Discover Pineta di Laives - from historic vineyards to modern living near Bolzano
Image gallery: Pineta di Laives
Nestled on the slopes below the Montestretto, lies the residential area of Pineta di Laives. Since the Middle Ages, this area belonged to the Renner and Steinmann Farms. It was partly wooded and partly planted with grapevines. The present-day district didn't emerge until the 1950s and 1960s. At that time, numerous families from the area around the mouth of the Adige River, near Venice, established a new settlement here, naming it "Pineta," meaning "pine forest" in Italian.
Dating back to this period is St. Joseph's Church, with its unusual reinforced concrete tower, reflecting the modern architecture of the time. A park near the sports area separates the village from the settlement of Pineta Nuova, also called Pineta Monte (Mountain Pineta), located on the road to La Costa. The village is also home to the clubhouse of the Laives Carnival Association.
The vibrant community life in Pineta (Steinmannwald) offers cultural events with music and theatre, primarily in Italian. This district of Laives is popular because of its proximity to Bolzano. South Tyrol's capital is just a few minutes away by car or bus. Since the construction of the bypass, Pineta is free from through-traffic: The redesigned Brennerstrasse, the state road, with its park, pedestrian and cycle path, has significantly enhanced the district.
If you want to explore the area by bike, you can take a mountain bike ride to Oltrisarco in Bolzano. From there, continue to the valley station of the Colle Cable Car and ascend the mountain to the turn-off for La Costa. After an approximately three-hour bike tour, you'll be back in Pineta.
