campus transhumanza

Transhumance, from 'trans' (beyond, across) and 'humus' (soil, earth), is a term for the seasonal movement of livestock that has been known in the Val Senales for millennia. Today, it describes the annual sheep drive across the glaciers, a deeply rooted tradition recognised as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. In June, when the mountain pastures beyond the main Alpine ridge are free of snow, thousands of sheep and goats travel with their shepherds from the Val Venosta through the Val Senales. The gathering places for the overnight stop are in Maso Corto and in Vernago al Lago, after which the journey continues across the mountains and over the border.

After two days and a journey of more than 40 kilometres through the rugged, rocky landscape, they arrive at the summer pastures in Austria's Oetztal. In September, they make the return journey. What is the story behind this? Transalpine crossings for grazing, trade and smuggling have existed since the time of Oetzi the Iceman, for around 5,000 years. The grazing rights between the farmers of the Val Senales and those from the Oetztal have existed since the 14th century and remain valid today. This ancient way of life and economy now has its own space.

The campus transhumanza has been inaugurated in Madonna di Senales at the end of 2025, right next to the archeoParc Val Senales. The site aims to be more than just a museum. It sees itself as a lively meeting place where knowledge is shared, crafts are practised, and the future is contemplated. The grounds house several original historic buildings: The Schnals-Gorfer Mill, a stable with a barn, and the upper floor of an old house, the so-called 'Schnals-Schmied Hütt'.

A Venetian sawmill has been faithfully reconstructed. The multifunctional rooms are a place for encounters: They can be hired, are available to local associations from the Val Senales for their events, and also incorporate art. The first temporary exhibition, 'Paths of Grass and Rock. Forms of Mobile Pastoralism in Europe', presents transhumance as a European phenomenon and features eight examples. At the interactive stations, similar to those in a science centre, these phenomena can be experienced first-hand through the senses. How to get to the campus transhumanza? It is located right next to the archeoParc Val Senales, above the parking space.