The small village of Novacella (Neustift) is situated on the opposite side of the river from the main village of Varna, in a basin surrounded by vineyards and orchards. The grapes for the white wines of the Novacella Abbey winery are grown here. At its heart stands the Augustinian monastery itself: the Novacella Abbey, the largest monastic complex in Tyrol with its Gothic cloister and basilica.

The abbey complex also includes an educational centre, a student hall of residence, a museum with an abbey garden, the winery, and a wine shop, all of which can be visited. Two buildings in front of the abbey are particularly notable: The frescoed Wonder Well and the round Chapel of St. Michael at the entrance, which is modelled on the Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome. When the monastery was built in the 12th century, it was considered by its builders to be the eighth wonder of the modern world. Today, Novacella is an important spiritual, cultural, and economic centre.

Novacella, which was long an independent municipality and is now part of Varna, lies on the outskirts of Bressanone and has its own infrastructure, including a primary school, a kindergarten, and a community centre. Behind the village, the slopes rise towards the apple-growing plateau of Naz-Sciaves. In autumn, everything here also revolves around Toerggelen. This is the season when locals and visitors gather in the rustic "Buschenschänke" inns to enjoy the seasonal specialities.

Fittingly, Novacella is part of the Toerggele circular trail. The two-hour walk starts at the abbey and takes you through the northernmost vineyards of the Valle Isarco. Along the way, various "Buschenschänke" and the abbey's own cellar tavern invite you to stop for a break. Other pleasant excursions in the area include the Karlspromenade and the Valle Isarco Wine and Apple Trail.