Pontevilla

This is as far as it goes, at least from a South Tyrolean perspective: The settlement of Pontevilla is the westernmost point of the region. At its edge lies the border with the Swiss Engadine and thus also a linguistic boundary. Whilst on the Swiss side Romansh, a Rhaeto-Romance language, is spoken, German is the primary official language in the South Tyrolean municipality of Tubre.

An administrative building, barracks, and two guesthouses were built here after the First World War, serving trade and border control. From this, a small clustered village developed with St. Rochus Church at its centre. Cross-border paths, such as the one from the Abbey of St. John in Müstair to the Turnauna and Glorenza Waalwege paths, lead past the small Pontevilla (Puntweil).

This abbey on the Swiss side is well worth a visit. Founded as early as the 8th century AD by none other than Charlemagne, at this World Heritage site you can visit the Abbey Museum and explore the church and the Carolingian Holy Cross Chapel. You can also explore the surrounding hamlets like Tubre and Rivaira, as well as the Swiss village of Müstair, about two kilometres away, by bike.

For winter sports, you then head to the main village of Tubre, where a charming side valley awaits you with a cross-country ski trail, a toboggan run, and numerous destinations for snowshoeing and winter hikes. This is the secluded Avinga Valley, which extends deep into the Sesvenna Group.