A visit to the historic Rio Pusteria Fortress and an aperitif with live music in the church square: Rio Pusteria village welcomes you
Where witch trials once took place and the market square bustled with trade, visitors today enjoy pleasant days in Rio Pusteria village (Mühlbach Dorf). The centre of the Gitschberg Jochtal area lies at the junction of the Val Pusteria and the Valle Isarco. Its village centre is characterised by stately manors, while the imposing Rio Pusteria Fortress, called "die Klause", stands enthroned on the edge of the village: The once-mighty fortress served as a toll collection point and was a strategic hub. Today, the fortress can be visited in summer and is one of the village's main attractions.
In the narrow alleyways, charming shops invite you to take a stroll, and this is also where the famous felt slippers are made. On warm days, the Rio di Pusteria outdoor pool promises a welcome chance to cool down. Two places of worship adorn the centre: the Parish Church of Saint Helena and the Chapel of St. Florian. In high summer, the local church square becomes the stage for the Rio di Pusteria Summer Evenings, featuring live music and culinary delicacies.
Above the village lie the hamlets of Valles and Maranza, from where lifts ascend into the Gitschberg Jochtal alpine pasture region. This area is ideal for hiking in summer and transforms into the extensive Gitschberg Jochtal Skiing Area in winter. The cable car that connected the village centre with the high plateau of Maranza was decommissioned in spring 2025.
On the Pusterbike Cycle Path, the cycle route of the Val Pusteria that runs through Rio Pusteria village, you can cycle to Brunico and further into the Upper Val Pusteria. Alternatively, you can take the other direction towards the Valle Isarco Cycle Path, which leads you to Brennero or Bolzano.
