Minnehus Laion

Above Laion lies the small village of Novale di Laion, the presumed birthplace of the renowned Minnesänger Walther von der Vogelweide. In the 12th and 13th centuries, he performed his poetic songs as a travelling minstrel. A new exhibition at the Minnehus in Laion (Minnehus Lajen) brings this era to life. Not far away, in Ponte Gardena towards the Valle Isarco valley, sits Trostburg Castle, where two centuries later, another minstrel, Oswald von Wolkenstein, is said to have spent his childhood. The Minnehus Leion is a multi-sensory visitor centre.

The interactive exhibition tells the story of Walther von der Vogelweide's life with the help of touchscreens and the HEARONYMUS audio guide. This takes you on an exciting journey into the Middle Ages. The adventure trail extends over three to four floors with 185 sqm of exhibition space. The project, opened in 2023, is part of an EU Leader project to enhance rural areas.

Directly adjacent to the Minnehus is the "Walther von der Vogelweide" theme trail. If, after your visit, you'd like to delve deeper into the world of the medieval poet, this three-hour hike is ideal. It leads to the Vogelweider Hof, a farmstead and his presumed birthplace, and back to Laion village, with places to stop for refreshments along the way. In Bolzano, the regional capital, the central Piazza Walther square commemorates the famous minstrel.

How to get to the museum: The Minnehus is located directly on the village square in Laion, called Piazza del Paese, where you will also find some parking spaces. Laion is also accessible by bus. The nearest train station is Ponte Gardena in the Valle Isarco valley, about six kilometres away.