUST A STEP AHEAD? nating variety of articles in this you with a detailed events pro-
Page 24
issue: Where life buds, blo- Have you always wondered why gramme, information on all the Two young mountain hut
oms and blossoms: Join us on a so many people wear a blue top cultural and sociable highli- hosts on the Catinaccio
bird’s eye flight over the extra- apron in this area? ALPE will ghts this summer, and a sneak Page 30
ordinary, lovingly-tended gar- share the secrets with you as preview of the winter 2020/21 Saffron cultivation
in Siusi allo Sciliar
dens - the stunning spectacle of we lead you on a journey into calendar.
Page 34
shape and colour will take your a world of living tradition and
The blue apron: Emblem of the
breath away. You’ll also find out much-loved heritage. What is We hope you enjoy this edition industrious South Tyrolean
how two sisters in Siusi allo Sci- the story behind the “Sasmujel” and wish you a wonderful, un- Page 38
ZALLINGER liar are making saffron cultiva- stone wrapped in brightly colou- forgettable stay, filled with rela- Arnold Tribus portrays
artist Willy Valier
tion possible here in our holiday red climbing ropes at the foot of xation and joy.
MOUNTAIN HOLIDAYS AND RESTAURANT area. the Sassolungo? Artist Hubert Page 44
Kostner from Castelrotto invi- Pear jam with saffron
MARKENFEE – Foto: Benno Prenn
Page 46
“Going higher“: Dedicated tes you to share in the excite- Eduard Tröbinger Scherlin
Highlights in summer 2020
young hut owners Michel and ment of this fascinating artistic President for Seiser Alm
Page 48
Romina aim to “go high” in the project. Marketing and the Tourist
Winter 2020/21 preview
truest sense of the word, and are Offices of Castelrotto, Siusi
Page 50
delighted to tell you what inspi- ALPE - your holiday companion allo Sciliar, Fiè allo Sciliar, Sei- Seen and heard
red them to head up to the dizzy in our holiday area Seiser Alm! ser Alm and Tires al Catinaccio
Florian lift TRAIL NO. 9 (6 mins)
HOW DO I GET THERE?
Saltria 74 Hotel Tirler – TRAIL NO. 9 (1 hr and 15 mins.) Summer | ALPE 3
Thank you, Peter!
One of the true greats has left
the winter stage: Peter Fill,
ski racer from Castelrotto
competed in his last World
Cup event in February 2020.
He will always remain a role
model in the sports world,
and will be remembered both
for his modesty and obliging
demeanour and as an athlete
who gave his all to pursuing
success in his impassioned
career as a ski racer right up
until the very end.
Thank you, Peter Fill, for all
the thrills and excitement
you have given us over the
years!
The speed specialist
and ambassador
for the Seiser Alm
retired from his skiing
career this past winter.
4 ALPE | Summer Summer | ALPE 5
Brigitte Kompatscher‘s farm garden
at the Moarhof in Fiè allo Sciliar,
where nature lives in harmony with itself.
Where life
buds, blossoms
and blooms
A garden, despite all the time and dedication it entails,
is a source of immense joy: It give youfresh vegetables,
sweet berries and brightly coloured flowers but, above all,
it fills you with satisfaction. ALPE took a look at a few
gardens from a slightly unusual perspective.
I
If you take a stroll through the villages and hamlets
in the holiday area Seiser Alm in spring, summer or
autumn, the wonderment never ends: In front of
the farmhouses, sunflowers several metres in hei-
ght stretch up from the gardens into the balmy air,
while leeks and onions intersperse with the pinks,
violets and yellows of aster, lady’s mantle and iris.
The garden is normally the domain of the farming
women and housewives, and life in most farms
and family homes in South Tyrol would be unima-
ginable without this abundantly fertile patch of
Text: Elisabeth Augustin
land. However, the single concept of THE garden » Photo: Helmuth Rier
6 ALPE | Summer Summer | ALPE 7
The Malfertheiner family
tend their garden at the
Oberpstosser in S. Valentino
with the greatest of love
and devotion.
simply does not exist; every garden is different.
They come in different shapes, sizes and colours
and vary in location, choice of plants and the rea-
son for planting them. Every garden is also home
to much-welcomed insectsbut on the other hand Valentin Mayrl and
also to bugs that pose a potential threat to the ve- his dog Dana spend so
many precious moments
getables and herbs.
together in their garden
in Telfen.
These gardens are a lovingly tended wellspring of beautiful exemplar of natural heritage and a com-
peace and of energy. Sometimes they are the epi- mon sight in the mountainous reaches of South
tome of orderliness, and sometimes they sprout Tyrol. Located along the footpath leading to the
forth wilder blossoms of breathtaking beauty. Laghetto di Fiè lake, Brigitte’s garden brings joy
Unlike large-scale cultivation, family vegetable pa- always easy to tell which of these are foodstuffs to plant-loving souls right through to the autumn.
tches and gardens are home to an incredible range and which are decorative –the two are not always Alongside chives, parsley, celery, onions, lettuce,
of vegetables, herbs, flowers and plants which, ge- mutually exclusive. On looking over the fence and bell peppers, beans, carrots and tomatoes, Bri-
nerally speaking, provide for self-sufficiency. into what lies beyond, the attentive observer will gitte also grows blackcurrants and strawberries.
discover an immense wealth of species, and it is Her own home-sown seeds shine in resplendent
The trend of the moment is the rediscovery of old well worth taking some time to enjoy a closer look radiance, a composition of shades and hues set off
varietals, and an increasing awareness of their va- at this mini cosmos. by the backdrop of the Schlern: Zinnias, asters, ma-
lue has encouraged younger generations of farmers “Yes, our garden is definitely a typical farmer’s gar- rigolds, cosmea flowers, sunflowers together with
to opt for local varieties; this tendency is not only of For ALPE magazine, photographer Helmuth Rier den” says Brigitte Wörndle Kompatscher, farming tendrils of pink and lilac creeping their way up the
benefit for the humanity and the natural world, but set his drone off on flight to get a bird’s eye view lady at the Moarhof in Fiè allo Sciliar, explaining fencing.
imparts a tremendous sense of joy in growing one’s of the most unusual gardens. And when seen from that it is home to both flowers and vegetables.
own food. Newer varietals also thrive in a number above, the vision of shapes and colours is nothing This style of garden is normally surrounded by lar- Amidst a vast stretch of green land on the southern
of traditional gardens and, at first glance, it is not short of breathtaking. ch-wood picket fencing known as ‘Speltenzaun,’ a slopes of S. Valentino, a large garden comes into »
8 ALPE | Summer Summer | ALPE 9
nods in agreement – she knows how much the gar- ter instantly.” In summer months, the front of the
den means, and gives, to her Valentin. house is nice and shady at lunchtime, and that is
when Edeltraud can take a short break and relax in
At the Psoar-Hof in S. Valentino, which dates back her garden. She grows mainly vegetables behind
to the year 1350, the garden is indubitably the re- the old wooden fence, where passers-by never fail
alm of farming woman Edeltraud Rabanser Rung- to stop and behold in amazement: carrots cour-
galdier. “I do everything here,” she says. “This is the gettes, lettuce, leeks, red cabbage, green cabbage,
best, and most relaxing, job on the farm. Whenever chard, onions, parsley, chives and garlic escorted
I’m agitated I retreat to my garden, and I feel bet- by an array of traditional herbs including thyme,
marjoram and basil, and blackberries, which Edel-
traud boils up into mouthwatering jams. The vege-
tables are served up on the table to feed the family
of five every day, and the leeks are frozen for use
during the winter months. This farm is also home to
another interesting aside: The potatoes are stored
in an enormous cellar, which, in the days when the
farm belonged to the Castelvecchio Castle, housed
a dungeon.
Maria Wörndle Rier tends a rare sight indeed in the
centre of Castelrotto: a round garden. “My gar-
den used to be square, like all the other gardens
in the area,” the 90 year-old Maria tells us. When
Maria Rier’s garden in
her grandson became a gardener he designed the » Castelrotto town centre is
In her garden at the Psoar-Hof
an all-round joy. Having your
in S. Valentino, farming lady
own garden calls for dedication
Edeltraud devotes her energies
and, above all, a lot of time.
to “the best and most relaxing
job on the farm.”
view near the Oberpstosser-Hof farm. “Carrots,
cabbage, red cabbage, runner beans, beetroot,
Brussels sprouts, broccoli, onions, garlic, pum-
pkin, red and yellow potatoes, tomatoes, cucumber
and courgettes all grow here,” enumerates Anna
Menghin Malfertheiner; “We grow everything or-
ganically.” Her daughter Jolanda, who shares her
mother’s love for nature, is an enthusiastic assi-
stant, and is trying to grow sweet potatoes. “The
vegetables are for our own sustenance. Anything
that we don’t eat fresh, we freeze or preserve in
jars,” explains Anna, a trained cook. “All of our se-
eds are organic, and we buy them from the Pfle- den!” His kingdom is the “Ziuger Anger” in Tel-
gerhof farm. The garden is a lot of work, but it is fen, Castelrotto, where he spends a great deal of
a great joy.” time every day “mostly getting rid of the beetles
from the potatoes,” he laughs. He also has to spray
When you pass by his house, you will nearly always them to prevent blight, and uses dung to fertilise
catch sight of Valentin Mayrl working busily in his the land. After he has dug the ground in spring,
small field alongside the Siusi to Castelrotto road. Valentin puts in his vegetables , he says, quoting
Potatoes, broad beans and onions thrive and flou- an old proverb: “Setzt mich im April, kimm i, wenn
rish in his lands, and weeds don’t stand a chance i will; setzt mich im Mai, kimm i glei” (“Plant me in
– Valentin works hard to make sure of that. His April and I’ll grow at my own will, plant me in May,
dog Dana is always by his side when retiree Valen- and I’ll grow straight away”). Valentin Mayrl wor-
tin crosses the street from his house to his nearby ked as a builder for 36 years, but is convinced that
field and gives the command: “We’re off to the gar- he would have made a great farmer. His wife Frieda
10 ALPE | Summer Summer | ALPE 11
round garden, and it has gone on to become, so to fine and Marialuise Planer rarely have the time for
speak, an all-round joy that gives the sprightly old a chat when they meet there, as there is so much
lady a lot of fun. In addition to basil, celery, chi- work to be done. “But we can always see what is
ves, onions, beetroots, endives, Brazilian lettuce, growing and thriving in each other’s patch,” smi-
cucumber and courgettes, Maria also grows a vast les Josefine, who lives on the farm. Knowing and,
array of flowers, with roses, dahlias and asters brin- above all, feeling that the sister in the other part
ging a vibrant glow to the garden in the warmer of the garden is also busy tending and nurturing, is
months. When she is out weeding, Maria particu- a joy for both of them. Here at 1,230 metres above
larly enjoys the afternoon shade in summer. She is sea level, they grow lettuce, courgettes, cucum-
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The hard work that sisters
Josefine and Marialuise Planer Castelrotto
put into their garden at the Prato Isarco Fiè allo Sciliar
Pristingerhof in S. Valentino Bolzano
is amply rewarded with joy nord Siusi allo Sciliar
and fresh vegetables.
sorry to see that most of the gardens have disappe- ber, cabbage, beets and a variety of other vege-
BoLzano
ared from the town centre: “Unfortunately, a lot of tables, in addition to countless herbs, berries and Cardano
people don’t have the time for their own gardens flowers.” In this day and age, knowing what you
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anymore,” she says regretfully. Maria is delighted, are eating is of inestimable value,” the farming
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however, to have her own “green fingers” and the lady says. “I couldn’t imagine farming life without
enthusiasm of her daughter-in-law and grandchil- a garden.” When we ask if, occasionally, she woul-
dren. dn’t prefer to just sit on the bench with her sister new showroom!
and do nothing, Josefine can only shake her head:
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12 ALPE | Summer winestore.bz weindiele.com
Hubert Kostner wrapped 10,000 metres
of brightly-coloured climbing
ropes around a boulder in the
Sassolungo cirque.
Soft as stone
Up until mid-summer, hikers on the Sassopiatto cirque will meet with
a stone wrapped in brightly-coloured climbing ropes. What lies behind
this work of art, created by Castelrotto artist Hubert Kostner?
W
When Austrian Alpine mountaineer Paul Groh- ted with an array of events. Transart, the contem-
mann, accompanied by two mountain guides from porary art festival which has been held annually
Val Gardena, made the first ascent of the Sasso- for the past 20 years made its own contribution
lungo on 13 August 1992, it was nothing short of to the celebrations and paid homage to the Sasso-
sensational. Prior to this conquest, the imposing piatto with a piece of performance art created for
landmark which dominates the landscape of the this very unusual resonance chamber by composer
Seiser Alm to the east, in concert with the Sasso- Eduard Demetz and dancer Anastasia Kostner.
piatto, had been considered “unconquerable” due
to the length of its uphill ascent and perilous rock- The project also included a contribution from the
slides. In 2019, the 150th jubilee of this milestone in field of visual arts which can be seen at the scene of
Text: Sabine Funk
Photo: Helmuth Rier Alpine history in the Dolomites was commemora- the performance - and not just for one day, but for »
14 ALPE | Summer Summer | ALPE 15
the whole year - in the form of a work by visual ar- rience for the artist himself: “We artists usually
tist Hubert Kostner. Entitled Sasmujel (“Soft stone” work in protected areas like museums or galleries.
in Ladino), it is the realisation of a long-nurtured Up here at 2,600 metres above sea level, everything
dream. In symbolic language, Kostner has expres- is completely different. Aesthetic decisions are di-
sed the essence of being “bound” to the mountains ctated by practical necessities, the weather plays a
by trussing a boulder in no less than 10,000 me- decisive role; you are, quite simply, subject to the
tres of brightly-coloured climbing ropes, giving the laws of nature. But, more than anything else, it is an
rough rock a new surface and, with it, a soft, tran- enormous honour for me to be able to install this
smuted exterior. The ropes were procured in part work into this space where nature alone, not cul-
through a fundraiser, and in part were donated by ture, prevails. In relation to the immensity of the
sponsors. So, what does it mean? “Climbers are grey rock arena my work is miniscule and, effecti-
often reproached for doing something absurd, sen- vely, insignificant. Because this stone is nothing up
seless. Wrapping a stone may seem to be pointless, there. Small, fragile, vulnerable - just like human
but art exists purely in order to create new shapes beings when they are in this environment. In my
and images. Even though they may appear absurd, 20 years as an artist, I have never had the opportu-
they are never pointless. The ropes are the key to nity to create art in a more beautiful or more com-
creating a new object. At the same time, this work pelling location.”
represents a mutual enmeshment: The mountain
holds me, and I hold it. And, of course, the rope re- The winter months blanketed the Sasmujel in a
presents the existential relationship between clim- thick layer of snow, which was already lying in the
bers.” The roughly 5-metre high, 4-metre wide rock cirque of the Sassolungo in November. As spring
looked something like a Toblerone bar before Kost- moves forwards, the brightly coloured rock will be
ner’s transformation, and its metamorphosis into a one of the first splashes of colour when the snow
coloured ball on a hiking trail - which was particu- melts. How it will look and whether or not it will
Hubert Kostner: “Art exists larly busy that summer - did not go unnoticed. The need freshening up remains to be seen. The project
purely in order to create
new shapes and images.” Sasmujel was soon to become a popular photo and has been documented in a book and in film. This co-
selfie opportunity, although not necessarily reco- ming summer, Hubert Kostner and an assistant will
gnised or explored as a work of art. This brought spend a few days on-site to liberate the Sasmujel
unanticipated complications, and a “Climbing on from its ropes. When the jubilee year of the first
the artwork is prohibited” sign had to be erected. ascent of the Sassolungo comes to an end, all traces
of the action should disappear: “Captivation and li- This summer, the “Sasmujel”
The high-Alpine stage setting is also a special expe- beration - and so the circle ends.” « will be liberated from its
bonds – and afterwards,
nothing will remain of this
work of art.
16 ALPE | Summer Summer | ALPE 17
Training on the doorstep:
Franz Hofer finds the
perfect conditions for it
around S. Costantino.
Franz the
mountain biker
Franz Hofer from Val Sarentino has been a professional
mountain biker for a quarter of a century: A long,
arduous road that, for the most part, he’s travelled
alone - and it’s not over yet.
C
“Cycling is a solo sport. I like being alone, and I were a good 600 metres of hill to contend with.
liked it when I was a child. Naturally you do race And I enjoyed it. At some point my godfather gave
for a team as a professional mountain biker, but me my first bike, and I entered my first race when
you do 90 % of your training alone, unlike in ski- I was 12 years old. From that moment on, there
ing where a pool of 10 people train together. If was no doubt that I wanted to do it for a living.”
you’re a professional biker, you’re on your own.” At that time, there were no schools, which foste-
And so begins the professional chronicles of Val red young talents like those in the Alpine region
Sarentino “mountain bike veteran” Franz Hofer, of today, mainly for skiing. From the very outset,
all set to bike his way into his 26th season the co- Franz was on his own, and had to find his own way
ming summer. The decision to become a profes- of doing it. “My second passion, other than cycling
sional was not a hard one to take: For Hofer, born soon, and inevitably became finding sponsors.”
in 1981, the sport was the perfect fit for him both
physically and psychologically, and it is clear that His competitive career began in the 1990s -
his love for the sport drives him onwards rather an auspicious time, as it was in this period that
than any burning desire to make a name for him- mountain biking was classified as a professional
self in the races. sport. MTB Cross Country first became an Olym-
pic sport in 1996 and similarly the mountain bike
Franz Hofer helped out on a nearby farm in Val scene underwent something like a boom period
Sarentino starting his early youth, and he always in Italy, with its deep-rooted cycling culture. His
Text: Sabine Funk
Photo: Helmuth Rier biked to work. “It was only 8 kilometres, but there debut in the junior races was a happy occasion. »
18 ALPE | Summer Summer | ALPE 19Franz Hofer
and former ski racer
Denise Karbon have
two lively children.
BIG VICTORIES
2002 Italian Champion (U23)
2002 European Championships
4th place (team relay)
Leysin (CH)
2003 World Championships
When Hofer took the title of Italian champion cross-country skiing and ski tours but more often Lugano (CH), 9th place
in the U23 category in 2002 a number of teams than not he hops on his “equipment” of choice, his (Cross Country)
expressed an interest in him and, at the age of 20, bike, and takes advantage of all the possibilities in 2004 European Championships
Graz (AT)
he signed his first professional contract with the his immediate surrounding around S. Costantino
2005 Dolomiti Superbike,
team belonging to Austrian Formula One driver near Fiè allo Sciliar. “Short, intensive training ses- 1st place
Alexander Wurz. This was followed by a notable sions take two to three hours and longer ones five, 2006 European Championships,
11 years in the Italian Scott Team. Franz Hofer’s but I’m always back after six hours.” Franz has other 3rd place in the overall
career is arguably more impressive for its length ‘problems’ which other men could only dream of: classification
2015 Transalp Stage Champion
- how many athletes can look back on over 25 ye- He has more or less given up strength training as 2015 Bike four Peaks Stage
ars as a professional? - than for its really big victo- he has a tendency to build up muscle too quickly, Champion (DE)
ries. Hofer, however, reflects with wisdom: “As a which is not an advantage in his sport: Body weight
professional I have never really reached the top of has to be hauled up the mountains and this metre PRESTIGIOUS WINS
IN THE “CLASSIC”
the world. But even when I look back, I don’t see upon metre of altitude difference.
MOUNTAIN BIKE RACES
this as being frustrating or humiliating; I just enjoy
2014 Montalcino Marathon
my job immensely. Maybe it was different in the At the beginning of his career, Franz Hofer mainly 2014 RampiConero Marathon
first few years - when you’re younger you want to competed in the relatively short loop-routes of 2015 Monteriggioni Marathon
achieve everything at once. But even though I’ve cross-country races but made a gradual shift from 2015 RampiConero Marathon
never been at the peaks of the World Cup loop, my 2013 to 2016 and, finally made the transition to
good results at national and European level have marathons - races of at least 60 km, generally with
always spurred me on. I know my own potential, anywhere from 2,000 to 5,000 metres of altitude
and that is, possibly and fundamentally a positive difference. This style of cycling involves a com-
thing as to today, I am still motivated to give my pletely different kind of challenge for athletes: “I
best. People who have taken the top podium and often got good results at the beginning of my ca-
can’t sustain their performance over time might reer, but they were only good in athletic terms.
see more reason to bring their careers to an end, Now that I’m older it is of course, difficult to keep
but I just really like my profession.” up with the younger lads, but I can compensate
to a large extent with my experience, particularly
In practical terms, this “job” consists of following since I started racing in marathons.” In the longer
a training programme every day which most re- races, you have to be able to assess your progress
creational bikers would be proud of completing and pace yourself throughout the race.
in a week. But, as Franz Hofer emphasises, he has
always been somebody who needs little training. But the time is drawing nearer when the 38 ye-
“I always used to try to train a lot because I loved ar-old Hofer’s active sports career will, inevitably,
doing it, but it was often counterproductive. With draw to a close. Last autumn, he transferred to
the benefit of hindsight, I now know that I have to the Italian team New Bike 2008, where he alre-
take more care during the recovery phases so I only ady has a dual role, which may lead to a potential
train once a day, and always right here on my door- future career. “I still race, but the team has brou-
step.” During winter, his training can often involve ght in a few exceptionally talented young riders »
20 ALPE | Summer Summer | ALPE 21Broken chains – it can without auto-mobile
easily happen in cycling
races, and costs you
several positions
in the rankings.
Affordably and
conveniently to the
trekking wonderland
with the Combi Card or the Seiser Alm Card Gold
Seiser Alm Card Gold* 95.00 Euro Combi Card
ohne auto-m
obil - senza aut
o-mobile
R oberto Baggioeiser Alm Car
Valid for 7 days (after first use) | 07/06 > 12/10/2020 S
ohne
auto-m
> unrestricted use of the Seiser Alm Aerial Cableway Gülti obil -
senza d Gol
d
gk
Your Name & Perio eitszeit auto-m
Surname. Card Value do di validra um: 7
ità: 7 Tage ab obile
Michael
not traspe riod:
and the Seiser Alm Express (route 10)
fera 7 days giorni da Erstentwe
ble.
lla
Roberto Bagg
after rtu
first us prima vid ng.
e. imazion
io
Poche
e.
Senior - 95,00
r
> unrestricted use of the Shuttle Bus Service (routes 2, 3, 3A, 5, 13 and 15) Carta Numero: o
24 agosto 202
Eur
19524
0 - ore 11:36
and the Almbus (route 11) Your
Nam
e & Su
rnam
Mich e. Ca
rd no
ae l Poch
t tras
> unrestricted use of the Bullaccia Aerial Cableway, the Aerial Lifts Spitzbühl,
ferabl
e.
Senio er
r
Carta - 95,00 E
u
22 lug Numero: 0 ro
Panorama, Florian (Seiser Alm) and Marinzen (Castelrotto) lio 20 2
20 - 8 424
:36 U
hr
who will benefit from my experience and who I overlapped and they only got to know each other
have taken under my wing a little.” Equally, howe- after Karbon had retired from professional sports,
ver, he could see himself sharing his experience so they have never had to reconcile the every-
in a cycling shop –something that he has always day life of two professional athletes. Just as well Combi Card 3 in 7* 43.00 Euro Combi Card 7* 56.00 Euro Combi Card 14* 84.00 Euro
done on a part-time basis throughout his career. with her understanding of his daily training rou- Over the course of 7 days (after first use) Valid for 7 days (after first use) Valid for 14 days (after first use)
Sharing his enthusiasm for mountain biking is im- tine and frequent absences - not easy with two > 3 times to the Seiser Alm and back, > unrestricted use of the > unrestricted use of the
portant to Hofer. When we ask about his favou- young children - his wife provides him with great with the Seiser Alm Aerial Cableway Seiser Alm Aerial Cableway Seiser Alm Aerial Cableway
OR the Seiser Alm Express (route 10) and the Seiser Alm Express (route 10) and the Seiser Alm Express (route 10)
rite races in South Tyrol, the ones that every am- support, says Franz. Outside the home that they
> unrestricted use of the > unrestricted use of the > unrestricted use of the
bitious amateur should ride, he answers without share in S Costantino, designed with amazing at-
Shuttle Bus Service (routes 2, 3, 3A, 5, 13, 15) Shuttle Bus Service (routes 2, 3, 3A, 5, 13, 15) Shuttle Bus Service (routes 2, 3, 3A, 5, 13, 15)
hesitation: “The Hero Dolomites - it’s an incredi- tention to detail, we can see another side to the and the Almbus (route 11) and the Almbus (route 11) and the Almbus (route 11)
bly tough race but the views make it worth all the lone cyclist: That of a loving father and family man.
effort, and, of course, Dolomiti Superbike. It’s not Dwarf goats, rabbits and hens play happily in what The Combi Card and the Seiser Alm Card Gold are not transferable!
Children (born after 16/05/2012) and persons on wheelchairs ride free of charge.
Komma Graphik - Foto: Helmuth Rier
a technical race as such, but the excellent organi- is practically a mini zoo, amidst a homemade tree Juniors (born after 16/05/2004) pay only half fare.
sation has kept the family atmosphere despite the house and natural outdoor games. Possibly, when *The Guest Card “Südtirol Alto Adige Guest Pass” from Seiser Alm Holiday Area,
large number of participants.” he ends his career, Hofer says he might seek his which is not available for purchase and is issued free of charge to the guests by the accomodation,
alone time working in the woodland behind the includes a price reduction for the Combi Card and for the Seiser Alm Card Gold.
Since 2014, Franz Hofer has been together house if he feels the need: There would certainly Multi-storey car park in the package with purchase of a Combi Card or Seiser Alm Card Gold:
1 day: 3.00 €, 3 days: 8.00 €, 7 days: 11.00 €, 14 days: 17.00 €, 1 month: 25,00 €
with former ski racer Denise Karbon. The couple be plenty to do. But will he continue to bike after
have two children together, and have been mar- his professional career has come to an end? Well,
ried since 2018. Their professional careers never that remains a surprise. « Seiser Alm Aerial Cableway
39040 Siusi allo Sciliar · Via Sciliar, 39
Tel. 0471 704 270 · Fax 0471 704 269
www.seiseralmbahn.it · info@seiseralmbahn.it
22 ALPE | SummerMichel and Romina put heart and soul
into their new venture up on high at the
mountain hut Rifugio Passo Santner.
Mountain life
What does a young couple who live at an altitude of nearly 3,000 metres
Romina Huber and Michel Perathoner enjoy life to the full in the heart
of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hosting a mountain hut
is a great joy, but by no means a piece of cake.
C
Clearly visible below the peak of the Catinaccio spective buyers, one of whom was the Perathoner
even from a distance away, the mountain hut Rifu- family from Siusi allo Sciliar. “My father asked me
gio Passo Santne is located at 2,734 metres above and my two brothers if any of us were interested
sea level in the “Gartl” scree land in the heart of in taking over the Santnerpass mountain hut, and I
the Catinaccio mountain group. The hut was built in was immediately filled with enthusiasm by the pro-
1856 by Giulio Gabrielli, a mountain guide from the spect,” says Michel Perathoner. The oldest of the
Fassa Valley and was owned by his family for over fi- three sons had already completed his education at
fty years. When the hut was closed to the public for Hotel Management college and also his Bachelor
Text: Katja Sanin
Photo: Helmuth Rier the first time in 2013 there were a number of pro- in Political Science. He knew well what the life of »
24 ALPE | Summer Summer | ALPE 25to the Rifugio Re Alberto 1° hut. There Tobias was doughnuts and served them with homemade apri-
waiting to unload the goods and pack them onto cot jam,” the couple tell us during their conversa-
yet another cable car for the journey to the Sant- tion with ALPE, reminiscing over their first season
nerpass hut. “It always took three people to get the as mountain hut hosts while drinking coffee in Ar-
goods delivered, and we needed to top up twice gentina. The hardest part was the difficulty in esti-
a week in high season because of our lack of sto- mating how many guests would come each day; in
rage space,” explains Michel, who kept track of the their first season at the hut, the couple had no expe-
small inventory. ”If we ran out of something, like rience, and the number of guests fluctuated consi-
onions or flour, we were able to count on the in- derably from day to day: At the height of the season,
valuable help from our neighbours Valeria und Ste- they served 80 meals per day on peak days. The gue-
fan from the Rifugio Re Alberto 1° hut, who were sts were a colourful blend of international climbers
always happy to lend us a hand if we were in a fix,” and, in addition to the many locals, Italians, Ger-
says Romina. mans and Europeans, hailed from Japan, Australia,
India, Iran, Mexico, Canada and more. “One guest
Seasonal and regional: The couple’s culinary even came from South Africa. He had no expe-
It’s the fundamentals philosophy. Michel wanted to do something a little rience in the mountains and wasn’t well equipped.
that count in the mountains: different in the kitchen rather than serving up the He was lucky though, as it was a hot day and still
At 3,000 metres up on high, staple hut classics. At the Santnerpass hut, onion pretty warm in the evening, so he didn’t need warm
there’s no room for fripperies.
soup was served rather than noodle soup, all ima- mountain clothes,” says Michel. The South African
a mountain hut host involved, as he had practically in Milan, and lived and worked there for nine ye- ginable variations of bread dumplings replaced guest had been to a wedding in Venice and then
grown up on the mountain hut Rifugio Alpe di Tires, ars before she began her new life as mountain hut the traditional ‘shepherd’s macaroni and chilli con made a quick detour to the Dolomites to spend the
which his grandfather had opened in 1963. Michel manager with her boyfriend. Life in a mountain hut carne’ the classic goulash as a meat dish. The clas- night at the Santnerpass hut before flying back to
could easily see himself running the hut, but the could not be more different from that of a big city sics, however, stayed firmly in place when it came South Africa the following day.
Gabrielli family from the Fassa Valley were unable like Milan: “Both have their appeal, but I wouldn’t to desserts: Apple strudel was served every day, and
to reach agreement on the future of the Santner- want to go back to the big city,” she says. Life in the Kaiserschmarrn (Emperor’s mess) if time permit- Summer 2019 was a mixed bag, due to the unpre-
pass mountain hut and it remained closed for the mountains is more intense. You feel more groun- ted. “The greatest success in our first season was dictable weather. On rainy days, the trio at the hut
next few years. ded and appreciate the fundamentals of life, like our beetroot dumplings with gorgonzola sauce spent their time preparing for the following days. It
water, so much more all of a sudden. There is no and, at the weekends, we made our own carnival wasn’t a bad summer as such, but it wasn’t steady. »
In the meantime, Michel completed his Master’s groundwater supply to the hut, just melted water
degree in Economics in Bolzano and had pushed and rainwater. Managing the water supply was a
all thoughts of running the Santnerpass hut to the considerable challenge, the couple agree. It could
back of his mind until one day in spring 2018, when be used for cooking, but there was no fresh salad
his father called him out of the blue, told him that in the hut, for example, as there was no water to
the hut was up for sale again and asking him if he wash it with. They made coffee with mineral water
was still interested in taking it over. “I got straight and when the temperature fell below zero in the
on the phone to call my girlfriend Romina in Mi- evenings, they filledjerry cans and carafes with the
lan,” says Michel. When Romina said she would water before it froze to have water at night and the
do it with him, there was no doubt that the couple following morning.
would take over the Santnerpass hut in the summer
of 2019, as there wasn’t enough time to get organi- The new hosts split the labour: Michel works in
sed for the 2018 season, so the two new hosts tell the kitchen and Romina serves customers, does
The magazine Alpe via a WhatsApp call from Ar- the paperwork and the cleaning. In the first sea-
gentina, their current location on a tour of South son, her colleague Tobias ensured that everything
America after their first season in the mountains worked out around the hut. The Santnerpass hut is
of South Tyrol. not large, and sleeps twelve climbers in two new
6-bed dorms furnished in spruce wood. If there are
They first stepped foot into the hut together in a lot of people around, an additional five people can
June 2018. “Opening the shutters and letting the be accommodated in the parlour. Storage space for
light and fresh air flow through our new summer groceries is also limited and the couple got their
home was an incredible sensation,” says Romina, supplies once a week when Michel’s father brought
who has found it easy to settle into a life at 3,000 their orders to the Rifugio Vajolet hut, where they “Over all the hilltops is quiet now,”
metres metres. Romina studied fashion and design were reloaded onto the cable car and transported wrote Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
26 ALPE | Summer Summer | ALPE 27Foto: IDM/Andreas Mierswa
June was a particularly hot month and there were a
lot of showers in the afternoons, so mountaineers
had to plan their trips well. One day that Romina,
Michel and Tobias will never forget is 25 July 2019,
when the temperatures plummeted throughout Eu-
rope, and there was a record number of lightning
storms in South Tyrol. “We thought we knew what
a thunder storm was, but that evening was both
incredibly scary and incredibly beautiful,” they re-
call. “By good luck, the overnight guests were alre- The fascinating
ady there when the storm began in the late after- mountain scenery
The myth of the Dolomites
of the Dolomites.
noon. We had just finished dinner when there was
a thunderous crack and we were plunged into dark-
ness. We were right in the middle of a storm cloud,
and the thunder was deafening. The sky all around
In South Tyrolean extreme mountaineer Reinhold Messner’s words, they are “the most
us was pitch black, and lit up with flashes of grey
beautiful mountains in the world“. The incomparable beauty of the Dolomites is widely
and yellow lightning. The hut shook under our feet
renowned and for many they are synonymous with excellence in winter holidays.
with every rumble of thunder. It was frightening,
but when the storm clouds finally cleared it was a
beautiful sight, and seeing one flash of lightning The mountains of the Dolomites can Dolomites are considered one of the Euringer peaks, stands out as one of
after another all around us was an impressive sight be thought of as a fossilised coral most beautiful natural landscapes in the signature landmarks of South
to behold,” they now say when recalling the unfor- reef arching up into the sky in spec- the world. Tyrol. The Catinaccio massif, with its
tacular fashion. Thanks to their mo- numerous peaks, is also known far
gettable, breathtaking spectacle of nature. In that
numental beauty as well as their Sciliar-Catinaccio Nature Park: beyond the country’s borders. The
record night in late July, over 14,000 lightning bolts
geological and geomorphologic sig- South Tyrol’s oldest natural reserve, most striking part of the massif is the
were recorded in South Tyrol. nificance, the so-called Pale Moun- a 7,291-hectare park, is situated in the Catinaccio D’Antermoia peak, which
tains were awarded UNESCO World western Dolomites and was founded stands at a height of 3,002 metres.
“I can still remember the thunder storms on the Heritage status in 2009. Divided into in 1974. The Sciliar is an impressive The natural park also includes the
Alpe di Tires when I was a child and how loud it was nine areas and forming part of the mountain range whose emblematic mountain forests around Siusi, Fiè
when the hailstones bounced off the metal roof, but Sciliar-Catinaccio Natural Park, the outline, that includes the Santner and and Tires, and the Ciamin Valley. «
that thunderstorm on 25 July was immense, and I
was amazed by how much we all kept our heads in
spite of the apocalyptic feel in the air,” says Michel.
This was probably the most unforgettable memory Südtirol
Bruneck
Brunico Lienz
Toblach
which the couple experienced in their first season, Brixen St. Vigil
Dobbiaco
Meran Bressanone S. Vigilio
and which they can now look back on with sati- Merano
5
sfaction as they look forward to many more sum- St. Ulrich
Kastelruth Ortisei
Castelrotto 6 Auronzo
Seis am Schlern Corvara Cortina d’Am-
mer seasons spent at the heights of 3,000 metres. Siusi allo Sciliar Seiser Alm pezzo
Dolomites
Alpe di Siusi
Völs am Schlern
Fiè allo Sciliar
Tiers Pieve Ampezzo
The young couple can easily imagine having a fa- Bozen
Tires 7 Canazei
1
di Cadore
World Heritage
Alleghe
Bolzano 2
8
mily in the future and spending the summer at the Zoldo 4
mountain hut in the Catinaccio mountain group UNESCO Cavalese
3
Agordo Longarone
Cimolais
Nature and cuisine with their children. “We are not climbers ourselves 1 Pelmo, Croda da Lago
Madonna
di Campiglio Pordenone
Fiera di
go hand in hand. Primiero
Belluno
but, if we have children, we will kit them out with 2 Marmolada 9
Udine
3 Pale San Martino, San Lucano Belluno
climbing harnesses and ropes to make sure that Trento
Dolomiti Bellunesi, Vette Feltrine Feltre Pordenone
they are safe on the mountain sides, like so many 4 Friulian and d’Oltre Piave Dolomites
Trentino
of our predecessors have done up here,” the couple 5 Northern Dolomites
say with a smile. « 6 Puez-Odle
7 Sciliar Catinaccio, Latemar
8 Bletterbach
9 Brenta Dolomites
28 ALPE | Summer Summer | ALPE 29The most
precious spice
in the world
Saffron, a handpicked treasure, is as precious as gold. Deep violet blossom:
In autumn, saffron
The siisters Sabine and Franzi are experimenting
takes on a particularly
with a crop in a field above Siusi allo Sciliar. intense hue.
A
About 150,000 to 200,000 threads of saffron have autumn, the field was covered in the hardy violet
to be harvested to produce a single kilogramme of plants, and every member of the family helped to
saffron. And the “Crocus Sativus,” botanical name pick the flowers every day. They got to work early
of the autumn-blooming, tuberous saffron plant, in the morning before the petals opened in the
only comes into blossom once a year. Even in far- sunlight, otherwise the yellowy-red stigmas inside
back olden times, saffron was so precious that it the flowers would have lost their essential oils and
was weighed against gold, which is how it came their distinctive and heady aroma.
to its alternative name of “red gold.” Saffron is
a traditional crop in oriental and Mediterranean When the flowers have been picked, the meticu-
countries, and also in Switzerland. But how about lously delicate work begins at home: Handpicking
South Tyrol? three threads of saffron from each flower. And you
can imagine what a gentle touch it needs! Franzi
Saffron in Siusi allo Sciliar. “We first came up then lays the golden threads on baking trays and
with the idea of growing saffron when we were dries them around the warm oven. “Roasting is a
staying at a hotel in Alsace. The first tubers that we decisive factor in the quality,” as the sisters slowly
used came on one part from Sardinia and the part learned. The threads shrink to a fifth of their ori-
from Upper Austria,” recalls Franzi. The Sardinian ginal size and feel extremely fragile when Sabine
tubers, however - unlike their Austrian counter- and Franzi weigh them on precision scales and
parts - were reluctant to blossom; it would seem package a small amount into small dark glasses.
that they weren’t well-suited to the Alpine cli-
mate. “Team SaFran,” as the sisters SAbine and Bees love saffron. Even the seemingly super-
FRANzi jokingly call themselves, sourced 6,000 fluous petals have a great purpose. “Bees love to eat
bulbs from Austria and planted them in a sunny, crocus flowers. They buzz around the crocus field
wind-sheltered field of the Winklerhof farm, in and munch on our floral leftovers,” says Sabine.
front of the Schlern massif. Their home farm the
Winklerhof boasts the ideal soil conditions for cro- After their first successful harvest a few years ago,
cus plants as it is calcareous, rich in humus and Sabine and Franzi decided to expand their crop,
Text: Rosa Maria Erlacher
dry. Their efforts were not in vain: The following and grew another 10,000 tubers on roughly 300 » Photo: Helmuth Rier
30 ALPE | Summer Summer | ALPE 31Sabine and Franzi Schgaguler
invest endless time and energy
into their saffron crops at the
Winklerhof above Siusi allo Sciliar.
square metres of arable land. The first planting ta- keep the weeds down and create added value.”
kes place in late summer, and the saffron plants Growing saffron should continue to be a side bu-
blossom around two months later. Then the four- siness for the sisters that brings them joy and en-
year vegetation cycle begins: The tubers sprout in thusiasm. Sabine works full time in a sports shop
spring and then the plants begin to garner their and Franzi runs the farm with her husband.
strength. In summertime all the green dies away,
and does not reappear until autumn. “We do not The customers for their lovingly packaged saffron
use any fertiliser or chemicals, and for the most threads are local shops, including “South Tyrol
part, water the plants only when it is particularly Products” at the valley station of the Seiser Alm
dry in spring, but the weeds just keep growing,” cable car and the grocery shop “Konsum” in Ca-
moans Franzi. Picking the rampant weeds days stelrotto. “We can’t produce enough to keep up
after day is a lot of work, but not even the weeds with the demand”: The sisters are delighted with
can spoil their joy in their venture. their success. Franzi often makes tea with a few
infused saffron threads. “It’s a great pick-me-up,”
A sideline with a soul. “We’re still in the expe- she says. The saffron liqueur, which she has made
rimental phase,” says Sabine. Last summer, they is also delectable. Sabine, in similar vein, got her-
treated a field with a layer of biodegradable corn- self a saffron recipe book and often tries out new
starch. “It was worth a try. Next year we’ll try dishes. Her greatest wish is to work together with
sowing buckwheat or rye in the spring to try to local professional chefs as a saffron-grower. «
32 ALPE | Summer Summer | ALPE 33The
blue
apron
Tourism adverts in South Tyrol promise you 300 days of sunshine
a year and a holiday under a blue sky. Deep sky-blue is also the
colour of the most commonly-seen item of clothing in South Tyrol.
Very much the preserve of the menfolk in days gone by, the blue
apron is also enormously popular with women nowadays.
T
The blue apron also called the “Schurz” in South
Tyrol, has shaped the image of these lands like
no other garment. If you keep your eyes peeled
when you’re out and about you are bound to ca-
tch a glimpse of the “Schurz”, known variously as
“Fürtig”, “Firtig” or “Fürchta” depending on where
you happen to be, especially in the countryside
and mostly donned by farmers and craftspeople.
However, you’re also very likely to spot it under
the shopping arcades in Bolzano or at the fruit
market, as the winegrowers in the Bolzano area
remain devoted fans of the blue apron to this day.
The blue apron, or “farmer’s apron” is a clear de-
claration of class; it is a staple item in the wor-
king wardrobe and is practically indispensable to
the working man in South Tyrol. “A man without
A blue apron is a clear
an apron is only half-dressed,” as a local proverb
Text: Barbara Pichler sign of a hard-working
Photo: Helmuth Rier goes, and many people are still of the same opi- » South Tyrolean. »
34 ALPE | Summer Summer | ALPE 35The uses of the
blue apron are as
multi-faceted as the
people who wear it
with such pride.
reached an affordable price in around 1900, syn-
thetic blue became the colour of choice, bringing
a splash of colour into everyday life and a new “fa-
shion” for the workers of South Tyrol. It was ge-
nerally home-sewn by the women of the house,
and the breast bib was often adorned with lovin-
gly stitched embroidery. Today, you can buy the
blue apron in all specialist stores, at markets, and
in general stores; it is often embellished with a
witticism, making it a popular souvenir for both
locals and guests. The apron is the vehicle of
choice for making statements, and lovingly-em-
broidered adornments. “funny and single,” “Ra-
rely at home” or “married and done,” especially in
the days when courting was a secret affair, would
have conveyed a meaningful signal to the mar-
riage market.
Living tradition. The blue apron has got good
prospects as the garb of choice for the quirky
character in the third millennium. Years ago,
Mikamale, a design team from Bolzano, came
up with the idea of creating novel items in tra-
ditional fabrics. Everyday articles such as shop-
ping bags and bread baskets for the breakfast
table are stitched in the robust cotton and sold
in museum shops as well as in a number of shops
in South Tyrol. Fashion label Qollezione plan to
rewrite the history of the blue apron, and their fi-
nely embroidered skirts, trousers and jackets will
enthuse the younger generation for blue cotton:
New fashion, with a hint of tradition.
When work is done. If you meet a man who
has pulled up a corner of his apron and twisted
it behind his trousers, it means that his working
nion today. Be that as it may, women have long all manner of small items can be stowed away in day is done. Older people know endless other
since discovered the “Schurz” for themselves, the bib, so you can wander around the house or hidden messages: It does make a difference if an
eminently practical and multi-purpose as it is. It the field without a bag. And in an emergency, the apron corner hangs over your left leg or your ri-
protects clothing, which especially in the past, was apron also comes in handy as a hanky or to wipe ght. But at the end of the day, you just have to
cared for with great attention. When the two ends a weary brow. put the apron on for yourself to see what it does
are held in one hand, it makes a handy makeshift to a man (or woman). With its endless versatility,
sack for carrying all manner of things for example: History. The apron was originally white, made in there is every reason to hope that this amazing
seeds, potatoes, apples or wood from A to B when local linen and was worn by farmers even on Sun- South Tyrolean accessory will be worn for a long
you’re in a hurry. Documents, the newspaper and days or on strolls through the city. When cotton time to come. «
36 ALPE | Summer Summer | ALPE 37Artist Willy Valier
left a meaningful mark
through his life’s works.
In memory
of Willy Valier
100 years ago, the famed artist Willy Valer was born.
Valier revolutionised art in South Tyrol, and spent
many years of his life in Siusi allo Sciliar.
I
In 2019, all South Tyrol shared homage to the great Willy began his academic life at the Franziska-
artist Karl Plattner. Born in Malles in 1919, he was ner high school in Bolzano, but shortly afterwards
undoubtedly one of the most important artists of changed his course of studies and attended the
the post-war period. And on 6 December, his friend School of Viticulture and Oenology in Conegliano
one of the most innovative artists of the 1960s who Veneto. In 1939, he matriculated at the Florence
sent shock waves through the art world in South Art Academy, which he also abandoned due to the
Tyrol was born: Willy Valier. war. Valier was one of the first people to “opt” for
the German Reich following the Mussolini-Hitler
Willy Valier was born in Bolzano in 1920, the el- Agreement calling for the forcible resettlement of
dest son of Willy Valier Senior and Valeria Cagol, South Tyroleans. In 1930 he enlisted in the Ger-
and died of a heart failure at a very young age on man Navy, partly due to his enthusiasm for the sea
2 September 1968, while on holiday with his wife and technology. He shared his sharp mind with his
Liana and their seven year-old daughter Sarah in uncle Max Valier (1895-1930), a great pioneer of
Senigallia. He is buried in St. Paulo/Appiano. His rocket technology and also one of its first victims;
father ran a bakery under the porticoed arcades in he died in 1930 in an explosion during a trial run
Bolzano; after a failed attempt to expand the ba- of a new engine for the Shell company. The town
kery into a larger company and thus, at the time of of Siusi memorialised Max Valier with the naming
the great economic depression of 1930, the Valier of a street, and the Technological High School in
Arnold Tribus, family built and managed a Viennese Art Nouveau Bolzano that also bears his name.
journalist and editor style hotel in MIramare, Rimini together with their
of the “Die neuen
friends, artist couple May and Anton Hofer. In 1943 Willy Valier married Anneliese Gerold
Südtiroler Tageszeitung”
daily newspaper, also
from Innsbruck, who gave birth to their child.
ran an art gallery Hofer had attended the Kolo Moser School of Ap- After the war, the Valier family moved to Siusi,
in Bolzano for 20 years. plied Arts in Vienna, and was a member of the where they again managed a hotel – the “Monte
Vienna Workshop (Wiener Werkstätten), while his Piz,” after their hotel on the Adriatic had been
wife May (1896-2000) had a prestigious reputation bombed during the hostilities. The hotel was to
Text: Arnold Tribus
Photo: Helmuth Rier as a textile and enamel artist. become a .retreat for Willy Valier, and from that »
38 ALPE | Summer Summer | ALPE 39With his mixed-media works,
Willy Valier created a connection
with the international avant-garde.
time onwards Siusi remained a point of reference which was certainly the most radical of his short-li-
for the artist. ved artistic career. This mixed-media approach re-
ceived only reserved public approval; his audience
IN the mid-1950s, architect Arno Hofer once again felt disoriented and confused. His good friend Karl
built a modern, bungalow style villa for Valier’s pa- Plattner, who also struggled on the scene with his
rents, for which Willy Valier designed some furni- cubist-style art, confirmed a similar experience (let
shings, wrought-iron lamps and banisters. The Va- us not forget that one of Plattner’s 1951 frescoes,
lier’s villa again became a rendezvous for artists created for the war memorial in Naturno/Naturns,
and intellectuals, including Karl Plattner, Piero was covered over with plywood until 1968).
Siena, Roland Veneri and Gino Scarpa.
Valier’s mixed-media works are mainly large-for-
In 1949 Willy Valier resumed his art studies at the mat compositions in which, alongside colour, he
Munich Academy, where the artists Emanuel used a variety of unusual materials including sand,
Fohn and Josef Kienlechner helped him to find a plaster, ash, cement and plasticine with PVA glue,
place. He did not, however, complete his studies, drawing his inspiration from masters such as Burri,
and dropped out once again in 1954. In the 1950s, Tapiés, Dubuffet or Fautier. Through these works,
Valier embarked on an intensive period of exhi- Valier succeeded in creating a connection with the
bitions. international avant-garde scene which had been
moulded by the “Informel,” the collective appel-
lation for abstract art movements of, amongst
His works others, action painting, tachisme and art brut. In-
formalist art eschews fixed rules of composition in
Willy Valier considered the post-WW II era to be a favour of spontaneity. It is by no means, however,
sharp turning point in the history of the world and chaos on canvas, but rather an unveiling of crea-
the history of art. Shaken by the war, the atomic tive gesture and deliberate intent. »
bomb, fascism, National Socialism and Auschwitz,
the world of art turned its attention to approaches
which could help to create a new beginning; the
newly-regained freedom needed a creative outlet.
And in Bolzano, Willy Valier was undoubtedly one
of the most prominent figures of this new dawn.
With his charismatic nature, he was soon to be-
come a point of reference for a new, younger ge-
neration of artists who wanted to make a clean
break with the past.
Valier‘s artistic career is a complex affair. His first
cycle of works in the 1950s is an expression of a
fantasy world and, above all, is characterised by
stylised motivs with emblematic titles such as “Ge-
ometric Fish” and his famed birds, with a striking
objectivity and a delicate embellishment. The be-
autiful colours of his works suited his audience’s
tastes: Modern, but not over the top and, above all,
not abstract. They did not provide the artist with
long term satisfaction, however; He was searching
for something new and, principally, anxious not to
lose his bond with the national and internatio-
nal art scene. At this time he created his second
cycle of works, an abstract mixed-media-art period
40 ALPE | Summer Summer | ALPE 41You can also read
