The Rifiano Waalweg path and the trail to the “Burgstall” prehistoric settlement make for a great excursion
Image gallery: Rifiano village
On the journey from the Val Passiria to Merano, the temperature change becomes noticeable around Rifiano. Leaving behind a harsher climate, the air grows warmer and milder, revealing a pleasant, spa-like atmosphere. The vineyards and sweet chestnut trees surrounding the main village clearly reflect this shift. Visitors can find everything they need in the centre of Rifiano, including a tourist information office, farm shop, beer garden, library, school, and butcher.
The most prominent building attracts the majority of visitors: the Baroque church. Since the Middle Ages, believers have made pilgrimages to Rifiano to seek comfort, help, and blessings from the Mother of Mercy. The neighbouring village of Caines once belonged to Saint Corbinian, while Rifiano has welcomed pilgrims for seven centuries. Today, both aim to be lively places of encounter. To support this, a dedicated pilgrimage route opened in Rifiano a few years ago.
Legend has it that a farmer once saw a light glowing near the Passirio River. Together with other locals, he found an image of Our Lady of Sorrows at the site, and they decided to build a chapel there. However, accidents plagued the construction work. This continued until a flock of birds carried the blood-stained wood shavings to the cemetery near the parish church. The community then built the chapel at this new location without any further incidents. Today, the Chapel of Our Lady at the Cemetery, which houses a wealth of Gothic frescoes, stands next to the 1671 pilgrimage church dedicated to Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows.
Down on the valley floor, the paths run relatively flat through woodlands and chestnut groves. One of these, the Magic Path, is designed for families, whereas the Rifiano Waalweg path provides an ideal autumn hike. It is perfect when followed by a stop at a wine tavern for Toerggelen.
