THE VILLANDRO MINE

Once among the major mining sites in the Italian Alps, the Villandro mine has become a bona fide attraction for the public, and families in particular. Take a guided tour that will lead you back in time and follow in the footsteps of the miners of old, exploring shafts and galleries, and learning all about minerals such as silver and galena.  

The perfect choice for a family hike: also known as Steinermandl, this pram-friendly trail on Mt. Jochtal will lead you to a panoramic platform commanding a 360-degree view of the Fundres mountains.  

Discover the ancient secrets of the Earth, beautifully crystallised in a variety of shapes and colours. Take a guided tour of the Mineralogy Museum in Naz and marvel at over 1,500 specimens from 50 different countries. You can even get your own geode and crack it open on the spot… so exciting! 

The Chestnut trail crosses the Isarco valley, starting in Novacella and leading all the way to Roncolo Castle in Bolzano, mostly on level ground – which makes it perfectly suitable for children. We especially recommend it in the autumn, when walking along this path lined with ancient chestnut groves is an immersion into bright colours and clear views, with the opportunity to take an indulgent break at a local tavern for a snack of roasted chestnuts or even a full-blown Törggelen meal.  

Almost 1,000 years ago, this used to be a mining site for minerals such as zinc, lead and silver. Today, it’s a two-branch interactive museum where you can learn all about minerals and how they were mined, transported and processed as well as how new technologies evolved over time. You can also wear a helmet and dive into the bowels of the mountain, exploring tunnels and galleries on a mine train and even hunt for minerals yourself using a shovel and hoe. And if you find none, you can always get a shiny souvenir from the museum’s shop.