San Giorgio near Brunico invites you to its “Flatschwaldile” in the upper village for summer festivals and woodland walks
Image gallery: San Giorgio di Brunico
There are two villages in South Tyrol called San Giorgio (St. Georgen): One is a hamlet of Scena in the Merano area, while the other belongs to Brunico and is located at the entrance to the Valli di Tures and Aurina valleys. Near the village is the Aurino Floodplain Forest Biotope, home to the kingfisher, eagle-owl and grey heron. It extends from the neighbouring Stegona to Campo Tures.
You can explore it on the cycle path or on foot and use the banks of the Aurino River to rest in the Val Pusteria sun. The centre of San Giorgio, however, is on the other side of the road leading into the Valli di Tures and Aurina. The village square is home to two churches: the Church of St. George, the patron saint of San Giorgio, and the new, light-filled parish church.
The main village road then leads uphill, crossing the bridge over the Aurino River and running past fields, houses and two manor houses towards Grimaldo. You will often see the name Gissbach here: It commemorates the stream of the same name, which repeatedly overflowed its banks and devastated the entire upper part of San Giorgio in 1940. Charming cafés and small shops line the road. At the upper end is the "Flatschwaldile", a small wood with a festival ground that hosts woodland festivals, the Strudel Festival and the parish fair during the summer months.
This is where the "Kirschtamichl" straw doll is traditionally erected. If you wish to walk further, the quiet road takes you to Grimaldo, which is already part of the municipality of Falzes. The area is one of the oldest settlements in the Val Pusteria, as evidenced by traces of prehistoric hillforts. In winter, the ski bus usually runs every half hour to the Plan de Corones Skiing Area.
