Monticolo

On the journey from the roundabout in San Michele Appiano to Monticolo, the road leads directly into the forest: The Monticolo Forest, a nature reserve, stretches out on the edge of the municipality, with the two Monticolo Lakes right in the middle. Before the road ends at the large car park, you will pass the campsite of Monticolo and the junction to the sports facilities of Ronco. The soccer pitch surrounded by greenery is very popular: The FC Südtirol trains here, as does the German national team when they set up their summer camp in Appiano on the Wine Road.

The village itself consists of a few farmhouses and the littlle church dedicated to the Three Kings. Its bell dates back to 1505 AD. The other building worth seeing is located a little further away on the lakeshore: It is the romantic Seeschlössl, the Lake Castle, a small medieval-style castle that harmonises beautifully with the landscape. The windows are decorated with pointed arches and gables. Today it is a popular photo motif, in the past it served as inspiration. The painter Max Sparer (1886-1968) immortalised the Seeschlössl in many of his paintings.

Here you are in the centre of a recreational area that cyclists, hikers, swimmers and those seeking peace and quiet will appreciate. Wooden footbridges lead through the biotope on one shore of the Big Monticolo Lake, while cliff jumping is the order of the day at the other end. A hiking trail then takes you to the Small Monticolo Lake. Both lakes have a lido, as the bathing establishments here are called in the Italian style. You can also continue hiking in the opposite direction: There the route leads from Monticolo (Montiggl) through the Spring Valley to Lake Caldaro.